Your route, step by step
- 1Class 11–12: take PCBBiology and Chemistry, with good Maths for data work.
- 2B.Sc Genetics, Biotechnology or Zoology · 3 yearsOn Class 12 marks or CUET UG; BS-MS at IISERs is another route.
- 3M.Sc Genetics / Human Genetics · 2 yearsAdd bioinformatics skills.
- 4PhD or applied workCSIR-UGC NET for research fellowships; genetic counselling or diagnostic labs.
What a geneticist does
- Analyse DNA and genetic test results
- Research inherited diseases and cancer genetics
- Counsel families about genetic risks (genetic counsellors)
- Improve crops and livestock through genetics
Entrance exams & admission
- Class 12 marksTamil Nadu colleges
- CUET UGCentral universities
- IISER Aptitude TestBS-MS at IISERs
- CSIR-UGC NETPhD fellowships
Where you may work
Research institutes, genetic testing labs, hospitals, biotech and agri-biotech companies, and universities.
Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu
- University of Madras (Department of Genetics)
- IISER Tirupati
Official links
Links checked: Oct 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.
Outlook
Genetic testing and genomics are growing fast in medicine and agriculture; research careers need a PhD.
Specialise later
- Human & medical genetics
- Genetic counselling
- Cancer genetics
- Plant genetics
- Genomics & bioinformatics
