HBNI BARC – DAE Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (DDFS) Programme 2026

Human Resource Development Division (HRDD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) invites applications from Engineering post-graduates (Equivalent Engineering PG Degree) for admission to DAE Doctoral fellowship scheme (DDFS) for pursuing Ph.D. under the aegis of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) a Deemed to be University.

About DDFS

Human Resource Development Division (HRDD), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) invites applications from Engineering post-graduates (Equivalent Engineering PG Degree) for admission to DAE Doctoral fellowship scheme (DDFS) for pursuing Ph.D. under the aegis of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) a Deemed to be University, commencing from 3 rd week of July, 2026.

The selected students will be admitted to one of the following Constituent Institutions of HBNI:

• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai;Indira Gandhi
• Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam;
• Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar;
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.
• Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore

These centres have been in the forefront of research in various branches of engineering viz. chemical, computer, electrical, electronics, instrumentation, mechanical, metallurgical or materials and nuclear. Several state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities are unique to these institutions. The Ph.D. programme in Engineering Sciences is extremely challenging in view of the expanding Nuclear Power Programme of the Department of Atomic Energy. For the motivated candidates, it offers considerable scope to realize their potential while simultaneously contributing to the important task of nation building in this highly specialized area. Several state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities required for Nuclear Power Programme of the Department of Atomic Energy are unique to these institutions.

It provides rewarding research career in Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology and • wh o would relish challenges in frontier areas of Science & Technology, • who would like to be part of an expanding program of Nuclear Power / Research Reactors, Accelerators and Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies, and • who would enjoy pursuing innovative research in frontier areas of Engineering.

Fellowship and Allowance during DDFS PhD Programme

The amount of ship payable under the scheme is Rs.80,000/- per month (Rupees Eighty Thousand Only) and an annual contingency grant of Rs 60,000/- to meet the PhD related expenses. The fellowship will be provided initially for a period of four years. Continuation of the fellowship is subject to satisfactory performance and review at the end of each year. On satisfactory performance, the tenure of fellowship will be further extended one more year on the recommendation of competent authority. The total period of the fellowship shall in no case exceed five years. Medical benefits under Contributory Health Services scheme are available for the DDFS student. Hostel accommodation is mandatory during PhD programme.

Eligibility Criteria

• Qualifying Degree and other academic qualifications: candidates should possess M.E. /M. Tech./ M.Sc. (Engg)/ Integrated M. Tech degree (PG) degree under the core Engineering discipline of Chemical, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Mechanical, Metallurgy/Material Science & Civil Engineering discipline with minimum 60%* Marks.
• In addition, Applicants must have under graduate (UG) -B. Tech/ B.E./ B. Sc. (Engg) degree in one of the stream/ branch (name of the degree) with minimum 60%* marks. Applicable stream/ branch (name of the degree) for UG degree ( B. Tech/ B.E./ B.Sc. (engineering) )for the individual DDFS screening discipline, in which they want to appear for Online screening examination, are listed in the brochure.
• The qualifying 60%* marks should be as per the ordinances of the respective degree awarding university.
• Candidates awaiting final results and / or appearing in qualifying exam in academic year 2025-2026 may apply for DDFS-2026 programme but they must have their CGPA up to 2nd semester in case of regular M. Tech. or up to 9 th semester in case of integrated M. Tech. course. CGPA/ SGPA score of 1st & 2nd Semester of M. Tech (or 8 th and 9th Semester in case of Integrated M. Tech.) will be considered for evaluating the DDFS screening score for deciding the cutoff score for shortlisting the candidates for selection interview. Candidates appearing in the final semester examination of qualifying degree in academic year 2025-26, must have first two semester marksheets for evaluating the weighted average screening score as mentioned in brochure.
• If selected, candidates who are eligible in all other respects but are graduating in the academic year 2025-26 and awaiting final results will be allowed to join the academic programme. However, retention of these candidates in DDFS programmes is subject to the mark-sheet of their final result, which meets the eligibility requirements of the DDFS-2026 programme. Candidates must submit their final marksheet/ final certificates of qualifying degree by December 31, 2026 otherwise their candidature will be cancelled. It may also be noted that all the academic requirement for the award of qualifying degree must be completed before 15th July 2026. All the candidates whose final result of qualifying degree is awaited need to bring the certificate issued by competent authority about their completion of academic requirement for the award of qualifying degree on the date of joining of training programme.

*A minimum of 60% aggregate marks or minimum of 6.0 CGPA#on the scale of 10.0 or equivalent) means the marks as per the ordinances of the respective university. Applicants, who have been awarded with LETTER grades, should convert into percentage as per the ordinances of the respective university.

#Conversion of percentage (%) of the marks to CGPA score (on the 10-point scale) should be as per the ordinances of the respective university, if available. In case of non-availability of such rule/ ordinance of the concerned university, example given below can be followed to convert the percentage (%) of marks in CGPA on the 10- point scale.

Applicants, who have been awarded score/ marks in the percentage (%), the equivalent CGPA (on the scale of 10) can be obtained as per the example explained. For example, if the Score is 65% , then the equivalent CGPA ( on the scale of 10) will be [ (65/100) x 10)] = 6.5.

Screening examination discipline and corresponding Qualifying and pre-qualifying degree

DDFS Screening discipline for Online exam (CBT)	Details of Eligible Qualifying (PG) degree	Details of Eligible/ essential pre-qualifying UG degree* (candidates whose pre-qualifying UG degree name includes the core degree name with any specialization are also eligible for DDFS-2026 academic programme. Also refer to names of the UG degrees which are not eligible for DDFS academic programme)
Mechanical Engineering (ME)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering) M. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engg. (CH)	M.E./M.Tech / M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Chemical Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Chemical Engineering, Electro-chemical Engg
Metallurgical Engineering (MT)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Metallurgical Engg. or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Metallurgy / Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, Metallurgy & Materials Science, Metallurgical & Materials Engg., Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science and Materials Science & Engg.
Electrical Engineering (EE)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Electrical Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Electrical Engineering / Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Electronics Engineering (EC)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Electronics Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Electronics Engg, Electrical Engg., Electronics & Communication Engg., Electronics & Telecommunication Engg., Electronics & Controls Engg., Electrical & Electronics Engg., Electronic System
Computer Science Engineering (CS)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Computer Science Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering
Instrumentation Engg. (IN)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Instrumentation Engineering or in Others	B.E./B.Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/5-year integrated M. Tech. in Instrumentation Engg, Instrumentation & Controls Engg, applied Electronics & Instrumentation Engg. Electronics & Instrumentation Engg.
Civil Engineering (CE)	M.E./M.Tech /M. Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Civil Engineering or in Others	B.E./B. Tech /B.Sc. (Engineering)/ 5-year integrated M. Tech. in Civil Engineering

* Those having qualifying degree in branches like Aerospace, Automobile, Automotive, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical & Automation Engineering, Industrial Production Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mining Machinery Engg., Industrial Metallurgy Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Ceramics Engineering, Architecture Engineering, Geology Engineering, Mining Engineering, Marine Eengineering, Bio-Medical Electronics/ Instruments Engineering, Communication Engineering, Information Technology, Mechatronics Engineering, Dyes & Dye Intermediates, Electrochemical Engineering, Energy Systems, Chemical Engineering with specialization in Refining & Petrochemicals, Chemical Technology with specialization in petrochemicals, Chemical Technology, Biochemical Engineering, Oils & Fats Engineering, Paints & Varnishes Engineering, Refining & Petrochemicals Engineering, Petrochemicals Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Paper Engineering, Sugar Technology, Textiles Engineering, Computer Science & System Engineering, Master of Computer Applications, Control Engineering, Power Engineering, Power Plant Engineering, Software Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Information Science/ Technology, Biomedical Electronics Engineering, Biomedical Instrumentation Engineering, Chemical Science & Technology, Chemical Technology, Biochemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Environmental Science Engineering, Structural Engineering, Biotechnology and Biochemical Engg., M.E. in CAD/CAM, M.Sc. in Ccomputer Sscience, M.Sc in Computer Applications (MCA), B.Sc Computer Science, B.Sc. Electronics, M.Sc Electronics, BSMS programme in Electrical Engineering &Computer Sciences, BS in Chemical Engineering, BS-MS in Chemical Engineering Mechatronics, BSMS in Electrical & Computer Engg. BSMS(3 +2 yrs) programme in Electronics etc., are NOT eligible.

Maximum Age limit:

• The candidates (general class) desirous of availing DDFS fellowship should have been born on or after August 1, 1998 (Maximum age Limit-28 years for General Category).
• Age relaxation is applicable up to 3 years in case of Non creamy Other Backward Class applicants, 5 years in case of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe applicants. In case of applicants with disabilities, additional 10 years age relaxation, on and over the maximum age limit for the category to which applicants belong, will be provided. Person with physical disability with extent of disability 40% or more will be considered for age relaxation and may be permitted a scribe

Nationality:

Applicant must be an Indian citizen.

Selection Process

Selection for DDFS academic programme is a two-step process:

1. Screening to the shortlisted candidates followed by
2. Selection interview.

Online Screening Examination

• Online screening examination will be conducted in Eight DDFS disciplines at more than fifty cities spread across India. The Online Screening Exam for DDFS-2026 will be held in March 2026.
• Applicants who fulfill the above-mentioned eligibility criteria as mentioned, will appear in an online computer-based test (CBT) Screening Exam to be held at multiple centers across India in March 2026 (tentative).
• Travel Allowance will not be provided for appearing in CBT screening examination.
• Candidates will be shortlisted for selection Interview based on performance in the DDFS screening test as well as on previous academic record of qualifying degree. There will be equal weightage for marks obtained in M. Tech. (average of Semester-I and Semester-II) and for the marks obtained in DDFS Screening Examination (CBT). Candidates awaiting final results and / or appearing in qualifying exam in academic year 2025-2026, they must have results of Semester-1 and Semester-2 in case of regular M. Tech. (Semester-8 and Semester-9 in case of Integrated M. Tech.) of qualifying degree otherwise they will not be considered for this academic programme.
• All candidates appearing for the DDFS Online Examination will be awarded DDFS screening Examination Score based on the above screening criteria, for shortlisting to selection Interview
• The syllabus for Screening online Center Based test (CBT) will be same as that of BE/B Tech/ B. Sc (Engg) of the concerned DDFS screening discipline.

Selection Interviews

• The list of candidates shortlisted for selection Interview will be posted on the Online Application Portal in April, 2026. Selection Interviews of shortlisted candidates in all disciplines will be conducted at the BARC Training School, Mumbai.
• Outstation applicants will be paid two-way normal AC-III tier train fare to attend Selection Interview, from their registered residential (either permanent or communication) address, by shortest route, or actual fare, whichever is less.
• Selection Interviews will be in June, 2026. Short-listed candidates will be able to choose an Interview slot, based on availability, in April 2026. Alerts by email as well as SMS will be sent to all candidates who have been short-listed for Selection Interview on their registered email address and mobile number as well as announced on this website, prior to commencement of the Interview slot booking process. Candidates are advised to visit this website https://www.barcocesexam.in regularly for the latest updates.
• The candidates will give presentation of 10 minutes as per their M. Tech. project during Selection Interview.
• Final Selection for the DDFS-2026 programmes will be based solely on performance in Selection Interview, subject to medical fitness.
• A list of provisionally (subject to medical fitness) selected candidates will be displayed on this website in the last week of June, 2026. The selected candidates will also be informed about their selection by email and SMS on their registered email and mobile number.

About Screening online Examination (CBT)

• Screening Test is online computer based online test/examination (CBT). ‘Online Exam’ means that the candidate sits in front of a computer at the examination center and the questions are presented on the computer monitor and the candidate answers the questions on the computer through the use of mouse.
• Question Paper will comprise o f 100 questions with four choices (A, B, C or D), only one of which will be the correct answer. A candidate who chooses the correct answer will get 3 marks whereas a candidate who chooses a wrong answer will get -1 (negative) marks. A candidate who does not attempt a question will get 0 marks for that question. The duration of the exam will be 120 minutes. Candidates are not permitted to bring a calculator, mobile phone, smart watch, earphone. or any other electronic device inside the Examination Hall. Candidates are also advised not to wear headcover, ornamental outfits and jewelry while reporting to the examination hall.
• A printed copy of the Admit Card is to be submitted for verification at the time of the examination. At least one original and valid photo identification card (i.e. not photocopied or scanned or expired) such as Voter Card, Aadhaar Card, printout of e- Aadhaar, Driving License / PAN card, Passport, Identity Card issued by School / College/University, SSLC/HSC mark sheet with photo must be presented failing which candidate will not be permitted in the examination. Photocopy of the ID proof will not be allowed.
• The syllabus for the Online Exam is specific to the B.E. / B. Tech. / B. Sc. (Engineering) of DDFS screening examination discipline of CBT. The questions are intended to assess the basic understanding of subjects in the area of the Engineering exam discipline selected by the candidate. Emphasis would be on the knowledge and problem-solving ability rather than on the memory of the candidate. General English, General Knowledge, General Aptitude etc. are not assessed.

General Instructions:

• All the questions and instructions of the test will be in English only. Candidates should bring a pen for the purpose of rough work, signing etc. Blank sheets for rough work will be provided, if required. Calculators and logarithmic tables are not allowed in the test centers. Candidates are not allowed to bring any other personal belongings such as mobiles/ cameras/ laptops/ notebooks/ text books/ digital watch/ digital ring etc. However, an on-screen calculator will be available/enabled during the online examination.
• Each candidate who registers for the Online Exam will be instructed to download the ‘Admit Card’ after confirmation to their participation in online exam on web portal. A candidate’s entry into the test center is subject to the verification of the admit card. In addition to the admit card, each candidate is required to bring the following documents for verification at online examination venue:
  • A printed copy of the Admit Card/ Hall ticket is to be submitted for verification at the time of the examination. At least one original and valid photo identification card (i.e. not photocopied or scanned or expired) such as Voter Card, Aadhaar Card, printout of eAadhaar, Driving License / PAN card, Passport, Identity Card issued by School / College/University, SSLC/HSC mark sheet with photo must be presented failing which candidate will not be permitted in the examination. Photocopy of the ID proof will not be allowed.
  • Candidates who have availed fee exemption under the category SC/ ST/ physically challenged are required to bring valid proof of category for verification at the test center.
• All test centers are closely monitored for security and candidates’ identity and activities.

Application Process

• Candidates can fill application online.
• Candidates are required to visit the website ‘https://www.barcocesexam.in’ in the period specified and submit an Online Application by following the instructions therein. Candidates are advised to read the ‘Information Brochure’ before applying.
• Candidates need to register through “Click here for New Registration‟ link by providing essential information like name, salutation (Gender), mobile number., e-mail ID (Registered email ID of candidate is the default User ID for online exam registration portal), DDFS screening discipline, etc., for preliminary registration. It may be noted that the details provided at this stage (preliminary registration stage) cannot be modified later on, and hence the candidates are advised to be careful in entering the details.
• Before applying, the candidate should ensure that he/ she fulfills all the eligibility criteria mentioned in the advertisement & in this information brochure. Candidates should ensure that they fill in the correct information.

• Publishing Print media Advertisement in Employment Newspaper / Daily News paper: 22 December, 2025
• Commencement of Online Application Process for DDFS-2025: 22 December, 2026
• Last date for Registration for Online Application: 21 January, 2026
• Correction window for online application: 7 February – 14 February, 2026
• Allocation/ confirmation of participation in CBT (online exam) at allotted Venue: 15 February – 20 February, 2026
• Download of Admit card/Hall ticket for the candidates who confirm their participation in Online Examination: 25 February, 2026 onwards
• Online Examination: 14 and 15 March, 2026
• Upload of CGPA score up to 2nd Semester for appearing in the academic year 2024-25: 26 March – 2 April, 2026
• Display of List of candidates short-listed for Selection Interview on Online Application Portal: Second week of April, 2026
• Availability based option on Online Application Portal to select Interview Slot for shortlisted candidates: 17 April – 24 April, 2026
• Selection Interviews: 16 June – 18 June, 2026
• Declaration of List of Applicants Selected for DDFS-2025 on Online Application Portal: Last week of June, 2026
• Medical Test for selected candidates: 18 July, 2026
• Commencement of DDFS-2025 academic programme: 3rd week of July, 2026

• Brochure
• Application
• BARC Website
• HBNI Website