Bioinformatics National Certification (BINC) was instituted by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India in 2005 at Savitribai Phule Pune University, formerly University of Pune, Pune to certify bioinformatics professionals and recognizing candidate's theoretical and practical ability and fostering interdisciplinary research. Later on, it was transferred to Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and then to Pondicherry University, Puducherry. Pondicherry University conducted the BINC examination in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Then it was transferred to BCIL in the year 2018.

BINC was a certification program for graduate and post-graduate students for recognizing their exceptional bioinformatics knowledge and skills and to improve their employment opportunities. The qualifying candidates were awarded a lifetime certificate. This certification would facilitate industries and potential employers in recruitment of Bioinformatics professionals having exceptionally good bioinformatics skills.

The certification under Bioinformatics National Certification (BINC) scheme was given to the candidates after three tier selection process. The successful candidates were also eligible for availing Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for pursuing Ph.D. in Bioinformatics at recognized Indian universities/institutes. The research fellowships of all BINC qualified Indian nationals was funded by DBT. BINC qualified candidates were called DBT certified Bioinformaticians while the individuals availing the fellowships were called DBT-BINC Junior Research Fellows (DBT-BINC-JRF). Cash prize of 10,000/- each was awarded to the top 10 BINC qualifiers.

Eligibility

i)Bachelor's/Master's degree in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Agriculture, Veterinary, Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering and Technology.

ii) No formal training, diploma or certificate in bioinformatics required.

iii) Candidates in final year of Bachelor's/ Master's degree also eligible to apply.

Pattern of Examination

Syllabus

The syllabus consisted of six sections - Bioinformatics, Biology, Physical Science, Chemical Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Information Technology.

Note: Paper-III was computer based practical and included programming on Bioinformatics.