Become a Scientist

What you need to know

1. 1
   Scientists find out how the world works and solve real problems: new medicines, better crops, satellites, clean energy, AI.
2. 2
   The usual path: B.Sc or BS-MS in a science → M.Sc → PhD (paid as a fellowship) → research jobs in labs, universities, ISRO, DRDO or industry.
3. 3
   You don't need to be rich: INSPIRE pays science students ₹80,000 a year, and PhD students get a monthly fellowship.
4. 4
   It is a long road (often 10 years after Class 12), so real curiosity matters more than marks. Girls are especially welcome: special schemes exist at every step.

Official sources

• indiascienceandtechnology.gov.inINSPIRE-SHE scholarship (DST)↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• At school: grow your curiosity3 more
• After Class 12: research colleges2 more
• Scholarships and fellowships2 more
• M.Sc and PhD entrance2 more
• Scientist jobs2 more
• For girls1 more
• Learn science for free1 more
• The honest picture1 more
• Avoid research scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   School: IOQM (maths olympiad) in early September; National Standard Exams in science in late November; INSPIRE-MANAK idea nominations usually July to mid-September.
2. 2
   After Class 12: JEE Advanced in May; IISER IAT and NEST in early June (forms around March–April).
3. 3
   M.Sc: IIT JAM in February (forms September–October); CUET-PG in March; TIFR test in mid-December.
4. 4
   PhD: CSIR-UGC NET twice a year (June and December cycles); GATE in February.
5. 5
   Exact dates change every year: always check the official website before you apply.

Official sources

• olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.inHBCSE Science Olympiads↗
• iiseradmission.inIISER admissions (IAT)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 7

• Official
  Science Olympiads (HBCSE)Stages, eligibility and enrolment for physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and junior science.
  Free
• Practice
  Olympiad past papers (HBCSE)Official past papers with solutions.
  Free
• Official
  National Standard Examination (IAPT)First stage of the olympiads; small exam fee.
  Free
• Article
  Olympiads: an invitation (Hindi and English, PDF)Explains the olympiad ladder for Hindi-medium students and parents.
  Free
• Official
  INSPIRE-MANAK portalIdea competition for Class 6–12; schools nominate online.
  Free
• Official
  National Children's Science CongressField projects for ages 10–17, district to national.
  Free
• Official
  YUVIKA: ISRO Young Scientist ProgrammeTwo-week space-science programme for school students.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Olympiads
• INSPIRE-MANAK and science congress
• Vigyan Jyoti for girls

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Science olympiads start with the National Standard Examinations (physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and junior science up to Class 10) in late November, run with HBCSE.
2. 2
   Maths: IOQM in September, then RMO and INMO. Top students train at national camps and can represent India.

Official sources

• olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.inHBCSE Science Olympiads↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   INSPIRE-MANAK: send an original idea from Class 6 to 12. Up to 1 lakh ideas a year get ₹10,000 to build a model, then go to district, state and national exhibitions. Your school sends the nomination.
2. 2
   National Children's Science Congress (age 10–17): teams of two do a real field project; out-of-school children can join too.
3. 3
   Atal Tinkering Labs in many schools let you build and experiment.

Official sources

• inspireawards-dst.gov.inINSPIRE-MANAK portal (school idea award)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Vigyan Jyoti: for bright girls in Class 9–12, with science camps, lab visits, role models and counselling for students and parents, and support towards a research career.

Official sources

• indiascienceandtechnology.gov.inIndia Science & Technology: Vigyan Jyoti for girls↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 5

• Official
  IISER admissions (IAT)BS-MS at all IISERs through the IISER Aptitude Test.
  Free
• Official
  NESTIntegrated M.Sc at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai.
  Free
• Official
  IISc Bangalore: undergraduate programmesBS (Research) admissions and fellowships.
  Free
• Official
  NISER BhubaneswarAtomic energy research institute with integrated M.Sc.
  Free
• Official
  CUET-UGB.Sc at central and many state universities.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Top research institutes
• B.Sc anywhere

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   IISERs (7 institutes): 5-year BS-MS, admission only through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) in June.
2. 2
   NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai: 5-year integrated M.Sc through NEST in June.
3. 3
   IISc Bangalore BS (Research): through JEE Advanced or IAT. IIST (space) through JEE Advanced.

Official sources

• iiseradmission.inIISER admissions (IAT)↗
• nestexam.inNEST (NISER and UM-DAE CEBS)↗
• ug.iisc.ac.inIISc Bangalore: undergraduate programmes↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   A good B.Sc at a central or state university (through CUET or merit) also leads to research: what matters is how deeply you learn and your M.Sc entrance score.
2. 2
   Agriculture, engineering and medicine have their own research paths too.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapCareers in Agriculture→
• Vaidaani roadmapBecome an Engineer→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 5

• Official
  INSPIRE online portalApply for INSPIRE-SHE and the INSPIRE PhD fellowship.
  Free
• Official
  Prime Minister's Research FellowsTop PhD fellowship with a research grant.
  Free
• Official
  CSIR fellowships (HRDG)JRF, SRF and other CSIR fellowships.
  Free
• Official
  CSIR-UGC NET (NTA)JRF eligibility for PhD in the sciences.
  Free
• Official
  DBT-JRF (biotechnology)Fellowships for biotech and life-science PhDs through the BET exam.
  Free

Inside this branch

• While you study
• During a PhD

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   INSPIRE-SHE: ₹80,000 a year (₹60,000 + ₹20,000 for a summer research project) for B.Sc/M.Sc in natural and basic sciences. For the top 1% of your Class 12 board, a top JEE Advanced or NEET rank, IISER/NISER students, or olympiad medallists. Open to boys and girls; not for engineering.
2. 2
   Top Class 10 students who take science get a free 5-day INSPIRE science camp.

Official sources

• indiascienceandtechnology.gov.inINSPIRE-SHE scholarship (DST)↗
• online-inspire.gov.inINSPIRE online portal (DST)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   JRF (first two years): ₹37,000 a month, then SRF ₹42,000 (current rates) through CSIR, UGC, DST, DBT or ICMR.
2. 2
   PM Research Fellowship (top institutes): ₹70,000–80,000 a month plus a research grant.

Official sources

• iitbbs.ac.inPM Research Fellowship guidelines (PDF)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 5

• Official
  IIT JAM (current organising IIT)M.Sc at IITs and IISc; the website moves to a new IIT each year.
  Free
• Official
  TIFR Graduate SchoolPhD, integrated PhD and M.Sc admissions and news.
  Free
• Official
  JESTPhD entrance in physics and theoretical computer science.
  Free
• Official
  Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET)Route to DBT-funded PhD fellowships.
  Free
• Official
  GATE (current organising IIT)Opens PhD, M.Tech and scientist jobs; the website changes every year.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Getting into M.Sc
• Getting into a PhD

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   IIT JAM (February): M.Sc at IITs, IISc and many central institutes. CUET-PG (March): central universities.
2. 2
   TIFR GS (December, with a biology test for NCBS and others) and JEST (physics) lead to M.Sc/PhD at top research centres.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   CSIR-UGC NET (June and December cycles) gives a fellowship (JRF) and PhD admission; NET scores now replace many university PhD tests. GATE also opens PhDs.
2. 2
   After a 4-year UG degree with high marks (75% or equivalent), you can go straight to a PhD. A PhD takes at least 3 years and up to 6; women get 2 extra years and maternity leave.

Official sources

• csirnet.nta.nic.inCSIR-UGC NET (NTA)↗
• tifr.res.inTIFR: academics and Graduate School↗
• thc.nic.inUGC PhD Regulations 2022 (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 6

• Official
  CSIR recruitmentScientist and project posts across CSIR labs.
  Free
• Official
  ISRO careersScientist, engineer and technician openings.
  Free
• Official
  DRDO recruitment (RAC)Scientist 'B' posts, usually through GATE.
  Free
• Official
  BARC careersVacancies and the training school route.
  Free
• Official
  ICMR employmentMedical research jobs.
  Free
• Official
  ASRB (agricultural scientists)ICAR scientist recruitment and ASRB NET.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Government research jobs
• Teaching and industry

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   ISRO and DRDO scientists: chosen on GATE scores plus an interview, starting at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic, 7th Pay Commission).
2. 2
   BARC (atomic energy): one-year paid training (about ₹74,000 a month, reported), then Scientific Officer. CSIR labs hire scientists at Level 11, each lab advertising separately. ICAR through ASRB.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapCareers in Agriculture→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Assistant Professor: master's with 55% plus NET/SET, or a PhD.
2. 2
   Industry research: pharma, biotech, semiconductors, materials, data and AI. Science communication and policy are growing too.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapBecome a Teacher→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 4

• Official
  DST: WISE-KIRANFellowships for women scientists, including after a career break.
  Free
• Official
  Vigyan JyotiFor bright girls in Class 9–12, especially from small towns.
  Free
• Official
  POWER fellowship (ANRF)Research support for women scientists.
  Free
• Official
  Vigyan Vidushi (HBCSE)Advanced physics programme for women M.Sc and BS students.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Support for women scientists

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Women are only about 1 in 5 researchers in India (18.6%). The government wants to change that.
2. 2
   WISE-KIRAN (DST): PhD and post-doctoral fellowships for women, including those returning after a career break (WISE-PhD for ages 27–45; WISE-PDF up to 60).
3. 3
   Senior women scientists can be nominated for the POWER fellowship. Vigyan Jyoti and INSPIRE support girls from school onwards.

Official sources

• dst.gov.inDST: WISE-KIRAN schemes for women scientists↗
• rsdebate.nic.inRajya Sabha reply: share of women in Indian research (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 6

• Course
  NPTELFree IIT and IISc science courses; the certificate exam is paid.
  Free
• Video
  India Science (Vigyan Prasar)Thousands of free science videos in Hindi and English.
  Free
• Video
  Khan Academy HindiFree maths and science lessons in Hindi.
  Free
• App
  Khan Academy in HindiFree practice with a Hindi interface.
  Free
• Video
  HBCSE-TIFR (YouTube)Talks and olympiad-related videos from HBCSE.
  Free
• Course
  ISRO START (space science course)Online space-science course for college students.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Free resources

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   NPTEL / SWAYAM: free IIT and IISc science courses (certificate exam optional and paid). The government's India Science archive has thousands of free science videos.
2. 2
   Read about real scientists, do small experiments, and keep a notebook of questions: that habit matters more than any coaching.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Research takes long: B.Sc, M.Sc and a PhD can be 10 years, and early jobs are often short contracts ("project" posts).
2. 2
   Fellowships are steady but lower than many industry jobs at first. The reward is doing work you love that matters.
3. 3
   Keep a backup: teaching, industry R&D, data science and government exams all value a science degree.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

Learn from these 4

• Official
  UGC: list of fake universitiesDegrees from these are not valid.
  Free
• Official
  PIB Fact CheckCheck fake scheme, scholarship and job notices.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fake fellowship or internship fee scams.
  Free
• Video
  CyberDost (Ministry of Home Affairs)Short videos on avoiding online fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us

What you need to know

1. 1
   Fake "research internships" that charge fees and use famous institute names: IITs have issued warnings. Real internships at IITs, IISERs and labs don't charge you.
2. 2
   Predatory journals publish anything for money. Don't pay to publish fast; ask your guide which journals are respected (UGC no longer keeps a single approved list).
3. 3
   Check the UGC list of fake universities before joining any degree. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• news.careers360.comCareers360: IIT Roorkee warns of fake paid internships↗
• ugc.gov.inUGC: list of fake universities↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us