Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics

Hi Deepanshi,
I am having something for you, go through it, it will help you. In India, you will have to start focusing on your career once you pass 10th grade. One should choose Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as core subjects in 12th. After you are done with 12th grade and you have gotten good grades, you need to focus on a good Bachelors degree from a recognised university. One could choose a course in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, or Aerospace Engineering. To be able to get a post graduation degree and a doctorate, you need to do well in your undergraduate degree. Post graduation and doctorate will basically be specialisation in your stream. After you are done with graduation, you can sit for the exam, which is held by NASA for the recruitment of scientists and astronauts. Or in order to join ISRO, one needs to clear the Joint Entrance Exam which is held by the IITs. And in order to be a mission specialist, you will need 3 years of related and responsible experience. There are a couple of qualities and skills that a person needs to possess in order to make sure he can think of becoming an astronaut, some of them are-
1) You need to be physically fit, there are examinations, mentally strong and should have great stamina. You should qualify the criterion of height, a particular level of height is required for people to become an astronaut.
2) You should possess great mathematical skills, and I am not talking about addition, multiplication etc. You should have good communication skills, you must be good at English because there are very high chances that people you will be working with will not even be from your own country.
3) You should have a good academic career and team spirit because all the space missions are done in teams, and you should be able to work under high pressure and in the cramped environment.

IUCAA Ph.D. Programme
To be admitted to IUCAA's Ph.D. programme, you must first appear for either the following two tests:
Jont Entrance Screening Test (JEST) [ http://www.jest.org.in/ ]
IUCAA-NCRA Admission Test (INAT)
Eligibility:
The academic year at IUCAA begins in August every year. Students, who expect to complete their M.Sc. (in Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Applied Mathematics) or B.E. / B.Tech. / M.E. / M.Tech. degree (any branch) by August are eligible to apply. In addition, talented final year B.Sc., 1st year M.Sc. (in Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Applied Mathematics) and 2nd / 3rd year B.E. / B.Tech. (any branch) students can also apply to be PRE-SELECTED for research scholarship (to do Ph.D.) at IUCAA.
We are looking for highly motivated students with consistently good academic record. Students who have already completed the above degrees can also apply. Selection to research scholarship is through a written test and interviews.