Top 10 Indian Biology Research Institutes

Biology is a fascinating and diverse field of study that covers everything from the smallest cells to the largest ecosystems. When it comes to the world of biology research, India is a country that stands out for its remarkable contributions. Do you dream of becoming a scientist and pursuing research in the field of your interest? Do you want to join the best institutes in India that offer world-class education and research opportunities in biological sciences? 

If yes, then you need to prepare well for the entrance exams that can open the doors to your dream career.  If you are passionate about biology and want to pursue a research career, you might be wondering which institutes in India offer the best opportunities and facilities for biological sciences. To help you out, we have compiled a list of 10 Indian biology research institutes that are well-known for their excellence and innovation in various branches of biology. Here they are

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore:

This is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes in India, founded in 1909 by Jamsetji Tata. It has a world-class faculty and infrastructure and has produced many eminent scientists and Nobel laureates.

• Courses: It offers a wide range of courses and research programs in biological sciences, such as genetics, microbiology, plant pathology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, neuroscience, immunology, ecology, and more. 
• Entrance Exams: It takes admissions through two channels: JEE Advanced and IAT. To check eligibility, exam patterns, placement opportunities, and scholarships, please click here. 
• Ranking: It ranks among the top 100 universities in the world for biological sciences and the Indian Institute of Science, and has secured the 48th rank in the Times Higher Education Asia University Ranking 2023. It has emerged as the Top Institute in India. 

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER):

This is a group of seven institutes that were established between 2006 and 2015 by the Ministry of Education.  

• Locations: They are located in Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, and Berhampur.
• Courses: They offer integrated BS-MS, integrated MSc-PhDand PhD programs in biological sciences, along with other disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, earth sciences, and humanities. They have a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and innovation in areas such as biotechnology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, systems biology, neuroscience, ecology, and more. 
• Entrance Exam: The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is an annual academic examination held in India. Apart from the JEE-Advanced, it is one of the routes to gain admission to IISER’s BS-MS dual degree programmes and BS degree programmes. For more information regarding preparation of IAT, click here.

National Institute of Science Education And Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar:

This is a relatively new institute, established in 2007 by the Department of Atomic Energy. It is an autonomous institution that aims to provide high-quality education and research in basic sciences. 

• Courses: It offers integrated BSc, MSc and PhD programs in biological sciences, along with other disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. It conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as molecular biology, biophysics, bioinformatics, immunology, microbiology, plant biology, and more. 
• Entrance Exam: To gain admission to NISER, you are required to appear for the NEST exam. For more detailed information about NISER, please refer to this blog: Everything about NISER.
• Eligibility Criteria: You also need to have passed your class 12th exam with at least 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD) in the science stream. Most importantly, 2nd droppers are allowed to appear for the NEST exam. You can find more details about the NEST exam on our blog.

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore: 

This is a relatively young institute, established in 1989 by the Department of Science and Technology. 

• Courses: It is dedicated to multidisciplinary research in basic and applied sciences, with a focus on frontier areas of biology. Some of the research topics include developmental biology, evolutionary biology, stem cell biology, nanobiology, infectious diseases, cancer biology, and more. 
• Entrance Exam: Admission is determined here by a passing score on the written JAM or JNCASR exam, followed by an interview for the students who made the shortlist.
• Ranking: JNCASR was ranked #4 in the life sciences category by Nature Index in 2020, and #10 in the chemistry and physical sciences category. JNCASR was placed #3 overall in India by Scimago Institutions Ranking 2020. The institute was #4 among universities and #11 overall in the NIRF Ranking 2017.

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai: 

This is another premier institute founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1945. 

• Courses: It is a national centre of excellence for research in natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. It has several departments and centres that deal with various aspects of biological sciences, such as molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology, neuroscience, ecology, and more. 
• Entrance Exam: The TIFR GS 2024 examination is a national-level test that will be held in around 57 cities across India in a paper-pencil format. 
• Eligibility: Students having a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics or Engineering graduates with a strong aptitude for Mathematics are eligible to apply. Students in their final year of study may also apply.

National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru: 

This is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research which was established in 1992. 

• Courses: It is a premier research centre that focuses on fundamental questions in biology at different levels of complexity. It has four major divisions: molecular biology and genetics; cellular organisation and signalling; neurobiology; and ecology and evolution.
• Entrance Exam: The entrance exam for these programmes is the TIFR Nationwide Entrance Examination (GS-2024) for Biology, also known as the Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS). 
• Eligibility criteria: You must also have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any branch of science, engineering, or mathematics. You must have secured at least 55% marks in your last qualifying exam.

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad: 

This is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that was established in 1977. 

• Courses: It is one of the leading research centres in India for molecular biology and biotechnology. It has several research groups that work on diverse topics such as gene regulation, genome organisation, DNA repair, epigenetics, cell cycle, cell differentiation, stem cells, cancer, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and more. 
• Entrance Exam: The entrance exam for this programme is the CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). 
• Eligibility Criteria:  You must also have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, pharmacy, or medicine. You must have secured at least 55% marks in your last qualifying exam.

Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Delhi: 

This is another constituent laboratory of the CSIR that was established in 1977. It is a pioneer institute for genomics and integrative biology in India. 

• Courses: It has several research themes that include genomics and molecular medicine, respiratory disease biology, chemical and systems biology, genome informatics and structural biology, and energy and environmental biotechnology
• Entrance exam: The entrance exam for this programme is the CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or the DBT-JRF examination conducted by the Department of Biotechnology.
• Eligibility Criteria:  All candidates must have received at least 60% (or an equivalent CGPA) in their XIIth standard board exams. 

Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB), Kolkata: 

This is yet another constituent laboratory of the CSIR that was established in 1935. It is a multidisciplinary research institute that combines chemistry and biology to address various biomedical and environmental challenges. 

• Courses: It has several research divisions that cover areas such as cell biology and physiology, infectious diseases and immunology, molecular and human genetics, structural biology and bioinformatics, drug development and diagnostics, and chemical biology.
• Entrance exam: The entrance exam for this programme is the CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or the DBT-JRF examination conducted by the Department of Biotechnology. 
• Eligibility Criteria: A first-class B.Sc. or an equivalent degree with Chemistry as one of the core courses and Mathematics at the PUC or Plus 2 level is required.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram: 

This is an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology that was established in 1990. 

• Courses: It is India’s premier research centre for biotechnology and molecular biology. It has three major research domains: disease biology, plant biotechnology, and bioinformatics. It has several research groups that work on topics such as cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, stem cells, plant genomics, plant secondary metabolites, and more.
• Entrance exam: The entrance exam for this programme is the RGCB Research Aptitude Test (RGCB-RAT) which will be held on January 9, 2024, at Thiruvananthapuram. 
• Eligibility Criteria: You must have completed your 10+2 with at least a first division/60% (55% for Reserved Category) or comparable grade in both the 10 and 10+2 levels.

Conclusion:

These are some of the top 10 Indian biology research institutes that you can consider if you want to pursue a career in biological sciences. They offer excellent opportunities for learning, research, and innovation in various fields of biology. They also have a strong network of collaborations and partnerships with other institutes and industries. 

If you are interested in any of these institutes, and finding out more about their admission criteria, courses, facilities, faculty, and research activities. Don’t worry, you are not alone in this journey. SciAstra is here to help you! Visit and read our blogs at https://www.sciastra.com/ 

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