Students who have completed or expect to complete their 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 55% marks or more are eligible to apply for INAT-2024 towards a Ph.D. scholarship.
Students completing a B. Sc. degree in Physics (with Mathematics up to 2nd year) or a B.E. / B. Tech. degree in any branch of engineering, with a minimum of 55% marks may apply to be selected to the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) programme (https://www.iucaa.in/en/education/m-sc/sppu-iucaa-msc)
In addition, talented final-year B.Sc., 1st year M.Sc., 3rd/4th year Integrated M.Sc. and 2nd/ 3rd year B.E./ B.Tech. students may also apply to be pre-selected for the Ph.D. programme at IUCAA.
A relaxation of 5% in the qualifying marks, from 55% to 50%, is applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ EWS or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category.
Selection Procedure:
IUCAA is looking for highly motivated students with a consistently good academic record. While students from engineering backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply for INAT-2024, we emphasize that we are looking for students who are interested in carrying out doctoral research or post-graduate studies in Physics, or Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prospective candidates are hence expected to have a good understanding of basic Physics.
Based on the applications and referee assessments, a subset of the candidates will be short-listed and invited to take the written test, to be held in Pune on January 10, 2024. All candidates should report at the Chandrasekhar Auditorium, IUCAA, with the necessary documents for verification (Passport-size Photo, one of the Photo IDs like Aadhaar/ PAN/ Voter ID/ Driving License/ College ID/ Passport in original and the Admit letter, for all invited candidates). Registration for the test will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 9:45 a.m. A seat in the test is not guaranteed unless registration is completed by the candidate during this period. The final selection to the research scholarship will be based on the results of the written test (on January 10, 2024) and two interviews (during January 10 - 12, 2024), all to be held at IUCAA, Pune.
No walk-in candidates will be allowed entry to the INAT-2024 written test. Only those with a valid Admit Letter will be given entry.
Note that the selection to the Ph.D. programme at IUCAA through INAT is in addition to the selection through the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), while selection to the SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) Programme is only through the INAT written test.
Nature of the Written Test:
The test will be of TWO hours duration. The question paper will be in English. The questions will be from basic Physics, Mathematics, Electronics/ Engineering to advanced areas of the same subjects and consist of three parts:
Part - A: Basic Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering
Part - B: Advanced Physics, Mathematics and Engineering
Part - C: Both basic and advanced areas of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering
| Question paper | Type | # of questions | marks for each question | Negative marking | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-A | Objective | 16 | 3 | Yes (-1) | Total of two hours |
| Part-B | Objective | 16 | 3 | Yes (-1) | |
| Part-C | Integer type (all answers are in integers of 3 digits) | 8 | 3 | No |
- Only one out of four choices is correct in Part-A and Part-B -Candidates must answer Part-C questions by filling in the appropriate squares in the Answer Sheet.Ph.D. selection: Based on their performance in the written test, a limited number of candidates 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 the written test and interviews. Selected candidates are expected to join in August 2024 (except for pre-selected candidates), after satisfactory completion of their qualifying examination. Pre-selected candidates will need to complete their qualifying degree (M. Sc./ B.E./ B. Tech.) from any institute and join the Ph.D. programme only after that.
SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. selection: Based on their performance in the written test, a limited number of candidates will be invited to join the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) Programme starting July 2024, subject to completing their qualifying degree (B.Sc. Physics [with Mathematics at 2nd year] / B.E. / B. Tech.) in the academic year 2023-24. Further details regarding the M.Sc. programme can be found at https://www.iucaa.in/en/education/m-sc/sppu-iucaa-msc.
Travel and Stay:
A list of lodges and hotels located close to IUCAA is given here. Candidates (and accompanying persons) may have meals on payment in the IUCAA canteen on the days of the written test and interviews.
The best mode of transport between IUCAA and the Pune railway station or bus stand is auto rickshaw. The fare is as per the tariff card with the driver. During the day, the auto rickshaw fare from Pune railway station to IUCAA will be about Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/-. Entrance to the INAT venue and IUCAA campus is from the Aundh-Khadki gate of the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus.
What to bring (and what NOT to bring) :
All the candidates who are invited to take the IUCAA National Admission Test should bring the Admit Letter with them. For the written test, the candidates should bring a pen, a pencil (HB), an eraser, and a simple (non-programmable) scientific calculator. At the time of interviews, the candidates are requested to bring all original mark sheets (starting from Class X) and any other relevant certificates. Mobile phones, digital diaries, laptops or any other electronic devices that can communicate with the outside world are NOT allowed in the test and interview halls.