The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), a Hyderabad research institute under the Department of Biotechnology, is hiring 6 Scientists, and there is no written exam. Selection is through a screening, a recorded presentation and an interview. The posts are Scientist-III, Scientist-IV and Scientist-V, and each one needs a Ph.D. (or MD) in life sciences or a related field. Online applications open on 31.10.2026 and close on 31.12.2026 at 6:00 PM.
Not announced yet. CDFD will post them on its website and email shortlisted candidates.
Whole recruitment process
Within 8 months of the advertisement (as stated in the notification)
Application Fee
Category
Fee
Unreserved (UR)
₹1,500 for each post
EWS / OBC
₹1,500 for each post
Women, SC, ST, Ex-servicemen and PwBD
Nil – exempt if you upload the proof (SC/ST/PwBD certificate or PPO/discharge certificate)
A reserved-category candidate who applies under the Unreserved category pays the full fee. You pay online through SBI Collect, and the same fee is needed again for each extra post you apply for.
Vacancy Details
Post
Posts
Reservation
Areas of Interest
Scientist – V
2
2 UR (unreserved)
All areas of modern biology, including Plant Genetics, Chemical Biology, Cancer Biology and Disease Biology
Scientist – IV
2
1 EWS and 1 OBC-NCL
All areas of modern biology, including Infection Biology, Immunology, Microbiology and Synthetic Biology
Scientist – III
2
1 EWS and 1 OBC-NCL
Computational and Systems Biology; Human Genetics and Forensic Genetics / Genomics
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Citizenship
You must be an Indian citizen.
Educational Qualification (all three posts)
A Ph.D. in any life sciences discipline (biotechnology, biochemistry, chemistry, computational biology, pharmaceutical sciences, molecular biology, agricultural or plant sciences or a related subject); or a Ph.D. in chemical, biomedical or pharmaceutical engineering or technology; or an MD, MDS or MVSc.
Experience – Scientist-V
At least 5 years after your qualification, in a responsible higher position at a research or teaching institute, university or industry, with published research of the highest standard and/or technology of established use.
Experience – Scientist-IV
At least 3 years after your qualification, in the same kind of position and with the same kind of record.
Experience – Scientist-III
No minimum years of experience are stated. The notification wants an outstanding research record.
Desirable (all posts)
A strong record of publications, research grants and/or guiding Ph.D. students, and the ability to build an independently funded research programme and mentor young researchers.
Age Limit
Scientist-V: up to 45 years. Scientist-IV: up to 40 years. Scientist-III: up to 35 years. Age is counted as on 31.12.2026. Check your age eligibility →
Application Restriction
Apply separately for each post. If your final-year result is still awaited, the notification says you need not apply.
Age relaxation (extra years allowed on the upper age limit):
Category
Relaxation
Regular employees of government departments, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings
Up to 5 years
OBC
3 years, only for the posts reserved for OBC
Ex-servicemen and PwBD (persons with benchmark disabilities)
As per Central Government rules
So if you are 38 and belong to OBC-NCL, you can still apply for the Scientist-III post reserved for OBC-NCL, because the three extra years take the limit from 35 to 38. The relaxation does not work for a post that is not reserved for your category.
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
Enter your date of birth, the cut-off date 31.12.2026 and your category relaxation to see whether you fit the 35, 40 or 45 year limit for your post.
These are research-faculty jobs, not assistant jobs. You will be expected to lead your own research group, so the strength of your publications and plans matters more than the degree alone.
Pick your level by age and experience together. Scientist-V wants 5 years of experience and allows up to 45 years, while Scientist-III has no minimum experience but stops at 35.
Only Scientist-IV and Scientist-III carry reserved posts (one EWS and one OBC-NCL each). Both Scientist-V posts are unreserved.
Plan some time before 31.12.2026. Besides the form, you must upload a CV with publications and a short-term and long-term research plan, and you may be asked for a recorded presentation.
The pension is the National Pension Scheme, the posting can be anywhere in India as CDFD needs, and the first 2 years are probation. Think about these before applying.
Selection Process
Stage
Details
1. Screening
A Screening Committee shortlists applications using the terms of the advertisement. It looks only at what you fill in and upload online. Meeting the minimum qualification does not guarantee a call.
2. Recorded presentation
Candidates who pass the screening may be asked to send an audio-recorded PPT (slides with your voice recorded over them) about their current research and future plans.
3. Preliminary selection
A Preliminary Selection Committee evaluates the presentations and picks the candidates to call for the final interview.
Document verification
Shortlisted candidates, three for each post (a 1:3 ratio), are called to CDFD to show their documents. They travel at their own cost. The notification does not say at which stage this happens.
4. Final interview
The Selection Committee interviews the shortlisted candidates. CDFD does not provide accommodation.
Before joining
Selected candidates must clear a medical examination and police verification. The first 2 years are probation.
In short: there is no written exam. You clear two interview rounds, first a presentation you record and send, then the final interview. The notification does not state marks or weightage for any stage.
Salary and Benefits
Post
Pay Level
Initial Basic Pay
Total Monthly Pay (approx.)
Scientist – V
Level 13
₹1,23,100
₹2,45,410
Scientist – IV
Level 12
₹78,800
₹1,61,240
Scientist – III
Level 11
₹67,700
₹1,40,150
Benefit
Detail
Pension
New entrants join the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Other benefits
Medical benefits, Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and similar benefits as per government and institute rules.
Pay protection
A selected candidate already in a permanent post can ask for pay protection, which is considered under Government of India rules.
In plain terms, a Pay Level is a government pay grade. A Scientist-III starts at about ₹1.40 lakh a month in total, and a Scientist-V at about ₹2.45 lakh. CDFD itself calls these totals approximate.
Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, and create a password. A confirmation email with your Registration ID will arrive. Keep both safe.
If you are not exempt, pay ₹1,500 through SBI Collect: choose Telangana, then Govt Department, then CDFD, then “Application Fee”, and enter “Advt No. 04/2026”. Save the e-receipt, because its transaction number goes into the form.
Log in with the post name, Registration ID and password. Fill in the form, click “Upload Documents” and upload everything listed below, including your CV and research plan.
Check every detail and click “Submit”. Print the application straight away.
Note: To apply for more than one post, register separately for each post and pay a separate fee. After you submit, you cannot edit anything. CDFD sends no postal letters, only email.
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
CDFD wants the photo at 300 x 400 pixels and the signature at 160 x 40 pixels, both JPG and under 100 KB. The resizer sets the exact size for you.
Recent colour passport-size photo, not older than 3 months. JPG, 300 px wide and 400 px high (3:4), up to 100 KB. Resize your photo and signature →
Signature
Clearly visible. JPG, 160 px wide and 40 px high (4:1), up to 100 KB.
Qualification certificates
Proof of date of birth, 10th, 12th, Bachelor’s, Master’s (M.Sc., M.Tech., MD, MVSc, M.Pharm., M.Biotech.) and Ph.D., all combined into one PDF, up to 5 MB.
Experience certificate
PDF, up to 500 KB. It must be on the employer’s letterhead with joining and relieving dates, designation and conduct, and signed by the authorised person. Only full-time project experience counts.
NOC or Undertaking
For government, PSU and government-funded agency employees: a No Objection Certificate (Annexure I) or an Undertaking (Annexure II). PDF, up to 500 KB.
Category certificates
EWS, OBC-NCL, Ex-servicemen or PwBD, valid on the last date. PDF, up to 500 KB. An OBC-NCL certificate issued before 31.03.2026 or an EWS certificate issued before 01.04.2026 is not accepted.
Fee receipt
PDF copy of the fee payment receipt, if you are not exempt.
CV with list of publications
Up to 5 MB. The notification also asks for copies of all publications in a single PDF.
Proposed research plan
A short-term and a long-term plan. The notification does not give a file size for it.
Other documents
Anything else you want considered. PDF, up to 500 KB.
Do not count on editing the form later. The notification says no change is allowed after you submit.
Do not use an old caste or income certificate. An OBC-NCL certificate from before 31.03.2026 or an EWS certificate from before 01.04.2026 will not be accepted.
Do not pay one fee for two posts. Each post needs its own registration, form and fee receipt.
Do not skip the NOC or undertaking if you work in a government department, PSU or government-funded agency. Without it, the application is treated as incomplete.
Do not apply under the Unreserved category and later ask to switch to a reserved one. CDFD will not accept such a request, and you pay the full fee.
Do not wait for the last evening. CDFD says it is not responsible if the site is slow or fails near the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for CDFD Scientist posts?
You can apply online from 31.10.2026 until 31.12.2026, 6:00 PM, and the fee must also be paid by then.
How many Scientist vacancies are there at CDFD?
There are 6 posts in total: 2 each for Scientist-V, Scientist-IV and Scientist-III.
What qualification is needed?
You need a Ph.D. in life sciences or a related subject, or a Ph.D. in chemical, biomedical or pharmaceutical engineering, or an MD, MDS or MVSc.
What is the age limit?
It is 45 years for Scientist-V, 40 for Scientist-IV and 35 for Scientist-III, counted as on 31.12.2026, with 5 years extra for government employees and 3 for OBC on reserved posts.
What is the application fee?
The fee is ₹1,500 for each post, but women, SC, ST, Ex-servicemen and PwBD candidates pay nothing if they upload their proof.
Is there a written exam?
No, CDFD will choose scientists through two interview rounds, starting with a recorded presentation you send in.
What is the salary of a CDFD Scientist?
The total monthly pay is about ₹1,40,150 for Scientist-III, ₹1,61,240 for Scientist-IV and ₹2,45,410 for Scientist-V.
Can I apply for more than one post?
Yes, but you must register, submit a form and pay the fee separately for each post.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
