The MS-PhD Programme is offered to students with graduate degree in any discipline of Science, Engineering or Medicine. The duration of the MS-PhD Programme is 5 years to a maximum of 7 years.

The overall course curriculum provides an inter-disciplinary perspective of Modern Biotechnology with high emphasis on laboratory training. On completion of the coursework, the student is required to work on his/her Master's dissertation followed by PhD thesis. The MS-PhD Programme is governed by the RCB ordinances and regulations.

The programme in its first year (1st and 2nd semester) provides extensive learning opportunities in the broad field of Life Sciences and Biotechnology through rigorous classroom teaching and hands-on laboratory experiments. In the second year, the student is mostly required to work in a research laboratory under the supervision of a research guide in an area of mutual scientific interest, and submits a Master's dissertation at the end of the 4th semester. Based on the performance review of the student, he/she may be permitted to continue in the programme for pursuing the PhD thesis research in the same laboratory. At this stage, the student can also exercise his/her choice to exit the programme with a Master's degree on satisfactory completion of the course and dissertation requirements.

Eligibility: Applicant should hold Bachelor's degree in any branch of Science, Engineering, or Medicine with 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC, ST, OBC (NCL) and PwD categories) /equivalent grade point average.

Students in the final year of their qualifying degree programme are also eligible to apply provided that they produce proof of having secured the required marks in their undergraduate degree programme at the time of admission to the MS-PhD Programme.

Eligible students are required to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B). Shortlisted students based on their performance in GAT-B, shall be invited for an interview. The interview is meant to assess the student for his/her aptitude and interest in a career in scientific research and development.

The subsequent selection to the MS-PhD Programme will be based on the performance in the interview.

Up to 20 students, who meet the desired criteria for selection, may be admitted. There shall be reservation of seats as per statutory norms.

Students admitted to the programme shall receive the RCB- Ramachandran fellowship of Rs. 16000/- per month for the first 2 years of the programme, after which an Indian student is required to qualify for the Junior/Senior Research Fellowships offered by CSIR, ICMR, DBT, or such other funding agencies.

Hostel Facilities: On campus shared boarding and lodging facilities are available for admitted students on payment of prescribed fee.

The detailed notification is available at https://rcb.res.in/announcements

Application can be submitted online at the link provided at https://rcb.res.in/announcements by 04.05.2026.

SC, ST, PwD, EWS candidates are exempted from payment of application fee. For others, application fee is Rs. 500/-.

For Admission Related Queries: Phone: +91-129-2848817; Email: rcbadmissions@rcb.res.in

For details visit https://rcb.res.in/