BRIC-CDFD Research Scholars Program 2026 Admissions, CDFD PhD-I-2026
(BRIC-CDFD) CENTRE FOR DNA FINGERPRINTING AND DIAGNOSTICS
(A Research Institute under Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India)
Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad – 500039, Telangana, India
(www.cdfd.org.in)
PhD-I-2026 Admissions
The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, is a research Institution under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. BRIC – CDFD is a premier institute in the country, which provides services in the areas of DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics and performs cutting edge research in several frontier areas of modern biology.
Our current research themes include:
Cell & Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Disease Biology, Genetics, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (please see our website www.cdfd.org.in for details).
We invite applications from highly motivated candidates for admission to our PhD admissions, beginning January 2026. Keeping in view the interdisciplinary nature of modern biology, we especially encourage persons from diverse backgrounds to apply. Those admitted as Ph.D. Scholars would be encouraged to register under the PhD program of Regional Centre for Biotechnology. The selection for PhD-I-2026 shall be based on interview conducted through online & in person mode, as detailed below:
Eligibility Criteria For BRIC-CDFD Research Scholars Program 2026:
To be eligible for Admission to the CDFD PhD-I-2026, the candidate must have:
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A Master’s degree in any branch of Science, Technology, or Agriculture OR MBBS from a recognized University / Institute.
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Qualified for a Junior Research Fellowship from CSIR / UGC / DBT / ICMR / DST-INSPIRE / UGC – RGNF or any other similar examination with fellowship. Candidates having qualified for Project – JRF under the ICMR funded project Scheme [which is only for a period of two years] OR DBT JRF NET with a B.Tech. [Biotechnology] degree OR DBT JRF NET under DBT – B category list OR LS-NET qualification only in CSIR-UGC (NET) examination are NOT eligible to apply.
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A valid fellowship is an ABSOLUTE requirement for pursuing PhD at CDFD. However,
a) If a candidate’s fellowship result is AWAITED, the candidate must UPDATE the fellowship status positively before the first round of interview, via email to [email protected].
b) Though a candidate is allowed to submit application without having qualified valid fellowship, only those candidates who submit proof of having a valid fellowship will be eligible for first of interview.
Selection Procedure:
Admission to PhD-I.-2026 at CDFD will be based on a two – step selection process:
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I Round: ONLINE interview for the first round via video conference; scheduled to be held during 7 – 12 November 2025 (the exact dates will be informed along with the list of candidates shortlisted for the interview).
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II Round: Interview for the second round “in person” at CDFD during 3 – 6 December, 2025 (the exact dates will be informed along with the list of candidates shortlisted for the interview).
The list of candidates shortlisted for:
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First round of interviews will be displayed on the website by 5th November, 2025.
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Second round of interviews will be displayed on the website by 13th November, 2025.
Subsequent to the second round of interviews, applicants will be encouraged to contact CDFD faculty either in person OR through email / phone to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the various faculty.
Application Procedure for BRIC-CDFD Research Scholars Program 2026:
Interested candidates who fulfill the above conditions may register their names for PhD. – I – 2026 admissions by applying in the prescribed application form online. The link for upload soft copies of certificates in support of date of birth, educational qualifications, reservation category (if applicable), and fellowship examination qualified. Please contact [email protected] for any queries.
The Online application portal will close on 28.10.2025.
Note:
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CDFD’s Research Scholars Program is a fully residential program. The selected candidates will have to stay on campus.
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Mere fulfilment of the minimum requirements stipulated in the notification would not automatically entitle a candidate for selection. The decision of CDFD in this regard shall be final. Candidates engaging in canvassing in any form and/or bringing in any influence, political or otherwise, will be treated as a disqualification.
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The fellowship MUST be valid at the time of joining (January / February 2026). A candidate who has activated fellowship elsewhere and wishes to transfer fellowship to CDFD will be eligible only if the fellowship was activated within 6 months from date of final interview.
The application form is available at __(_Click here for link) It is mandatory to
Important dates for BRIC-CDFD Research Scholars Program 2026:
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Last date for submitting online application – October 28, 2025
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Display of shortlist for first round interview – by 5th November, 2025
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Date(s) for first round of interview – During 7 – 12 November, 2025 [Exact Date(s) to be announced later]
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Display of shortlist for second round of interview – by 13th November, 2025
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Date(s) for second round of interview – During 3 – 6 December, 2025 [Exact Date(s) to be announced later]
Please check the CDFD website (http://www.cdfd.org.in) regularly for updates.
