Astrophysicists or Astronomers are scientists who specialize in studying space, stars, planets, and the universe. Their responsibilities include analysis of data and statistics, archiving, plotting, logging, evaluating and reporting the results of the research. They may have to coordinate data received from various satellites and telescopes, and use theoretical models to compare this data and align images.
Personal Competencies
You enjoy Science
You would like to take up a course related to Physics
You can use a computer to solve a scientific problem
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10+2 in Science (Physics, Chemistry and Maths)
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc) in Physics,
OR Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc) and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
This course is offered by the Department of Physics/Astrophysics. This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes 1. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 2. National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 3. Osmania University, Hyderabad 4. Punjabi University, Patiala 5. Indian Institute of Technology, Indore 6. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 7. St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad 8. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Private Institutes (Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying) 1. Loyola College, Chennai 2. Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram 3. St Joseph's College, Bangalore 4. PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 5. KJ Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai 6. Dr DY Patil Arts Commerce and Science College, Pune 7. St Thomas College, Thrissur 8. St Teresa's College, Ernakulam
*NPTEL- National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
Fees
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 5,000 - 5,00,000*
*(The above-mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
Scholarships & Loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes* • Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI* • Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit* *(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA) • Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc. • All banks give education loans
Where will you work?
Places of Work: Public and Private Research and Observation Centres
Work Environment: It is not a desk job. You will not handle a team. Local travel is a part of this job role. Part-time work and contractual jobs may be available. Organizations usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours every day. This may vary from organization to organization. Shift system may be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Junior Researcher → Astrophysicist → Head of Department
Expected Income
The approx. salary of an Astrophysicist ranges between INR 1,00,000 - 2,00,000* per month.
Annapurni Subramaniam is currently the director at Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. She has a BSc and MSc from Calicut University. She completed her PhD at IIA, Bangalore. She is known for her work in areas like star clusters, star formation, galactic structure, stellar population in galaxies and Megellanic clouds*.
Astrophysicist
NCS Code: 2111.0900' | SC0061. Complete 10+2 in Science (Physics, Chemistry and Maths)
2. Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc) in Physics,
OR Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc) and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
This course is offered by the Department of Physics/Astrophysics.
This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes
1. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
2. National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
3. Osmania University, Hyderabad
4. Punjabi University, Patiala
5. Indian Institute of Technology, Indore
6. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
7. St Xavier's College, Ahmedabad
8. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
Private Institutes
(Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying)
1. Loyola College, Chennai
2. Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram
3. St Joseph's College, Bangalore
4. PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore
5. KJ Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai
6. Dr DY Patil Arts Commerce and Science College, Pune
7. St Thomas College, Thrissur
8. St Teresa's College, Ernakulam
Information on the institute rankings can be found at - https://www.nirfindia.org/2022/Ranking.html
Distance Learning Institute
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Online Courses
• NPTEL*Swayam- https://swayam.gov.in/explorer?searchText=astrophysics
• Udemy- https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?src=ukw&q=astrophysics
*NPTEL- National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 5,000 - 5,00,000*
*(The above-mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI*
• Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans
Places of Work: Public and Private Research and Observation Centres
Work Environment: It is not a desk job. You will not handle a team. Local travel is a part of this job role. Part-time work and contractual jobs may be available. Organizations usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours every day. This may vary from organization to organization. Shift system may be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Junior Researcher → Astrophysicist → Head of Department
The approx. salary of an Astrophysicist ranges between INR 1,00,000 - 2,00,000* per month.
Source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/physicist-astrophysics/india
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Annapurni Subramaniam is currently the director at Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. She has a BSc and MSc from Calicut University. She completed her PhD at IIA, Bangalore. She is known for her work in areas like star clusters, star formation, galactic structure, stellar population in galaxies and Megellanic clouds*.
Source: https://www.iiap.res.in/IIA50/sites/default/files/Women-Astronomers-IIA.pdf
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
astrophysics, astronomers, astrophysicists