Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS)
The TIFR Nationwide Graduate School Entrance Examination for Biology is also called the Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS). TIFR and other reputed research institutes of India like ACTREC, IISER, NISER, TIFR and others use the result of JGEEBILS as a part of their admission process for MSc, PhD and Integrated MSc-PhD programmes. Each participating institution has its own admission procedure. Students have to apply separately to each institute using the JGEEBILS score.
The streams in which we can take admission for doing PhD and Integrated PhD by qualifying for the JEST exam are as follows:
- Biology
- Wildlife Biology and Conservation
In this article, we are going to discuss the eligibility criteria, syllabus, application and admission process for the JGEEBILS exam.
Eligibility Criteria
A. Age:
There is no age limit to appear in this exam.
B. Courses
Candidates must fulfil the following eligibility to take admission to the following programme. The candidate must have one of the following qualifications:
1. For PhD
Masters in Basic Science (MSc Physics / Chemistry / Any branch of Biology) or any professional Master’s Degree (M Pharma / M Tech), or a > 4-year degree program (e.g. MBBS, BDS).
2. For Integrated PhD / MSc
Bachelors in any Basic Science (Physics / Chemistry / Any branch of Biology) OR any 4-year degree program that awards a “Bachelor’s degree” including BTech., BE, BVSc, BPharma. (4-year course).
3. MSc Wildlife Biology and Conservation
Eligibility for Indian nationals- applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (including those in the final year of graduation) with a minimum of 50% marks in the core subjects are eligible to apply.
Eligibility for central, south and southeast Asian nationals- applicants with an undergraduate / bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent GPA in the core subjects are eligible to apply.
Participating Institutes and their offered Disciplines
The institutes participating in this JEST exam and their offered subjects based on their exam score are listed below.
| Institute Name | Short Form | Programmes |
|---|
| Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Mumbai | ACTREC | PhD |
| Ashoka University | | PhD |
| Bose Institute, Kolkata | | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad | CCMB | PhD |
| Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad | CDFD | PhD |
| Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore | CHG | PhD |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Berhampur | IISER Bherampur | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata | IISER KOLKATA | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune | IISER PUNE | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram | IISER THIRUVANANTHAPURAM | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati | IISER TIRUPATI | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai | IMSc | PhD |
| Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru | InStem | PhD |
| Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal | MSLS | PhD |
| National Brain Research Centre, Manesar | NBRC | PhD, MSc |
| National Centre for Cell Science, Pune | NCCS | PhD |
| National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Kalyani | NIBMG | Integrated MSc-PhD |
| National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi | NII | PhD |
| National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar | NISER | PhD |
| Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata | SINP | PhD |
| Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad | THSTI | PhD |
| Tata Institute of Fundamental Research | TIFR | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
| TIFR Department of Biological Sciences, Mumbai | DBS-TIFR | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD, MSc-by Research |
| National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru | NCBS-TIFR | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD, MSc (Wildlife) |
| Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad | TCIS-TIFR | PhD, Integrated MSc-PhD |
Exam Pattern
A common examination is conducted for all MSc, PhD and Integrated MSc-PhD programmes. This exam is conducted once a year in the month of December in Online mode.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Language of Question Paper | English |
Exam Scheme
Biology (PhD, Integrated PhD and MSc by research)
There is no specified syllabus and the test will be extremely basic and cover topics in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|
| Section A: General | 15 |
| Section B: Physics | 15 |
| Section C: Chemistry | 15 |
| Section D: Biology | 15 |
MSc (Wildlife Biology and Conservation)
The entrance test consists of multiple-choice questions that assess skills in the English language, general knowledge, logic, mathematics and statistics, and knowledge about wildlife and conservation issues. There is also an essay question on a conservation issue.
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|
| Section A | 20 |
| Section B | 25 |
| Section C | 30 |
| Section D | 1 (issue-based) |
Exam Syllabus
The Syllabus of the different domains of the JGEEBILS exam is given below.
1. Mathematics
The selection process for admission to the various programmes in Mathematics at the TIFR centres – namely, the PhD and Integrated PhD programs at TIFR, Mumbai as well as the programmes conducted by CAM-TIFR, Bengaluru and ICTS-TIFR, Bengaluru – will have two stages.
Stage I. A nationwide test will be conducted in various centres on December 12, 2021. Performance in this test will be used to decide whether a student progresses to the second stage of the evaluation process. The cut-off marks for a particular program will be decided by the TIFR centre handling that program. The score in the written test may also be used in Stage II.
Stage II. The second stage of the selection process varies according to the program and the centre. More details about this stage will be provided at a later date.
Syllabus for Stage I
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|
| Algebra | Definitions and examples of groups (finite and infinite, commutative and non-commutative), cyclic groups, subgroups, homomorphisms, quotients. Group actions and Sylow theorems. Definitions and examples of rings and fields. Integers, polynomial rings and their basic properties. Basic facts about vector spaces, matrices, determinants, ranks of linear transformations, characteristic and minimal polynomials, and symmetric matrices. Inner products, positive definiteness. |
| Analysis | Basic facts about real and complex numbers, the convergence of sequences and series of real and complex numbers, continuity, differentiability and Riemann integration of real-valued functions defined on an interval (finite or infinite), elementary functions (polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential and log, trigonometric functions), sequences and series of functions and their different types of convergence. |
| Geometry/Topology | Elementary geometric properties of common shapes and figures in 2 and 3-dimensional Euclidean spaces (e.g. triangles, circles, discs, spheres, etc.). Plane analytic geometry (= coordinate geometry) and trigonometry. Definition and basic properties of metric spaces, examples of subset Euclidean spaces (of any dimension), connectedness, compactness. Convergence in metric spaces, continuity of functions between metric spaces. |
2. Physical Sciences
In general, the syllabus for the Admissions Tests in Physics (Written and Interview) is typically a course of studies in Physics as the main subject at the Undergraduate and Master’s levels in an Indian University. The questions in the written test (multiple choice type) and the interviews are distributed over the following areas: Classical Mechanics; Mathematics relevant to Physics; Electricity and Magnetism; Quantum Mechanics; Heat, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics; General Physics; Modern Physics; Electronics and Experimental Physics.
3. Chemical Sciences
The syllabus for the Written Test in Chemistry is similar to the typical standard syllabus followed in any Indian university for the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree course. The questions are aimed at testing the basic understanding and knowledge in the areas of physical, organic, inorganic, analytical, electro and quantum chemistry, biophysics, thermodynamics, spectroscopy (NMR, fluorescence, IR, UV and X-ray), logic and statistics and mathematical methods.
4. Biology
The test will be extremely basic and cover topics in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.
5. Computer and Systems Sciences
These are two Streams: (i) Computer Science and (ii) Systems Science. The question paper will have three parts. Part A is common to both streams. It will test the general mathematical aptitude of the candidate. There is no prescribed syllabus for Part A. Part B will be oriented towards the topics listed under ‘Computer Science’ below, and Part C will be oriented towards topics listed under ‘Systems Science’ below. Only one of Parts B, and C, should be attempted. The duration of the written test will be three hours. The test will be of multiple choice type, with negative marking for incorrect answers. The use of calculators will not be allowed during the test.
| S N | Stream: Computer Science |
|---|
| 1 | Discrete Mathematics: Sets and Relations, Combinatorics (Counting) and Elementary Probability Theory, Graph Theory, Propositional and Predicate Logic. |
| 2 | Formal Languages, Automata Theory and Computability. |
| 3 | Data Structures and Algorithms: Arrays, Lists and Trees, Sorting and Searching, Graph algorithms, Complexity of problems and NP-completeness. |
| 4 | Fundamentals of Programming Languages and Compilers: Control structures, Parameter passing mechanisms, Recursion, Parsing and type checking, Memory management. |
| 5 | Operating Systems and Concurrency |
| 6 | Switching Theory and Digital Circuits |
| 7 | Theory of Databases |
| S N | Stream : Systems Science |
|---|
| 1 | Engineering Mathematics: Complex Analysis, Linear Algebra, Elementary Numerical Analysis, Basic Optimization Theory and Algorithms, Introduction to Probability Theory and Statistics. |
| 2 | Electrical and Computer Sciences: Introduction to Signals and Linear Systems Analysis, Control Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Basic Circuit Theory, Introduction to Digital Communications, Digital Computer Fundamentals, Introduction to Computer Programming. |
Application fee
| Candidates | Fees (in Rupees) |
|---|
| Male Applicants | 1200 |
| Female Applicants | 600 |
Application Process
The application can be submitted in online mode only. Candidates can fill up the application form by going to the official website of the JGEEBILS Exam.
- Before you choose PhD or Integrated PhD program in the basic registration form, please go through the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Ensure that you have typed your email ID correctly in the basic registration form. An SMS is sent on the mobile number and an email is sent after completion of the basic registration wherein login credentials are given to complete the form. Please check your SPAM folder, if you do not find the email in your inbox.
- It is recommended that for registration/submitting of applications students use desktop/laptop as some links may not be visible on mobile browsers.
- Please note that details are once given in the basic registration (name, date of birth, mobile number, email id, SSc details, subject, programme etc.) cannot be modified nor will duplicate registration be allowed by the system.
- After login, please click the “Go to Application” link on the right-top corner of the page and complete the full application. This link may not be visible on mobile browsers. In that case please try and use a laptop/desktop.
- Before you start filling up the complete application form make sure you have the following ready with you :
(i) Scanned image/electronic copy of your Passport size photograph (preferably a jpg file below 80 kb in size). Applications with personal photos (selfies) or edited photos uploaded will be rejected.
(ii) Scanned copy of signature (preferably a jpg file below 80 kb in size).
(iii) If you are applying under the Fee Waiver category, the scanned copy of the recommendation letter from the Principal/HOD of your college.
(iv) If you are applying under the disability category, you will need to upload a scanned copy of the disability certificate.
- Check all the details before clicking the submit button.
- You may take a print of your application after successful registration or save the same as a pdf file.
- Applicants paying the application fee online will be directed to the payment gateway. Follow the instructions carefully and complete the payment process. If the transaction is not completed due to technical reasons, you may log in to your account and check the application/payment status. After successful completion of the transaction, please log in to your account and check the payment status. If the payment is not complete, you may attempt paying online again.
- Students will be issued or will be allowed to download the Hall Ticket only if the payment of the application fee has been received / or the fee waiver request is approved.
Issuance of Admit Card and Exam
- A Hall Ticket will be issued provisionally to the candidates through the JGEEBILS website, subject to fulfilment of the eligibility conditions.
- For this, candidates will have to visit the JGEEBILS website by providing details about:
(i) registration number
(ii) password and
(iii) date of birth
- Candidates must affix a recent recognisable photograph on the printed Hall Ticket.
Appearing in JGEEBILS Exam
- The candidates will be required to appear at the examination centre with
(i) a Hall Ticket,
(ii) Any one of the authorised photo ID (Original, valid and non-expired) – School Identity Card / Passport / Aadhar Card (with photo) / E-Aadhaar with photo / Ration Card with photo / Bank Passbook along with photographs,
(iii) a simple transparent blue/black ballpoint pen.
- A candidate will have to appear for the examination on the date given in the respective Hall Ticket at his/her own risk and expense.
- Candidates will have to report themselves at the examination venue before the commencement time of the examination as mentioned on the admit card for various formalities such as frisking, biometric registration/record of manual attendance by the invigilator, document verification/admission Cross-checking of admit card, Signature, and Photo matching (to be completed by the Inspector), etc.
- Candidates reporting late after the reporting time specified on the Hall Ticket for the examination or unable to produce the physical admit card will not be allowed to take the examination.
- Candidates are advised to keep their Hall Tickets safe and in good condition for future reference after appearing in the examination.
Result declaration and admission process
- A rank list will be made live on the JGEEBILS website after the successful completion of the evaluation of the performance of the candidates in the examination. The candidates appearing in the rank list will be informed of the interview process.
- Candidates fulfilling the eligibility will get admission to the Institution of their choice.
