Bio-Technology is a research oriented science, a combination of Biology and Technology. It covers a wide variety of subjects like Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Chemistry and Engineering and is also concerned with many other subjects like Health and  Medicine, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Cropping system and Crop Management, Ecology, Cell Biology, Soil science and Soil Conservation, Bio-statistics, Plant Physiology, Seed Technology etc. Bio-Technology is the use of living things, especially cells and bacteria in industrial process. There is a great scope in this field as the demand for biotechnologists is growing in India as well as abroad.

There are many applications of biotechnology such as developing various medicines, vaccines and diagnostics, increasing productivity, improving energy production and conservation. Biotechnology's intervention in the area of animal husbandry has improved animal breeding. It also helps to improve the quality of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers. Environmental biotechnology helps for pollution control and waste management.

Most of the information that has led to the emergence of biotechnology in the present form has been generated during the last five decades. More than 6000 biotechnologists of higher skill are required  in India as per the report from the Human Resource Development Ministry. To overcome this vast requirement the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has highlighted the need to set up a regulatory body for the maintenance of standard education under the name of 'All- India Board of Biotechnology Education and Training' under the AICTE.

ELIGIBILTY

If you want to join a course in biotechnology you must have a background in science, that is Physics or agriculture, chemistry and biology at the intermediate level can join for B.Tech. In India, some universities offer the B.Sc biotechnology which one can join after class 12 or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry and mathematics. Graduates in all sciences/engineering technology/medicine are eligible for the postgraduate(M.Sc.) course in biotechnology.  Programme in Biotechnology. P.G. courses available are M.Sc. Biotechnology, M.Sc. (Agriculture) Biotechnology, M.V.Sc. (Animal) Biotechnology, M.Tech. Biotechnology,M.Sc./M.V.Sc.in  Veternery Biotechnology, M.Sc.(Marine) Biotechnology,Medical Biotechnology, M.Tech.in Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology.Depending upon the aptitude and necessity, more advanced courses such PH.D.and Post-Doctoral Research in Biotechnology can also be pursued.

Integrated M.Tech. programme offered at IIT Delhi and Kharagpur is through a Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which is held for students who have successfully completed the 10+2 or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry and mathematics. For admission to IIT, a pass in the IIT-JEE is required.   The Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, AIIMS, Jadavpur University, Kolkata and Anna University also offers integrated M.Tech course.  Selection to the graduate courses ( BE / B.Tech ) is based on merit i.e the marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 and through entrance exams. Entrance to the IIT's is through JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) and for other institutions through  their own separate entrance exams and other state level and national level exams. Apart from the IIT's,  some other famous institutes also recognize JEE scores for selection. Selection to the postgraduate courses ( M.Sc / M.Tech) in different universities is through an All India Combined Entrance exam conducted by JNU, New Delhi and to IIT's through GATE in Two year/ 4 semester M.Tech courses and through JEE in five year integrated M.Tech courses in Biochemical engineering and Biotechnology.