Physics is the mother of all sciences, engineering and technology. Fundamentals of Physics are the framework on which every other science is built. Physics is a fundamental science. There are number of career opportunities in astrophysics, geophysics, medical physics, nuclear physics, meteorology, astronomy and biophysics by acquiring specialised knowledge of these fields. The physicist gets jobs in private sector, government and laboratories, military, schools and Universities.

A good grasp in physics at plus two level, opens up vistas in engineering, technology, architecture, astrophysics, astronomy, biophysics, etc. Moreover students having proficiency in physics can appear for prestigious exams like National Standard Examination in Physics which leads to National and International Physics Olympiad Examinations. A success in Physics Olympiad ensures a bright career in Physics education and research from prestigious institutes like Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, TIFR, NISER Bhubaneswar, IISERs and subsequent absorption as scientists in reputed national laboratories and scientific organizations.

One must have graduation or post-graduation in the field of Physics to do advance careers in physics.

• Interest in scientific phenomena.
• Patience and perseverance.
• Precision and tremendous inclination to search for real solutions.
• Self-motivation.
• Ability to work with details.
• Creativity.
• Logical reasoning.

If you record “Yes” for maximum questions then it indicates that you have potential for perusing career in the field of Physics.

• Do you have enquiring and scientific bent of mind?
• Do you have passion for research field?
• Do you have Good problem-solving ability?
• Are you interested in knowing about the cause of scientific phenomena?
• Do you have patience and perseverance?
• Do you give importance to the precision?
• Are you really interested in the search of real solutions?
• Are you self-motivated?
• Do you have ability to work with details?
• Do you have creativity?
• Do you have logical reasoning ability?
• Do you have computer skills?
• Do you have good communication skills?
• Do you have good planning ability and a knack for working under pressure?
• Do you have good manual, technical and mechanical aptitude?
• Do you have ability to unite scientific discoveries with commercial applications to solve the problems?
• Do you have a good background of mathematics, electronics and engineering?
• Are you open minded to implement new ideas?
• Have you take adequate laboratory training for expert handling of advanced equipment?
• Do you have sound analytical skills and a natural propensity for research work?
• Do you love systematic way of working?
• Do you prepare a written plan before doing any practical?
• Do you enjoy laboratory environment?
• Do you like to work for several hours (8-12hrs or more) per day in a lab?
• Do you have ability to work independently?
• Do you have analysing and interpreting skills?
• Do you read latest scientific news, books and research magazines?
• Do you have a creative mind and deep thinking?
• Are you ready to learn and adopt new techniques?

• National laboratories and organizations like BARC, DRDO, SSPL, ISRO, Space Application Centres (SAC), National Atmospheric Research laboratory of department of space, Inter university accelerator centres (IUAC), Indira Gandhi Centre for atomic research (IGCAR) Kalpakkam, Raja Ramanna Centre for advanced Technology (RRCAT) Indore, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) Calcutta, Uranium Corporation of India Limited, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, Nuclear fuel complex, Heavy Water Board, Atomic mineral directorate; PRL Ahmedabad, IPR Gandhinagar, IUCAA, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Calcutta, ARIES, Uttrakhand, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Centre for Liquid Crystal Research (CLCR), UGC DAE CSR; Constituent laboratories & institutes of CSIR like National Physical Laboratory (NPL), National Geophysical Research Institute, Regional Research Laboratories, National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), Institute of Materials & Mineral Technology (IMMT), National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), etc. provides enormous career opportunites as scientist/director/research fellow/research associate/research assistant/technician. Etc. in these laboratories and institutes.
• Agricultural research services with soil physics & agricultural physics as specialization.
• Teaching in secondary and higher secondary schools, degree colleges, poly techniques, engineering colleges and state and central Universities, prestigious institutions including IITs, IISc, IISERs. Moreover, many reputed coaching classes offer good pay packages.
• Software field especially game developer (motion specialist) has more prospectuses.

• Aerospace and aviation jobs
• Applied physics jobs
• Astronomy and astrophysics jobs
• Atmospheric science jobs
• Atomic and molecular jobs
• Biomedical Engineering jobs
• Biophysics jobs
• Computational physics jobs
• Condensed physics jobs
• Cosmology jobs
• Electrical engineering jobs
• Geophysics jobs
• Instrumentation and measurement jobs
• Materials jobs
• Medical physics jobs
• Nanotechnology jobs
• Nuclear physics jobs
• Optics and Laser jobs
• Plasma particle jobs
• Robotics jobs
• Space physics jobs

And many more jobs…..

Most degree colleges in India offer under graduate course (general or pass and honours) in Physics leading to B.Sc. degree. All central universities and leading state universities offer post graduate and doctoral Program in Physics. Several leading private Universities also offer master's in physics.

• B.Sc. Physics Eligibility: 12th pass with Physics Centre: All reputed college in India
• B.Tech Eligibility: 12th pass and JEE exam score Centres: IIT’S www.iitb.ac.in
• 5 Year integrated M.Sc. Program in basic sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology). Eligibility: 10+2 pass and qualify the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) conducted under supervision of HBCSE. Admission will be based on NEST. However Kishore Vaigyanic Protsahan Yojana SA batch (KVYP fellows) & students who have qualified Indian National Olympiad Examination (INOE) are exempted from NEST Centre: For admission students have to qualify National Institute of Science Education & Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar. Students also get stipend along with book grant.
• 5 Year integrated M.Sc. Program in basic sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology). Centre: UM DAE CBS, Mumbai, Fellowship and book grant. The students those performing exceedingly well in M.Sc. may have a chance to be absorbed in R & D units and autonomous research institutions of the department of atomic energy.
• 5 Year integrated masters (M.S.) Eligibility: The admission will be based on the qualification of any of the 3 exams KVPY SA batch, stage II-INOE and IIT JEE. Centres: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Tiruchirapalli. www.iiserpune.ac.in , www.iiserkol.ac.in, www.iisermohali.ac.in , www.iisertvm.ac.in and www.iiserbhopal.ac.in
• M.Sc Physics (with various specializations) Centres: All reputed college and Universities in India
• M. Tech. Physics Eligibility: B.Tech with good GATE score. Centres: IIT’s Some reputed courses in Post-graduate course Doctoral programmes
• IISC Bangalore www.iisc.ernet.in
• TIFR, Mumbai www.tifr.res.in
• JNU, New Delhi www.jnu.ac.in
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthpuram. www.iist.ac.in It offers integrated masters in applied science and post graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral programs in space science.
• Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata. Offers a post B.Sc. integrated Ph.D. Program www.bose.res.in

Distance courses:

• The teaching of Physics in distance education mode at graduation, post-graduation and doctoral level is offered by IGNOU and several other universities recognized by distance education council.

Online courses

• BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
• INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA www.iup.edu/

• Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) www.drdo.nic.in
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore www.cts.iisc.ernet.in
• Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, www.iitk.ac.in
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune www.tropmet.res.in
• Indian Astro-physics Institute, Bengaluru www.iiap.res.in
• Aryabhatta Research Observatory, Nainital www.dst.gov.in/autonomous/aries.htm
• Nuclear Fuel Campus, Hyderabad www.nfc.gov.in
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai www.barc.ernet.in
• Institute for Plasma Research (I. P. R.), Ahmedabad www.plasma.ernet.in
• Physics Institute, Bhubaneswar www.iopb.res.in
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata www.vecc.gov.in
• Deptt. of Atomic Energy, Mumbai www.dae.gov.in
• Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) www.prl.res.in
• Saha Nuclear Physics Institute, Kolkata (W. Bengal) www.saha.ernet.in
• Cosmic Rays Research Institute, Gauribidanow
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai www.tifr.res.in
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bangalore. www.isro.org
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata www.saha.ac.in

• JEE and JAM: Admission to these Programs is either through JEE (integrated MSc.) or through Joint Admission Test to M.Sc (JAM) or through institute level entrance tests / interviews.
• NET/GATE combined with institute level tests / interviews. www.gate.iitb.ac.in
• Joint entrance screening test (JEST) is conducted annually throughout India at several centres for admissions to doctoral Program in physics in various premier research institutes. Following is a list of institutes who admit scholars through JEST.
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai. www.tifr.res.in
• HBCSE offers Ph.D. in science education 
• National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA),Pune. www.ncra.tifr.res.in is a part of TIFR with Giant Meterwave Radio Teliscope (GMRT). www.gmrt.ncra.tifr.res.in
• Inter - University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Pune. www.iucaa.ernet.in
• Institute of Physics (IOP) Bhubaneshwar. www.iopb.res.in
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Ahmedabad. www.prl.res.in
• Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad. www.mri.ernet.in
• Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) Gandhinagar, www.ipr.res.in
• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) Bangalore www.iiap.ernet.in
• Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Mumbai. www.iigm.res.in
• Raman Research Institute, Bangalore. www.rri.res.in
• Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai, offers research in frontier areas of theoretical physics. www.imsc.res.in
• Jawaharlal Nehru centre for advanced scientific research (JNCASR) Bangalore, www.jncasr.ac.in
• Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata. www.bose.res.in
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Nainital, www.aries.res.in
• UGC DAE Consortium of Scientific Research Indore, Mumbai & Kolkata centres are autonomous institutions established by UGC mainly for utilization of major experimental facilities of DAE www.csr.ernet.in Institutes offering Summer Students Program: Several institutes offer a 4 - 8 week summer Program for undergraduate and postgraduate students. These Programs involves project work at this institute under the guidance of a faculty member of the institute and overview lectures on frontline topics. An indicative list of institutes includes:
• The Institute of Mathematical Sciences. www.imsc.res.in
• Institute for Plasma Research. www.plasma.ernet.in
• Inter - University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics. www.iucaa.ernet.in

The scholars completing physics courses in India are offered scope of research in leading institutes across the world. They also offer lucrative opportunities to physicists.

• Caltech, www.caltech.edu
• Stanford University, www.stanford.edu
• Columbia University, www.columbia.edu
• Johns Hopkins University, www.jhu.edu
• Cornell, University www.cornell.edu
• University of Maryland www.umd.edu

Careers in Astronomy

Introduction: Astronomy is the science which deals with the study of heavenly bodies, their motions, forms, nature, history and future development. Astronomy is rather an observational science than an experimental one. However, the use of mathematical analysis is required for interpretation. The celestial bodies and celestial environment provide natural laboratories for studying astronomy. Physical and mathematical theories are stretched to the limit to provide explanations for the celestial phenomena that we observe. Modern astronomy requires the use of most modern and advanced technologies especially spectroscopic equipment to observe and analyse radiation received from the celestial objects. It needs fast computers, state-of-the-art software to handle data and process images. It requires the facilities like optical, infra-red and radio astronomy facilities. The most important requirement is motivated and talented young scientists in this field.

Eligibility: Graduate with Physics /Mathematics /Engineering graduate with a specialization or a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics

•  MSc programme with Astronomy & Astrophysics specialization.
• Proficiency in physics and mathematics at the graduate level.
• An engineer with a B.Tech or B.E. degree, with an aptitude for Astronomy and Astrophysics, can also enter the field as a research scholar.
• Research Scholars are expected to undergo one year course work in various subjects including Foundations of Classical & Quantum Physics, Mathematical Techniques, Numerical Analysis & Computing, besides introductory courses in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Skills and personality traits

• Interest in scientific phenomena.
•  Patience and perseverance.
• Precision and tremendous inclination to search for real solutions.
• Self-motivation.
•  Ability to work with details.
•  Creativity.
• Logical reasoning.  

Career opportunities

• Research field: Several research institutes and government organizations employ research scientists in various academic grades for research oriented programmes. The jobs are also available in private and autonomous research institutes. The jobs as director/scientist/research associate/research assistant/technician, etc are available.
• Teaching field: Opportunities for teaching astronomy and astrophysics are available in the universities and some reputed colleges. There are many openings in the universities, especially in physics departments for specialists in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
• Industry: Experience with sophisticated astronomical instrumentation and the expertise gained in computer programming and handling data can serve as valuable assets for jobs in industry. They can also serve in fabrication of instruments related to astrophysics and astronomy.

Courses:

• Universities offer Astronomy & Astrophysics specialization at M.Sc., and in some cases, a Ph.D. programme: Punjabi University, Patiala, Osmania University, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Allahabad, Bangalore, Burdwan, Kolkata, Delhi, Gauhati, Gorakhpur, Gujarat, Indian Institute of Science, Jadavpur, Kamaraj University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam University, Pune university, Punjab University, etc.
• Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA): IIA has a full-time Ph.D. programme for which the students are selected through an entrance exam, followed by an interview. Highly motivated candidates with a M.Sc. degree in Physics / Maths or M.Tech. in Engineering & exceptional candidates with B.E. /B.Tech. degree and a good background in physics are eligible to apply for admission to the Ph.D. programme. www.iiap.res.in
• Inter-University for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has a regular Ph.D. programme for which applications are invited every spring from students who either possess M.Sc. in Physics / Applied Mathematics / Astronomy / Computer Science or a Bachelor's or Master's degree in engineering or technology with adequate background in physics and mathematics or are expected to qualify for these degrees. Selection is made through a written test and an interview. Selected candidate is required to clear the CSIR / UGC-NET / GATE exam within one year of admission to the Ph.D. if he/she has not done so already. www.iucaa.ernet.in
• Joint Astronomy Programme: This course is of one year duration, conducted at Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore, jointly by IISc., IIA, RRI, TIFR. M.Sc., B.E., & B.Tech. degree holders. After the completion of the course, candidates are offered the opportunity for completing their Ph.D. at one of the participating institute. www.iisc.ernet.in
• Autonomous Research Institutes: The autonomous institutes such as RRI www.rri.res.in , NCRA www.ncra.tifr.res.in , TIFR www.tifr.res.in , PRL www.isro.org , ISRO offer a Ph.D. programme after a selection through interviews.
• Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST): is conducted at an all India level every year in the month of February for admission to Ph.D. programme. Many premier institutions participating in this programme. The pattern for JEST exam consists of multiple choice objective-type questions, with negative marks for wrong answers. Candidates who are successful in the entrance exam are called for an interview and depending upon their performance, are selected as Junior Research Fellows for Ph.D. programme. 

• Astronomy
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Engineering