Career in Physics is increasingly becoming a sought after options after plus two. Those who enjoy study of physics can build a career round it provided they know where studying Physics will lead them. Contrary to popular belief, there is a huge demand for Physics graduates in Astronomy, Meteorology, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Electronics and Telecommunications, Oceanography, Geology, Cosmology, Space Sciences, Hydrology and Mathematical Sciences. Studying Physics will help you develop a number of key skills such as computation skills, problem-solving, ability to think laterally and modelling. These fundamental skills are relevant in any work environment and make physics graduates highly desirable in a wide variety of fields like education, finance, journalism, IT, etc.
Higher studies in Physics unfold great number of career opportunities where one can excel well. Students with a strong background in Physics can explore career options in bio-physics, bio-engineering, astronomy, cosmology, meteorology, electronics and telecommunications. To begin with, academia or scientific research is a major area of building your career. There are also positions for scientists in industrial research as well. This includes working with GE Jack Welch Research Center in Bangalore, Intel, Applied Materials, Hewlett Packard et al. The compensation is highly comparable with industrial sector tech jobs. Moreover, career opportunities at ISRO/Bhabha atomic research institute, DRDO are other extremely bright options where one can work directly in areas of extremely critical national interests. Such job roles help create tremendous impact on the nation’s scientific progress and give a great sense of contentment while providing the opportunity to work with the greatest scientific minds. No less illustrious is the career in academia or research in the national labs. Last but not the least, a host of untapped opportunities exists in the country in the field of consultancy for industry and also in entrepreneurship by means of launching your own firm in antennas/tracking technology, lasers for medicine and industrial processes, medical devices, semiconductor and the burgeoning solar industry. Physicists have a high level of acumen and expertise, hence; enjoy a unique competitive advantage in the field of science and technology.
Another interesting thing to remember is that there are numerous exit opportunities if you decide to call it quits. The finance industry hires professionals with physics background for quantitative skills. These jobs though not intellectually rewarding, are extremely highly paid. Another option is management consulting which demands an analytic mind. Possibility to switch over to a number of engineering disciplines depending on the area of Physics specialization is also there. Physicists are also expert in writing codes and can easily get hired by IT /computer giants. In fact a true blue physicist can to do pretty much anything by dint of the inherent analytical and critical thinking prowess.
A good idea is to foray into Applied Physics which includes using physics in building devices/systems. That said, it is also possible to do intricate work in theoretical physics in these areas as well. One example will be working on problems in condensed matter and statistical physics with relevance to lasers as well as quantum mechanics, and quantum optics problems in relation to lasers/photonics. This will help you satisfy intellectual interests while protecting financial and professional interests.
However, succeeding in Physics is not easy, but rather hard both financially and otherwise. To be really successful you must be in the top 5 percent of professional Physicists. Suceeding as traditional engineer/banker/businessman is way easier. To be a successful Physicist you need to constantly perform at very high level throughout your professional life.
Some of the sought after Physics courses in India include the following:
B. Sc. Physics
B.Sc. Physics Hons.
B. Sc Applied Physics
M. Sc Physics
M. Sc. Applied Physics
M. Phil Applied Physics
M. Phil Physics
Ph. D Applied Physics
Ph. D Physics
Basic Eligibility for Physics Courses:
UG: The eligibility to apply for the undergraduate programme in physics is 10+2 with science (PCM/PCB).
PG: The eligibility to apply for postgraduate programmes in physics is bachelor’s degree (10+2+3) in Physics.
Ph. D/M. Phil: The eligibility to apply for M. Phil/Ph. D is to have a master’s degree in Physics
After graduation you can pursue M.Sc. in any of a specialized field including research-focused fields like Astrophysics which is the study of physical or chemical properties of heavenly bodies and earth sciences such as geophysics. Another field is that of geosciences which delve into the exploration, discovery, and earth systems. There is an increasing demand for specialists in earth sciences to work with exploration, geological and geophysical companies; oil, petroleum service companies; gas and resource companies; engineering consulting firms; gas and chemical plant operations.
Taking up research in Physics will help you explore the best career in the field. There are a host of research institutes in India that offer research opportunities in physics or physics related fields. However, the institutes offer research opportunities only in certain fields and all fields of research are not available in every institution. In most of these institutions students are also offered a master’s degree following which entry in the research domain is made through Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) or by clearing NET JRF and getting a direct call for interview.
In India there are a host of government institutes to do comprehensive research in the subject.
Here is the list of the top institutes –
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
- Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Mumbai
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
- Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
- Indian Institute Of Technology, Chennai
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
- Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
- IISER
- NIT
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore Campus
- Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad
- Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad
- BARC, Mumbai
- DRDO, New Delhi
- Central Power Research Institute (CPRI)
- Institute for Plasma Research
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR)
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
- Raman Research Institute (RRI)
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Regional Research Laboratory Indian Statistical Institute
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences
- Indian School of Mines, Jharkhand
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
- Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune
- Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad
- S.N Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences, Kolkata
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
- Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar
- Institute of Plasma Research, Gandhi Nagar
- Inter University Accelerator Center, Delhi
- Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–Central Salt And Marine Chemicals Research Institute(CSIR–CSMCR), Bhavnagar
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Trivandrum, Trivandrum
- Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–National Physical Laboratory (CSIR–NPL), New Delhi
- Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore
- Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalappkam
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Pune
- Centre of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Pune
- ICAR National Physical Laboratory, Pusa Road, Delhi
Depending upon your research interest, you can choose research institutes for physics in India. These are according to the excellence in research but all of them are remarkably outstanding institutes for research in physics.
List of institutes according to fields of research they offer –
Astrophysics
This field of Physics is known as an advanced and highly attractive field of research. Compared to the number of aspirants in this field of research opportunities are quite less as it demands expensive and sophisticated infra including telescopes, observatories etc.
Top institutes offering research opportunities in the field –
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
- Inter University Centre of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
- National Centre of Radio Astronomy (NCRA)
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
- Raman Research Institute (RRI)
Theoretical Physics
Theoretical Physics is an area replete with an array of sub-fields, but combines analytical and theoretical approach to sophisticated problems in Physics together with numerical computation and simulations.
Top institutes offering research opportunities in the field –
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc)
- Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI)
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Institute of Physics (IP)
- Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI)
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP)
Condensed Matter Physics & other experimental areas
This filed is known for its major experimental areas of research including condensed matter physics, lasers and photonics, material science, atomic, molecular & nuclear physics, particle physics etc.
Top institutes offering research opportunities in the field –
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Raman Research Institute (RRI)
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TCIS)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB)
- Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS)
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER Pune)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK)
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali (IISER Mohali)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IITD)
Electronics and Instrumentation
Electronics and Instrumentation is similar to major engineering branches.
Top institutes offering research opportunities in the field –
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
- Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
- National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- CSIR-Central Glass Ceramic Research Institute(CSIR-CGCRI)
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI)
- National Phyical Laboratory (NPL)
- CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute(CSIR-CEERI)
- National Aerospace Limited (NAL)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
In every state of India, different universities and institutes offer research facilities in different field of Physics. Here is a list of area wise universities and institutes where you can find facilities of research in different branch including Physics –
Ahmadabad
Institute for Plasma Research
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
Aligarh
Aligarh Muslim University
Allahabad
Allahabad University
Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI)
Assam
Tezpur University
Assam University
Bangalore
Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Indian Institute of Science
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
Raman Research Institute
Bhubaneswar
Institute of Physics
School of Physical Sciences (SoPS)
Bombay / Mumbai
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
University of Mumbai
Calcutta / Kolkata
Calcutta University
Indian Statistical Institute
S. N. Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics
Chandigarh
Panjab University
Centre for Medical Physics
Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chennai / Madras
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Cochin
Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)
International School of Photonics
Coimbatore
Bharathiar University
Delhi
New Delhi
Delhi College of Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Jamia Millia Islamia
Jawaharlal Nehru University
School of Physical Sciences
National Physical Laboratory
Nuclear Science Centre
University of Delhi
Dhanbad
Indian School of Mines (ISM)
Goa
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)
Guwahati
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati – Department of Physics
Hyderabad
University of Hyderabad
Indore
Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT)
Devi Ahilya University
Jabalpur
Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya
Jammu
University of Jammu
Kanpur
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Kharagpur
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Kottayam
Mahatma Gandhi University
Mangalore
Mangalore University
Manipal
Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT)
Medinipur
Vidyasagar University
Meerut
Ch. Charan Singh University
Mysore
University of Mysore
Pune
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)
University of Pune
Kavikulguru Institute of Technology and Science
Roorkee
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Shibpur
Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur (BESU)
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh University
Silchar
National Institute of Technology
Tiruchirappalli
National Institute of Technology
Vadodara / Baroda
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU)
Vallabh Vidyanagar
Sardar Patel University
Varanasi
Banaras Hindu University
Institute of Medical Science
Institute of Technology
Visakhapatnam
Andhra University
Warangal
National Institute of Technology
Best of luck! We at Stoodnt do encourage you to study Physics and inspire upcoming and future generations of scientifically inclined individuals in India to follow your footsteps.