CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026

The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, has released Advertisement No. 04/2026 for the recruitment of scientists at different levels. The institute invites online applications from eligible Indian citizens for 6 Scientist vacancies, including Scientist – III, Scientist – IV and Scientist – V posts.

CDFD is a research institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The recruitment is intended for highly qualified researchers with expertise in modern biology and related disciplines.

Eligible candidates with the prescribed Ph.D. or specified medical qualifications can apply online through the official CDFD website. The approximate monthly emoluments range from ₹1.40 lakh to ₹2.45 lakh, depending on the post.

The online application process is scheduled to begin on 31 October 2026, and the last date to submit the application and pay the applicable fee is 31 December 2026, up to 6:00 PM.

CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Overview

CDFD Scientist Vacancy 2026

The recruitment notification announces six vacancies across three Scientist levels. The distribution of posts and reservation categories is given below.

Candidates should check the reservation requirements and ensure that they possess valid category certificates wherever applicable.

CDFD Scientist Salary 2026

The selected candidates will receive salaries according to the applicable Central Government pay matrix levels. The notification also provides approximate total monthly emoluments for each post.

The monthly emoluments mentioned above are approximate figures provided in the notification. Actual pay and applicable allowances will be governed by the relevant government and institute rules.

New entrants will be covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and may receive other benefits, including medical facilities and Leave Travel Concession (LTC), as applicable under government and institute norms.

CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfil the educational qualifications, research experience requirements and age limits prescribed for the particular Scientist post. The essential qualifications must be possessed by the closing date of the application.

1. Scientist – V Eligibility

Educational Qualification:

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in any of the following disciplines or related areas:

• Life Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Computational Biology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Sciences
• Plant Sciences

The notification also accepts specified Ph.D. qualifications in engineering or technology, including Chemical, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, or a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in any branch of medicine, MDS or MVSc, from a recognised university or institute, in the relevant research areas specified in the advertisement.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of post-qualification experience in a responsible higher position in a research or teaching institute, university or industry is required. Candidates should have published research of the highest standards and/or technologies of established utility.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 45 years.

Vacancies: 2, both under the Unreserved category.

Areas of Research Interest: Modern biology, including Plant Genetics, Chemical Biology, Cancer Biology and Disease Biology.

2. Scientist – IV Eligibility

Educational Qualification:

Candidates must possess the relevant Ph.D. qualification in disciplines such as Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Sciences, Plant Sciences or related disciplines.

The specified Ph.D. qualifications in Chemical, Biomedical or Pharmaceutical Engineering, or M.D., MDS or MVSc qualifications in relevant research areas, are also accepted as described in the notification.

Experience: At least 3 years of post-qualification experience in a responsible higher position in a research or teaching institute, university or industry, with high-quality published research and/or technologies of established utility.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 40 years.

Vacancies: 2, comprising 1 EWS post and 1 OBC-NCL post.

Areas of Research Interest: Modern biology, including Infection Biology, Immunology, Microbiology and Synthetic Biology.

3. Scientist – III Eligibility

Educational Qualification:

Candidates must possess a relevant Ph.D. in disciplines such as:

• Life Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry
• Computational Biology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Sciences
• Plant Sciences
• Related disciplines

The notification also recognises specified Ph.D. qualifications in Chemical, Biomedical or Pharmaceutical Engineering, or M.D., MDS or MVSc qualifications in relevant research areas, from a recognised university or institute.

Experience: The essential qualification section for Scientist – III does not prescribe a minimum number of years of post-qualification experience. Candidates should carefully review the complete advertisement and ensure they satisfy all applicable requirements.

Age Limit: Not exceeding 35 years.

Vacancies: 2, comprising 1 EWS post and 1 OBC-NCL post.

Areas of Research Interest: Computational and Systems Biology, Human Genetics, and Forensic Genetics/Genomics.

Candidates selected for the Scientist – III position in Human Genetics and Forensic Genetics/Genomics will also contribute to the operation and maintenance of the institute’s core DNA fingerprinting service facility, alongside research, technology development and capacity-building activities.

Desirable Research Experience

For all Scientist positions, CDFD considers an outstanding research record desirable. This may include high-quality scientific publications, research grants and supervision of Ph.D. students.

The ability to establish an independent, externally funded research programme, mentor doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, develop interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to teaching and institutional academic activities will also be desirable.

Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee an interview. CDFD may shortlist candidates using additional criteria based on the institute’s requirements.

CDFD Scientist Age Limit 2026

The upper age limits for the three positions are as follows:

The age limit is calculated as of the last date for receipt of online applications.

Age Relaxation

The notification provides the following age-relaxation provisions, subject to the applicable rules:

• Regular employees of government departments, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings: Upper age relaxation of up to 5 years.
• OBC candidates: 3 years of relaxation against vacancies reserved for the OBC category.
• Ex-servicemen and PwBD candidates: Relaxation as per Central Government rules.

Category-based age relaxation is applicable only where the relevant reserved-category vacancy and rules permit it. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete conditions.

CDFD Scientist Application Fee 2026

The application fee specified in the notification is as follows:

Candidates claiming an exemption must upload the relevant supporting certificate or proof along with the application.

How to Pay the Application Fee

The fee must be paid online through the SBI Collect payment system.

1. Visit the SBI Collect payment portal: https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/sbicollect/payment/listinstitution
2. Search for Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics.
3. Select Telangana as the state.
4. Select Government Department as the institution type and choose CDFD.
5. Select Application Fee as the payment category.
6. Enter Advertisement No. 04/2026 and the required candidate details.
7. Complete the payment using an available payment method.
8. Download and preserve the payment receipt.

Candidates must enter the transaction or UTR number and transaction date in the online application, where required. Payment alone does not complete the application; all mandatory details and supporting documents must also be submitted.

CDFD Scientist Selection Process 2026

According to the notification, the selection process for Scientist posts consists of screening followed by two rounds of interviews.

1. Initial Screening

A Screening Committee will examine applications and shortlist eligible candidates based on the advertised criteria and the institute’s requirements.

Possessing the minimum qualifications does not guarantee shortlisting. The committee may consider additional qualifications, relevant experience, research achievements and other applicable criteria.

2. Research Presentation

Candidates who are screened in may be asked to submit an audio-recorded PowerPoint presentation describing their ongoing research areas, future research plans and related work.

The Preliminary Selection Committee may evaluate these presentations and further shortlist candidates for the final interview.

3. Final Interview

Candidates shortlisted after the preliminary evaluation will be called for the final interview conducted by the Selection Committee.

The institute may call shortlisted candidates for document verification. The notification states that candidates shortlisted for document verification will generally be called in a ratio of three candidates for each post, and they must attend at their own cost.

Candidates should monitor their registered email address and the official CDFD website for interview communications and updates.

Documents Required for CDFD Scientist Online Application

Candidates should prepare the required documents before beginning the online application process. The notification specifies the following documents, as applicable:

1. Recent passport-size colour photograph.
2. Scanned signature.
3. Proof of date of birth.
4. SSC/10th standard certificate.
5. Intermediate/10+2 certificate.
6. Bachelor’s degree certificates and marksheets.
7. Relevant postgraduate qualification certificates and marksheets.
8. Ph.D. certificate and related qualification documents, as applicable.
9. Experience certificates.
10. Valid EWS, OBC-NCL or other applicable category certificates.
11. Application fee transaction receipt, where applicable.
12. No Objection Certificate (NOC) or the prescribed undertaking for candidates employed in government departments, public sector undertakings or government-funded research agencies.
13. Copies of scientific publications compiled into a single PDF.
14. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including the list of publications.
15. Proposed short-term and long-term research plan.
16. Any other documents required by the application form.

Candidates should follow the file formats, size limits and upload instructions specified in the official notification. The advertisement specifies a recent photograph not older than three months and provides particular image dimensions for the photograph and signature.

Applicants employed in government organisations or other specified institutions must follow the prescribed procedure for submitting an NOC or undertaking.

How to Apply for CDFD Scientist Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official CDFD website. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Open https://www.cdfd.org.in/ and locate the recruitment section.

Step 2: Read the Notification

Open Advertisement No. 04/2026 and carefully read the eligibility requirements, post details, reservation rules, application fee and instructions.

Step 3: Complete New Registration

Click the New Registration option in the application portal. Register using a valid email address and create a password for future access.

Step 4: Select the Scientist Post

Log in using the required registration details and select the appropriate post: Scientist – III, Scientist – IV or Scientist – V.

Candidates applying for more than one post must register separately and submit a separate application for each post, along with the required documents and fee where applicable.

Step 5: Fill in the Application Form

Enter personal details, educational qualifications, research experience, publication details and other required information accurately.

Check all information carefully before proceeding, as the notification states that changes will not be entertained after final submission.

Step 6: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the prescribed fee through SBI Collect if applicable. Save the transaction receipt and enter the required payment details in the application form.

Step 7: Upload Documents

Upload the photograph, signature, certificates, experience documents, research publications and other supporting files in the specified formats and sizes.

Step 8: Review and Submit

Verify the information entered and confirm that all mandatory documents have been uploaded. Submit the completed application form.

Step 9: Download the Application

After successful submission, download or print the application form and preserve the registration details and payment receipt for future reference.

Last Date to Apply

The last date for submitting the online application and remitting the applicable fee is 31 December 2026, up to 6:00 PM. Candidates are advised to complete the process well before the deadline.

Important Links

Important Note: Candidates should check the official CDFD website for the detailed notification, online application link, corrigenda and any updates before applying. The recruitment notification contains an inconsistency in the advertisement-date line, so candidates should rely on the application schedule published by CDFD and verify any subsequent clarification on its official website.

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