How To Get Job @ Botanical Survey Of India & Zoological Survey of India : Career Scope Explained

Zoological & Biological Survey of India Jobs – Career Opportunities at BSI & ZSI

The term Biodiversity comprises of a variety of all life forms on earth. In simple words, we can define it as variety, variability between genes, species, and ecosystem. Conservation of biodiversity is of vital importance. As it has direct consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, industry, etc. and it maintains ecological balance and continues the evolutionary process. Literally, conservation means an act of protecting, preserving or guarding the biodiversity for the future use of human beings.

Candidates who have an interest in shaping up their career in Biodiversity / Ecology / Plant Biotech Field than this article is a must-read for them. Even Life science candidates have great job opportunities available in this field.

Botanical Survey Of India and Zoological Survey Of India are among those organizations which are involved in the conservation of biological diversity in India. Since India lies near to the African, European and Indo-Malaysian region, therefore the biota includes African, European, Eurasian and Mediterranean elements which together with Indian and endemic elements contributes to the richness of the characteristic Indian Biodiversity.

Let’s Explore various job opportunities that exist for Life Science Candidates

Botanical Survey Of India (BSI)

Botanical Survey Of India was set up on 13 February 1890 but it was reorganized on 29th March 1954. It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forest and climate change. It is an organization for a survey, research and ex-situ conservation of plant resources, flora and endangered species of India.

Main objectives of this organization include:

• Exploration, inventorying and documentation of Phyto-diversity in general and protected areas, hotspots, fragile ecosystems.
• Publication of National, State and District Flora.
• Identification of Red list Species and Species-rich areas needing conservation.
• It maintains a record of rare, endemic and threatened plant species through certain propagation strategies in various corners of the country and the development of National Orchidaria for the study, introduction, and conservation of flora.
• National database development of Indian Plants including herbarium collections, living collections, botanical paintings/instructions, etc.
• It also includes collecting and maintaining germplasm and gene bank of endangered, patent and vulnerable plant species.
• It carries out taxonomic and florist studies on wild plant resources through survey, documentation, and conservation.
• It also studies the fragile ecosystem and protected areas like biosphere reserves.
• Documentation of traditional knowledge of plants. Various plants are used for healing different diseases and development of a national database on herbarium.

Headquarters are at Central National Herbarium, Central Botanical Laboratory, main Garden at Howrah, the Botanical Museum at Calcutta and nine regional circles or stations in different parts of the country- Northern Circle at Dehradun, Southern Circle at Coimbatore, Eastern circle at Shillong, Western Circle at Pune, Central Circle at Allahabad, Aridzone Circle at Jodhpur, Andaman and Nicobar Circle at Port Blair, Sikkim-Himalaya Circle at Gangtok and Arunachal Field Station at New Itanagar.

Achievements of Botanical Survey Of India include 1 new family, 32 new genera and 925 new species, subspecies and varieties. More than 2500 new plant species are recorded so far. It is having around 3.2 million national reference collections of plants.

Job Opportunities at Botanical Survey Of India

To enroll in Botanical Survey of India one needs to follow certain eligibility criteria:

• For field Assistant jobs – Minimum qualification needed is 10th and 10+2 preferably with a biology background. Age limit is 18-25 years. Relaxable as per government Of India Norms.
• For Technical Associate – Post Graduate in any Science subject. Age limit is less than 30 years. Relaxable as per Government Of India Norms.
• To enter as JRF/JPF – One needs to have first-class MSc in Botany/life science as a major subject from a recognized university. Age limit is 28 years. Relaxable as per The Government Of India Norms. (Depending upon University and their rules they will take candidates with or without NET qualification)
• To enter as SRF – One needs to have first-class MSc in Botany/life sciences with 2 years of research experience. Relaxable as per Government Of India Norms.
• To enter as a Research Associate – One needs to have a Ph.D. in Botany or Life Science with Botany as a major subject from a recognized university. Age limit is 35 years. Relaxable as per government Of India Norms.
• To enter as Scientist – candidate must have a Master’s degree in Botany and Ph.D. in Taxonomy or related subjects. Relaxable as per Government Of India Norms.
• To enter as Scientist – B – Candidate can be recruited directly through UPSC at regular intervals. Relaxable as per Government Of India Norms.
• To enter as Scientist – C – Candidate can be recruited directly by the ministry itself. Relaxable as per Government Of India Norms.

Remaining posts in this organization which includes Botanical Assistants and Preservative Assistants are recruited through the SSC of different regions. Their essential qualification includes M. Sc. degree in Botany/1st class B. Sc.(Hons.) in Botany/2nd class B. Sc. in Botany with 3 years experience.

Any Indian citizen who is having the mentioned qualifications along with some published research papers can apply for these posts.

Keep Checking Biotecnika’s Job Section for latest job openings from Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

Application Mode: It will be either Online or Postal or Walk-in-interview.

In order to encourage work of excellence in taxonomy and also to encourage young students and scholars to work in this field of science, the Ministry has instituted a National Award in Taxonomy, named after the late Prof. E. K. Janaki Ammal. The award has been approved by the Minister for Environment and Forests, Prime Minister and the President of India. This award carries a cash prize, a medallion, and a citation. It has been decided to have three awards one each for Plant Taxonomy, Microbial Taxonomy, and Animal Taxonomy w. e. f. the year 2015.

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Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

The Zoological Survey of India founded on 1st July 1916 by Government of India, ministry of environment, forest and climate change. It is a premier Indian organization in zoological research and studies to promote the survey, exploration, and research of the fauna in the country. It is also one of the premier institutes under the Ministry of Environment and Forest and it is the counterpart of the Botanical Survey of India.

ZSI takes the survey on documentation and taxonomic studies on animal species. It also takes an Environment Impact Assessment related to fauna. Also involved in the survey of endangered species.

The objectives of Zoological Survey Of India include:

Primary objectives

• Exploration, Survey, Inventorying, and Monitoring of faunal diversity in various States,
• Ecosystems and Protected areas of India.
• Taxonomic studies of all faunal components collected.
• Periodic review of the Status of Threatened and Endemic species.
• Preparation of Red Data Book, Fauna of India and Fauna of States.
• Bioecological studies on selected important communities/species.
• Preparation of databases for the recorded species of the country.
• Maintenance & Development of National Zoological Collections.
• Training, Capacity Building, and Human Resource Development.
• Faunal Identification, Advisory Services, and Library Services.
• Publication of results including Fauna of India and Fauna of States

Secondary objectives

• Environmental Impact Studies.
• Maintenance and Development of Museum at Headquarters and Regional Stations.
• Development of ENVIS and CITES Centers.
• Research Fellowship, Associateship and Emeritus Scientist Programmes.
• Collaborative research programs on Biodiversity with other Organizations.
• GIS and Remote Sensing studies for animal diversity as well as for selected threatened species.
• Chromosomal Mapping and DNA fingerprinting.

Job Opportunities at Zoological Survey of India

To enroll in the Zoological Survey of India one needs to follow certain eligibility criteria:

• For field assistant post: Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science or Equivalent from a recognized University with minimum 55% marks and Zoology as a major subject. The upper age limit is 28 years as on the date of interview. Age relaxation as per Govt. of India rules.
• Project Assistants/Research Assistant: M. Sc. in Zoology/ Life Sciences/ any branch of biological Sciences with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognized University. The upper age limit is 28 years. Age relaxation as per Govt. of India rules.
• Junior Research Fellows (JRF): M. Sc. in Zoology/ Life Sciences/ equivalent in any branch of biological Sciences with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks from a recognized University. (Depending upon University and their rules they will take candidates with or without NET qualification)
• Senior Research Fellow (SRF): M.Sc. with 2 years of research experience in zoology/Life Sciences or equivalent degree from a minimum of 55% aggregate marks from a recognized university. Age limit for Srf and other post is 28 yrs but age relaxation is there for SC/ST/PWD/Women as per government rules.
• Research Associate (RA-I): M. Sc. & Ph.D. in Zoology/Life Sciences equivalent. Candidate with a Ph.D. thesis submitted may also apply. However, if found suitable, they will be offered SRF and upon awarding the degree of Ph.D. will be offered the post of RA-I. Age Limit: The upper age limit is 40 years as on the date of interview. Age relaxation as per Govt. of India rules.
• Research Associate (RA-II): M.Sc. & Ph.D. in Zoology/Life Sciences or equivalent with at least two years of research experience/teaching experience after obtaining the Ph.D. degree. Age relaxation as per Govt. of India rules.

Keep Checking Biotecnika’s Job Section for latest job openings from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

Application Mode: It will be either Online or Postal or Walk-in-interview.

No doubt both the organizations have played an amazing role in shaping our biodiversity but still, many new changes are yet to be done to come up to the level of our modern scientific world. According to the reports, for the past 15 years, the number of senior scientists have retired from their sectors but till now the post hasn’t been filled yet. In fact, people especially who are working in the field of taxonomy (fungi and algae) have lessened to a greater extent. One more major drawback is that in some particular branches, not a single trained scientist is available.

The scope for Ph.D. and Postdoctoral fellows are very less in BSI. But unlike BSI, ZSI has better opportunities both on a temporary basis as well as permanent. They have a number of vacancies for project fellows, post-doctoral vacancies and Ph.D. admissions as well.

About the Author

Divya is a CSIR NET Topper with an educational background in Biotechnology. She is one of the finest teachers at Biotecnika and wins students heart with her immense knowledge and experience. Ms. Divya believes in self-motivation and also try to boost up her students.