INAT 2019 – IUCAA NCRA Admission Test : The IUCAA-NCRA graduate school (conducted jointly with the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune) is meant for the PhD students of IUCAA and NCRA. Coursework is divided into two semesters (four terms) spread over one year. Each term is of roughly seven weeks duration. Students are taught relevant advanced courses in physics and are also introduced to courses in astronomy and astrophysics. The graduate school structure is shown below. The number of teaching hours is shown in parentheses; the dates may vary slightly.
INAT 2019 – IUCAA NCRA Admission Test
The IUCAA-NCRA Admission Test (INAT-2019) is being conducted to select candidates for a research scholarship towards a Ph.D. at either IUCAA or NCRA-TIFR. The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune (an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission), and the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (NCRA-TIFR), Pune, are two leading centres of research in a wide range of areas in Physics, and Astronomy and Astrophysics. IUCAA and NCRA-TIFR are located on neighbouring campuses in the Pune University Campus.
Schedule for INAT 2019 is given below.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply online | 12 Sep 2019 |
| The Admission (written) test will be held on | 05 Dec 2019 |
| Short-listed candidates will be interviewed on | 05 Dec – 07 Dec 2019 |
Quick Links
Eligibility Criteria
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 Integreted M.Sc. 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), 2nd / 3rd year Integreted M.Sc. 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.
There is no M.Sc. or B.Sc. programme at IUCAA. However, the University of Pune does offer optional courses in astronomy and astrophysics under their M.Sc. programme in physics. These courses are often taught by IUCAA faculty.
Application Form
There are 2 steps in the application procedure. Candidates must first register by entering their name and valid e-mail address in the appropriate registration box. An application password will then be automatically sent to the candidate’s e-mail address, the e-mail address and the password must be entered in order to fill out the Online application form. The application form also requires the names and e-mail addresses of two referees. When the form is submitted, the candidate will receive an e-mail containing his/her Online ID, an account password, and confirmation that s/he has applied for INAT 2019. Candidates can fill online application form from the direct link that has been given above.
Nature of the Written Test
The test will be of TWO hours duration. The question paper will be in English. The questions will be from basic Physics, Mathematics, Electronics/ Engineering to advanced areas of the same subjects and consists of three parts:
Part – A: Basic Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering
Part – B: Advanced Physics, Mathematics and Engineering
Part – C: Both basic and advanced areas of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering
– Only one out of four choices is correct in Part-A and Part-B
– Candidates must answer Part-C questions by filling in the appropriate squares in the Answer Sheet.
Based on their performance in the written test, a limited number of candidates will be invited for two interviews, which will be conducted on December 05, 06 and/or 07, 2019. The final selection will be based on the scores in the written test and interviews. Selected candidates are expected to join in August 2020 (except for pre-selected candidates), after satisfactory completion of their qualifying examination. Pre-selected candidates will need to complete their qualifying degree (M. Sc./ B.E./ B. Tech.) from any institute and join the Ph.D. programme only after that.
Travel and Stay
Outstation candidates will be paid one and one-third times the train/bus fare by second-class sleeper (NOT air-conditioned) from their place of residence (as given in the INAT-2019 Application Form) to Pune and back by the shortest route, as well as a halting allowance (as per the prevailing rules) for each day of stay for the interviews. Outstation walk-in candidates who are shortlisted for the interviews will also be paid travel support as above.
Limited accommodation, restricted to candidates who will appear for the written Admission Test, may be available on the IUCAA campuses at a nominal charge. Those who wish to avail of this accommodation should send an e-mail request to the Co-ordinator, INAT-2019, at the e-mail address [email protected], before November 15, 2019.
Accompanying persons will have to find accommodation elsewhere; a list of lodges and hotels located close to IUCAA is given here, with approximate charges. Candidates (and accompanying persons) may have meals on payment in the IUCAA canteen on the days of the written test and interviews.
The best mode of transport between IUCAA and the Pune railway station or bus stand is autorickshaw. The fare is as per the tariff card with the driver. During the day, the autorickshaw fare from Pune railway station to IUCAA will be about Rs. 100/-. Entrance to the INAT venue and IUCAA campus is from the Aundh-Khadki gate of the Pune University campus.
What to bring (and what NOT to bring) :
All the candidates who are invited to take the IUCAA National Admission Test should bring the Admit Letter with them. For the written test, the candidates should bring a pen, a pencil (HB), an eraser, and a simple mathematical calculator. At the time of interviews, the candidates are requested to bring all original mark sheets (starting from Class X) and any other relevant certificates. Mobile phones, digital diaries, laptops, etc. are NOT allowed in the test and interview halls.
Selection Procedure
IUCAA is looking for highly motivated students with a consistently good academic record. While students from engineering backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply for INAT – 2019, we emphasize that we are looking for students who are interested in carrying out doctoral research in Physics, or Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prospective candidates are hence expected to have a good understanding of basic Physics.
Based on the applications and referee assessments, a subset of the candidates will be short-listed and invited to take the written test, to be held in Pune on Thursday, December 05, 2019. Candidates with 55% or more marks in the qualifying examination may walk-in for the written test by producing a valid photo identification and a copy of their most recent mark-sheet. All candidates should report at the Chandrasekhar Auditorium, IUCAA, together with the necessary documents for verification (the ones mentioned above, for all walk-in candidates, and the Admit letter, for all invited candidates). Registration for the test will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 9:00 a.m. A seat in the test is not guaranteed unless registration is completed by the candidate during this period. The final selection to the research scholarship will be based on the results of the written test (on Thursday, December 05, 2019) and two interviews (on December 05, 06, and/or 07, 2019), all to be held at IUCAA, Pune. Note that the selection through INAT is in addition to the selection through the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST).
Contact
Santosh Khadilkar, Administrative Officer (Core Programmes)
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind,
Pune 411 007, Maharashtra, INDIA.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone no.: 020-2560 4100.
