Careers in Biotechnology 2023 : Eligibility, Best Institutes, Job & Career Prospects

Table of Contents

Biotechnology is one of the most progressive and beneficial scientific advances of the last quarter century. An interdisciplinary field that includes mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and others, it combines various- technologies to either create a new product or modify an existing one to suit our needs.

Its widespread application across multiple industries like food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bio-products, textiles, medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation and animal sciences makes a career in biotechnology one of the fastest growing fields with ample opportunities for qualified professionals.

Biotechnology combines the theoretical (genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology and cell biology), and the practical (chemical engineering, information technology and robotics) scientific aptitude, a keen interest in the biological sciences, problem solving skills. An analytical mind is essential for successful career in biotechnology.

The candidate 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. The knowledge of computers is a must.

Eligibility Criteria

10 + 2 science stream graduates can opt for a B.Tech (Biotechnology) or an integrated M. Tech (Biotechnology); science stream graduates from any field (engineering, medicine etc.) can opt for a M. Tech (Biotechnology).

IIT Delhi and Kharagpur offer admission into a five year integrated M.Tech through a Joint Entrance Examination.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi conducts an all-India entrance examination for their Msc Biotechnology program.

Any candidate with an undergraduate degree from a 10+2+3 system with at least 55% marks in:

    • Physical, Biological, Agricultural, Veterinary & Fishery Sciences,
    • Pharmacy,
    • Engineering,
    • Technology,
    • 4-Years BS (Physician Assistant Course);
    • OR Medicine (MBBS) OR BDS

Is eligible to apply for the JNU Msc(Biotechnology) as well as others.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) also offers postgraduate courses in selected institutions, and through four prominent research institutes, further provides a two-year support for post doctoral programs; the objective is to prepare long term biotech professionals and scientists for frontier research and advance research methodologies.

Two other institutes, backed by the DBT, provide a one-year MD/MS training in medical biotech. The cover fields such as:

    • vaccines,
    • therapeutic hormones and enzymes,
    • immuno-diagnostics,
    • gene therapy

SRM University offers B.Tech in Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, and Bioinformatics. They also offer an M.Tech in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering.

Applications  Forms Now Available

    • Apply to VIT‘s Engineering Program
    • Apply to IIIT, Hyderabad


Affordable and intelligent R&D partnering with Chinese and American corporate bodies has great scope in mining India’s biotech potential and co-developing tech; India has a global market worth a $91 billion. That’s why so many global pharma companies are flocking to India for their own R&D initiatives.

Career and Job prospects in Biotechnology

A bio-technologist may find jobs in various quarters. Biotechnology jobs in India can be found in the following fields:

    • Drug and pharmaceutical research
    • Public funded laboratories
    • Chemicals
    • Environment control
    • Waste management
    • Energy
    • Food processing
    • Bio-processing industries

While government institutes and organizations, such as Department of Biotechnology (DBT), several agriculture, dairy and horticulture institutes may offer job opportunities to Biotechnology professionals, one can expect the best salary in private sector.

Drug companies in biotechnology like Dabur, Ranbaxy, Hindustan Lever and Dr Reddy’s Labs that have their R & D units offer Biotechnology professionals with handsome pay-packages. There are also ample opportunities available to bio-technologists in the food processing industry, chemical industry and the textile industry.

Some industries employ bio-technologists in their marketing divisions to develop business in sectors where their products would be required.

The major companies, hiring bio-technologists, include Hindustan Lever, Thapar Group, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Bincon India Ltd., IDPL and Hindustan Antibiotics.

Salary Package

The Government of India provides large-scale employment to most bio-technologists in its research laboratories. Those employed as researchers in government sector can have a starting salary of Rs. 9000 per month along with government perks/allowances.

Private sector pharmaceutical companies generally offer salary between Rs. 12,000- Rs. 20,000 per month to an entry-level postgraduate. A skilled and experienced bio-technologist can get salaries far beyond his expectations.

Top 15 Colleges for Biotechnology in India 2017

No.Name of the College/InstituteCity
1
Indian Institute Of Technology
Kharagpur
2
Indian Institute Of Technology
Roorkee
3
Vellore Institute Of Technology
Vellore
4
Indian Institute Of Technology, Guwahati
Guwahati
5
National Institute Of Technology, Warangal
Warangal
6
PSG College Of Technology
Coimbatore
7
National Institute Of Technology, Durgapur
Durgapur
8
Manipal Institute Of Technology
Manipal
9
BMS College of Engineering
Bengaluru
10
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology
Hyderabad
11
PES Institute of Technology
Bengaluru
12
SASTRA University
Thanjavur
13
National Institute of Technology, Raipur
Raipur
14
GITAM University
Visakhapatnam
15
Karunya University
Coimbatore

Institutes Offering M.Sc Biotechnology

Institutes Offering B.Tech/M.Tech/PhD

Courses Offered: B.Tech., M.Tech. in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, M.S. (Research) in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology and Pre Ph.D. Courses

Courses Offered : M.Sc and M.Tech degree in Animal Biotechnology

Courses Offered : B.Tech.(H) in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, B.Tech.(H) and M.Tech. in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, MS (Biotechnology), M.Tech. – Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, Ph.D. (Biotechnology)

Courses Offered : M Biotech 

    • Amity Institute of Biotechnology

Amity Noida Campus, Sector – 44
Noida – 201303 (U.P.)
Phone : 1800-11-00-00 (Toll-Free)

    • SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Courses Offered : B.Tech in Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, and Bioinformatics. M.Tech in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering