Ardent science lovers always have the dream to build their careers as reputed scientists and work at some of the prestigious institutes such as NASA or ISRO.
Are you among those aimers who aspire to be a scientist today and make precious contributions in the field?
You are in the right place then. Becoming a scientist isnt a process with a bed of roses rather involves many adversaries. However, those adversaries aren’t strong enough to stop you if you are determined! You need to have that willpower and desire to achieve what you aspire to today.
Here in this article, we will explain in detail the process of how to become a scientist in India. Read on to know the eligibility criteria, educational qualifications needed to be a scientist. We will also discuss the career prospects as a scientist and their respective salaries.
How to Become a Scientist: Educational Qualification
The first step towards becoming a scientist is specializing in the related field and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in science. The assorted options are Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, and so on. You are even free to pursue B.Tech or B.Pharma in the subject of your choice. However, it is just the foundation towards a bright career as a scientist. After completing your bachelors with flying colors, you will need to go for Masters followed by a Ph.D. degree. Bachelor’s provides you with a piece of strong basic knowledge. Moving further towards something prompt will need you to go for higher qualifications.
Basic Eligibility Requirements to Become a Scientist
- The candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in science stream from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 60% or equivalent sgpa.
- Post-graduation, candidates need to go for masters in the related field. Completing the masters from a recognized institute with at least 65% marks or equivalent sgpa is mandatory.
- After a masters, going for higher qualification like Ph.D. is a must!
Entrance Examinations
Many candidates get directly hired by various reputed scientific institutions from campus placements. Companies like NASA and ISRO hire directly from top-class institutes such as IITs or NIIT. Getting into IITs requires the candidates to crack JEE examination. However, it is not always mandatory to crack JEE to get into IIT. To know details regarding it, you can read it here!
Other popular entrance exams include GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) and IISER Aptitude Test.
Career Options as Scientist
Once you have the desired qualifications, you will be eligible to crack various jobs as a scientist at various top-tier institutes. Some popular career scopes once can have as a scientist are:
- Astronomer - A scientist specializing in the studies of spatial objects like skies, stars, galaxies, holes, and stars.
- Ethologist - A scientist who specializes in the study of animal behaviors in the natural environment.
- Botanist - A botanist is one who studies plant, fungi, and animal biology.
- Agronomist - An agronomist is a plant scientist who specializes in the studies of plant mechanics.
- Cytologist - A cytologist specializes in human cells analysis under a microscope.
- Microbiologist - A microbiologist is an expert in the studies of microorganisms.
- Geologist - Geologists are experts who study about earth: its history, formation, nature, materials, and every minute detail.
- Epidemiologist - Epidemiologists are public health professionals who study diseases among the populations of people.
- Marine Biologist - Marine biologists specialize in the study of ocean life and investigate the behavior and physiological process of marine creatures.
- Meteorologist - Meteorologist specialize in weather studies.
- Seismologists - Seismologists are expert earth scientists specializing in geophysics.
- Paleontologists - Paleontologists specialize in the study of ancient life forms.
Expected Salaries of Scientists
The table highlights the expected national average salary range (per month) of the scientists in the related field. However, the numbers might increase with experience.
Note: The table is based on information from multiple sources and the actual figures may always vary.
Recruitment Processes
There’s a list of entrance examinations conducted by several institutes to recruit suitable candidates for the relevant position. Here are the names of some popular entrance names that you can take as per your preference.
1: CSIR NET JRF Exam
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is among the top names in the field of science and technology. Candidates first need to join the institute as a junior research fellow to have better chances of landing a job as a scientist. The gateway to enter CSIR is through the CSIR NET JRF examination. The candidates must have B.Tech/B.E./M.Sc in related fields to be eligible to appear for the examination.
2: ISRO Scientist Recruitment
One of the top-tier names in the science field is the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Candidates can land a job as a scientist after cracking the ISRO Recruitment process. Students also get hired from direct campus placement at ISRO from top institutes like the IITs, NIIT, etc. Candidates can also take the ICRB exam i.e., Centralized Recruitment of the Department of Space and Indian Space Research Organization to crack a job at the ISRO. Aspirants with a related degree in the science/engineering stream with at least 65% marks are mandatory to be eligible for the examination.
3: NASA Scientist Recruitment
It is a dream for millions of aspirants to become a scientist at NASA. Candidates can place their applications through different scholarship programs offered by the institute. The basic eligibility requirement includes a masters degree in science. Candidates with a doctorate degree have high chances to directly land a job as a scientist at NASA.
How to Become a Medical Scientist?
Candidates who aspire to be a Medical Scientist need to have a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Chemistry or in a related field. After completing their graduation in the respective field, aspirants need to go for masters followed by Ph.D. Pursuing dual-degree programs to learn clinical and research skills is a big bonus! Some of the courses linked with Ph.D. programs are Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), and advanced nursing degrees.
How to Become a Data Scientist?
One of the booming career options as a scientist is the Data Scientist. However, cracking a successful career as a Data Scientist needs staunch hard work and dedication. The minimum eligibility requirement to be a Data Scientist is to have an M.Sc degree in Mathematics. Other additional skills needed are:
- Expert in coding and programming skills.
- Expert in Statistical analysis.
- Efficiency over technical tools like Saasm Tableau, Rapid Miner.
- Excellent data intuition and brilliant understanding of Machine Learning algorithms like Python, Logistic and Linear Regression.
Top-Tier Institutes Hiring Scientists
Besides NASA or ISRO, there are other top names that recruit quality candidates as scientists. Here are the names of those institutes where you can land a job as a scientist after successfully completing your higher studies.
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Defense Research and Development Organization
- Indian Association of Cultivation Sciences (IACS)
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
Best Books to Follow to Prepare for Entrance Exams/Recruitment Processes
Cracking a job as a scientist isn’t a cakewalk and you need years of hard work and a supreme level of dedication. Therefore profound knowledge in the related field is necessary to clear the recruitment or entrance examinations easily. Here we have listed a bunch of the best books in the market that you can follow to expand your knowledge and continue to prepare for the examinations simultaneously.
The names of the best books arent limited to this list. These are some of the top ones in the market that we recommend. You should always read as much as you can because knowing and learning know no boundaries. Before choosing a book be careful with the following things:
- It has an easy-to-understand and comprehensive language.
- The concepts are covered in detail with minute attention to the core subject areas.
- Every chapter is complemented by practice sets or exercises to evaluate the understanding of the candidates.
PRO-TIP
Landing a career so prestigious and worthy, won’t happen in a day. Hours of hard work, years of dedication, and strong determination towards your goal can lead you to do what you desire. Be focused on your aim and never deviate yourself. Even at times if you feel down, remember the one thing ‘The mission is yet to be achieved!’
- Read a lot and make notes. Always be in the habit of writing.
- Never miss the mock tests before entrance examinations. Because it is only through the practice tests that you get to experience a practical insight before the final exams.
- Be confident and stay positive even amidst stressful hours.
Wrapping Up
This was all about how to become a scientist in India and I hope this guide helps you to understand the major details related to it. We wish you all the best in your upcoming endeavors.
