How to Become a Scientist in India: Complete Guide with Courses, Colleges & ISRO Career Path
Becoming a scientist in India is one of the most challenging career paths. It is a journey for those who love solving real-world problems and are passionate about discovering new ways to make this world a better place. Read this Shiksha article to learn about the detailed steps of how to become a scientist in India.
How to Become a Scientist in India?
Becoming a scientist in India is thrilling for those students whose driving force is to unveil discoveries and find solutions to real-world problems and who are driven by curiosity and a love for discovery. Science is not limited to lab coats and microscopes; it is about asking the questions, studying the unexplored, and making significant contributions to society. Scientists play an important role in shaping the future, whether it is inventing sustainable technologies, finding medical breakthroughs, or unveiling the secrets of the universe.
The way to become a scientist in India starts from Class 10 or 12, when students choose science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. After that, a strong academic foundation along with a bachelor's degree in science (B.Sc), engineering (B.Tech), or medicine is important for those students who wish to become scientists in India. Those students who wish to pursue more research-focused careers, postgraduate degrees (M.Sc or M.Tech) and eventually a PhD. are advised, as these degrees can help students gain a deeper understanding, expertise and hands-on experience in their specific field of interest. Read this Shiksha article to know how to become a scientist in India after 12th, the eligibility criteria to become a scientist and the top institutes to become a scientist in India.
- Who is a scientist?
- What are the eligibility criteria to become a scientist in India?
- Skills Required to Become a Scientist in India:
- How to Become a Scientist in India? Courses, Exams & Career Path
Who is a scientist?
A scientist is an individual who discovers the unexplored, guided by curiosity and uses observation, experimentation, and analysis to test theories, discover patterns, and solve problems in nature, technology, health, and beyond. Scientists can work in labs, in the field, or even behind computers, studying everything from microscopic cells to distant galaxies. A Scientist is not just defined by a lab coat; they are known for their mindset of questioning, learning, and contributing their knowledge to improve our lives and to understand the universe.
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What are the eligibility criteria to become a scientist in India?
To become a scientist in India, students must check the following eligibility criteria, which can differ based on the field of interest.
- Educational Qualifications: Students must have a UG degree in the engineering or science field, such as BTech and BSc. Students must have a Master's degree for in-depth knowledge, such as MSc and MTech. Students must have a PhD in their respective field to gain the research-intensive roles in reputed institutes like ISRO, DRDO, CSIR, or academic institutions.
- Entrance Exams and Fellowships: To get admission to the top research institutions, passing exams like CSIR-NET, GATE, JEST, or UGC-NET is important. Clearing these exams opens up doorways to become eligible for research fellowships.
- Research Experience: To add more value to your work, students must gain hands-on experience through projects, internships, or working as a junior research fellow (JRF). Original research and publications in renowned journals are often essential for recognition and growth.
Skills Required to Become a Scientist in India:
Here are the skills needed to become a scientist in India.
- Critical thinking
- Analytical ability
- Communication skills
- Genuine passion for discovery
- Curious mind and research drive.
- Passionate about solving problems and expanding knowledge.
How to Become a Scientist in India? Courses, Exams & Career Path
Many think of becoming a scientist in ISRO, but only a handful of geniuses can fulfil this dream. If you are looking for an answer to how to become a scientist after 12th, then first of all, congratulations, because you are already on the right track. To get an answer, the right questioning is crucial.
Apart from curiosity, it takes determination, dedication and an unbreakable dream to become a scientist in India in some of the most renowned institutes like ISRO, DRDO, and NASA. Students, after passing class 12, can start their journey of becoming a scientist in India.
The way to become a scientist is tough but achievable with the right mindset, education, and dedication and with the help of a step-by-step guide on how to make that dream a reality right after completing 12th. To get started with, how to become a scientist after 12th, students must go through the following steps to understand the roadmap related to courses for scientists, subjects to choose in class 12, how to clear the entrance exam to become a scientist and more.
1. Choose the science stream in class 12 early
If you have the right guidance, it is great, but if you do not, make sure you choose the science stream in class 12, and your core subjects should be Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry. This will make a better foundation that will help you during higher education as well.
2. Selecting the right courses for Scientists
Once a student completes their class 12 exams, they can go for graduation courses to make the first steps towards becoming a scientist in ISRO. Students can go for a bachelor's degree, such as BSc (Bachelor of Science) or BTech (Bachelor of Technology), as per their preferred subjects like Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology and more. This will help students get a grip on theoretical and technical knowledge in their field of interest.
Students must decide their field of interest, such as medicine, quantum physics, space and climate and others. There are various major branches to choose from, such as Life Sciences (Zoology, Botany, Biotechnology, Microbiology), Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), Engineering Sciences (Robotics, Computer Science, Electronics), Earth Sciences (Geology, Environmental Science, Meteorology), and Space and Astrophysics.
3. Mastering the subject
The answer to how to become a scientist in India is not as easy as it sounds, because being good at science is not enough; one should have an endless curiosity, dedication and love for what they want to do. This process also involves deep research and advanced learning. After completing a bachelor’s degree, students must go for a master’s degree, such as MTech and MSc, to gain research-level work, mainly if a student’s wish is to get into a research-focused institute like ISRO.
4. Prepare for exams like JEE, GATE & NET
Passing the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) is important for the UG candidates, especially if they aspire to get admission in renowned institutions. Some of the top institutes for BSc and BTech in India are IISc Bangalore, IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology), NISER Bhubaneswar, IISERs (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research), DU, JNU, BHU, and other central universities. For postgraduate and research-related options, students must prepare for UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and GATE for PhD admission and fellowships.
Useful Tip: To become a scientist in ISRO, students need to qualify for the GATE exam, which is mostly needed for engineering-based posts, and for scientists in life sciences, they need to qualify for the NET exam.
5. A PhD degree is a must
For research-based roles, especially in India, future scientists must go for a PhD degree to get specialisation in their preferred courses. This degree will prepare the future scientists to be able to conduct research, become a pro at their subject and publish their original findings.
Useful Tip: Students must know that if they are planning to become scientists in India, institutes like IISc, IISERs, and IITs provide integrated MSc-PhD courses with great exposure.
6. Get hired for Scientist Positions
After completing a PhD in the preferred subject, it is high time to apply for scientist roles in India at various institutes like ISRO, BARC, DRDO, CSIR labs and ICMR. Students can also go for research Institutes and labs after completing their UG and PG degrees. They can start working as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or Research Assistant. Some of the top research institutes in India are mentioned below.
- ISRO – Indian Space Research Organisation
- DRDO – Defence Research and Development Organisation
- CSIR – Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- ICMR – Indian Council of Medical Research
- BARC – Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
- IIT and IISc – As research associates or postdoc fellows
Students who wish to gain admission to these research institutes should know that these institutes often have their own recruitment exams or consider GATE/NET scores.
Also Read: How to Become a Scientist in ISRO: Know Your Road Map Here
8. Work on Research Projects and Publish Papers
Having a bachelor's and master's degree is not sufficient; students need to conduct research, publish findings, attend conferences, and collaborate with other scientists to gain in-depth knowledge. Students should also get involved in projects with social, industrial, or technological impact during their PhD. Students should also work on publishing their work in reputed journals and attending international symposiums to build their reputation.
Top central and state universities and Institutions like IITs, IISc Bangalore, IISERs, and NISER play an important role in preparing young scientific minds. Various competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, JAM, GATE, and CSIR-NET often open up ways to these institutions and research fellowships. Students should also focus on Internships, research assistant roles, and mentorship under experienced scientists, which provide invaluable exposure to real scientific work.
Above all, becoming a scientist demands more than just academic qualifications. A bussing scientist needs to work on their critical thinking, resilience, and a consistent hunger for learning. Whether a student is passionate about space, climate change, AI, genetics, or chemistry, in India, they can get a wide range of opportunities to grow and flourish in the world of science.
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