NIPGR PhD Admission 2026-27: Apply by 12 November

BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, has opened its Ph.D. admissions for the 2026-2027 session in plant biology and biotechnology. Online applications opened on 15 October 2026 at 10:00 AM and the last date to submit the form and the fee is 12 November 2026. Interviews are on 14 and 15 December 2026.

NIPGR is an autonomous institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The degree is awarded by the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, with which NIPGR is academically affiliated. Selected scholars complete six months of coursework before starting laboratory research.

The important difference from most scholarship posts on this site: NIPGR does not pay its own stipend. You must already hold a national-level fellowship valid for five years – a CSIR-UGC JRF, a DBT-JRF, or another nationally competitive Government of India fellowship that allows research in plant biology. The institute also says candidates who have previously activated a PhD fellowship are not eligible to apply with that fellowship again.

BRIC-NIPGR PhD admission 2026-27, apply by 12 November 2026 with a valid CSIR-UGC or DBT JRF

Table of Contents

NIPGR PhD admission 2026-27 at a glance

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	BRIC-National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi (Department of Biotechnology) – Ph.D. in plant biology, degree awarded by RCB Faridabad
Last date to apply	12 November 2026 (online application and fee submission)
Official website	BRIC-NIPGR Ph.D. admission page 2026-2027 (official)

Go to official website

NIPGR PhD admission dates 2026-27

15 October 2026, 10:00 AM – online application opens.
12 November 2026 – last date for submission of the online application form and the online fee.
By 20 November 2026 – email is sent to shortlisted candidates.
14 and 15 December 2026 – interview / viva-voce at NIPGR, New Delhi.

The page header still labels the programme as the “Autumn Semester” of 2026-2027 while the dates are the October-November 2026 window with December interviews. Go by the dates printed in the “important dates” list and confirm with the institute before booking travel.

Research areas at NIPGR

NIPGR works on frontier areas of plant biology. The official admission page lists:

Developmental biology.
Genome analysis and molecular mapping.
Molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress responses.
Plant-microbe and plant-insect interactions, and plant immunity.
Nutritional genomics.
Genetic engineering and genome editing.
Molecular breeding for crop improvement.
Computational biology and structural biology.
Other emerging areas in plant biology and biotechnology.

NIPGR PhD eligibility

A four-year bachelor’s degree, or M.Sc. or equivalent from a recognised institution in any area of life sciences, biotechnology or a related discipline.
Minimum 55% marks. A relaxation of 5% (55% to 50%, or an equivalent grade relaxation) applies to SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and PwD candidates, and to those who obtained a master’s degree before 19 September 1991.
A national-level test for pursuing a PhD: the Joint CSIR-UGC test for Junior Research Fellowship, the DBT Junior Research Fellowship, or any other nationally competitive Government of India fellowship that permits research in plant biology and related fields.
A fellowship that stays valid for five years.
Candidates who have already activated a PhD fellowship once cannot use the same fellowship to apply again.

Reservation at NIPGR

27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS and 5% PwD, as per Government of India policy; the PwD reservation is horizontal and requires a disability of at least 40% under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD candidates must upload a certificate from an authorised Government of India officer; only certificates issued by the Union or a Central Government authority are accepted for reserved seats.

Application fee and how to apply

Register on the BRIC-NIPGR online PhD application portal. Applications are accepted online only – no hard copy is accepted.
Pay the fee online through SBI Collect: Rs 500 for general candidates and Rs 200 for SC/ST/PwD/EWS candidates, against documentary proof. The fee is non-refundable.
Upload the scanned documents listed below, preview the form, and submit. Save or print the form for your records.

Documents to upload

Photograph (under 50 KB) and signature (under 50 KB).
Age proof (under 100 KB).
Relevant educational qualification certificates (under 100 KB).
Category certificate – SC/ST/OBC/EWS – if applicable (under 100 KB).
PwD certificate, if applicable (under 100 KB).
Fellowship award letter or admit card (under 100 KB).
Payment confirmation slip or fee receipt (under 100 KB).

Selection and what you get

Selection is based on an interview / viva-voce – there is no separate written entrance test at this stage.
Selected candidates are enrolled in the Ph.D. programme with academic affiliation to the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.
BRIC-NIPGR provides hostel accommodation to selected candidates, subject to availability.
The institute does not reimburse travel for candidates appearing in the interview or viva-voce.
The stipend is the national fellowship you bring (CSIR-UGC JRF, DBT-JRF or equivalent). The admission page does not print a monthly amount, so check your fellowship sanction letter for the rate and validity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date for BRIC-NIPGR PhD admission 2026-27?

The last date for submitting the online application form and the online fee is 12 November 2026. Applications opened on 15 October 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Does NIPGR pay a scholarship to PhD students?

NIPGR does not pay its own stipend. You must hold a national-level fellowship valid for five years – a CSIR-UGC JRF, a DBT Junior Research Fellowship, or another nationally competitive Government of India fellowship that allows research in plant biology.

What is the NIPGR PhD application fee?

Rs 500 for general candidates and Rs 200 for SC/ST/PwD/EWS candidates with documentary proof. The fee is paid online through SBI Collect and is non-refundable.

What is the minimum percentage required for NIPGR PhD admission?

55% marks in a four-year bachelor’s degree or an M.Sc. or equivalent in life sciences, biotechnology or a related discipline. SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and PwD candidates get a 5% relaxation to 50%.

When is the NIPGR PhD interview?

The interview and viva-voce are on 14 and 15 December 2026. Shortlisted candidates are informed by email by 20 November 2026.

Which degree does the NIPGR PhD programme award?

The Ph.D. degree is awarded by the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad, with which BRIC-NIPGR is academically affiliated. Scholars first complete six months of coursework and then move to laboratory research.

Is hostel accommodation available for NIPGR PhD scholars?

Yes, BRIC-NIPGR provides hostel accommodation to selected candidates subject to availability. The institute does not reimburse travel expenses for the interview.

BRIC-NIPGR PhD Admission 2026-27: Apply by 12 November