CDFD Recruitment 2026: Scientist-V, IV & III Eligibility, Age, Pay & How to Apply
If you are a Ph.D. researcher who wants to lead your own lab, here is a rare opening. The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD), Hyderabad, a research institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has invited applications for 6 Scientist posts at three levels: Scientist-V, Scientist-IV and Scientist-III. Approximate monthly emoluments run from ₹1,40,150 to ₹2,45,410.
Applications have not opened yet. The online window runs from 31 October 2026 to 31 December 2026 (6:00 PM), so you have time to prepare your research plan and documents. Read this guide fully, because every post has its own age limit and reserved seats. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more post graduate jobs like this one.
CDFD Recruitment 2026 Key Highlights (Advt 04/2026)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (BRIC-CDFD) |
| Posts | Scientist-V, Scientist-IV, Scientist-III |
| Total Vacancies | 6 |
| Advertisement No. | 04/2026 |
| Job Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Applications Open | 31 October 2026 |
| Last Date | 31 December 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Mode | Online only |
Selected candidates are required to work anywhere in India, depending on the Centre’s requirement. Jobs in Telangana are listed on our state page.
How Many Vacancies Are There in CDFD Recruitment 2026?
| Post | Reservation | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist-V | UR 2 | 2 |
| Scientist-IV | EWS 1, OBC-NCL 1 | 2 |
| Scientist-III | EWS 1, OBC-NCL 1 | 2 |
Please check the row for your own post before you pay anything. Scientist-IV and Scientist-III have no Unreserved seat. They are reserved for EWS and OBC-NCL candidates only, and the notification lists no seat for SC or ST candidates in any of the three posts. If you belong to the General category, only the two Scientist-V seats are open to you, so plan around that.
What Is the Eligibility for CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026?
All three posts accept the same degrees: a Ph.D. in any discipline of Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Sciences, Plant Sciences or related disciplines. A Ph.D. in Engineering or Technology (such as Chemical, Biomedical or Pharmaceutical engineering) also counts, as does an M.D. in any branch of medicine, MDS or MVSc. The degree must be from a recognised University or Institute. Engineers can also browse engineering jobs, and doctors medical jobs.
| Post | Experience and Area of Interest |
|---|---|
| Scientist-V | Minimum 5 years of post-qualification experience in a responsible higher position; all areas of modern biology, including Plant Genetics, Chemical Biology, Cancer Biology, Disease Biology |
| Scientist-IV | Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience in a responsible higher position; Infection Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology and more |
| Scientist-III | No minimum experience is listed; Computational and Systems Biology, Human Genetics and Forensic Genetics / Genomics |
For Scientist-V and IV, the experience must be in a research or teaching institute, university or industry, with published research of the highest standards and/or technologies of established utility. Experience counts from the date you gained the essential qualification, up to the closing date. Full-time project experience is counted, but part-time, daily-wage and visiting or guest faculty experience is not counted.
Desirable for all posts: an outstanding research record shown by publications, grants and/or PhD student supervision. The ability to build an externally funded research programme, mentor doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and contribute to teaching is highly desirable. The Human/Forensic Genetics Scientist-III will help run the core DNA fingerprinting service facility.
You must hold the qualification when you submit the form. Candidates appearing in the final year, or awaiting results, need not apply.
What Is the Age Limit for CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026?
| Post | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Scientist-V | 45 years |
| Scientist-IV | 40 years |
| Scientist-III | 35 years |
Age is counted as on the closing date, 31 December 2026.
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Regular employees of Government departments, autonomous bodies and PSUs | Up to 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen and PwBD | As per Central Government rules |
Relaxation for reserved categories applies only against vacancies reserved for that category. So an OBC candidate gets the 3 years only for the OBC-NCL seat, not for an Unreserved one. Work out your exact age on 31 December 2026, not on the day you apply.
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
What Is the Salary for CDFD Scientist Posts 2026?
| Post | Pay and Emoluments |
|---|---|
| Scientist-V | Pay Level 13, initial basic ₹1,23,100, approx. ₹2,45,410 a month in all |
| Scientist-IV | Pay Level 12, initial basic ₹78,800, approx. ₹1,61,240 a month in all |
| Scientist-III | Pay Level 11, initial basic ₹67,700, approx. ₹1,40,150 a month in all |
The monthly totals are approximate figures given in the notification. New entrants are covered by the National Pension Scheme, along with medical, LTC and other benefits as per Government and Institute norms. Selected candidates serve a two-year probation.
What Is the Selection Process for CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Screening | A Screening Committee shortlists eligible candidates on the advertised terms |
| Presentation | Screened-in candidates may be asked to send an audio-recorded PPT on their ongoing research and future plans |
| Preliminary evaluation | A Preliminary Selection Committee evaluates the presentations and shortlists for final interviews |
| Final interview | The Selection Committee conducts the final interview |
| Document verification | Shortlisted candidates in the ratio of 1:3 are called to CDFD at their own cost |
| Medical and police verification | Selected candidates must clear a medical examination and police verification before appointment; otherwise they may not be appointed |
Selection is based on two rounds of interviews. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee a call, because the Committee may apply its own extra criteria. So list every extra qualification, grant and publication in your form, and attach proof for each. No accommodation is provided to candidates called for interview.
What Is the Application Fee for CDFD Recruitment 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR, EWS and OBC (all three posts) | ₹1,500 |
| Women (all categories), SC, ST, Ex-servicemen, PwBD | Exempted, if proof is uploaded |
The fee is per post. Reserved candidates who apply against an Unreserved post must pay the full fee. Pay online through SBI Collect (State Telangana, type Govt Department, then Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, category Application Fee) and enter Advt No. 04/2026. Keep the UTR or transaction number, as the form asks for it. Fee payment alone is not a submitted application.
What Are the Important Dates for CDFD Recruitment 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online applications open | 31 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | 31 December 2026, 6:00 PM |
The whole recruitment process may take up to 8 months from the release of the advertisement.
Rules That Can Get Your Application Rejected
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| One form per post | Apply separately for each post, with a separate fee receipt. Multiple applications for the same post are not considered |
| Incomplete form | Applications without the fee, valid certificates or required uploads shall not be considered |
| No edits | After final submission, no change is entertained |
| OBC-NCL certificate | A Non-Creamy Layer certificate obtained before 31.03.2026 will not be considered. Your caste must be in the Central List of OBCs (certificate format: Annexure-III) |
| EWS certificate | An Income and Asset Certificate obtained before 01.04.2026 is not valid. A certificate from any other authority, or not in the Annexure-IV format, will not be accepted |
| Category change | A General candidate cannot switch to a reserved category later, and a reserved candidate cannot switch to another reserved category |
| Ineligibility found later | A mismatch between your form and original documents makes you ineligible. If you are found ineligible at any time, even after appointment, your candidature or appointment is cancelled or terminated |
| Employees of Government departments, PSUs and Government-funded research agencies | Upload the NOC (Annexure-I), or the Undertaking (Annexure-II) and produce the NOC at interview. Without it, the application is incomplete and may not be considered |
| Equivalent degrees | Produce the order naming the competent authority, or the application may be rejected |
| Canvassing | Canvassing or bringing in political or other influence automatically disqualifies you for the post |
| False details | Candidature is cancelled, and services are terminated with legal action if false information, a fake EWS claim or suppressed antecedents are found later. CDFD is not responsible for errors or omissions in what you fill in |
How to Apply Online for CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the official CDFD website (link in Essential Links below) once applications open on 31 October 2026 |
| 2 | Click “New Registration”, create a password and use a valid email and mobile number |
| 3 | Check your email for the Registration ID, then log in with post name, ID and password |
| 4 | Fill in the form. You can save and edit until final submission |
| 5 | Pay the fee through SBI Collect (if not exempted) and enter the UTR number and date |
| 6 | Upload the photograph, signature, certificates, CV with publications and your research plan |
| 7 | Click Submit and save a printout of the application |
In-service candidates should ask their employer for the NOC early. Keep a photo not older than 3 months (jpg, 100 KB) and a signature (jpg, 100 KB) ready. Certificates go in a single PDF up to 5 MB, and experience and category certificates in PDFs up to 500 KB. Proposed short-term and long-term research plans are also asked for. Use one photograph, mobile number and email throughout the process.
Essential Links for CDFD Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Visit CDFD Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Don’t let this chance slip away. If you hold a Ph.D. and want to build an independent research group, this is worth your time. Applications open on 31 October 2026 and close on 31 December 2026 at 6:00 PM, so start early and avoid last-minute network trouble. Any corrigendum will appear only on the CDFD website. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more such updates.