Branches of Physics: Check Subfield, Colleges, Entrance Exam & Career Prospectus Here
Physics is a branch of natural science that provides a framework for understanding the fundamental laws that govern the universe, and also constructs and experimentally tests theories of physical nature. By studying different branches of physics, candidates can gain insights into the nature of matter, energy, and their interactions. Read this Shiksha article to learn about the Branches of Physics, subfields, various courses available at UG and PG levels and career prospectus for the same.
Branches of Physics
Each branches of Physics provides a unique lens through which we can observe and understand the physical world. By delving into these branches, we can unravel the mysteries of nature, develop innovative technologies, and gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things.
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- What are the Branches in Physics
- Sunbfields in Branches of Physics
- Top Colleges Offering BSc/MSc Physics
- Entrance Exam for BSc/MSc Physics Courses
- Career in Physics: Salary Package
What are the Branches in Physics
Physics, a cornerstone of our understanding of the universe, is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their interactions. To comprehend the vastness and complexity of the physical world, physicists have divided the discipline into several branches, each focusing on specific aspects of matter, energy, and their interactions.
No, CUET UG 2026 official syllabus has not been released. NTA will uplaod the CUET 2026 syllabus PDFs tentatively in first week of March along with the release of official notification. Candidates preparing for CUET 2026 exam can download the CUET syllabus. The CUET syllabus is based on class 12th NCERT curriculum. Candidates must prepare well from the class 12th syllabus to ace the entrance examination.
The CUET PG 2026 syllabus for MCA has remained the same as last year. Last year, NTA added some new topics in the CUET PG MCA syllabus for the academic session 2025-2026. There are three major subjects in the CUET PG MCA syllabus, namely, Decision Making and Thinking Skills, Mathematics and Computers. The exam officials added a few more topics in the Computer subject.
The added topics are mentioned below:
- Computer networks: OSI Model, TCP/IP model, LAN technologies (Ethernet, Token ring), Transmission media – twisted pair, coaxial cables, fibre-optic cables, Flow and error control techniques,
- Routing algorithms, Congestion control, IP (v4), Application layer protocols (icmp, dns, smtp, pop, ftp, http); Sliding window protocols; Internetworking: Switch /Hub, Bridge, Router, Gateways,
- Concatenated virtual circuits, Firewalls: Network Security; Cryptography- public key, secret key.
- Domain Name System (DNS)-Electronic Mail and World Wide Web (WWW).
- Database Management System: Data Models, Schemas, and Instances; Three-Schema Architecture and Data Independence; Database Languages and Interfaces; Centralized and Client/Server Architectures for DBMS, Functional Dependencies and Normalization; Algorithms for Query Processing and Optimization; Transaction Processing, Concurrency Control Techniques, Database Recovery Techniques, Object and Object-Relational Databases; Database Security and
Authorization. Entity-Relationship Diagram, Relational Model - Constraints, Languages, Design, and Programming, Relational Database Schemas, Update Operations and Dealing with Constraint Violations; Relational Algebra and Relational Calculus; Codd Rules.
Classical Mechanics
It is the branch of physics that deals with the motion of macroscopic objects under the influence of forces. It forms the foundation of many other branches of physics, including what is thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and optics. Key concepts include
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- These laws describe the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
- These concepts quantify the ability of a force to cause motion.
- This quantity measures the motion of an object.
- This branch of classical mechanics deals with the motion of objects that rotate around an axis.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with the relationship between heat, work, and energy. It is concerned with the macroscopic properties of matter, such as temperature, pressure, and volume. Key concepts in thermodynamics include:
- First law of thermodynamics: This law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another.
- Second law of thermodynamics: This law states that the entropy of a closed system always increases over time.
- Heat engines and refrigerators: These devices convert heat into work or vice versa.
Electromagnetism
CUET UG general test will cover the topics from the following:
- General Knowledge, Current Affairs
- General mental ability, Numerical ability
- Reasoning (Simple application of basic Mathematical concepts, quantitative arithmetic, algebra geometry, mensuration and statistics)
- Logical and analytical reasoning
Candidates preparing for the general test of CUET UG are advised to stay updated with the current affairs by reading the newspapers and magazines. Candidates must gather study materials to prepare for the syllabus of General test and practice ample questions to become familiar with the type of questions asked in this section. Download the CUET UG question paper now.
Common University Entrance Test (CUET) result is released by National Testing Agency. CUET syllabus is divided into three sections viz., Languages, Domain Subject and General Test. CUET language section assesses candidate through reading comprehension (factual, literary, and narrative), literary aptitude and vocabulary. CUET syllabus second section- domain subject assesses the candidate's in depth knowledge on the subject he/she has opted for. CUET third section- general test includes general knowledge, current affairs, general mental ability, quantitative reasoning and logical and analytical reasoning. CUET syllabus is available now. Candidates can check the section wise detailed CUET syllabus here.
No, CUET syllabus is not based on CBSE syllabus as claimed by Education Ministry in Rajya Sabha. The CUET exam is designed to assess the general understandig of the candidate in subjects he/she has opted for. CUET UG is on of the biggest UG entrance exam carnival conducted for admission in cebtral, state, private and deemed universities.
Candidates preparing for CUET UG exam must check the detailed CUET syllabus and CUET question paper to become familiar with the important topics and type of questions asked in the exam.
- Electric charges that are fundamental particles that can experience electric forces.
- Electric fields are regions of space where electric charges experience forces.
- Magnetic fields are regions of space where magnetic materials experience magnetic forces.
- Electromagnetic waves are waves that propagate through space and carry energy.
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior and properties of light. It is concerned with the production, propagation, and detection of light. Key concepts in optics include:
- Reflection is the bouncing of light off a surface.
- Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
- Diffraction is the spreading out of light waves as they pass through a narrow opening or around an obstacle.
- Interference is the combination of two or more light waves to produce a new wave.
Quantum Mechanics
- Wave particle duality concept states that particles can exhibit both wave like and particle like properties.
- Uncertainty principle from Dual nature of radiation and matter chapter states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty.
- Quantum entanglement is the phenomenon occurs when two particles are linked in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them.
- Quantum field theory describes the interactions between elementary particles and fields.
Relativity
- Special relativity: This theory deals with the laws of physics as observed by different observers moving at constant velocities.
- General relativity: This theory deals with the laws of physics in the presence of gravity. It describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
Other Branches of Physics
- Nuclear physics: This branch deals with the properties and interactions of atomic nuclei.
- Particle physics: This branch deals with the properties and interactions of elementary particles.
- Astrophysics: This branch deals with the physics of the universe on a large scale.
- Biophysics: This branch deals with the application of physical principles to biological systems.
- Geophysics: This branch deals with the physics of the Earth.
Also Read:
| B.Sc. in Physics colleges in Delhi/NCR | M.Sc. in Physics colleges in Delhi/NCR |
| Physics colleges in Delhi/NCR | B.Tech Engineering Physics Colleges in Delhi |
Also Read: Top BSc/MSc Entrance Exams in India 2024
Also Read: Science vs Commerce: Is Commerce Easier Than Science
Sunbfields in Branches of Physics
Physics, a vast and multifaceted field, is divided into numerous subfields, each focusing on specific aspects of matter, energy, and their interactions. Here are some of the major subfields:
Classical Physics
- Mechanics: Deals with the motion of objects and the forces acting on them.
- Newtonian mechanics: Describes the motion of objects at everyday speeds and scales.
- Relativity: Covers the behavior of objects moving at high speeds or under the influence of strong gravitational fields.
- Thermodynamics: Studies the relationship between heat, work, and energy.
- Electromagnetism: Explores the interactions between electric charges and magnetic fields.
- Optics: Investigates the behavior and properties of light.
Other Subfields
- Biophysics applies physical principles to biological systems.
- Geophysics studies the physical properties of the Earth.
- Materials Science investigates the properties and behaviour of materials.
- Nanotechnology deals with the manipulation of matter at the atomic and molecular scale.
Top Colleges Offering BSc/MSc Physics
Candidates who are interested in pursuing a BSc/MSc Physics degree can read out this section to get information about the top colleges offering BSc Physics, eligibility criteria and entrance exam to appear so from here:
Take a look at the top 25 BSc and MSc colleges in India according to NIRF 2022 rankings:
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Also Read: Top 10 BSc, MSc Colleges in India
Entrance Exam for BSc/MSc Physics Courses
Candidates can check out the list of top entrance exams for pursing BSc /MSc Physics courses:
| Entrance Exam |
Conducting Body |
Entrance Exam |
Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Testing Agency |
IIT (On a rotational basis) |
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| NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) |
National Institute of Science Education Research (NISER) & Mumbai University |
NTA |
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| Gitam Institute of Science |
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| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISERs) |
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| BS-MS Physics (5 year) Engineering Physics (Dual degree 5 year) |
Joint Entrance Examination (Main) or JEE Main | ||
| BS Physics( 4year) Engineering Physics (4 year) |
JEE Advanced is the second-stage test (after JEE Main) |
Also Read: How to prepare for top MSc entrance exams?
Career in Physics: Salary Package
Here’s a breakdown of salary packages for various physics-related career paths, both in India and internationally, including AI roles like those at OpenAI.
| Career Path | Typical Salary Range per Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B.Sc Physics Graduate (India) | INE 2–12 LPA (avg ~ INR 6 LPA) | Up to INR 25 LPA with experience |
| M.Sc Physics Roles (India) | Assistant Scientist: ~INR 3.8 LPA–INR 7 LPA | Govt roles: INR 2.95–7.20 LPA |
| Physics Teacher (India) | INR 2.97 L–10 L (exp-based) | Avg: INR 5. L |
| Computational / Geophysicist (India) | ~INR13 LPA | Top-paying research roles |
| Astrophysicist (India) | INR 4–10 LPA (avg ~INR 7.9 LPA) | Entry ~INR 6–9 LPA |
| Medical Physicist (US) | USD150K–300K | Clinical roles, ABR certified |
| Academic Professor (US) | Assistant: ~USD 58 K; Associate: ~USD 70 K; Full: ~$99 k | Elite schools pay more; e.g. Caltech full: ~USD 172.8k |
| Physics PhD in Industry (US, private sector) | Typical starting: USD 99k; high: USD 130k+ | Intel-level roles |
| OpenAI Research Scientist (US) | Base: USD120k–250k (lower bound ~USD127K) | Entry to senior level |
Read More:
List of IISERs in India: Courses, Fee, Admission Process, Placements & Cutoffs
The CUET PG 2026 examination will be conducted by the National Testing Agency in the various examination centres across the nation a few cities outside India. The syllabus for the CUET PG papers will be set by the exam conducting authority. The subject experts, after taking all the probable suggestions from all the participating universities, will set the syllabus for the PG level entrance exam on the basis of their undergraduate course curriculum.