BioInformatics National Certification (BINC) Examination will be conducted on 16-17 February 2008. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India has instituted this examination with an objective to certify Bioinformatics professionals and to facilitate industries and potential employers for recruitment. University of Pune has been identified as a nodal agency by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India to coordinate this examination along with five centres namely, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Anna University, Chennai; West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata and Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore.
Last year number of candidates appeared were 475 and 8 candidates got certified. They also received cash award of Rs.10,000/-. DBT has also agreed to fund scholarship(JRF) to top 10 candidates if they join any Indian academia or research institute for Ph.D. in the field of Bioinformatics or computational biology.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be the coordinator of the BINC examination. It is just not a responsibility but a commitment to make a difference. I request the media and the students alike to publicize the BINC exam so that both, the bioinformatics students and the potential employers, benefit from this certification at the national level.”
Application and Syllabus:
The online application can be filled from 31st August 2007 to 24th December 2007. Syllabus approved by national advisory committee is available online. It consists of four sections: biology, physical and chemical sciences, IT and bioinformatics.
Examination:
The examination fee is Rs.600/- for candidates from open category and Rs.450/- for reserved category candidates (as per government of India rules). The examination is scheduled on 16 – 17th February, 2008. The paper I will be of objective type. The paper II will be of short answer type, while the paper III will be a computer based practical. This year a cash prize and research fellowship for those who are interested in pursuing Ph. D in India will be awarded to top 10 successful candidates.
Examination Centres:
University of Pune, Pune; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; West Bengal Technical University, Kolkata; Anna University, Chennai and Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore; North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. Additional Centres will be announced soon.