ADMISSION TO Ph.D. PROGRAMME AT NII

The National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, is a leading research Institute in India with a long-standing reputation for scientific excellence. The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure for pursuing research in immunology and allied sciences. The Institute also imparts vigorous long-term research training leading to a Ph.D degree.

National Institute of Immunology (NII) invites applications from eligible candidates for its Ph.D. programme. Cutting-edge research at NII encompasses broad interdisciplinary areas of Immunology, Infectious and Chronic Disease Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology and Computational Biology.

Minimum qualifications
A. M.Sc. in any branch of Science (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) M.Tech., M.B.B.S., M.V.Sc., M.Pharm., Integrated M.Sc., or equivalent qualification as per the norms of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
B. At least 60% aggregate score or equivalent grade in Senior Secondary Certificate (10+2) and Bachelor’s degree and 55% aggregate score or equivalent grade in Master’s degree are essential for the general category. Five percent relaxation in aggregate scores in Senior Secondary, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees will be applicable for candidates from the reserved categories [(OBC (non-creamy layer; NCL), SC/ST, and PwD]. Rounding off of percentage score to the next integral value is not permitted.
C. Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination in the current academic year are eligible to apply; they will be admitted provisionally pending satisfactory fulfilment of the eligibility requirements at the time of joining.
D. Reservations of seats: 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC (NCL) and 3% for persons with disability (PwD) as per statutory norms.

Selection procedure:
A. NII will select candidates for the Ph.D. programme through the following two Channels:
Channel# 1: Computer-based Entrance Examination, NII-2021 to be conducted by NII at multiple centres across India on 25th February 2021 (Thursday).
Channel# 2: Joint Graduate Entrance Examination in Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS-2021). Candidates must appear in at least one of the two examinations mentioned above. Candidates will be short-listed for an interview based on their scores in either NII-2021 or JGEEBILS-2021.
B. The list of candidates short-listed for interviews shall be available on the NII website and Notice Board on or before 26h April, 2021.
C. Interviews will be held online during June 15th, 2021-June 22nd, 2021
D. Candidates selected will be enrolled for the Ph.D. programme of NII in academic affiliation with JNU, New Delhi.

Ph.D. Programme:
A. The programme will start on 12th July 2021 and the allotment of laboratories and thesis supervisors will be made by 19th July 2021 after joining based on the interactions with faculty members in the candidates’ area of interest and mutual preference.
B. NII currently provides Junior Research Fellowship of Rs.31000/- per month to the selected candidates. Awardees of fellowships from CSIR, UGC, ICMR, DBT or and DST, may avail them as per rules of the respective funding agency.
C. NII is a residential campus and shared hostel accommodation will be provided to all the students admitted to the program.

Application procedure:
A. Candidates should submit their applications through NII online application portal only. The details of the application process are available at nii.res.in. Candidates applying through JGEEBILS-2021 must also submit an application through NII application portal, along with application fees.
B. Online application fee is Rs.1000/- for GENERAL/OBC (NCL) candidates and Rs.500/- for SC/ST/PwD (non-refundable).
C. Online application facility will be available at the NII website from 4th January, 2021 to 25th January, 2021.
D. For technical queries regarding NII online admission portal, please contact helpline number: 022-62507725 Email: phdadm2021@nii.ac.in
E. For queries reading the eligibility criteria or other academic matters Email : academic2021@nii.ac.in.
F. Name of the candidate and the date of birth should match the corresponding entries in the Secondary School Certificate (10th) or equivalent.
G. Candidates must ensure that the information details furnished in the online application are true and correct. If any discrepancy is observed at any stage, NII reserves the right to cancel the admission.

Key Dates:
Online Application begins : 04.01.2021
Online Application closing : 25.01.2021
Admit card available : 11.02.2021 onwards for download
NII-2020 Entrance Examination : 25.02.2021