The Institute for Stem Cell Science & Regenerative Medicine (www.instem.res.in), Bangalore is an autonomous institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. iBRIC-inStem’s mandate is to establish collaborative research programs in the field of stem cell biology, regeneration, and repair in development and disease, with translational emphasis. In order to develop strengths in focused areas, research at iBRIC-inStem is driven through collaborative interdisciplinary themes, addressing questions that are beyond the scope of a single laboratory.
Ph.D. program at inStem – August-2025 batch
iBRIC-inStem invites applications from eligible candidates to apply for the Ph.D. programme at inStem for the session starting August 2025. Cutting-edge research at iBRIC-inStem encompasses broad interdisciplinary areas across Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chemical Biology, Neurobiology, Systems and Computational Biology, and Biomaterials, integrating fundamental biology and translational applications of stem cell science and regenerative medicine.
Minimum qualifications to apply:
1. M.Sc. in any branch of Science (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics), M. Tech., M.B.B.S., M. Pharma., Integrated M.Sc., or equivalent qualification as per the norms of RCB and from a recognized University or institution.
2. 60% or First Class or CGPA equivalent in Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree are essential for the general category. 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/differently-abled will be allowed as per the GoI norms.
3. Candidates appearing for the qualifying degree examination in the current academic year are eligible to apply, provided their course requirements will be completed by July 2025. They will be admitted provisionally pending satisfactory fulfilment of the eligibility requirements at the time of joining.
4. Candidates must have an eligible national fellowship which can be activated in 2025. The fellowship includes UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR NET JRF (fellowship) and DST INSPIRE PhD fellowship. Note: JGEEBILS-only or GATE-only qualified applicants cannot be considered.
Reservations: Reservation policy will be followed as per Government of India norms. SC/ ST/ OBC (NCL) candidates are required to submit certificates in respect of their claims from authorized officers as notified by the Government for the purpose from time to time. The differently-abled (with a minimum of 40% disability) candidates are required to submit a certificate from authorized Medical Doctors/ Hospitals indicating the extent of physical disability.
Application Fee* (Only Online): UR, EWS & OBC Candidates-₹ 354/- (₹300/- plus 18% GST) Bank/ Transaction Charges are to be borne by the candidate
Exemption from Payment of Application Fee: As per the prevailing guidelines of the Government of India, (i) SC/ST community (ii) Women and PwD category of any community are exempted from Application Fees. Supporting certificates should be uploaded for SC/ST & PwD candidates.
Payment of Application Fee: The application fee is to be paid online using a Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI. Application Fees paid by the candidates who have not submitted their application, or whose application is not shortlisted will not be refunded. All applicable service charges, bank charges, etc. shall be borne by the applicants. The confirmed payment of application fees is required for a completed application.
How to pay: Please use this link to access different payment options: https://www.instem.res.in/phd/2025/payment-options
After remitting the application fees using any of the payment options provided in the given link, please mention the payment reference number in the online application form.
Selection procedure:
1. Eligible candidates who have qualified for any of these fellowships must apply online through the website link https://www.instem.res.in/phd/2025/apply The complete application must include proof of qualification for fellowship through any of the above examinations (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR NET JRF (fellowship) and DST INSPIRE PhD fellowship), degree certificates (provisional where applicable), a completed application form including past academic performance, a statement of research experience, a brief scientific statement of purpose, and two reference letters. Incomplete applications or applications after the deadlines will not be considered.
2. The shortlisting of eligible candidates for Round 1 will be based on the evaluation of the candidate based on a combination of past academic performance, research experience, research aptitude, and other criteria listed by the screening committee. The list of candidates short-listed for round 1 of the interviews shall be available on the iBRIC-inStem website about two weeks after the application deadline.
3. The first round of interviews (R1) will be held in online mode, tentatively in April 2025.
4. The second round of interviews (R2) will be held in-person in iBRIC-inStem, tentatively in late May 2025. Candidates who qualify in the first interview are required to attend the interviews during these dates in-person in order to be considered.
5. For R1 and R2, a 5% relaxation will be made for reserved candidates viz. SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/Differently Abled Category.
6. The final list of selected candidates will be announced on the iBRIC-inStem website.
7. Candidates selected who join the program will be enrolled in the Ph.D. programme of iBRIC-inStem, with academic affiliation to the RCB, Faridabad.
8. A waiting list may optionally be included, where all candidates on the waiting list qualify, after satisfying all criteria above. Waiting list students may be admitted if and when an admitted student declines.
9. Students offered admission will have 10 days to accept or decline admission. The PhD Program at inStem – August 2025 intake academic program will start on 1st August 2025.
Ph.D. Programme:
1. Admitted students will be required to activate their fellowship (CSIR, UGC, ICMR, DBT, and/or DST) from the date of joining and may avail them as per the rules of the respective funding agency. No support from core funding or EMG will be given.
2. iBRIC-inStem and the BLiSC campus is a residential campus, and hostel accommodation will be offered to all the students admitted to the program as per availability.
Application procedure:
1. Eligible candidates should submit their applications through the online application portal only, available at the website: https://www.instem.res.in/phd/2025/apply
2. For queries regarding the August 2025 intake online admission portal, please mail phd at instem dot res dot in
3. Candidates must ensure that the information details furnished in the online application are true and correct. If any discrepancy is observed at any stage, iBRIC-inStem reserves the right to cancel the admission.
The last date for receipt of online application: March 31st 2025.
General Terms and Conditions:
1. Only those candidates selected through interviews will receive an offer letter for admission to the Ph.D. program at iBRIC-inStem. Incomplete or ineligible applications will be rejected, and no correspondence shall be entertained in this regard. The institute is not responsible for consequences arising out of furnishing incorrect or incomplete details in the application. If any information given in the application is incorrect/false, the application and candidature may be considered terminated. The candidature may be cancelled at any time if the candidate is not eligible as per norms.
2. A relaxation in marks/grade during Master’s Degree for those belonging to SC/ ST/ OBC (non-creamy layer) / differently-abled or any other category will be applicable as per the UGC notification 2016 or any subsequent notification in force at the time of interview.
3. Candidates must fill in their correct and active e-mail addresses in the online application, as all correspondence will be made by the institute through e-mail only. The final selection is made based on performance in the interviews.
4. iBRIC-inStem strives to have a gender-balanced workforce that reflects an all-India character. Hence, candidates from all over the country and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
5. Candidates are required to assess their eligibility for the post before remitting the fee. No claim on refund of the fee paid will be entertained.
6. Degrees etc. in support of educational qualifications should have been awarded by a recognized University/ Institute from Central/State Government regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, etc. The Institute reserves the right to carry out positive verification of the qualification cited by a candidate.
7. The institute has the right to decide the mode of screening and testing the applicant for selection.
8. In case of any dispute/ambiguity that may occur in the process of selection, the decision of the competent authority, iBRIC-inStem in all matters relating to eligibility, acceptance, or rejection of applications will be considered as Final.
9. Mode of selection, and the conduct of the interview will be final, and no query or correspondence will be entertained in this connection from any individual.
10. The institute reserves the right to fill or not to fill the available seats subject to the availability of suitable candidates.
11. Institute reserves the right to interpret all rules including wherever it is not specifically mentioned and may cancel the candidature without assigning any reason (s).
12. It may be noted that candidature for admission will remain provisional till the veracity of the concerned documents is verified by the institute.
13. iBRIC-inStem does not assume any responsibility for the candidates not being able to submit their applications by the last date for any reason or for any other reason beyond the control of the institute. Please note that the online mode is the only valid procedure for applying. No other mode of application or incomplete steps would be accepted and such applications would be rejected. Any information submitted by an applicant in his/ her application shall be binding on the candidate personally and he/she shall be liable for prosecution/ civil consequences in case the information/ details furnished by him/ her are found to be false at a later stage.
14. Candidates shortlisted for admission will have to produce original documents for verification in support of their application regarding reservation category, educational qualification, etc.
15. Any resultant dispute arising out of this PhD program at inStem – August 2025 advertisement shall be subject to the sole jurisdiction of the Courts situated at Bengaluru only.
