IUCAA Pune National Admission Test 2024 for admission to Ph.D., Joint M.Sc.
Looking for a postgraduate program in physics with stipends? Searching for details of M.Sc. or Ph.D. courses in Astrophysics? This article provides complete information about the Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) with a monthly stipend, and Ph.D. program with scholarships offered at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, Maharashtra. Details of the course work, eligibility criteria, entrance test, application procedure, and selection process have been provided.
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) is an autonomous Institution of UGC located on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). IUCAA has released the notification for the IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT-2024) for admission to the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) program as well as for pursuing a research scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Physics. Foreign students studying in India or outside India are also welcome to register and apply for INAT-2024 but must get clearance from the Govt. of India before starting their academic session at IUCAA.
The selection for the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) program is based only on your score in INAT-2024, while the selection to the Ph.D. program at IUCAA through INAT-2024 is in addition to the selection through the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST).
About the SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. program
It is a 2-year program of four semesters, with 20 credits for each semester. The components of the program will include theoretical and experimental aspects of physics and astrophysics imparted through classroom lectures, as well as lab work, and projects related to astronomy/astrophysics. Two elective courses will be offered in the second year of the program. On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an M.Sc. Degree in Physics (Astrophysics).
Hostel accommodation: If selected for the Joint M.Sc. program, then you are eligible for hostel accommodation at SPPU.
Stipend and Scholarships: You are eligible to receive a scholarship of Rs. 1,000/- per month, as well as reimbursement of tuition fees, for the duration of the M.Sc. course, while the Ph.D. is a scholarship-based program.Eligibility requirements
You need to have a good academic record and should be keen to pursue postgraduate studies in Physics, or Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as have an enthusiasm to be immersed in research work. It is not necessary to have an engineering background. You neither need to have prior knowledge of astronomy nor a grasp of advanced topics in physics, as you will get exposure to the relevant advanced aspects of physics and astrophysics in the first year of graduate school. All that is required is that you should have a good understanding of basic Physics.
Academic Qualifications for M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) program: You should be completing a B.Sc. degree in Physics (with Maths up to the second year) or a B.E./B.Tech. Degree in any branch of engineering, with a minimum of 55%.
Academic Qualifications for Ph.D.: You can appear for the IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT-2024) for Ph.D. scholarships on completing or expecting to complete the M.Sc./Integrated M.Sc. degree (in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Electronics, or Astronomy) or B.E./B.Tech./ M.E./ M.Tech. degree (in any branch) by July 2024, with a minimum of 55%.
Those who are talented final-year students of B.Sc., first-year M.Sc., third/fourth-year Integrated M.Sc., and second/third year B.E./B.Tech. programs can also apply to be pre-selected for the Ph.D. program at IUCAA.
Students applying in the reserved categories of SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS or Persons with Disability (PwD) will be given a relaxation of 5% in the qualifying marks, that is, min. 50% is the required score in the qualifying exam.Application procedure
Register and apply online after reading the instructions provided at https://inat.iucaa.in/INAT2024/candidate/ApplyOnline.iucaa
You must submit the application in online mode only. Any application sent by email or by postal mail will be rejected.
Note that it is essential to provide the names and e-mail addresses of two referees. You are required to inform these referees about the Confidential Assessment Form that they have to fill up. Ensure that you fill in and submit your application form before the referees submit the confidential assessment form.
About IUCAA INAT-2024
The questions at the IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT-2024), as well as the interviews for Ph.D.-eligible students, will cover basic physics up to the M.Sc. level. The test will be of 2 hours duration. The question paper will be in English, with questions from basic Physics, Maths, and Electronics/Engineering to advanced areas of the same subjects.
There are three sections in the written test-
Part A: This will have questions related to Basic Physics, Maths, and Engineering. There are 16 objective-type questions, each carrying 3 marks, with a negative marking of -1 for an incorrect answer.
Part B: This will have questions related to Advanced Physics, Maths, and Engineering. There are 16 objective-type questions, each carrying 3 marks, with a negative marking of -1 for an incorrect answer.
Part C: This will have questions related to both basic and advanced areas of Physics, Maths, and Engineering. There are 8 questions with all answers to be in integers of 3 digits, each answer carrying 3 marks. There will be no negative marking for an incorrect answer.At the Test Centre
Admit Card requirement: You cannot appear for INAT-2024 without a valid Admit Letter, and no walk-in candidates will be allowed entry to the written test.
Where to report for the Test: You are required to report at the Chandrasekhar Auditorium, IUCAA, together with the necessary documents for verification (the ones mentioned above, for the Admit letter). Registration for the test will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 9.45 a.m. Without registration completed during this time, you will not be permitted to sit for the test. Please refer to the guidelines on the official website to know what to bring and what is not allowed at the test centre. After the test result
SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. selection: On the basis of the scores in the written test, students will be invited to join the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) Program starting in July 2024, provided you complete the qualifying degree (B.Sc. Physics [with Mathematics at 2nd year]/B.E./B.Tech.) in the academic year 2023-24.
Ph.D. selection: On the basis of scores in the written test, a few students will be invited for two interviews, which will be conducted during January 10 - 12, 2024. The final selection will be based on the scores in both, the written test as well as the interviews. Selected candidates are expected to join in August 2024 (except for pre-selected candidates), after satisfactory completion of their qualifying exam. Pre-selected candidates must complete their qualifying degree (M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech.) from any institute and join the Ph.D. program only after that. At the time of interviews, the candidates must bring all original mark sheets (starting from Class X) and any other relevant certificates.Important Dates
The last date to apply online is 15th November 2023, 11:59 p.m.
The written test for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs will be held in Pune on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
The venue of the written test is-
Chandrasekhar Auditorium, IUCAA,
Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus,
Ganeshkhind, Pune-411007,
Maharashtra
Short-listed candidates for Ph.D. will be interviewed on 10th – 12th January 2024, at IUCAA, Pune.Contact information
Alok Mishra, Coordinator, Core Academic Programmes
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind,
Pune 411 007, Maharashtra, INDIA.
E-mail: inat@iucaa.in
Ph: 020-2560 4100 Fax: +91 20 2560 4699
Relevant sources to get detailed information-
IUCAA Website
INAT-2024 Website
M.Sc. program details: https://www.iucaa.in/en/education/m-sc/sppu-iucaa-msc
FAQs: https://inat.iucaa.in/INAT2024/candidate/FAQs.iucaa
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