Why did You Choose Biotechnology as a Career in India? It was in 1919 that the term “Biotechnology” was coined by a Hungarian engineer named Karl Ereky. Biotechnology is a broad spectrum application of fundamental biology, where organisms, cells, and metabolic pathways are explored and customised into agricultural, medical and research purposes. Biotechnology has carved its niche as a frontier area of biology, and its special intervention has been widely observed in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, immunology, virology, environmental sciences, biophysics, bioinformatics, forensic science, pharmacology and many more. With the advent of such vast applications, career opportunities in biotechnology are mostly focused on research, teaching and the industrial sector.
Why did You Choose Biotechnology as a Career in India?
You can choose Biotechnology as a career in India because after studying biotechnology, students can make a career in health care centers, the agriculture sector, animal husbandry, genetic engineering, research laboratories, academics, the food manufacturing industry, plant researchers, research scientists, etc.
To pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, a minimum aggregate score of 50 percent at both higher secondary and senior secondary levels, is required. The candidate should have Biology, Chemistry and Physics as his or her main subjects at the 10+2 level. Candidates aspiring to pursue a master’s degree in Biotechnology should have a BSc degree in Physics, Biological Sciences, or any other relevant discipline with a minimum aggregate score of 50 percent. The admission process is based on merit and entrance examinations such as JAM, GATE and CEEB for entry into any of the central universities in India.
Biotech Industrial Training Programme
The Biotech Industrial Training Programme (BITP) is conducted every year on behalf of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT, Government of India), Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL). The programme provides industry-specific training to students of Biotechnology for a period of six months, and provides a stipend as well, for enhancing skills and generating job opportunities in the biotechnology industry.
The eligibility criteria to opt for this training is an MSc/BTech degree in Biotechnology, Human Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bioprocess Technology, General/ Agricultural/ Industrial/ Marine/ Medical/ Pharmaceutical/ Environmental/Plant/Food/Animal Biotechnology, from a recognised Indian university, with a minimum of 50 percent marks. Candidates are shortlisted through an online test followed by an interview for the final selection.
DBT-JRF Programme
The DBT-JRF programme was initiated in the year 2004. It provides fellowships to students of Biotechnology who are pursuing research in universities or research institutions in India. Candidates are selected through an online (BET) test and 275 fellowships are awarded every year.
ICMR JRF Test
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is an apex body in India for the coordination, and promotion of biomedical research under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The test for ICMR JRF is conducted once a year across 12 centres in India. The qualification of JRF is on a merit basis, having which a candidate can get a direct entry to research/PhD programmes in any institute in India under ICMR with monthly a stipend.
ARS NET Exam
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB) conduct the ARS NET exam that allows a candidate to become a scientist in ICAR institutes all over India. To appear in this exam, a candidate must have a master’s degree or equivalent in the concerned discipline with defined specialisation. Candidates having a master’s degree from a foreign university must attach a certificate of recognition of that degree issued by the UGC, or any other department or agency concerned.
National Eligibility Test (NET)
The National Eligibility Test (NET) is a qualifying examination for determining eligibility for the position of Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and other Agricultural Universities (AUs). The aspirant must possess a master’s degree or equivalent in the discipline and specialisation concerned.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducts the NET exam twice a year to select candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Lectureship (LS). After clearing the JRF, a candidate can opt to pursue research or PhD in any of the 38 CSIR laboratories in India, with fellowships. Special scholarships (CSIR SPM fellowships) are awarded to the top rankers of the CSIR NET exam. These candidates can pursue a PhD programme with a special fellowship in CSIR labs or other specialised R&D institutions or universities. Further, he or she can pursue a PhD under ACSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research).
Admissions to ACSIR PhD programmes are conducted twice a year. The participant labs announce the admission criteria, and shortlisted candidates are called for a test and/or an interview. One can also pursue a PhD by enrolling in a PhD programme of a central or State university by fulfilling the necessary eligibility criteria of the university while pursuing JRF in the concerned CSIR lah. This is subject to the terms and conditions of leath the institutions. A candidate qualifying for the (LS) exam is eligible for teaching jobs at universities, IITs, post-gradate colleges, etc.
SLET/SET Exam
The SLET/SET exam is conducted at the state level to select candidates for teaching positions in institutions in India. The eligibility criterion for CSIR-NET or SLET is 55 percent marks in a master’s degree or equivalent examination from universities/institutions recognised by UGC.
Candidates appearing in the final year exam of their master’s degree course can also apply for this test. Such candidates would be admitted provisionally and shall be considered eligible to receive the passing certificate only after they have passed the master’s degree examination or equivalent examination with at least 55 percent marks.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Entrepreneurship and innovation is a passion for many. The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by DBT, Government of India, as an Interface Agency to help and encourage the biotechnology enterprise. It is an industry-academia interface and provides a wide range of programmes from incubation, to strategic research funding. The proposals can be submitted solely by an Indian company, jointly by an Indian company and national R&D organisations and institutions, or by a group of Indian companies along with National Research Organisations, etc.
The term “Biotechnology” has entered its 105th year in 2024, and it is a huge responsibility of aspiring candidates to take this subject to the next level. It is evident from the various advancements in the field of biomedical engineering, agriculture and pharmaceutical industry, that much more is yet to come.