Astronomer

Hi!
Here is how you can become a part of NASA:
1. Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological Science, physical Science or mathematics. Quality of academic preparation is important.
2. Degree must be followed by at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: Masters degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K - 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.
3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which includes the following specific requirements:
Distant and near visual acuity: must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
Standing height between 62 and 75 inches.

Hello Adhyant,
It is of course very nice to see that the dream of your son is to become an astronaut. However, one must look at the ground realities of our dreams. Invariably no country will select nationals from other countries to become astronauts. Hence, your son cannot become astronaut in America or Russia or China only the three countries at the moment or even from other countries whose nationals Russia has trained and sent in space as astronauts like the Indian astronaut who was sent aboard Russian vehicle. Now, which qualification will make you an astronaut is a very difficult to answer. It all depends on the requirement. It could be a pilot, it could be a specialist in some branch of science, or it could be an engineer also. But, becoming an aeronautical engineer will not necessarily help you in becoming an astronaut. It all will depend on how much money Indian government wants to spend on putting an Indian astronaut in space aboard our own vehicle and what criteria ISRO decides. I, personally feel that they will invariably plump for and aviator or a fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force, as they are already medically fit. But, it would be the call of ISRO only. In view of this I would recommend that your son should do whatever course he feels is the best for him or which he fascinates.
Best wishes.

Dear Archita,
Certain points in this regards:
(#1) Only PCB wouldn't help. Some entrance exam requires maths as a mandatory subject also because of the huge involvement of physics, mechanics and astronomy. It is really important to have strong understanding of physics, chemistry and biology. Do not worry if you are not good with maths as you can still do something with the other subjects. You must remember that as far as Astrobiology is concerned you will be mainly self-taught.
(#2) Astrobiology, astrochemistry are some field which are under-evolve in India. You know that there is only one serious, dedicated institute in India which is sepcilized in this field.
Indian Astrobiology Research Center - They offers International Diploma programme in Astrobiology. However to widening the scope, you must to go abroad.
(#3) After your Bachelor's, Masters, and essentially Ph.D. you will work as Faculty or Research Analyst in Earth Science department or IARC itself. Nothing steps involved in it. IARC offers 4 months of Diploma in astrobiology.