India has always been the country that produces amazing research in Physics. Who doesn’t know the great work of the Nobel laureate Sir CV Raman? The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have rapidly emerged as prominent institutions for advancing the frontiers of physical research. These institutions combine cutting-edge infrastructure, world-class faculty, and a vibrant academic community to create an environment conducive to groundbreaking research and innovation. If you’re considering pursuing a career in physics and wondering which IISER is the best choice, this blog will surely help you.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Physics research in India
- Top IISERs for physics
- Which is the best IISER for Physics?
Physics Research in India:
India’s journey in the current domain of physics research dates back to the early 20th century, with the pioneering contributions of legendary figures such as Sir C. V. Raman, Homi J. Bhabha, and S. N. Bose. Their groundbreaking work laid the foundation for subsequent generations of physicists in India, inspiring a legacy of scientific inquiry and innovation. Be it space physics, nuclear physics, theoretical or experimental physics, India is continuously providing significant research output in terms of paper publications and scientists. Here are a few of the best physics research institutes in India:
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai: Known for its exceptional research in theoretical and experimental physics.
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore: While not exclusively focused on physics, IISc boasts a strong physics department that has contributed significantly to various fields of physics research.
- Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI), Allahabad: primarily focuses on theoretical physics and mathematics.
- Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore: Founded by Nobel laureate Sir C. V. Raman, this institute has a rich legacy in the field of physics.
- Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune: IUCAA is known for its cutting-edge research in astrophysics and has played a pivotal role in several significant national and international collaborations.
- Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar: IOP focuses on various aspects of theoretical and experimental physics, with research areas ranging from condensed matter physics to high energy physics.
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) like IIT-Delhi, Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras and Kanpur are mainly known for their research in Physics.
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad: Known for its contributions to space and atmospheric sciences, PRL has been instrumental in various space missions and research projects in the field of astrophysics and planetary sciences. Check out this blog to know more about how to get into ISRO.
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) like IISER-Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram are also famous for their advanced research in physics and esteemed physicists.
How to Choose the Best IISER?
While considering the best Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, you must not forget that all IISERs are equally tremendous and offer a plethora of opportunities in almost every field. However, here are some parameters that you must consider before selecting the college that matches your goal:
Faculty expertise-
The strength of the faculty is the ultimate necessity in any institution. Look for Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research with renowned physicists with expertise in your area of interest. Many faculty members at IISERs have gained international exposure through collaborations with renowned institutions and research projects like LIGO and Solar Missions (Aditya-L1). This global perspective enriches the academic environment and exposes students to cutting-edge research worldwide.
Research Opportunities-
First, decide your research field. This can be done after choosing your Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, but you have to have a rough idea about what kind of research you want to devote to the field of physics. Investigate the research facilities and ongoing projects at each IISER. Choose an institute that aligns with your research interests and offers ample undergraduate and postgraduate research opportunities. Consider communicating with students and alumni via LinkedIn or other platforms.
Academic Resources-
If you are more interested in a practical field, you must need a well-equipped laboratory. You also need access to libraries, and online resources are essential for a comprehensive physics education. Ensure that the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research you select provides these resources to support your academic endeavours. However, all IISERs have well equipped and advanced laboratories; hence you may not worry much about this factor.
Placements and Opportunities-
Investigate the placement records of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. However, only a few IISERs (like Bhopal) have direct campus placements because most students prefer to pursue PhD after their BSMS. If you want to do your PhD in foreign, choose those IISERS with solid connections and offer internships and job opportunities, which can benefit your future career. Also, try to talk with the physics alumnus of IISERs who are doing great in their field. And who knows, you might learn about a new, exciting field of research.
Entrance Exams-
IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), an entrance exam conducted by Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, is one of the most popular modes of entrance to IISERs. Another mode is to qualify JEE Advanced with a good rank (below 8000). IAT is considered relatively easier than JEE because of its less complex paper pattern and less technical questions. However, you must sincerely prepare for both exams in order to achieve your dream IISER. If you want to start your preparation for IISERs, IISc or NISER, SciAstra can be your perfect partner. We provide excellent courses, relevant mock tests and one-to-one mentorship to all students. Check out our website here.
Top IISERs for Physics:
IISER Kolkata and Pune are considered better than any other IISER for Physics. Here are a few detailed points that justify their top position in physics.
IISER Pune-
Speaking specifically about Pune, the faculty are all brilliant in their respective fields, and the experimental physics lab courses are truly unique. IUCAA at Pune University, a radio observatory, NCL, and many more prestigious laboratories are available toIndian Institutes of Science Education and Research-P students. To talk about the city, being in Pune city is one of the biggest advantages of IISER Pune. It provides programs like integrated BS and MS, integrated PhD and PhD.
The most popular researches that are going on in that IISER are:
- Condensed matter physics: The study of the physical properties of materials, such as solids and liquids. Research in this field focuses on understanding the fundamental principles governing the behaviour of matter at the atomic and molecular levels.
- Optics: The study of the behaviour of light and its interactions with matter. Research in optics at IISER Pune covers areas like photonics, nonlinear optics, and quantum optics.
- Astrophysics: The study of celestial objects and their physical properties, such as stars, galaxies, and black holes. Researchers at IISER Pune focus on understanding the formation and evolution of these objects and the physical processes that take place within them.
- Materials science: The study of the properties of materials and how they can be used in different applications. Research in materials science at IISER Pune covers areas like soft matter physics, materials design and synthesis, and materials characterisation.
In addition, you get to attend many top conferences, listen to amazing people, including Nobel Laureates, and construct valuable contacts. All this exposes you to the world of research and prepares you for a career in it if you choose to do so. You get many opportunities to gain experience through national and international internships. If you want to know how to get internships while doing BSMS, check out this blog.
IISER Kolkata-
Generally, people agree that IISER Kolkata is the best Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research for Physics. The faculty members here are great researchers, and many of them are really good teachers, too. Moreover, inside the campus, another institution is hosted by IISER Kolkata, CESSI (Center of Excellence in Space Sciences, India). If you want to know more about the best IISER for astronomy, check out this blog.
Researchers in Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Kolkata are involved in various kinds of research. Here are a few topics that Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research-K produce good papers in :
-
Astrophysics, Gravitation, and Cosmology (AGC)
One core area of research involves the physics of the Sun and stars, star-planet interactions, and exoplanetary sciences. Few groups focus on fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and radiative transfer in computational astrophysics to understand stellar activity and dynamics around compact objects. Few professors are involved in the LIGO gravitational wave collaboration and work actively on several aspects of the General Theory of Relativity and its extensions.
-
Astronomical Space Sciences (CESSI)
CESSI is a multi-institutional Center of Excellence hosted by Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Kolkata and has been established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The Center uses high-performance computing facilities, cloud computing and the high-speed National Knowledge Network grid to achieve its goals.
-
Biophysics, Non-Linear Dynamics and Statistical Physics (BCNDS)
Topics covered in this field are Biophysics, Complex Adaptive Systems, Nonlinear dynamics, and mathematical aspects of statistical mechanics, statistical mechanics.
-
Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
The Condensed Matter Theory group works on various contemporary areas like quantum spin liquids, fracture dynamics in amorphous systems, phase transition and critical phenomena, dynamical processes on networks, etc.
-
Condensed Matter Experiments (CME)
Research in CME covers a broad range of contemporary topics, including the electronic structure of correlated electron systems, physics of topologically non-trivial materials, phase transitions, spintronics, light-matter interaction in semiconductors, electron and nuclear spin manipulation for quantum information applications, etc
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Kolkata provides many programs like integrated BS and MS, integrated PhDs and PhDs in Physics, and other subjects. The strong connections with foreign institutes in countries like Germany, Canada, USA and Australia give excellent exposure to students.
Conclusion:
When choosing the best IISER for physics, it is crucial to consider faculty expertise, research opportunities, academic resources, campus life, and placement opportunities. While the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research mentioned above are known for their physics programs, it’s essential to research which IISER aligns best with your goals and interests. Remember that your success in physics will depend on your passion and interest, and IISERs can only provide you with a great platform to develop your love for this beautiful subject.
If you focus on building your concepts in physics and mathematics, you will definitely get a lot of advantages in related fields like astronomy or astrophysics. Now, if you want to know which is the best IISER for astronomy, check out this blog.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students in their careers in science.
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 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store!
