IACS Admission Process : Courses, Exam Pattern, Eligibility,Preparations Tips

IACS (Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science) is a public, deemed, research university for higher education and research in basic sciences under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, situated at the heart of the Cultural capital of India. From 1907 to 1933, the period of some of its golden years’ work was carried out at this great centre and it was from here that Sir C.V. Raman did his groundbreaking research, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

It is Asia’s oldest research institute  and older than Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc.) 

 This blog covers how to get into IACS. Are you up for being a part of this incredible journey?

Programs offered at IACS:

Programs at IACS are distributed among different schools providing a different experience and offering field-specific environments to your research innovations. Here’s the list of programs offered by IACS. 

1. Master’s and Integrated Master’s-PhD Programs: Available to various schools:

1. Integrated Ph.D. Program in Chemical Sciences: Offers multi-disciplinary courses in organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry, along with modern areas in material science and biology.
2. BS-MS Program: A combined degree program that provides a strong foundation in science, preparing students for advanced studies.

These programs provide a great mix of theory and practical knowledge, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in science and research fields.

Eligibility Requirements:

To apply for any program at IACS, you need to meet certain requirements, varying from course to course. Here’s a breakdown of the requirements for the courses.

• M.Sc. + PhD (Biological Sciences): It has a duration of 5 years, requiring at least 60% in 10+2. 

• BS-MS: It also comes with 5 years duration, requiring 60% in 10+2. 
• Ph.D.: It has a duration of 2 years, requiring a postgraduate degree with qualifying exams like UGC-NET, CSI-NET, GATE, or JEST. 

Admission Process:

1. The very first step begins by deciding which program you should opt for, based on your interest and meeting the required eligibility criteria (Please check the eligibility criteria provided earlier in this blog). 
2. Fill out the application form on the IACS admission page. 
3. After filling out the application form, you need to appear for the entrance test conducted by IACS: 
   • UG Programs: UG Pre-Interview Screening Test (UPST). 
   • Ph.D. Program: Qualify for Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS) or other relevant exams. 
4. Gather all the necessary documents including mark sheet of 10th and 12th, character certificate, date of birth proof, passport size photo, nationality certificate, etc. 
5. The Application fee is generally ₹1,000 for the general category and ₹600 for the reserved category. 
6. Shortlisted candidates will be proceeded for an interview assessing their academic background and research interests. 
7. You will be assessed based on the entrance scores, interview performance, and academic records. 
8. Keep an eye on the official website of IACS, results are posted after the interviews. 

Exam Pattern:

Computer-Based Exam: 3 Hours duration (14:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs) 40 questions in total: 

• 20 questions from each of the compulsory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
• 20 questions from either Biology or Computer Science (you can choose one of these two subjects).

Interview shortlisting is based on the combined score of the three mandatory subjects. Final selection is based on both written exam and interview scores, with specific weightage given to each.

Scoring and Shortlisting:

A cut-off score will be set based on the aggregate marks from the three compulsory subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). The final merit list will be prepared considering the following:

• The weightage of the UPST score (based on all 4 subjects, i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology/Computer Science).
• The score obtained in the interview.
• Both the written test score and interview score will be individually scaled to 100.

Preparation Tips:

The initial preparation begins with thoroughly covering core subjects – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Focus more on critical thinking by practicing problem-solving. Check out SciAstra’s courses and resources to further enhance your preparation. Familiarize yourself with exam patterns by regularly practicing mock tests. 

Conclusion:

Applying to IACS is an exciting step for anyone interested in science. By understanding the admission process and preparing well, you can increase your chances of success. Use resources like SciAstra for support and practice. Stay organized with important dates and make sure your application is strong. With effort and determination, you can achieve your goals in science. Good luck!

FAQs:

1. What is the eligibility for the BS-MS program at IACS?
   To apply, you need to have completed 10+2 with a science background, scoring at least 60%.
2. Does IACS conduct entrance exams for admission?
   Yes, IACS has its own screening tests for some programs, and for PhD admissions, exams like UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or JEST are typically required.
3. How can I apply for a Ph.D. program at IACS?
   Visit the IACS website to apply online. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, have relevant exam scores, and submit all necessary documents.

About Us:

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We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI, ISI, IISC Bangalore, etc., teach students in live classes, with study materials,  mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in  IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on.  If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2025, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more! 

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