The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, has released the official notification for the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2025. BET is conducted for awarding DBT-Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) in Biotechnology and Life Sciences. Based on performance in BET 2025, candidates will be shortlisted into Category-I and Category-II. Government of India norms for reservation will be followed for the shortlisting of candidates.
- Candidates shortlisted under Category-I will be eligible to avail of a fellowship at any recognized university or institution across India, where they enroll in a Ph.D. program.
- Those in Category-II can apply for project-based research positions. Candidates selected under Category-II will be eligible to be appointed in any DBT-sponsored project with a fellowship equivalent to NET/GATE qualification, as per current DST guidelines, and/or enroll in a Ph.D. program, subject to selection through the institutional admission process.
There will be no binding on Principal Investigators of DBT-sponsored projects to select JRFs for their projects from the Category-II list. Selection in Category-II will not entitle candidates to avail of any fellowship from the DBT-JRF program.
The BET 2025 online application process begins on 28th February 2025, and candidates can submit their applications until 28th March 2025 (upto 05:00 PM).
BET 2025 – Overview
| Exam Name | Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2025 under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India |
|---|---|
| Examination Conducting Agency | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose | DBT-JRF Fellowship for Ph.D. & Research |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | https://dbtindia.gov.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 28th February 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 28th March 2025 (upto 05:00 PM) |
| Closing Date for Submission of Online Application Fee | 28th March 2025 (upto 11:50 PM) |
| Correction in Particulars of Application Form (Online Only) | 30-31st March 2025 |
| Date of Examination Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) 2025 | 13th May 2025 (Tuesday) | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must have a Master’s degree (M.Sc./M.Tech./M.VSc./Integrated BS-MS/BS-4 years/B.Tech) in Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related fields.
- General/OBC/EWS candidates must have 60% aggregate marks, while SC/ST/PwBD candidates need 55% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade).
Age Limit
- General/EWS: Maximum 28 years as of the last date of application.
- OBC (Non creamy layer) Candidates : Age relaxation of 3 years (up to 31 years)
- SC/ST/PwBD/Female Candidates: Age relaxation of 5 years (up to 33 years).
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / EWS | ₹1,300 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹650 |
Payment must be made online via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.
Exam Pattern
| Sections | No. of Questions | No. of Questions to be Attempted | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (General Science, Mathematics, Quantitative Aptitude) | 50 | 50 | 3 | 150 |
| Section B (Biotechnology Subjects) | 150 | 50 | 3 | 150 |
| Total | 200 | 100 | 3 | 300 |
- The exam duration is 180 minutes (3 hours).
- Negative marking: 1 mark deducted for each incorrect answer.
Also read NEET UG 2025 Notification Out : For National Medical Entrance Exam
How to Apply for BET 2025?
- Visit the Official Website – https://dbtbet2025.ntaonline.in/.
- Click on “New Candidate Registration Here” and read the Official Information Bulletin before filling the form.
- Fill in personal details, academic qualifications, and category details.
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, and category certificates).
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page.
Selection Process
- Candidates will be ranked in Category-I and Category-II based on their BET 2025 score.
- Category-I candidates will be eligible for DBT-JRF Fellowship for Ph.D. admissions.
- Category-II candidates can apply for research positions in DBT-funded projects.
Important Links
| Links | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply Online BET 2025 | Apply Online BET 2025 Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF, Notification PDF 2 |
| BET 2025 Syllabus | View BET 2025 Syllabus |
| Official Information Bulletin BET 2025 | Download Official Information Bulletin |
Also read CUET UG 2025 Notification – Apply Online for Common University Entrance Test
FAQs – BET 2025
1. What is BET 2025?
BET is a national-level entrance exam conducted by DBT, Govt. of India, for awarding DBT-JRF fellowships in Biotechnology & Life Sciences.
2. When is the BET 2025 exam scheduled?
The BET 2025 exam will be conducted on 13th May 2025 (Tuesday) | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
3. Who is eligible to apply for BET 2025?
Candidates with a Master’s degree (M.Sc./M.Tech.) in Biotechnology or Life Sciences can apply.
4. How can I apply for BET 2025?
You can apply online at https://dbtbet2025.ntaonline.in/.
5. What is the age limit for BET 2025?
The maximum age limit is 28 years for General/EWS, 31 years for OBC (Non Creamy Layer) and 33 years for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
6. Is there any negative marking in BET 2025?
Yes, 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
7. How many categories are there in BET results?
Candidates are placed in Category-I (eligible for DBT-JRF Fellowship) or Category-II (eligible for DBT-funded research projects).
8. What is the official website for BET 2025?
The official website is https://dbtindia.gov.in/.
9. What is the validity of the DBT-JRF Fellowship?
The fellowship is valid for five years from the date of award.
10. Where can a candidate ask for any queries/clarification
For any queries/clarifications, candidates can call 011-40759000 or write to NTA at: dbt@nta.ac.in.