Candidates wondering whether they qualify for BSI JRF Recruitment 2026 can check the essential and desirable qualifications below. Educational Qualification Essential: Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Botany from a UGC-recognized university with at least 55% aggregate marks at the time of submitting the application. Desirable: M.Sc. in Botany with specialization in Plant Taxonomy or Plant Systematics (any plant group), working knowledge of computers, strong analytical abilities, and proficient technical writing skills. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-JRF NET are exempted from the written examination. However, they must still apply, select their preferred examination centres, and appear for the interview if shortlisted. Age Limit The upper age limit for BSI JRF Recruitment 2026 is 28 years as on the last date of application submission. Age relaxation of up to 5 years is available for SC, ST, Physically Handicapped (PH), and female applicants, and up to 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.

The non-refundable examination fee for BSI JRF Recruitment 2026 varies by category and must be paid exclusively online through the Bharatkosh portal. Category Examination Fee General ₹400 OBC ₹200 SC/ST/PH ₹100 Fees must be paid only through bharatkosh.gov.in using the "Quick Pay" option, selecting Ministry/Department as "079 - Environment and Forests," Purpose as "Exam Fees," PAO as "075020-PAO(BSI/ZSI), Kolkata," and DDO as "275023-Director." Candidates must download the payment receipt from the Bharatkosh website and retain it, since the receipt number and date must also be entered in the application form.

Selection for BSI JRF Recruitment 2026 involves a written test followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-JRF NET are exempted only from the written test stage and go directly to the interview if shortlisted. A physical (offline) written test consisting of one Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) paper of 3 hours duration will be conducted across all Regional Centres of BSI. The exact date and time will be communicated in advance and posted on the official website. Online interviews for shortlisted candidates will be hosted through five regional centres: Central National Herbarium (Howrah), Eastern Regional Centre (Shillong), Western Regional Centre (Pune), Southern Regional Centre (Coimbatore), and Northern Regional Centre (Dehradun). Regional centre allocation depends on applicant turnout; if turnout at a specific centre is too low, candidates will be shifted to the nearest regional centre. The Director, BSI, reserves the right to centralize all interviews at a single location.