Graduate Exams
Career Trajectories in Life Sciences After Graduation (B.Sc. / B.Tech)
Key Entrance Exams and Opportunities for M.Sc. & Integrated Ph.D. Programs in India
After completing a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology, or Botany, students often wonder, “What’s next?” Fortunately, India offers a wide range of competitive exams and programs for further study, research, and long-term career growth in life sciences. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the top entrance exams and what they offer:
CUET-PG (Common University Entrance Test – Postgraduate)
- Frequency: Twice a year (June and December)
- Purpose: For admission to M.Sc. programs in Central Universities across India.
- Institutions Covered: Delhi University, BHU, JNU, Central University of Punjab, Hyderabad University, etc.
- Benefit: Opportunity to earn a Master's from India’s top central universities with access to high-quality academics and research infrastructure.
DBT-GAT-B (Department of Biotechnology – Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology)
- Frequency: Once a year (April)
- Purpose: Admission to M.Sc. Biotechnology programs in 51+ DBT-supported universities and institutions.
- Benefit: Fellowship of ₹5000/month for two years. Excellent for students aiming for industry or research in biotechnology and molecular biology.
JGEEBILS (Joint Graduate Entrance Exam for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences)
- Frequency: Once a year (December)
- Purpose: Entry into Integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. programs at top research institutes like:
- TIFR (Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad)
- IISERs (Pune, Mohali, Bhopal, etc.)
- Bose Institute
- NIBMG (Kalyani)
- NBRC (Manesar)
- Benefit: Fellowship of ₹18,000/month. Ideal for students passionate about fundamental research in life sciences and planning a long-term research career.
NIV Pune (National Institute of Virology Entrance Exam)
- Frequency: Once a year (June)
- Purpose:Admission to M.Sc. Virology at NIV, an ICMR-funded institution.
- Benefit: Specialized training in virology, disease surveillance, and infectious disease research—especially relevant in the post-pandemic world.
- research—especially relevant in the post-pandemic world.
IISER Aptitude Test (IAT - For Integrated B.S.-M.S.)
- Frequency:Once a year (July)
- Purpose:For entry to B.S.-M.S. dual degree programs at IISERs across India.
- Note: Some seats are available for post-B.Sc. students through research fellowships or lateral entry in integrated Ph.D. programs.
- Benefit: High-quality interdisciplinary science education and a direct path into a research career.
IIT JAM Biotechnology
- Frequency: Once a year (February/March)
- Purpose:For admission to:
- M.Sc. (2-year)
- Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D.
- M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree Programs
- Institutes: IITs and NITs
- Benefit: Highly competitive and prestigious. Excellent for students who wish to work in academia, research labs, or R&D in industry.
GATE – Biotechnology / Life Sciences
- Frequency: Once a year (February)
- Score Validity: 3 years
- Purpose: Entry to M.Sc., M.Tech, and Integrated Ph.D. programs at IITs, IISc, and NITs
- Benefit: Opens doors to:
- Higher studies
- Public sector jobs (PSUs)
- Fellowships in institutions like IISc, IITs, etc.
SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University) Entrance Exam
- Frequency: Once a year (May)
- Purpose: Admission to M.Sc. in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, and related fields.
- Benefit: Join one of Maharashtra’s top universities with a strong life science research ecosystem.
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Entrance Exam
- Frequency: Once a year (May)
- Purpose: Admission to M.Sc. in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and other allied sciences.
- Benefit: Affordable and reputed state university with quality postgraduate education.
|
Exam Name
|
Exam Date and Frequency
|
Admission
|
Benefits
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Common University Entrance Test
(CUET-PG)
|
Twice in a year
(June and December of every year)
|
M.Sc.
In Central Universities
|
Masters from India's top central universities
|
|
DBT-GATB
|
M.Sc. in Biotechnology (Total 51 universities/colleges from Pan India)
|
Rs. 5000 per month
Duration-2 years
|
|
|
Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS)
|
Once a year (December)
|
Integrated MSc-PhD at IISER
(all locations),
Integrated MSc-PhD at Bose Institute and NIBMG.
MSc at NBRC.
|
Rs.18000 per month
Duration-2 years
|
|
National Institute of Virology
(NIV), Pune
|
Once a year (June)
|
M.Sc.
Virology
|
Masters from ICMR funded National Institute of Virology
(NIV), Pune
|
|
IISER (IAT Entrance exam)
|
Once a year (July)
|
B.S. and M.S. at all IISERs in India
|
B.S. and M.S. at all MHRD funded IISERs in India
|
|
IIT JAM Biotechnology
(Score valid for 1 year)
|
Once a year (February/March)
|
Admissions to M.Sc. (Two-Year),
Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree at IITs and NITs
|
Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. from IITs and NITs
|
|
GATE (Biotechnology/Life Science)
(Score valid for 3 year)
|
Once a year (February)
|
Admissions to M.Sc. (Two-Year),
Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree at IITs and Integrated Ph.D. in IISc
|
Admissions to M.Sc.
Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree at IITs and Integrated Ph.D. in IISc
|
|
SPPU (Pune University) Entrance Exam
|
Once a year (May)
|
M.Sc. In Pune University
|
M.Sc. In Pune University
|
|
M.S. University of Baroda
|
Once a year (May)
|
M.Sc. In Microbiology and Biochemistry
|
M.Sc. In M.S. University of Baroda
|