Eligibility
The source contains general DST JRF qualification language together with more specific project qualification pathways.
Education
Post Graduate Degree in Basic Science or Graduate/Post Graduate Degree in a Professional Course selected through CSIR-UGC NET including Lectureship or Assistant Professorship, GATE, or national-level examinations conducted by Central Government departments, agencies or institutions such as DST, DBT, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISc, IISER and NISER This preserves the general essential qualification language appearing before the project-specific qualification section.
Age
Upper age limit 28 years as on 9 October 2026 Age rules may be relaxed according to sponsoring agency rules if applicable.
Nationality
Indian national
M.E. M.tech. MS Pathway
GATE qualification is not mandatory for this pathway.
M.E./M.Tech./MS or equivalent degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering with at least 60% marks or CGPA 6.5 on a 10-point scale GATE qualification is not mandatory for this pathway.
B.E. B.tech. BS With GATE Pathway
Education
B.E./B.Tech./BS or equivalent four-year degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering with at least 60% marks or CGPA 6.5 on a 10-point scale
Exam qualification
GATE score Required for the standard B.E., B.Tech. or BS pathway.
B.E. B.tech. BS GATE-Exempt Institutional Pathway
For degrees from IITs, CFTIs or institutes whose current overall NIRF ranking is 25 or better, GATE is not mandatory when the candidate has at least 8.0 CGPA.
B.E./B.Tech./BS or equivalent four-year degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Materials Engineering from an IIT, CFTI or institute whose current overall NIRF ranking is 25 or better, with at least 8.0 CGPA GATE qualification is not mandatory under this institutional and CGPA exemption pathway.