CSIR-CCMB PhD 2027: Apply by 31 October, JRF Needed

The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, has opened applications for its PhD programme starting in January 2027. CCMB is a national laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the PhD degree is awarded by the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR).

The last date for submitting the online application is 31 October 2026. A valid national research fellowship is an absolute requirement at CCMB – the institute does not admit students without one. Shortlisted candidates sit a computer-based written test on 5 November 2026 and then attend an in-person interview at Hyderabad in the last week of November 2026.

CSIR-CCMB PhD admission for January 2027 with a valid national fellowship - apply by 31 October 2026

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CSIR-CCMB PhD January 2027: quick facts

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, a national laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; the PhD degree is awarded by AcSIR
Last date to apply	31 October 2026 (online application only, notification no. 01/2027)
Official website	CSIR-CCMB PhD admissions page (official website)

Go to official website

What is the CCMB PhD programme?

CCMB invites applications from Indian citizens who want to pursue research in modern biology leading to a PhD degree awarded by AcSIR. The notice lists the broad research areas as Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Developmental Biology, Plant Molecular Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Protein Structure and Function, Biology of Macromolecules, Biology of Infection, Immunology, Epigenetics, Chromatin Biology and Bioinformatics.

Candidates also choose where they want to work. On the application portal you indicate a preference for the main CCMB campus, for the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), or for LaCONES only.

Fellowship and financial support

The notice is explicit: a valid fellowship is an ABSOLUTE requirement for pursuing a PhD at CCMB, and the institute does not pay the fellowship from its own funds. Admitted students draw their fellowship from the funding agency, and the fellowship must still be valid at the time of joining in January 2027.

Eligible fellowships: any national-level fellowship (JRF or SRF of CSIR, UGC, DBT, ICMR and similar agencies), DST-INSPIRE, DBT-BET, RGNF or any equivalent fellowship tenable at AcSIR academic centres.
The fellowship must be tenable at all AcSIR-associated research institutes except ICMR institutes.
Candidates who have qualified only for lectureship in the CSIR-UGC (NET) examination are not shortlisted for the interview.
The institute does not pay travelling allowance. Candidates must arrange their own travel and stay at the examination centre and in Hyderabad for the interview, which takes two to three days.

CCMB PhD eligibility 2027

Qualifying degree: a 2-year or 4-semester master’s degree in science after a 3-year or 6-semester bachelor’s degree in science, or a 4-year or 8-semester bachelor’s degree in science.
Marks: at least 55% aggregate for the master’s route, or 75% aggregate for direct entry with a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Marks are counted without rounding off.
Relaxation: a 5% relaxation in marks or equivalent grade for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled and EWS candidates.
Fellowship: a valid national-level JRF or SRF, or an equivalent fellowship such as DBT-BET, INSPIRE or RGNF, tenable at AcSIR academic centres.
Citizenship: the programme is open to Indian citizens only.
Not eligible: candidates with lecturer-ship only in CSIR-UGC (NET) are not shortlisted.

LaCONES: the conservation biology option

LaCONES is CCMB’s Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species. Candidates who opt for LaCONES only are screened differently from the main campus route:

You must have qualified either GATE Ecology and Evolution or hold a valid national-level JRF or SRF (CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST and similar), or an equivalent fellowship such as DBT-BET, INSPIRE or RGNF.
LaCONES-only candidates are exempt from the computer-based written test and are screened through an interview and a statement of purpose.
A statement of purpose must be uploaded with the online application.

Important dates for the January 2027 intake

Last date for submitting the online application: 31 October 2026.
Computer-based written test: tentatively 5 November 2026, held as a remote proctored online test.
LaCONES-only candidates skip the written test and go straight to screening.
In-person interview at CCMB: last week of November 2026, conducted in two rounds on two separate days.
The fellowship must be valid at the time of joining in January 2027.

How to apply for the CCMB PhD programme

There are two portals to complete, in this order. The notice says the applicant must first register with AcSIR and choose the CSIR-CCMB PhD programme as one of the options, and only then apply to CSIR-CCMB through its own application link.

Register on the AcSIR admission portal and select the CSIR-CCMB PhD programme as one of your preferences.
Fill the CSIR-CCMB online application on the hostexam portal, and upload your fellowship proof and academic documents. LaCONES-only applicants must also upload a statement of purpose.
Indicate your campus preference – CCMB, LaCONES, or LaCONES only.
Submit before 31 October 2026.
Keep an eye on the CCMB website for the shortlist and the written-test link; the notice says the decision of CCMB is final and canvassing in any form is a disqualification.
For queries, write to [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date to apply for CSIR-CCMB PhD January 2027?

The last date for submitting the online application is 31 October 2026. Applications are accepted only through the official CSIR-CCMB online portal linked from the CCMB admissions page.

Is a fellowship compulsory for the CCMB PhD programme?

Yes. The official notification states that a valid fellowship is an absolute requirement for pursuing a PhD at CCMB. Eligible fellowships include any national-level JRF or SRF from CSIR, UGC, DBT, ICMR and similar agencies, plus DST-INSPIRE, DBT-BET, RGNF and equivalent awards tenable at AcSIR academic centres.

What marks do I need for CCMB PhD admission?

You need at least 55% aggregate in a 2-year or 4-semester master’s degree in science, or 75% aggregate if you apply directly with a 4-year or 8-semester bachelor’s degree in science. A 5% relaxation applies to SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled and EWS candidates, and marks are counted without rounding off.

Is there a written test for CCMB PhD admission?

Yes, for the main campus. Eligible candidates are called for a computer-based written test, held as a remote proctored online test, tentatively on 5 November 2026. Candidates who opt for LaCONES only are exempt and are screened through an interview and a statement of purpose instead.

Can I apply with only CSIR-UGC NET lectureship?

No. The notice says candidates with lecturer-ship only in the CSIR-UGC (NET) examination will not be shortlisted for the interview. You need a valid JRF or SRF, or an equivalent fellowship.

When does the CCMB PhD programme start?

The programme is for the January 2027 session, and your fellowship must be valid at the time of joining. Interviews are held in the last week of November 2026.

Does CCMB pay travel allowance for the interview?

No. Candidates must make their own arrangements for travel and stay at the examination centre and in Hyderabad for the interview, which lasts two to three days. Travelling allowance is not payable by CCMB.

CSIR-CCMB PhD Admission 2027: Apply by 31 October, JRF Required