UPSC Recruitment 2025 for Botanist, Assistant Drugs Controller, Junior Scientific Officer

UPSC releases Recruitment Advertisement No. 09/2025 for Botanist, Assistant Drugs Controller, Junior Scientific Officer

Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Advertisement No. 09/2025,¹ inviting online recruitment applications for various posts, including Botanist, Assistant Drugs Controller (India) (Medical Devices), and Junior Scientific Officer. Candidates can apply through the UPSC website, https://upsconline.gov.in/ora/.

Key Details

1. Botanist

• Vacancy Number: 25070901212
• Number of Vacancies: 1 (UR-01)
• Ministry/Department: Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
• Pay Scale: Level-07 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC.
• Age Limit: 30 years for UR candidates.
• Headquarters: Botanical Survey of India, CGO Complex, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064.
• Duties: Identify plants, prepare scientific reports, undertake field excursions, and supervise Scientific/Technical Assistants.
• Other Details: Permanent post, General Central Service Group-“B” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.

2. Assistant Drugs Controller (India) (Medical Devices)

• Vacancy Number: 25070902612
• Number of Vacancies: 22 (UR-10, EWS-02, OBC-06, SC-03, ST-01, PwBD-01)
• Ministry/Department: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Pay Scale: Level-11 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC.
• Age Limit: 40 years for UR/EWS, 43 years for OBCs, 45 years for SCs/STs, and 50 years for PwBDs.
• Headquarters: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, FDA Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Duties: Coordination and compliance with DDC() directions, monitoring Drugs Inspector, processing online applications, handling queries, review/monitoring of files and reports, and participation in committees/workshops/seminars as Technical Expert.
• Other Details: Permanent post, General Central Service Group-“A” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial. Officers may be posted anywhere in India and will have mandatory induction training of at least two weeks.

3. Junior Scientific Officer

• Vacancy Number: 25070903212
• Number of Vacancies: 1 (UR-01)
• Ministry/Department: Central Drugs Testing Laboratory, Hyderabad under Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Pay Scale: Level-08 in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC.
• Age Limit: 30 years for UR candidates.
• Headquarters: Central Drugs Testing Laboratory, Hyderabad, with all India service liability.
• Duties: Analysis of complicated drug samples using physicochemical methods and sophisticated instruments, standardization of reference standards, carrying out research work, imparting training to Drug Analysts, and assisting sectional in-charge in technical and administrative work.
• Other Details: Permanent post, General Central Service Group-“B” Gazetted, Non-Ministerial. Officers may be posted anywhere in India and will have mandatory induction training of at least two weeks.

Eligibility Criteria

Common Eligibility

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Age Limits: Age limits for each post are specified; relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates and Central Government employees.
• Minimum Essential Qualifications: Applicants must fulfill essential requirements and other stipulated conditions. Mere possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview call.
• PwBD Suitability: Posts are suitable for various categories of Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) as detailed in the advertisement. PwBD candidates with at least 40% disability are eligible for reservation and other relaxations if the post is reserved for them, or other concessions and relaxations if the post is suitable for them.

Specific Qualifications

Botanist

• Educational: M.Sc. Degree in Botany/ Horticulture/ Life Sciences/ Agriculture from a recognized University. “Life Sciences” includes Molecular Biology/Plant Bio-technology/Plant Science/Plant Taxonomy.
• Experience: Three years of research experience in branches like Angiosperms/Gymnosperms/Algae/Fungi/Lichens/Bryophytes/Pteridophytes/Horticulture/Arboriculture/Forestry/Ecology & Environment/Economic Botany/Museology (evidenced by publications). Also, experience in plant collection, knowledge of herbarium methodology, preservation of collections, and tissue culture, ex-situ and in-situ conservation.
• Desirable: Knowledge of Latin/German/French/Russian/Chinese/Japanese/Spanish, International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, Environmental Impact Studies, Journalism/Mass Communication, barcoding/scanning/digitization of herbarium specimens, Ecology of flowering plants, and computer applications.

Assistant Drugs Controller (India) (Medical Devices)

• Educational:
  • Master’s Degree in Bio Medical Engineering or Chemical Engineering or Bio-Technology or Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Electronics Engineering or Instrumentation Engineering or Polymer Engineering or Computer Science Engineering or Medical Electronics Engineering or Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicine with Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology or Bio-Chemistry or Chemistry or Life Sciences from a recognized University or Institute. OR
  • Bachelor’s Degree in the above-mentioned fields.
• Experience: Four years of experience in manufacturing or testing or regulation or designing of medical devices for Master’s Degree holders, OR six years of experience for Bachelor’s Degree holders.

Junior Scientific Officer

• Educational: Master’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmacology or Bacteriology or Medicine or Microbiology or Biotechnology of a recognized University or Institute.
• Experience: Four years of experience in drug testing and standardization and research.
• Desirable: Doctorate degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry or Pharmacology or Bacteriology or Medicine or Microbiology or Biotechnology of a recognized University or Institute.

How to Apply

• Candidates must apply online through https://upsconline.gov.in/ora/.
• Applications received through any other mode will be rejected.
• Photograph Instructions:
  • Should not be more than 10 days old from the application commencement date.
  • Name of candidate and date of photograph must be clearly mentioned.
  • Face should occupy 3/4th of the space, in color, clear, continuous-tone quality, full face (top of hair to chin), front view, eyes open with plain white or off-white background.
  • Appearance in the photograph must match appearance at Recruitment Test and Interview.
• Upload supporting documents/certificates (Date of Birth, Experience, Desirable Qualifications, etc.) as PDF files. File size limits: 1MB for modules, 2MB for “UPLOAD OTHER DOCUMENT”. Scan documents in 200 dpi grey scale.
• Do not upload Pay Slip, Resume, Appointment Letter, Relieving Letter, Unsigned Experience Certificate.
• Ensure correct and active email addresses are provided as all correspondence will be via email.
• Apply separately and pay fees for each post if applying for more than one.
• Take a printout of the finally submitted online application.
• Do not send printouts or documents to the Commission unless called for an interview.
• Submit a single application per post; if multiple are submitted, the one with the higher “Application Number” will be considered.
• Apply well in advance of the closing date.

Application Fee

• Rs. 25/- for candidates (except Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates who are exempted).
• Fee can be remitted in any SBI branch by cash, or by net banking, or using Visa/Master/Rupay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI payment.
• No fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates of any community.
• Applications without the prescribed fee will be rejected.
• Fee is non-refundable and cannot be reserved for other examinations.

Selection Process

• The Commission may shortlist candidates based on various criteria if the number of applications is large.
• Shortlisting criteria can include:
  • Desirable Qualification (DQ) or all DQs if more than one.
  • Higher educational qualifications than the minimum prescribed.
  • Higher experience in the relevant field than the minimum prescribed.
  • Experience before or after acquiring essential qualifications.
  • Invoking experience even if not mentioned as EQ or DQ.
  • Holding a Recruitment Test (generally 75:25 weightage for RT and interview).
• Minimum suitability levels in interviews: UR/EWS-50 marks, OBC-45 marks, SC/ST/PwBD-40 marks (out of 100).
• Candidates shortlisted for interview must send self-attested copies of documents when demanded.
• Documents/Certificates to be produced at the time of interview include: printout of online application, original certificates for date of birth, educational qualifications, experience, caste, disability (if applicable), and any other claims.
• Inaccurate or false information, or suppressed material information, will lead to rejection of candidature and debarment.
• Commission may grant higher initial pay to meritorious candidates.

Important Dates

• Online Recruitment Applications (ORA) Invitation Start Date: July 12, 2025
• Closing Date for Submission of Online Recruitment Application (ORA): 23:59 HRS on July 31, 2025
• Last Date for Printing of Completely Submitted Online Application: Up to 23:59 HRS on August 1, 2025
• Eligibility Determination Date: The prescribed closing date for submission of ORA.
• Interview Dates: Will be intimated separately for shortlisted candidates.

Other Information

Concessions & Relaxations

• Ex-Servicemen and Commissioned Officers: Age relaxation of five years, subject to conditions.
• Central Government Employees: Upper age limit relaxable up to 5 years, subject to conditions.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Age relaxation of 10 years (15 years for SC/ST PwBD, 13 years for OBC PwBD), provided maximum age does not exceed 56 years. This is admissible regardless of reservation if the post is suitable for the disability.
• Scribe Facility: Provided for PwBD categories like blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected), and cerebral palsy. Other PwBD categories may get a scribe upon production of a medical certificate. Candidates can opt for their own scribe or request one from the Commission. Scribe’s qualification should not exceed the minimum qualifications for the post.

General Instructions

• All candidates, including those in government service, should apply online directly. Government servants must inform their Head of Office/Department in writing.
• Candidates may be required to attend a personal interview.
• The Commission contributes towards traveling expenses for interviews.
• Summoning for interview does not guarantee selection.
• Candidates must be in sound bodily health and undergo medical examination if selected.
• Final results will be communicated via the UPSC website/Employment News.
• Canvassing will disqualify a candidate.
• Mobile phones are banned in the UPSC examination/interview hall.
• Women candidates are encouraged to apply to reflect gender balance in the workforce.
• For guidance or clarification, candidates can contact UPSC’s Facilitation Counter.
• Prescribed proforma for certificates are available on the UPSC website.

Corrigendum (Advertisement No. 04/2025 – Training Officer (Welder))

• Previous Requirement: Only non-teaching experience was allowed.
• New Clarification: Candidates with requisite experience, including both industry experience and experience as a trainer/instructor in welding or fabrication, are now allowed to apply.
• Closing Date: The original closing date of May 15, 2025, for age eligibility remains applicable.
• New Application Deadline for this corrigendum: Applications invited through UPSC’s online recruitment application portal by July 31, 2025.
• Candidates who already applied under the original advertisement do not need to apply again; however, if they wish to add/modify experience, they may apply afresh, and their latest application will be considered valid.
• New Advertisement No.: SPL/51/2025
• New Vacancy No.: 25075111526

Reference and Notification Links

1. https://upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/AdvtNo-09-2025-Engl-11072025.pdf ︎