The Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Jharkhand, Dhanbad was established in 2007. CIMFR is a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research which is an autonomous government body and India’s largest research and development organisation. The Institute was previously known as Central Mining Research Institute and Central Fuel Research Institute [CMRI & CFRI]. The Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of CIMFR.

CIMFR offers PhD programs in Engineering stream as well as in Science stream. Admission to Ph.D. courses are conducted twice a year. Students have to apply online for admission in the programmes offered by CIMFR. While applying, first, the students have to create a Signup on the online admission portal of AcSIR. After signing up students will be able to complete the form fill up process.

Eligible candidates will be shortlisted by a selection committee on the basis of their academic scores, scores in GATE/ JRF etc. and will be called for an interview/ aptitude test. Afterwards, on the basis of the performance in the interview/ aptitude test candidates will be selected. The decision of the committee taking the interview/ aptitude test will be final.

CIMFR Dhanbad PhD (Science Stream) Admissions

The broad research areas available for PhD programs offered under Science stream are –

  1. Coal Beneficiation.
  2. Combustion Science & Technology.
  3. Coal Liquefaction.
  4. Coal Biotechnology.
  5. Coal Science and Coal Geology.
  6. Coal Carbonization.
  7. Environment and Waste Management.
  8. Gasification.

The duration of the PhD programmes is 4 years.

Eligibility Criteria-

Candidates having MSc/ ME/ MTech/ MScTech (Chemistry/ Environmental Science/ Physics/ Geology/ Fuel Science/ Soil Science/ Chemical Engineering/ Biotechnology/ Life Sciences/ Fuel & Mineral Engineering/ Petrochemical Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/Environmental Engineering/ Metallurgical Engineering) and a valid National level fellowship (JRF/SRF of various funding agencies, e.g. CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST etc.), INSPIRE or other equivalent fellowships are eligible to apply.

Selection Criteria-

Candidates will be shortlisted for interview/ aptitude test based on their previous academic performance, scores in NET/ GATE/ JRF etc. Then after, on the basis of performance in the interview/ aptitude test, candidates will be selected.

CIMFR Dhanbad PhD (Engineering Stream) Admissions

The broad research areas available for PhD programs offered under Engineering stream are –

  1. Engineering rock mechanics and ground control.
  2. Mine system engineering.
  3. Environmental issues in mining industry.
  4. Mining technologies, environment and safety.
  5. Mining equipment design and testing.
  6. Underground space technology.
  7. Rock excavation and simulation for mine design.
  8. Clean coal technology.

The duration of the PhD programmes is 4 years.

Eligibility Criteria-

Candidates with a Master’s degree in Mechanical/ Chemical/ Instrumentation/ Mining/ Civil/ Electrical/ Production/ Electronics/ Environmental Engineering or equivalent with a good academic record who have secured Masters Degree admission based on valid CSIR-SRF or equivalent fellowship are eligible to apply.

Selection Criteria-

Candidates will be shortlisted for interview/ aptitude test based on their previous academic performance, scores in GATE/ JRF etc. Then after, on the basis of performance in the interview/ aptitude test, candidates will be selected.

CIMFR Dhanbad Admission FAQs

Ques. What is your review of CIMFR?

Answer- From a research perspective the Institute is one of the best in the country. Laboratories are equipped with all the high-tech equipment that a PhD scholar could need in their days of research. As it offers integrated courses, this makes it easy for students to complete their studies in minimum time. The integrated courses offered by CIMFR are one of the most sought-after courses in the country.

Ques. Where is CIMFR situated?

Answer- CIMFR is situated in Dhanbad of Jharkhand, India. Dhanbad city is also known as the coal capital of India. This explains a lot why CMIFR is situated there I guess.

Ques. Is admission to CIMFR merit based?

Answer- Candidates will be screened first based on their previous academic scores and valid marks upon the verified entrance examinations. Then, the candidates will be called for an interview/ aptitude test. Based on their performance in the interview/ aptitude test candidates will be selected for admission.

Ques. Who takes the interview/ aptitude test?

Answer- A committee of 10-12 members will take the interview/ aptitude test of the candidates. The decision regarding the selection of candidates will be final.

Ques. Are CIMFR labs better than those of IIT’s?

Answer- Being mainly a research institution obviously the laboratories of CIMFR are better than those of IIT’s. But again, IITs also have world class equipment in their laboratories.