Higher Studies After BSc. Physics(Hons.)
After graduation, a master’s degree in physics (MSc. Physics) is mostly preferred by physics graduates. However, if anyone wants to switch, then there are other options like MCA (Master's Degree in Computer Applications) to pursue a career in computer applications; or MBA (Master's Degree in Business Administration) to pursue a career in business. Nowadays, data science has become a topic of great interest due to its applications, especially in artificial intelligence and machine learning. One can opt for a career in data science, for which an MSc in data science will be extremely beneficial. If qualified in JAM( Joint Admission Test to MSc.), one can opt for an MSc Physics programme at IIT or NIT, and if qualified in JEST(Joint Entrance Screening Test), one can opt for an integrated Ph.D. programme at one of the prestigious research institutes for basic sciences in India. These research institutes are called JEST institutes (https://www.jest.org.in/participating-institutes) because they take admission to the integrated Ph.D. programme through the JEST exam. After passing the JAM, candidates should apply to IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Bhubaneswar for admission to the joint MSc. Ph.D. program; IIT Bombay for admission to the MSc. Ph.D. dual degree programme; IIT-ISM Dhanbad for the MSc.-Tech program in applied geophysics; and IIT Jodhpur for the MSc.-MTech dual degree program. After successful completion of MSc.-Tech in applied geophysics, candidates can have job opportunities in govt. or public sector undertakings such as the Geological Survey of India, ONGC, Coal India, etc. After MSc, two options are available: Ph.D. or MTech. However, MTech is available only for noncore engineering branches such as material science, nuclear engineering, photonics, etc. After MTech, students can have job opportunities in reputed private companies through college campussing, other than government and PSU jobs. If anyone wants to make a career in research or as an academic, then a PhD is the best option. Admission to MTech is through the GATE exam, and admission to Ph.D. is through the NET, GATE, JEST, or Institute Exam. Different institutes require different entrance exams for admission to Ph.D. programs; however, qualification in NET is accepted by all institutes in India. List of all national entrance exams for admission to master's and doctorate degree is shown below.
JAM (Joint Admission test to MSc.): For admission to MSc., MSc.-PhD Dual Degree, Joint MSc. –Ph.D. in IIT, NIT, MS in IIT Jammu MSc.-MTech Dual Degree in IIT Jodhpur), MSc.-Tech in IIT Dhanbad. For more details click here.
JEST (Joint Entrance Screening Test): For admission to Ph.D., Integrated MSc. PhD., and Integrated MTech. Ph.D. in IISER and other reputed research institutions in India (IISC, TIFR, IIA, RRI, RRCAT, PRL, VECC, Bose Institute, SNBNCBS, SINP, NISER, IOP, IMSc, ICTS, HRI, ARIES). For more details click here.
NET (National Entrance Test): For admission to Ph.D. in all institutes and universities in India. A NET-qualified candidate is also eligible for lectureship in college and universities. For more details click here.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering): For admission to MTech, Ph.D., and Integrated MTech-PhD in IIT, NIT, and all JEST participating institutes. For more details click here.
TIFR-GS (Graduate School Admission): For admission to Ph.D. and integrated Ph.D. in TIFR. For more details click here.
IACS admission test: For admission to integrated Ph.D. in IACS. For more details click here.
NIMCET (NIT Master of Computer Applications Entrance Test): For admission to MCA in NIT. For more details click here.
CAT (Common Admission Test): For admission to MBA in IIM, NIT, and IIT. For more details click here.
Entrance Exam of Reputed Universities of India:
• JNU Entrance Exam: For admission to MSc. And Ph.D.
• BHU Entrance Exam: For admission to MSc. And Ph.D.
• Delhi University Entrance Exam: For admission to MSc.
• Savitribai Phule Pune University Entrance Exam: For admission to MSc. And Ph.D.
• University of Hyderabad Entrance Exam : For admission to MSc and Ph.D.
Job Opportunities For Graduates in Physics
A bachelor's degree in physics is required to be considered a graduate in the subject. All the renowned competitive examinations in India, such as the civil service exam (UPSC or State PSC), combined graduate or higher secondary level exam (SSC), banking service (IBPS), defence service (UPSC), etc., can be applied to with a bachelor's degree in any field. A graduate with a master's degree in physics can also find more employment prospects where physics is required. All of those positions fall under the purview of the central government. or state govt. and public sector initiatives are covered in this article.
(1) Scientific Officer in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Govt. of India:
Candidates having a first-class master’s degree in physics can apply for this post and must qualify the GATE exam or the screening test for the interview conducted by BARC. The candidates have to undergo a training program (OCES) and after successful training, they are posted as Scientific Officers in the units of the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. For more details follow https://www.barc.gov.in/careers/officers.html
(2) Scientist B in Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Govt. of India:
Candidates having a first-class master’s degree in physics and a valid GATE score can apply for this post. For more details follow https://www.drdo.gov.in/careers
(3)Geophysicist in Geological Survey of India (GSI), Govt. of India: Candidates having a master’s degree in physics can apply for this post and must qualify the combined geo-scientist examination conducted by UPSC. For more details follow https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/active-exams
(4)Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-I in Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Govt. of India:
Candidates having a master’s degree in physics with 2 years of research experience can apply for this post. The selected candidates work under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. For more details follow https://www.upsc.gov.in/recruitment/lateral-recruitments
(5)Junior Scientific Officer (Physics) Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Govt. of India:
Candidates having a master’s degree in physics with 3 years of research experience can apply for this post. The selected candidates work under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. For more details follow. https://www.upsc.gov.in/recruitment/lateral-recruitments
(6)Meteorology Branch Officer in Indian Air Force, Govt. of India:
Candidates having master’s degree in physics can apply for this post. It is a ground duty non-technical branch of the Indian Air Force. The candidates are required to qualify Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) to get entry to this post. For details follow. https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/CareerAsPerBranches.html
(7)Medical Physicist, Govt. of India:
Candidates having a master’s degree in physics with a PG diploma in medical physics can apply for this post. Selected candidates work in the government hospitals, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Recruited by UPSC. For more details follow https://www.upsc.gov.in/recruitment/status-recruitment-cases-advertisementwise/notices
(8)Physicist-cum Radiation Safety Officer, Govt. of WB:
Candidates having a master’s degree in physics with a PG diploma in medical physics can apply for this post. Selected candidates work in govt. hospital, under Health and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of West Bengal. For more details follow https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/pages/career Besides WBHRB Tata Medical Centre also recruits medical physicists for details https://tmckolkata.com/apps/hrd/careers.php
(9)Geophysicist (Surface) in Oil Natural and Gas Commission (ONGC), Public Sector Undertakings:
Candidates having master’s degree in physics with electronics and a valid GATE score can apply for this post. For more details follow https://ongcindia.com/web/eng/career/recruitment-notice
(10)Scientific Assistant in Department of Space, Govt. of India:
Candidates having a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post in any of the institutions under the Department of Space, Govt. of India. Recruitment is done by screening tests and interviews conducted by ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board (ICRB). For more details follow https://www.isro.gov.in/careers-new
(11)Senior Technical Assistant-B (STA-B) in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Govt. of India:
Candidates having a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post and must qualify the CEPTAM exam conducted by DRDO. For more details follow https://www.drdo.gov.in/careers
(12)Scientific Assistant in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Govt. of India:
Candidates having a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post and have to undergo a training period where they work as stipendary trainees. After successful training, they are posted as Scientific Assistants in some of the DAE units such as BARC, VECC, and RRCAT. For more details follow the websites https://www.barc.gov.in/careers/ass_tech.html
(13)Inspector of Legal Metrology, Govt. of WB:
Candidates having a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post and must qualify the exam conducted by the Public Service Commission, West Bengal. After selection, they are posted in the Consumer Affairs Department, Govt. of West Bengal. For more details follow https://wbpsc.gov.in/
(14)Scientific Assistant in Forensic Science Laboratory, Govt. of WB: Candidates having a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post and must qualify the exam conducted by the Public Service Commission, West Bengal. For more details follow https://wbpsc.gov.in/
(15)Laboratory Assistant in Physics in Govt. Polytechnics, Govt. of WB: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in physics can apply for this post. They work under the Department of Technical Education, Govt. of West Bengal. For more details follow https://wbpsc.gov.in/index.jsp
(16)Teacher in Schools under the Central Govt. and State Government: Although this part requires a separate blog, a bit of information is given here. There are three categories of teachers in schools under the central government.
a)PGT (Post Graduate Teacher): Postgraduate in any discipline with a Bed. Degree can apply for this post.
b)TGT (Trained Graduate Teacher): Graduate in any discipline with a BEd. degree can apply for this post.
c) PRT (Primary Teacher): Graduate in any discipline with B.El.Ed. Degree can apply for the post.
It is mandatory to qualify Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) conducted by CBSE Ministry of Education, Govt. of India for TGT and PRT. Schools under different autonomous bodies are shown below.
a) Kendriya vidyalaya: Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. https://kvsangathan.nic.in/
b) Navodaya Vidyalaya: Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. Ministry of Education, Govt. of India https://navodaya.gov.in/nvs/en/Home1/
c) Army Schools: Army Welfare Educational Society (AWES).https://www.awesindia.com/
d) Sainik Schools: Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India
For schools under the Govt. of West Bengal, recruitment for the teaching posts is done through exams conducted by West Bengal PSC or WB School Service Commission.
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