CAREER GUIDE

programme includes. 
l      Short term Training Courses; 

l      M.Sc/M.Tech./Post Doc. Programmes; 

l      National and Overseas Associate ships; 

l      Visiting Scientist from Abroad Programme; 

l      Short­term Training Course for Industrial personnel 

l      Technician Training 

l      Biotechnology teaching/training programme for school 

l      Biotechnology Publications 

l      Popular lectures 

l       Biotechnology films etc.  

Job Prospects & Career Options
Biotechnology   as   a   subject   has   grown   rapidly.   As   far   as 
employment is concerned, it has become one of the fast growing 
sectors. Employment record shows that biotechnology has a great 
scope   in   future.   A   prospective   biotech­nologist   should   have   a 
scientific aptitude and a keen interest in the biological sciences. He 
should be methodical and patient by nature, able to work neatly and 
accurately and have a flair for laboratory work. The ability to work 
independently   is   another   important   aspect.   Biotechnologist 
needs certain skill of problem solving, information technology skill, 
analyzing and interpreting skills.
Bio­technologists   can   find   careers   with   pharmaceutical 
companies, chemical, agriculture and allied industries. Large scale 
employment in research laboratories run by the government as well 
as  the  corporate  sector.  Biotechnology  students  in  India  may  find 
work   in  a   government­based   entity  such   as  universities,   research 
institutes or at private centers as research scientists/assistants. The 
work   scope   can   range   from   research,   sales,   marketing, 
administration,   quality   control,   breeders,   technical   support 
etc. Armed with this powerful combination of fundamental cell and 
molecular biology and applied science, graduates are well placed to 
take   up   careers   in   plant,   animal   or   microbial   biotechnology 
laboratories or in horticulture, food science, commerce and teaching.
Opportunities in Research & Industry :
Research   focuses   on   specific   application   or   products   to   apply 
scientific   knowledge   in   new   way   to   improve   upon   the   existing 
product. Scientists engaged in research laboratories looking for new 
product development. Research Scientists are involved in designing 
and carrying out experiments, writing reports for future publication. A 
Biotechnologist may work in organizations such as CSIR and ICAR 
Labs, Regional Research Labs, national institutes, institutes/centers 
of   excellence,   DBT   institutes   and   other   academic   science   and 
technology   institutes   through   sponsored   projects.   A   post   doctoral 
fellowship in specialized disciplines of biotechnology is also being 
supported through DBT.
Biotech Consortium India Ltd. is a prime mover in supporting and 
promoting   projects   in   various   sectors   of   biotechnology   including 
consultancy   and   preparation   of   feasibility   report.   Public­private 
 CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Junior Research
Fellowship and Lecturer-ship
SYLLABUS FOR
LIFE SCIENCES
PAPER I AND PAPER II
1. MOLECULES AND THEIR INTERACTION RELAVENT TO BIOLOGY
A. Structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds.
B. Composition, structure and function of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
nucleic acids and vitamins).
C. Stablizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic
interaction, etc.).
D. Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics,
colligative properties).
E. Bioenergetics, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, coupled reaction, group transfer,
biological energy transducers.
F. Principles of catalysis, enzymes and enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, mechanism of
enzyme catalysis, isozymes.
G. Conformation of proteins (Ramachandran plot, secondary, tertiary and quaternary
structure; domains; motif and folds).
H. Conformation of nucleic acids (A-, B-, Z-,DNA), t-RNA, micro-RNA).
I. Stability of protein and nucleic acid structures.
J. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides and vitamins.
2. CELLULAR ORGANIZATION
A. Membrane structure and function: Structure of model membrane, lipid bilayer and
membrane protein diffusion, osmosis, ion channels, active transport, ion pumps, mechanism of
sorting and regulation of intracellular transport, electrical properties of membranes.
B. Structural organization and function of intracellular organelles: Cell wall, nucleus,
mitochondria, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, plastids, vacuoles,
chloroplast, structure & function of cytoskeleton and its role in motility.
C. Organization of genes and chromosomes: Operon, interrupted genes, gene families,
structure of chromatin and chromosomes, unique and repetitive DNA, heterochromatin,
euchromatin, transposons.
D. Cell division and cell cycle: Mitosis and meiosis, their regulation, steps in cell cycle, and
control of cell cycle.
E. Microbial Physiology: Growth, yield and characteristics, strategies of cell division, stress
response.
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3. FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES
A. DNA replication, repair and recombination: Unit of replication, enzymes involved,
replication origin and replication fork, fidelity of replication, extrachromosomal replicons, DNA
damage and repair mechanisms.
B. RNA synthesis and processing: Transcription factors and machinery, formation of initiation
complex, transcription activators and repressors, RNA polymerases, capping, elongation and
termination, RNA processing, RNA editing, splicing, polyadenylation, structure and function of
different types of RNA, RNA transport.
C. Protein synthesis and processing: Ribosome, formation of initiation complex, initiation
factors and their regulation, elongation and elongation factors, termination, genetic code,
aminoacylation of tRNA, tRNA-identity, aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, translational proof-reading,
translational inhibitors, post- translational modification of proteins.
D. Control of gene expression at transcription and translation level: Regulation of phages,
viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression, role of chromatin in regulating gene
expression and gene silencing.
4. CELL COMMUNICATION AND CELL SIGNALING
A. Host parasite interaction: Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like
bacteria, viruses into animal and plant host cells, alteration of host cell behavior by
pathogens, virus-induced cell transformation, pathogen-induced diseases in animals and
plants, cell-cell fusion in both normal and abnormal cells.
B. Cell signaling: Hormones and their receptors, cell surface receptor, signaling through G-
protein coupled receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messengers, regulation of
signaling pathways, bacterial and plant two-component signaling systems, bacterial
chemotaxis and quorum sensing.
C. Cellular communication: Regulation of hematopoiesis, general principles of cell
communication, cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules, gap junctions,
extracellular matrix, integrins, neurotransmission and its regulation.
D. Cancer: Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes,
cancer and the cell cycle, virus-induced cancer, metastasis, interaction of cancer cells with
normal cells, apoptosis, therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth.
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E. Innate and adaptive immune system: Cells and molecules involved in innate and
adaptive immunity, antigens, antigenicity and immunogenicity. B and T cell epitopes,
structure and function of antibody molecules, generation of antibody diversity, monoclonal
antibodies, antibody engineering, antigen-antibody interactions, MHC molecules, antigen
processing and presentation, activation and differentiation of B and T cells, B and T cell
receptors, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, primary and secondary immune
modulation, the complement system, Toll-like receptors, cell-mediated effector functions,
inflammation, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, immune response during bacterial
(tuberculosis), parasitic (malaria) and viral (HIV) infections, congenital and acquired
immunodeficiencies, vaccines.
5. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
A. Basic concepts of development: Potency, commitment, specification, induction,
competence, determination and differentiation; morphogenetic gradients; cell fate and cell
lineages; stem cells; genomic equivalence and the cytoplasmic determinants; imprinting;
mutants and transgenics in analysis of development.
B. Gametogenesis, fertilization and early development: Production of gametes, cell
surface molecules in sperm-egg recognition in animals; embryo sac development and double
fertilization in plants; zygote formation, cleavage, blastula formation, embryonic fields,
gastrulation and formation of germ layers in animals; embryogenesis, establishment of
symmetry in plants; seed formation and germination.
C. Morphogenesis and organogenesis in animals: Cell aggregation and differentiation in
Dictyostelium; axes and pattern formation in Drosophila, amphibia and chick; organogenesis
– vulva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans; eye lens induction, limb development and
regeneration in vertebrates; differentiation of neurons, post embryonic development-larval
formation, metamorphosis; environmental regulation of normal development; sex
determination.
D. Morphogenesis and organogenesis in plants: Organization of shoot and root apical
meristem; shoot and root development; leaf development and phyllotaxy; transition to
flowering, floral meristems and floral development in Arabidopsis and Antirrhinum.
E. Programmed cell death, aging and senescence.
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6. SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY - PLANT
A. Photosynthesis: Light harvesting complexes; mechanisms of electron transport;
photoprotective mechanisms; CO2 fixation-C3, C4 and CAM pathways.
B. Respiration and photorespiration: Citric acid cycle; plant mitochondrial electron
transport and ATP synthesis; alternate oxidase; photorespiratory pathway.
C. Nitrogen metabolism: Nitrate and ammonium assimilation; amino acid biosynthesis.
D. Plant hormones: Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown and transport; physiological effects
and mechanisms of action.
E. Sensory photobiology: Structure, function and mechanisms of action of phytochromes,
cryptochromes and phototropins; stomatal movement; photoperiodism and biological clocks.
F. Solute transport and photoassimilate translocation: Uptake, transport and translocation
of water, ions, solutes and macromolecules from soil, through cells, across membranes,
through xylem and phloem; transpiration; mechanisms of loading and unloading of
photoassimilates.
G. Secondary metabolites - Biosynthesis of terpenes, phenols and nitrogenous compounds
and their roles.
H. Stress physiology: Responses of plants to biotic (pathogen and insects) and abiotic
(water, temperature and salt) stresses; mechanisms of resistance to biotic stress and tolerance
to abiotic stress
7. SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY - ANIMAL
A. Blood and circulation: Blood corpuscles, haemopoiesis and formed elements, plasma
function, blood volume, blood volume regulation, blood groups, haemoglobin, immunity,
haemostasis.
B. Cardiovascular System: Comparative anatomy of heart structure, myogenic heart,
specialized tissue, ECG – its principle and significance, cardiac cycle, heart as a pump, blood
pressure, neural and chemical regulation of all above.
C. Respiratory system: Comparison of respiration in different species, anatomical
considerations, transport of gases, exchange of gases, waste elimination, neural and chemical
regulation of respiration.
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D. Nervous system: Neurons, action potential, gross neuroanatomy of the brain and spinal
cord, central and peripheral nervous system, neural control of muscle tone and posture.
E. Sense organs: Vision, hearing and tactile response.
F. Excretory system: Comparative physiology of excretion, kidney, urine formation, urine
concentration, waste elimination, micturition, regulation of water balance, blood volume,
blood pressure, electrolyte balance, acid-base balance.
G. Thermoregulation: Comfort zone, body temperature – physical, chemical, neural
regulation, acclimatization.
H. Stress and adaptation
I. Digestive system: Digestion, absorption, energy balance, BMR.
J. Endocrinology and reproduction: Endocrine glands, basic mechanism of hormone
action, hormones and diseases; reproductive processes, neuroendocrine regulation.
8. INHERITANCE BIOLOGY
A. Mendelian principles: Dominance, segregation, independent assortment, deviation from
Mendelian inheritance.
B. Concept of gene: Allele, multiple alleles, pseudoallele, complementation tests.
C. Extensions of Mendelian principles: Codominance, incomplete dominance, gene
interactions, pleiotropy, genomic imprinting, penetrance and expressivity, phenocopy, linkage
and crossing over, sex linkage, sex limited and sex influenced characters.
D. Gene mapping methods: Linkage maps, tetrad analysis, mapping with molecular
markers, mapping by using somatic cell hybrids, development of mapping population in
plants.
E. Extra chromosomal inheritance: Inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genes,
maternal inheritance.
F. Microbial genetics: Methods of genetic transfers – transformation, conjugation,
transduction and sex-duction, mapping genes by interrupted mating, fine structure analysis of
genes.
G. Human genetics: Pedigree analysis, lod score for linkage testing, karyotypes, genetic
disorders.
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H. Quantitative genetics: Polygenic inheritance, heritability and its measurements, QTL
mapping.
I. Mutation: Types, causes and detection, mutant types – lethal, conditional, biochemical,
loss of function, gain of function, germinal verses somatic mutants, insertional mutagenesis.
J. Structural and numerical alterations of chromosomes: Deletion, duplication, inversion,
translocation, ploidy and their genetic implications.
K. Recombination: Homologous and non-homologous recombination, including
transposition, site-specific recombination.
9. DIVERSITY OF LIFE FORMS
A. Principles and methods of taxonomy:Concepts of species and hierarchical taxa,
biological nomenclature, classical and quantititative methods of taxonomy of plants, animals
and microorganisms.
B. Levels of structural organization: Unicellular, colonial and multicellular forms; levels of
organization of tissues, organs and systems; comparative anatomy.
C. Outline classification of plants, animals and microorganisms:Important criteria used
for classification in each taxon; classification of plants, animals and microorganisms;
evolutionary relationships among taxa.
D. Natural history of Indian subcontinent: Major habitat types of the subcontinent,
geographic origins and migrations of species; common Indian mammals, birds; seasonality
and phenology of the subcontinent.
E. Organisms of health and agricultural importance: Common parasites and pathogens of
humans, domestic animals and crops.
10. ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES

A. The Environment: Physical environment; biotic environment; biotic and abiotic

interactions.

B. Habitat and niche: Concept of habitat and niche; niche width and overlap; fundamental
and realized niche; resource partitioning; character displacement.

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 C. Population ecology: Characteristics of a population; population growth curves;
population regulation; life history strategies (r and K selection); concept of
metapopulation – demes and dispersal, interdemic extinctions, age structured
populations.

D. Species interactions: Types of interactions, interspecific competition, herbivory,

carnivory, pollination, symbiosis.

E. Community ecology: Nature of communities; community structure and attributes; levels

of species diversity and its measurement; edges and ecotones.

F. Ecological succession: Types; mechanisms; changes involved in succession; concept of

climax.

G. Ecosystem: Structure and function; energy flow and mineral cycling (CNP); primary
production and decomposition; structure and function of some Indian ecosystems:
terrestrial (forest, grassland) and aquatic (fresh water, marine, eustarine).

H. Biogeography: Major terrestrial biomes; theory of island biogeography; biogeographical

zones of India.

I. Applied ecology: Environmental pollution; global environmental change; biodiversity-

status, monitoring and documentation; major drivers of biodiversity change; biodiversity
management approaches.

J. Conservation biology: Principles of conservation, major approaches to management,

Indian case studies on conservation/management strategy (Project Tiger, Biosphere
reserves).

11. EVOLUTION AND BEHAVIOUR

A. Emergence of evolutionary thoughts: Lamarck; Darwin–concepts of variation,
adaptation, struggle, fitness and natural selection; Mendelism; spontaneity of mutations; the
evolutionary synthesis.
B. Origin of cells and unicellular evolution: Origin of basic biological molecules; abiotic
synthesis of organic monomers and polymers; concept of Oparin and Haldane; experiment of
Miller (1953); the first cell; evolution of prokaryotes; origin of eukaryotic cells; evolution of
unicellular eukaryotes; anaerobic metabolism, photosynthesis and aerobic metabolism.
C. Paleontology and evolutionary history: The evolutionary time scale; eras, periods and
epoch; major events in the evolutionary time scale; origins of unicellular and multicellular
organisms; major groups of plants and animals; stages in primate evolution including Homo.
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D. Molecular Evolution: Concepts of neutral evolution, molecular divergence and molecular
clocks; molecular tools in phylogeny, classification and identification; protein and nucleotide
sequence analysis; origin of new genes and proteins; gene duplication and divergence.
E. The Mechanisms: Population genetics – populations, gene pool, gene frequency; Hardy-
Weinberg law; concepts and rate of change in gene frequency through natural selection,
migration and random genetic drift; adaptive radiation and modifications; isolating
mechanisms; speciation; allopatricity and sympatricity; convergent evolution; sexual
selection; co-evolution.
F. Brain, Behavior and Evolution: Approaches and methods in study of behavior;
proximate and ultimate causation; altruism and evolution-group selection, kin selection,
reciprocal altruism; neural basis of learning, memory, cognition, sleep and arousal; biological
clocks; development of behavior; social communication; social dominance; use of space and
territoriality; mating systems, parental investment and reproductive success; parental care;
aggressive behavior; habitat selection and optimality in foraging; migration, orientation and
navigation; domestication and behavioral changes.
12. APPLIED BIOLOGY:
A. Microbial fermentation and production of small and macro molecules.
B. Application of immunological principles (vaccines, diagnostics). tissue and cell culture
methods for plants and animals.
C. Transgenic animals and plants, molecular approaches to diagnosis and strain
identification.
D. Genomics and its application to health and agriculture, including gene therapy.
E. Bioresource and uses of biodiversity.
F. Breeding in plants and animals, including marker – assisted selection.
G. Bioremediation and phytoremediation.
H. Biosensors.
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13. METHODS IN BIOLOGY
A. Molecular biology and recombinant DNA methods: Isolation and purification of RNA ,
DNA (genomic and plasmid) and proteins, different separation methods; analysis of RNA,
DNA and proteins by one and two dimensional gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing gels;
molecular cloning of DNA or RNA fragments in bacterial and eukaryotic systems; expression
of recombinant proteins using bacterial, animal and plant vectors; isolation of specific nucleic
acid sequences; generation of genomic and cDNA libraries in plasmid, phage, cosmid, BAC
and YAC vectors; in vitro mutagenesis and deletion techniques, gene knock out in bacterial
and eukaryotic organisms; protein sequencing methods, detection of post-translation
modification of proteins; DNA sequencing methods, strategies for genome sequencing;
methods for analysis of gene expression at RNA and protein level, large scale expression
analysis, such as micro array based techniques; isolation, separation and analysis of
carbohydrate and lipid molecules; RFLP, RAPD and AFLP techniques
B. Histochemical and immunotechniques: Antibody generation, detection of molecules
using ELISA, RIA, western blot, immunoprecipitation, floweytometry and
immunofluorescence microscopy, detection of molecules in living cells, in situ localization
by techniques such as FISH and GISH.
C. Biophysical methods: Analysis of biomolecules using UV/visible, fluorescence, circular
dichroism, NMR and ESR spectroscopy, structure determination using X-ray diffraction and
NMR; analysis using light scattering, different types of mass spectrometry and surface
plasma resonance methods.
D. Statistical Methods: Measures of central tendency and dispersal; probability distributions
(Binomial, Poisson and normal); sampling distribution; difference between parametric and
non-parametric statistics; confidence interval; errors; levels of significance; regression and
correlation; t-test; analysis of variance; X2 test;; basic introduction to Muetrovariate statistics,
etc.
E. Radiolabeling techniques: Properties of different types of radioisotopes normally used in
biology, their detection and measurement; incorporation of radioisotopes in biological tissues
and cells, molecular imaging of radioactive material, safety guidelines.
F. Microscopic techniques: Visulization of cells and subcellular components by light
microscopy, resolving powers of different microscopes, microscopy of living cells, scanning
and transmission microscopes, different fixation and staining techniques for EM, freeze-etch
and freeze-fracture methods for EM, image processing methods in microscopy.
G. Electrophysiological methods: Single neuron recording, patch-clamp recording, ECG,
Brain activity recording, lesion and stimulation of brain, pharmacological testing, PET, MRI,
fMRI, CAT .
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Mr. Abhay Kumar, holds M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from
prestigious Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and qualified
fellowship exams, GATE and CSIR respectively. Currently he is continuing Ph.D.
research in IARI it self. There has been a stream of requests from the hB members to
interview someone who are successful in these exams and we could think of no better
person than Abhay, in fact he qualified CSIR 3 times. Abhay came about as humble and
motivated person during the interview. He shared his tricks and trade in CSIR exam and
on Biotechnology/research in general.

Q. Tell us about your background?

A. I was born in a small village Birnawan, in Nalanda District, Bihar and did my XII
from Science College in Patna, B.Sc. from Banaras Hindu University.

Q. After your M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, why did you opted for a
research?

A. Well I didn't wanted in first place. I am from a family of Doctors, so I too wanted to
be in the same line. But unfortunately things didn't work out as planned and joined BSc
without any plan. Then I realized that in the research field there is hardly any
competition. So it just happened, I didn't plan........

Q. You have qualified CSIR 3 times, what an achievement. hB is curious to know about
the secret of your success?

A. Secret is my efforts devoted in preparation for my medical exam. After my XII, I

devoted entire time to study for state and national medical entrance, which sadly I could
not clear, but then the hard work put was certainly utilized at a later time!

Q. Do you have any regrets, because you wanted to become doctor?

A. I don't have any regrets anymore and have achieved more than what I could have
achieved otherwise.

Q. How would you visualize and attribute your success?

A. I knew that if my seniors can qualify I am no different from them. My seniors and
especially one my seniors "Aashiah Kr. Ranjan", who opened/introduced and guided me
to the academics stream.

Q. How did your parents, family and friends contribute to your success?

A. Well my parents & family were always supportive........ My friends have a greater
role, for they were my compatriots, my greatest critic and off course my greatest support
for ready answers and suggestions.

Q. Which books did you read for the theory part?

Biochemistry:

Lehniger's Principle of Biochemistry

Instant Notes in Biochemistry

Genetics:

BD Singh - Genetics

Snustad and Simmons - Principles of Genetics

Ecology- PD Sharma , Ecology unit from Dinesh's Objective Biology

Molecular Biology:

Lodish- Molecular Biology

Immnology:

Janis Kuby- Immnology

Biotechnology:

BD Singh Biotechnology- Expanding Horizon, Old & Primose- Gene Manipulation

One does not has to read everything. Some selected chapters as many contents do
overlap.

Q. What was your daily timetable during the preparation?

A. I have no time table as such........... I read as and when I feel to do so.

Q. What do you think is the better way of preparation between selective, intensive study
and wide, extensive study?

A. Well a combination of these. For example, as I am from biotechnology background

this part should be thoroughly prepared as the case maybe (depending on the aspirants
major subject in B.Sc. and M.Sc.). Immunology should be covered only that part which is
Basics (no one asks advanced Immunology). Ecology is a must because this is a scoring
subject. Only one book covers and that too which is basically easy and questions are of
very elementary type in Part I, besides one can have one extra choice in subjective
part.....

Besides, a lot depends on which month you are appearing for CSIR, June month's exam
are easy generally speaking compared to December one (from the side of Biochemistry
and Biotechnology). Also June exam has greater content of Ecology. I don't know if that
has changed, but I am pretty sure it hasn't, because the questions for the exams are
prepared by the genre of people.
One doesn't have to answer all the questions, If one gets 60% correct in first part, half to
the task is done. The crucial part is the first 30 questions which are compulsory (most of
these are class XII level), one needs to get 50 % right i.e. 15 question but even 12
question would do, no one know the exact cut off, but I figured it out be hovering around
12 questions here and overall 60 - 65 % in part I.

For the second part there too many options, the first question should be answered as it is
of 20 marks, Out of the rest 15, one would easily find 6-8 question which would be
related to the aspirants major subject, so 8 questions done. Now for others, go for those
which one knows partially because each question is subdivided in several options. Even if
one knows a single e word just write so. If one able to write 8 full answers 5 partial
answers and rest even a few sentences, you have won the battle. Always answer to the
point, there is no need for large sentence framing. Further, if you believe me, even if you
think that your answer to the question is merely a guess and mayn't be write, DO WRITE
IT, it does not have any adverse effect on the examiner's perception as ALL THE
ANSWERS ARE CHECKED BY DIFFERENT EVALUATORS AND NOT ONE, so
even if you wrote a terrible wrong answer it's not going to adversely affect marking of
others.

Q. Did you attend any coaching? Were they useful?

A. If you attend a quality college/institute there's no need for coaching. At this age if you
need someone to coach you..... there is really something wrong........ one should have the
will power to study......... there should not be absolutely no need for some one to force
you to do so............ unless there's some really genuine reason. I never studied in any
coaching institute of any kind.

Q. How important you think is Internet in preparation?

A. Believe more on your seniors who have qualified the exam and good friends who are
better teachers. Internet can be provider of information but never a guide or a teacher.

Q. What was your strategy for the exam day?

A. I have no strategy for exams, I take them as my semester exam only. Don't make big
strategies, never read new matters the penultimate day of exam, sleep well and have good
dreams. Be normal on the exam day, don't take YOUR PARENTS with you to the exam
center. Chat around with the people around and feel as confident as you are the only one
to pass and others are fools. Don't be in hurry to enter the center, be casual in approach, 5
minutes difference hardly makes any impact, 2 and half hours is more than sufficient to
answer any damn question on earth of objective type, more so if its related to Life
Sciences.

Q. Had you not been successful in CSIR, what would have been your reaction? Did you
have a backup plan?
A. There are others to follow, DBT and ICMR and then CSIR comes twice in a year.........
where is the need for contingency plan..........?

Q. What is your opinion about hB?

A. I found it recently, a few months back. It's probably the world's largest swimming
pool page from the blog on biotech affairs directed towards the aspirants. A wide, diverse
range of quality material is here at hB. It's always worth checking in to see what's new on
this side of the Web.

Q. What is your advice to the future aspirants?

A. Start early in planning from the first year of MSc itself. Take the first exam in first
year of MSc in December, you would get the feel of what the hell this exam is all about.
Make a well note of all that is being asked and "dissect" your self as to what all you
know. The next coming June and December exams would be cake walk if you understood
your shortcomings and lacunae in your TRIAL first attempt.

If you fail in all three attempts, I suggest to rethink over your capabilities and plans of
doing Phd and Academics. Don't be just lured by the "Biotechnology Buzz" that's being
created in the minds of people, this field is not a life of roses, in fact it's time and
emotionally demanding.

What I feel is that one should be mentally as well as emotionally prepared to stand up the
stiff realities in academics , the high standards and the fact that there NO SHORT CUTS
HERE........... its a very tough world here but the silver lining is that there is hardly any
competition at PhD level at least.............

Q. What are the future plans?

A. As I seldom plan things, I am not so certain,..........but I do have aspirations to go for

PDF abroad.

Abhay Kumar,
Ph.D. Student.

# 217, L.B.S. Building,

National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology,
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (I.A.R.I.),
Pusa Campus,
New Delhi 110 012.

e-mail : abhay_iari@yahoo.co.in , abhayiari@gmail.com

Interested to share ur experience, thoughts or wisdom, please contact us.
H. Methods in field biology: Methods of estimating population density of animals and
plants, ranging patterns through direct, indirect and remote observations, sampling methods
in the study of behavior, habitat characterization-ground and remote sensing methods.

I. Computational methods: Nucleic acid and protein sequence databases; data mining
methods for sequence analysis, web-based tools for sequence searches, motif analysis
and presentation.

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