Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology (Group A Scientific posts) Recruitment Rules 2025

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-29032025-262090 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 169] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025/CHAITRA 7, 1947 MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Department of Biotechnology) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 28th March, 2025 G.S.R. 208(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution and in supersession of the Department of Biotechnology, (Group ‘A' Scientific Posts) Recruitment Rules, 2018, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the President hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the Scientific posts in the Department of Biotechnology, namely:- 1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology (Group 'A' Scientific posts) Recruitment Rules, 2025. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "cadre controlling authority" means the Secretary in the Department of Biotechnology; (b) "candidate" means a person who is eligible for consideration for any post specified in the First Schedule; (c) "competent authority" means the authority specified by the Central Government as such, from time to time; (d) "Department" means the Department of Biotechnology; (e) "post" means a Scientific post as defined in the Scheme; (f) "Schedule” means a Schedule appended to these rules; and (g) "Scheme" means the Revised Flexible Complementing Scheme as issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, vide O.M. No. AB-14017/41/2013-PP(RR) dated the 13th March, 2024; 3. Number of posts, classification and level in pay matrix.- The number of the said posts, their classification and the level in the pay matrix attached thereto shall be as specified in the First Schedule. 4. Educational qualifications, experience, method of recruitment, etc.- (1) The educational qualification for the post shall be as specified in Part-I of the Second Schedule and specific qualification(s), as may be required for the post concerned shall be decided by the cadre controlling authority and indicated in the advertisement. (2) The candidate for the post of Scientist 'H' shall have the experience in research and development in industrial or academic institutions or an organisation of science and technology as specified in Part-II of the Second Schedule. (3) (a) The recruitment for the post of Scientist 'C' shall be made by direct recruitment. (b) The recruitment for the post of Scientist H, shall be made either by direct recruitment or on deputation or absorption basis. (c) The cadre controlling authority shall decide the particular method of appointment for each vacancy of Scientist H before advertising the post and shall be indicated in the advertisement. (d) The recruitment for the posts of Scientists 'D', 'E', 'F' and 'G' shall be made by promotion or upgradation under the Scheme on completion of minimum residency period in the existing grade as specified in sub-rule (2) of rule 8. (4) Any recruitment made by the method specified in sub-rule (3) shall be made on the recommendation of the Committees referred to in rule 9. (5) The committees referred to in sub-rule (4) shall make their recommendations on the basis of interview held with candidates for all posts filled under method of recruitment under clauses (a) and (b) of sub-rule (3) and on the basis of interview and evaluation of past performance of scientists in the Department for all posts filled by the method of recruitment under clause (d) of sub-rule (3): Provided that for making recruitment to the posts, the committee referred to in sub-rule (4) shall comply with the methodology of assessment or selection [including the number of candidates to be called against vacancies advertised in terms of sub-rules (1) and (2)] which has been duly approved by the competent authority before making advertisement for recruitment for the post. 5. Age-limit and nationality.- (1) The upper age-limit for direct recruitment shall be as specified in column (4) of Part-II of the Second Schedule. (2)The upper age-limit for post in Scientist 'H' to be filled on deputation basis shall be fifty-eight years. (3)The crucial date for determining the age-limit shall be the closing date for receipt of applications from candidates against the advertisement. (4)Only an Indian citizen shall be eligible for appointment against the posts. 6. Direct recruitment.- (1) The candidate possessing the educational qualification and experience as specified in the Second Schedule shall be eligible for appointment by direct recruitment in the manner specified in sub-rule (5) of rule 4, on the recommendations of the committee referred to in sub-rule (4) of rule 4. (2)Every officer on appointment to the posts of Scientists 'C' and 'H' on direct recruitment basis shall be on probation for a period of one year. Provided that the cadre controlling authority may extend the period of probation in accordance with the instructions or orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard. (3) The confirmation of the candidate appointed on probation under sub-rule (2) shall be considered by the Departmental Confirmation Committee specified in sub-rule (7) of rule 9. 7. Deputation (including short-term contract)/absorption.- (1) The candidate from other Ministries or Departments of the Central Government or the State Governments or Union territories or Central Universities or State Universities or public sector undertakings or autonomous statutory bodies or institutions may be appointed on deputation basis for the posts specified in clauses (b) and (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 4 in the manner specified in sub-rules (4) and (5) of rule 4 subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions, namely:- (a) the candidate possesses minimum educational qualification and experience as specified in the Second Schedule; (b) the candidate holds a post analogous to the post applied for or has worked for at least five years on the immediate lower post on regular basis in the parent cadre or Department; (c) the upper age-limit for candidates recommended for appointment on deputation shall be as per the provisions of sub-rule (2) of rule 5. (2)The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding the present appointment on deputation in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central Government, shall ordinarily be five years. (3)The vacancies caused by the incumbents being away on deputation or long illness or study leave or under other circumstances for a duration of one year or more may be filled on deputation basis from officers of the Central Government possessing the educational qualifications specified for direct recruitment. (4)The candidate from the Central Government or the State Government or Union territory shall be eligible for absorption under clause (b) and (c) of sub-rule (3) of rule 4 in the manner specified in sub-rules (4) and (5) of rule 4. 8. Promotion through the Revised Flexible Complementing Scheme.-(1) Promotion or upgradation of Scientists to the grade of Scientist 'D' upto Scientist 'G' shall be as specified under the Scheme. (2) Promotion or upgradation of Scientists to the grade of Scientist 'D' upto Scientist 'G' shall be as per the minimum residency period indicated below and compliance with other provisions specified in the Scheme, namely:- +-------------+------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Level in | Name of post | Minimum Residency Period linked to | | pay-matrix | | Performance | +=============+==================+=========================================+ | Level-12 | Scientist 'D' | four years as Scientist 'C' | +-------------+------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Level-13 | Scientist 'E' | four years as Scientist 'D' | +-------------+------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Level-13A | Scientist 'F' | five years as Scientist 'E' | +-------------+------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Level-14 | Scientist 'G' | five years as Scientist 'F' | +-------------+------------------+-----------------------------------------+ (3) The Scientists shall fill up the Annual Work Report and Annual Performance Appraisal Report, in the format provided for in the Scheme, mandatorily on an annual basis. (4) There shall be two level of assessment under the Scheme namely Level 1 Screening (Internal Screening Committee) and Level 2 Screening (Assessment Board or Departmental Peer Review Committee) as referred to in rule 9. (5) The assessment shall be done twice in a year and cases of those Scientists who have completed or may complete the minimum residency period as on the cut-off dates of assessment viz., 1st January or 1st July, as the case may be, and have earned or may earn number of annual Annual Performance Appraisal Reports equal to or more than the number of years of minimum residency period for the period preceding the cut off dates of assessment, shall be considered for assessment under the scheme. (6) Scientist who does not qualify either in Level-1 screening or Level-2 screening shall be re-assessed only after one year when they earn at least one more Annual Performance Appraisal Report and Annual Work Report and such re-assessment shall again entail Level-1 and Level-2 Screening and not commence from the stage where the Scientist failed to qualify. (7) The assessment process under the Scheme for promotion or upgradation to the next grade shall be conducted only thrice, and thereafter, the scientist shall be covered under Modified Assured Career Progression as approved for the Central Government civilian employees. (8) The scientist who has been granted any grade under Modified Assured Career Progression may be considered for next grade as provided for in the Scheme. (9) Scientists doing management or administrative work shall not be considered for promotion or upgradation under the Scheme and they shall only be given benefit of upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression. (10) The date of promotion or upgradation of Scientists recommended for promotion or upgradation to the next higher grade under the Scheme shall be the date on which the competent authority approved the promotion or upgradation. (11) The officers on leave or deputation outside the organisation can be given promotion only with effect from the date they rejoin or return to the parent cadre. (12) There shall be no retrospective promotion or upgradation. (13) Field experience, in research and development or experience in implementation of scientific projects, of atleast two years for promotion to Scientist 'F' and five years for promotion to Scientist 'G' shall be essential. (14) Treatment of period of leave, period spent on deputation or foreign service, etc., towards counting of minimum residency period shall be as specified in the Scheme. 9. Constitution of committees.- (1) There shall be a Selection Committee for making recommendation to the posts specified in the First Schedule consisting of the following persons, namely:- +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | Sr.No | Name of post. | Composition of Selection Committee. | +=======+================+==================================================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | +-------+================+==================================================+ | 1. | Scientist 'C' | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | | | 2. Two experts from outside the Department to be | | | | nominated by the Secretary of the Department | | | | who shall be an officer not below level-14 – | | | | Members; | | | | 3. Joint Secretary in-charge of administration in | | | | the Department Member Administration. | +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | 2. | Scientist 'H' | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | | | 2. Two Secretaries of the other Scientific | | | | Departments to be nominated by Secretary of | | | | the Department – Members; | | | | 3. Two experts specialising in the field of | | | | Scientific activity from outside the | | | | Department to be nominated by the Secretary | | | | of the Department Members; | | | | 4. To be nominated by Secretary of the | | | | Department. Member Administration. | +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ (2) The Internal Screening Committee as referred under sub-rule(4) of rule 8 for Level-1 screening and shortlisting of candidates for the posts specified in column (2) below, whose report shall be placed before the committees referred to in sub-rules (3) and (4), as the case may be, shall consist of the following persons, namely:- +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | Sr.No | Name of post. | Composition of Internal Screening Committee. | +=======+=========================================+==================================================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | +=======+=========================================+==================================================+ | 1. | For promotion or upgradation to the grade | 1. Secretary of the Department or a Scientist who| | | of Scientist 'D' upto Scientist 'F' | shall not be below the rank of Scientist 'H' | | | | Chairman; | | | | 2. A nominee of the Department of Atomic Energy | | | | or Department of Space or Defence Research | | | | and Development Organisation in rank of | | | | Scientist 'G' or above – Expert Member; | | | | 3. An officer not below level-14 with | | | | administrative background to be nominated by | | | | Joint Secretary (Administration) of the | | | | Department - Member Administration. | +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | 2. | For promotion or upgradation to the grade | 4. Secretary of the Department or a Scientist who| | | of Scientist 'G' | shall not be below the rank of Scientist 'H' | | | | – Chairman; | | | | 5. A nominee of the Department of Atomic Energy | | | | or Department of Space or Defence Research | | | | and Development Organisation in rank of | +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | | | of Scientist 'H' or above – Expert Member; | | | | 6. An officer not below level-15 with | | | | administrative background to be nominated by | | | | Secretary of the Department Member | | | | Administration. | +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ (3) The Assessment Board as referred under sub-rule(4) of rule 8 for Level-2 screening, shall consist of the following persons, namely:- +-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | Name of post. | Composition of Assessment Board. | +=========================================+==================================================+ | (1) | (2) | +=========================================+==================================================+ | For promotion or upgradation to the grade | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | of Scientist 'D' upto Scientist 'E' | 2. Two experts from outside the Department to be | | | nominated by the Secretary of the Department | | | who shall be the officers not below | | | level-14 - Expert Members; | | | 3. Joint Secretary in-charge of administration in | | | the Department Member Administration. | +-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ (4) The Departmental Peer Review Committee as referred under sub-rule(4) of rule 8 for Level-2 screening, shall consist of the following persons, namely:- +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | Sr. No. | Name of post. | Composition of Departmental Peer Review Committee.| +=======+=========================================+==================================================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | +=======+=========================================+==================================================+ | 1. | For promotion or upgradation to the grade | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | | of Scientist 'F' | 2. Two Secretaries of the other Scientific | | | | Departments (or their representatives who are | | | | not below the rank of Joint Secretary) to be | | | | nominated by the Secretary of the Department | | | | – Members; | | | | 3. Two eminent Scientists not below the rank of | | | | Joint Secretary specialised in the field of | | | | scientific activity to be nominated by | | | | Secretary of the Department – Members; | | | | 4. Joint Secretary rank officer to be nominated | | | | by Department of Personnel and Training | | | | Member Department of Personnel and Training.| +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | 2. | For promotion or upgradation to the grade | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | | of Scientist 'G' | 2. Two Secretaries of the other Scientific | | | | Departments (or their representatives who are | | | | at least in Additional Secretary rank) to be | | | | nominated by the Secretary of the Department | | | | – Members; | | | | 3. Two eminent Scientists not below the rank of | | | | Additional Secretary specialised in the field | | | | of scientific activity – Members; | | | | 4. An officer not below the rank of Additional | | | | Secretary to be nominated by the Department | | | | of Personnel and Training – Member | | | | Department of Personnel and Training. | +-------+-----------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------+ (5) No person who is a recipient of grants or funding from the Department or who is closely related to such a recipient shall be invited as a member of any committee constituted under this rule. (6) Where officers of the Government, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings are nominated as members of the committees, they shall be at least one level above the post to which the appointment is being recommended to be made under sub-rule (3) of rule 4. (7) There shall be a Departmental Confirmation Committee for considering confirmation consisting of the following persons, namely:- +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | Sr. No. | Name of post. | Composition of Departmental Confirmation Committee | +=======+================+==================================================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | +=======+================+==================================================+ | 1. | Scientist 'C' | 1. Secretary of the Department or Scientist 'G' | | | | rank officer of the Department to be nominated| | | | by the Secretary of the Department – Chairman;| | | | 2. One Scientist 'G' rank Officer, to be nominated| | | | by the Secretary of the Department - Member; | | | | 3. One Scientist from outside the Department from| | | | other Scientific Departments of Government of | | | | India in rank of Scientist 'G', to be nominated| | | | by the Secretary of the concerned outside | | | | Department – Member; | | | | 4. Joint Secretary in-charge of Administration in| | | | the Department – Member Administration. | +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ | 2. | Scientist 'H' | 1. Secretary of the Department – Chairman; | | | | 2. Two scientists working in the Government | | | | Departments in the rank of Secretary – Members.| +-------+----------------+--------------------------------------------------+ 10. Disqualifications.- No person,- (a) Who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living; or (b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be eligible for appointment to the posts: Provided that the Central Government may if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule. 11. Power to relax.- Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons. 12. Saving.- Nothing in these rules shall affect reservation, relaxation of age-limit and other concessions required to be provided for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, the Ex-servicemen and the other special categories of persons in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard. 13. Application of provisions of Scheme.- Anything not mentioned in these rules shall be governed by the provisions of the Scheme. FIRST SCHEDULE [See rules 2(b), 2(f), 3, and 9(1)] +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | Sr.No. | Name of post | Number of posts.| Classification. | Level in pay matrix as per | | | | | | 7th CPC | +=======+================+=================+==========================+============================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | +=======+================+=================+==========================+============================+ | 1. | Scientist 'C' | 31 | General Central Service | Level-11 | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.67700-208700) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | 2. | Scientist 'D' | 12 | General Central Service | Level-12 | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.78800-209200) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | 3. | Scientist 'E' | Nil | General Central Service | Level-13 | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.123100-215900) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | 4. | Scientist 'F' | 6 | General Central Service | Level-13A | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.131100-216600) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | 5. | Scientist 'G' | 1 | General Central Service | Level-14 | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.144200-218200) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | 6. | Scientist 'H' | 4 | General Central Service | Level-15 | | | | | (Group 'A', Gazetted) | (Rs.182200- 224100) | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ | Total | | 54 | | | +-------+----------------+-----------------+--------------------------+----------------------------+ Note 1: The vacancies in each grade shall be first filled from the Scientists in the feeder grade who are recommended for promotion to the next higher grade under the scheme. If the number of Scientists recommended for consideration of promotion to the next grade under the scheme are more than the number of vacancies available in the promotion grade, then to that extent the number of posts be automatically upgraded to the promotion grade subject to the condition that the combined sanctioned strength of all the grades shall remain the same. Vacancies arising due to attrition shall normally revert to the entry level grade of the respective Scientific category. Note 2: The posts of Scientist 'H' are excluded from the purview of Revised Flexible Complementing Scheme. Note 3: There is no sanctioned post of Scientist 'E', since it was introduced in the light of Department of Personnel and Training Office memorandum No. 2/41/97-PIC, dated the 9th November, 1998. SECOND SCHEDULE [See rules 4(1), 4(2), 5(1), 6(1) and 7(1)] PART-I Educational qualification: (A) For Scientist 'C': Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in any discipline of Life Sciences or Biotechnology or Biochemistry or Computational or Pharmaceutical or Agricultural or Veterinary Sciences or related disciplines; or Ph.D. in Engineering or Technology – Chemical or Biomedical or Biotechnology or Biopharma; or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in any branch of medicine from a recognised University or institute. (B) For Scientist 'H': Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in any discipline of Life Sciences or Biotechnology or Biochemistry or Computational or Pharmaceutical or Agricultural or Veterinary Sciences or related disciplines; or Ph.D. in Engineering or Technology – Chemical or Biomedical or Biotechnology or Biopharma; or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in any branch of medicine from a recognised University or institute. PART-II +-------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------+ | S1. | Name of post. | Minimum experience required after | Upper age-limit for direct | | No. | | possessing the minimum educational | recruitment. | | | | qualifications prescribed in the Scheme. | | +=======+================+==============================================+=============================+ | (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | +=======+================+==============================================+=============================+ | 1. | Scientist 'C' | Not applicable | Thirty-five years | +-------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------+ | 2. | Scientist 'H' | Twenty years Research and Development | Fifty years | | | | experience in the field of Biotechnology or | | | | | Life Sciences | | +-------+----------------+----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------+ Note 1: The experience for the post of Scientist 'H' shall be in responsible position of work in research and development or management and administration or planning or industrial or academic institutions or Science and Technology organisations with a broad perspective of biotechnology. Note 2: The upper age-limit for Scientist 'C' and Scientist 'H' shall be relaxable for the Government servants upto five years in accordance with the instructions or orders issued by the Central Government. [F. No. A-12018/2/2024-ESTT-DBT(E19630)] EKTA VISHNOI, Jt. Secy. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.