Course Structure 

PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine

 

Molecular medicine is a promising area of biomedical sciences that aims to understand the molecular determinants of human health and diseases and apply the knowledge for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.  The Special Centre for Molecular Medicine (SCMM), established in 1999 at JNU, has pioneered research and education in India and is imparting Master's (Post-Graduate) and Ph.D. (Doctoral) level training in various fields of molecular medicine. The centre aims to accomplish its goal through offering innovative and collaborative basic and clinical research programmes. Ever since its inception, the Centre has undertaken many collaborative research activities with reputed national and international medical research institutions. 

The objective of SCMM is to foster teaching and research activities in the study of human diseases using advanced tools of biochemistry and molecular and cell biology. SCMM conducts academic programmes for the training of young scientists (both clinical and non-clinical) who are keen to pursue a career in basic medical research. The academic programmes have been designed for nonclinical biologists/chemists, with sufficient knowledge to deal with medical problems, to enable them to develop and deliver products/processes to society; and for clinicians with a basic clinical degree, who are keen to understand modern biology and chemistry at the molecular level, to enable them to apply this knowledge for drug development. For the successful implementation of these objectives, SCMM offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes of study. 

The faculty members are pursuing teaching & research activities in the following thrust areas of molecular medicine, in which the Centre offers the basic and clinical sciences research opportunities to students for pursuing Ph.D. degrees. The names of Faculty members with vacancies in the academic session 2026-27 are listed alongside their respective research areas:


ADMISSIONS TO PROGRAMMES OF STUDY: 

Ph.D. Programme in Molecular Medicine: Admission to Ph.D. programme will be offered in the following two modes:  

A)    Through Percentile of NET Examination of UGC/CSIR: The candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the percentile/marks obtained in CSIR/UGC NET Examination. The shortlisted candidates will be selected on the basis of their performance in the interview. 

B)    Through JRF: The candidates with a valid Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) awarded through National Eligibility Tests conducted by CSIR/ UGC; DBT, ICMR etc. will be directly called for interview, and will be selected on the basis of their performance in the interview. 

Selected students will have the option to choose their research area depending on their merit/aptitude and according to the vacancy available.

 

A candidate, for being eligible for admission to Ph.D. Programme, must possess the prescribed Educational Qualification and UGC/CSIR NET percentile of NET Examinations of UGC/CSIR of December 2025 onwards in the Relevant/Allied NET/JRF Subject/s as mentioned against the Ph.D. programme in molecular medicine. Mere possessing the educational qualification and not possessing NET percentile of the Relevant/Allied NET/JRF Subject/s of December 2025 onwards of NET examinations of UGC/CSIR and vice versa shall make a candidate ineligible. 

 

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:

Master's degree or equivalent from a recognized University /institution in any branch of biological sciences /chemical sciences with at least 55% marks or equivalent Grade ‘B’ in UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent Grade in a point scale wherever the Grading system is followed).

 

OR

 

M.Pharma./M.VSc/MD degree with at least 55% marks (during 2017 or later) from a recognized University/ Institution OR Candidates with M.Tech. degree with at least 55% marks in Biological/Chemical Sciences.

 

OR

 

Two-year M.Phil. Degree with at least 55% marks of a recognized University /Institution (with dissertation/seminar/ viva) or one-year M.Phil. with 55% marks with an additional one year of research experience of a recognized University/ Institution and one publication and relevant Master’s Degree with 55% marks or equivalent Grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale (or an equivalent Grade in a point scale wherever the Grading system is followed).

 

OR

 

MBBS with 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed

 

OR

 

A candidate seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree programme in any branch of biological sciences/chemical sciences should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.

 

OR

 

Integrated B.Sc.-M.Sc. in Ayurveda Biology with at least 55% marks or its equivalent grade in a point scale.

 

Relaxation to SC/ST/OBC (Non creamy layer)/PWD/EWS as per the UGC Regulations 2022.


 

M.Sc Programme in Molecular Medicine

 

The SCMM has been successfully running the M.Sc. in ‘Molecular Medicine’ programme since 2017. This course was originally started as an integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. programme in ‘Molecular Medicine’ in 2015 and later converted into a two-year M.Sc. programme. 

 

The goal of this program is to educate and train the students in modern molecular medicine, making them theoretically and technically capable of a comprehensive understanding of human health and diseases. The program aims to enable the students to identify the novel biomarkers, identify molecular targets and engage in drug development for the diagnosis and therapy of different diseases. The availability of data from the Human Genome project and various other genomes, including pathogenic organisms, has opened new opportunities for the identification of the host- and pathogen-based molecular mechanisms of various diseases. The program focuses on training students to use the tools of modern biology, including cellular, biochemical, and molecular biology, bioinformatics, and computational modelling, to understand, retrieve, and exploit the wealth of information provided in the genome projects in order to design modern and personalized medicines. The course structure and the contents of the courses have been modified to make it compliant with NEP-2020 guidelines.

 

To further expand the accessibility of knowledge and to generate more employment opportunities for students graduating from SCMM, the Centre now offers the following One Year PG diploma and One/Two-Year Master's degree programmes. These programmes are NEP-2020 compliant and are being offered from academic session 2026-27:

 

1. Two-year M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine 
2. One-year Post-graduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine 
3. One-year M.Sc. (Research) in Molecular Medicine

 

Salient Features: 
The syllabi of PG diploma and Master's degree programmes in ‘Molecular Medicine’ include molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, human anatomy and physiology, bioinformatics, and cutting-edge subjects such as Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, which are consistently added to meet the demands of these fast-progressing fields. The emphasis is on a holistic understanding of the molecular mechanisms of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The key attractions of these programmes include: 

 

  • Highly established faculty with internationally respected peer-reviewed research 

  • State-of-the-art and dedicated M.Sc. practical laboratory offering ‘hands-on’ training in advanced techniques 

  • Continuous and personalized training and assessment of the students 

  • Periodic review and upgradation of the syllabus to include the evolving concepts into the curriculum for latest teaching and research 

  • An in-house M.Sc. dissertation research of one year's duration during III – IV semesters, giving the training in the preparation of a synopsis, designing and executing research, and compilation of the results obtained as master thesis. 

  • Robust mentoring of the students for overall development as skilled and successful young researchers 

     

1. Two-year M.Sc. in Molecular Medicine        Course Structure

             


The goal of this programme is to educate and train the students in modern molecular medicine, for developing robust theoretical and technical capacity in fast-evolving multidisciplinary research. The programme equips students with knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology, along with basic cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology and bioinformatics, enabling them to easily integrate clinical and basic research. 

 

Duration of the Programme: 
The duration of the academic programme leading to the award of degree of M.Sc. (Molecular Medicine) shall be 2 years (a total of four semesters - two Monsoon Semesters and two Winter Semesters) with a compulsory requirement of submission of a research-based dissertation at the end of the Winter Semester of the 2nd year.

 

 Admission to the Programme: 
Students will be admitted to the M. Sc. (Molecular Medicine) programme on the basis of their performance in the national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET - PG) - 2026. The candidates having a bachelor's degree in the relevant areas as described below in the table, are eligible to apply. The students pursuing the final year of an undergraduate programme in the requisite areas can also appear in the entrance test. However, they will be admitted only upon successfully earning a bachelor's degree before admission as per the university rules.

 

2. One-year Post-graduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine         

Course Structure:
The goal of this programme is to educate and train the students for one year in the M.Sc. programme in ‘Molecular Medicine’ for achieving overall proficiency in basic knowledge and laboratory skills and enabling them to exit the M.Sc. programme, if they so desire, with a "Post-Graduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine". This initiative aims to align the centre’s academic teaching programme in compliance with the NEP-2020 guidelines and develop manpower with specialized, industry-relevant, practical skills that enhance fast-track entry and employability into the growing biomedical industry and healthcare sectors. The programme's applied focus helps bridge the gap between academic prudence and real-world job requirements. The course structure includes the courses offered in the first year of Master's programme in ‘Molecular medicine’. 

 

Duration of the programme for Award of PG Diploma: 

The students who exit after two semesters of the M.Sc. in ‘Molecular Medicine’ course will be eligible to obtain a ‘Post-Graduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine’, provided they meet the following requirements: 

i. Successfully completed all the required 42 credits for the first two semesters. 
ii. Obtained a passing grade in all courses, including Practical courses. 
iii. Submitted a written request to the Chairperson, SCMM, at least three months before the completion of the 2nd Semester (Winter Semester) of M.Sc. programme. 

Admission to the Programme: 

There will be no separate admission process for the ‘Postgraduate Diploma in Molecular Medicine’. 
 

 

3. One-year M.Sc. (Research) in Molecular Medicine             Course Structure


The goal of this program is to provide a research training-based degree to those students who have either completed four years of a bachelor's degree in a relevant area or have earned a PG diploma in ‘Molecular Medicine’, through a dissertation-based research work in a specialized area of the subject offered at SCMM. This new academic program, "Master (Research) in Molecular Medicine", aligns well with the NEP-2020 guidelines. The students will gain the technical capability of a comprehensive understanding of human health and diseases through conducting hypothesis-based research at SCMM, JNU. This course is designed and targeted to provide specialized knowledge and practical skills for a career in basic research laboratories or the healthcare and biomedical industries. 

 

Duration of the Programme: 
The duration of this programme will of one-year, which will be run alongside the second-year courses (Semesters - III & IV) of the M.Sc. ‘Molecular Medicine’ programme. This programme will provide an opportunity for students to carry out a high-quality one-year M.Sc.- level research project (Dissertation) along with core courses and choice-based optional courses, thereby providing advanced theoretical knowledge for conducting research in a specific area. 

 

Admission to the programme: 
Students will be admitted to the M. Sc. (Research) in ‘Molecular Medicine’ programme on the basis of their performance in the national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET–PG)-2026 after completing the specific eligibility requirement as given below: 

 

1. Students must have completed one year of the M.Sc. programme in ‘Molecular Medicine’ or allied disciplines with at least 75% marks after a three-year undergraduate degree course in any branch related to ‘Molecular Medicine’, as laid out in the JNU admission policy for the M.Sc. in ‘Molecular Medicine’ Programme. 

2. The candidates must have obtained at least 75% marks (aggregate) in: 
i. Four-year Undergraduate Program (in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Veterinary Sciences, Medicine, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Pharmacy, Engineering/Technology or allied subjects) 
OR 
ii. First/One-year Master’s degree program in any of the subject areas listed above in (i).