Innovation and Impact in Biotechnology Research
Established in 1969 with the unification of the Botany and Zoology departments, the Department of Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani forms the foundation of the Ph.D. Biotechnology programme, dedicated to advanced inquiry and innovation. This programme at BITS Pilani provides students with a rigorous and research-based learning environment. A few of the emerging areas where students can excel are biotechnology, including molecular biology, bioprocessing, nanobiotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology and other fields. Students get an opportunity to innovate and conduct world-class research in advanced lab facilities under the guidance of experienced faculty. This provides them with a refined perspective to address some real-world issues in areas like health, agriculture, environment and industrial biotechnology. The programme encourages students to take an interdisciplinary approach by providing access to advanced analytical instrumentation, education in ethical conduct in research and opportunities for creating new technologies with the potential to benefit society.
Students offered an Institute fellowship will receive ₹37,000 per month. The fellowship may be enhanced to ₹40,000 or ₹42,000 after two years, based on performance.
Institute Fellows will also receive a contingency amount of ₹20,000 per year. Students admitted through Sponsored Projects will receive fellowship support in accordance with the funding agency guidelines
Key Research Milestones
Core Research Domains Advancing the Future of Biotechnology
The Department offers a full-time Ph.D. programme in the following research thrust areas.
Environmental Biotechnology
Therapeutic Biology
Str. Biology & Bioinformatics
Extremophiles
Nanobiotechnology
Plant Biotechnology
Structural Biology
Computational Biology
Molecular Parasitology
Ph.D. Admission and Support Information
Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
- M.Sc./B.E./B.Pharm. (or equivalent) with minimum 60% aggregate.
- M.A. degree holders with minimum 55% aggregate may apply.
- Minimum one year of relevant work experience is mandatory.
Additional Notes
- Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission.
- Departments may set additional shortlisting criteria—candidates must check departmental webpages for details.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written test and/or interview, as recommended by the Department Research Committee (DRC).
- Coursework requirements:
- First Degree holders (M.Sc., B.E., B.Pharm., etc.): Minimum 6 courses / 24 units in the first two semesters.
- Higher Degree holders (M.E./M.Tech./M.Pharm./MBA/M.Phil., etc.): Minimum 2 courses / 6 units in the first semester.
- Admission is provisional and confirmed after clearing the qualifying exam and/or approval of the PhD proposal by the DRC.
- All full-time PhD students admitted to the PhD program will receive a fellowship for up to a maximum of five years.
- The fellowship could be from the Institute or the Sponsored Projects. PhD students may also be eligible for their own fellowship if qualified through the UGC/CSIR NET.
- Students offered an Institute fellowship will receive ₹37,000 per month. The fellowship may be enhanced to ₹40,000/- or ₹42,000/- after two years, based on performance. Institute Fellows will also receive a contingency amount of ₹20,000/- per year.
- Students offered admission through Sponsored Projects would receive the fellowship in accordance with the funding agency guidelines.
- BITS Pilani provides International Travel Support of up to ₹1.5 lakh to full-time PhD students to present their work in an international conference
Application Process
- The online admission portal opens on 26 September 2025.
- Eligible candidates must apply through the official application form available at the provided admission website. No hard copy needs to be sent.
- Applicants must register online using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Candidates must select their preferred BITS Pilani campus(es) while filling the form.
- Preferences must be chosen carefully.
- They cannot be changed after submission.
- The completed application form and the prescribed application fee must be submitted online before the deadline.
- Last date to submit the application form: 17 November 2025, 5:00 PM.
- A non-refundable application fee of ₹2600 is payable at submission.
- Only one application is allowed.
- An edit option will be available until the deadline for correcting any mistakes.
- The final admission decision will be made by the Institute’s Admission Committee, and the decision will be binding on all applicants.
To learn more about the Ph.D admissions process at BITS Pilani, please visit the website https://www.bitsadmission.com
Faculty Guiding the Next Generation of Biotech Leaders
Dr. Arunkumar Palaniappan
Associate Professor,
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Debostuti Ghoshdastidar
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology
Dr. Shrikant Charde
Professor of Practice,
Department of Biotechnology