IMSc provides exceptional intellectual environment for fundamental research in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Computational Biology. A special feature of research at IMSc is its interdisciplinary character.
General Structure
IMSc encourages motivated students interested in pure research to apply to our doctoral (graduate) programs. We value motivation, creativity, independence and the ability to work hard. Graduate students at IMSc typically spend around a year doing course and project work in preparation for research. Although our preparatory coursework is intensive, our students often begin to explore research problems on their own, using seminars, scientific meetings and the opportunity to interact with both Institute members and our many visitors as opportunities to do so. It is expected that students will identify a research supervisor whose interests match theirs most closely and investigate the possibility of working with them.
Stipend
Junior Research Fellowships are awarded to all selected PhD students. These fellowships include a monthly stipend ranging from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 28,000/-, hostel accommodation (or a house rent allowance), medical benefits and annual book/contingency grants and support for research-related travel.
The Institute provides several recreational facilities, including a well-equipped gym, yoga room, table tennis room, tennis and badminton courts, a small soccer/cricket ground, a movie club and a cultural association.
Duration
Fellowships are renewed yearly, based on performance assessed by a faculty committee. These fellowships are awarded for upto 5 years.
Application Process
PhD applicants typically have a basic undergraduate or post-graduate degree in the sciences, mathematics or in an engineering discipline. Students with an undergraduate degree enter an integrated PhD programme.
The route to the IMSc graduate research program is through an interview. Candidates are pre-screened through their performance in a national level qualifiying examination. There are a range of national written tests that are accepted toward an application towards the IMSc Graduate program: JEST, NBHM, GATE, NET, BINC and JGEEBILS (Computational Biology); NBHM, CSIR-UGC (Mathematics); JEST (Theoretical Computer Science); JEST, CSIR-UGC, GATE (Theoretical Physics).
Selection Process
The candidates understanding of basic material will be examined in both the written test and the interview. During the interview, we are specially interested in evaluating a candidates ability to think independently and creatively.
Selection timeline
Our application deadlines usually fall in mid-February. If you wish to apply to us, please do ensure that your marks in one or more of these screening tests are valid and made available to us. Candidates selected through these exams are invited to IMSc for interviews in May-July.
Other information
If you have more questions about our admission procedures, about your eligibility or simply about life and work at IMSc, do write to any of the faculty members or students listed on our home page.