Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru

Debasree Banerjee

Updated on - Dec 26, 2024

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics was established in the year 1786, with its location in Koramangala, Bangalore. The institute is a pioneer, dedicated to research in the domains of astrophysics, astronomy, and other related fields of physics. Its headquarters are located in Koramangala, while its second campus, at Hosakote, near Bangalore, hosts CREST (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology). The Institute traces its origins back to the Madras Observatory, which was relocated to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, in 1899. Renamed the Kodaikanal Observatory, it has since become a leading solar and stellar observatory. The Institute operates a network of observatories and laboratories across various locations in India, including Kodaikanal, Gauribidanur, Hanle, and Kavalur. It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics- Bengaluru Highlights

Category	Details
College Name	Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Establishment Year	1786
Affiliation	University of Calcutta
Type of Institution	Research Institution
Headquarters	Koramangala, Bangalore
Campus Location	Hosakote campus (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology - CREST) near Bangalore
Origins	Traces its origin to the Madras Observatory, later moved to Kodaikanal (renamed Kodaikanal Observatory) in 1899.
Observatories and Labs	Kodaikanal, Gauribidanur, Hanle, Kavalur, and Kodaikanal
Funding	Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Library	19,000 volumes of books, 245 active serial titles
Distance from Bangalore	40 km from Bangalore International Airport, 10 km from Bangalore City Railway Station

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru Courses

In addition, the IIA offers a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics in collaboration with Pondicherry University, with full-time research under IIA faculty supervision; students can join in both August and January. Alongside this, an integrated M.Tech-Ph.D. in astronomical instrumentation, along with Calcutta University, trains students in cutting-edge technology for astronomy hardware.

Program	Details
PhD in Astronomy & Astrophysics	Full-time research program
Integrated M.Tech-Ph.D. in Astronomical Instrumentation	Full-time research program

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru Admission

IIA Bangalore offers an integrated M.Tech-Ph.D. course with a 6-year duration that has 2 years for M.Tech. Admission will be done through an online application followed by a written test in December and an interview in January. The eligibility criteria include a BE/B.Tech or M.Sc. degree in the relevant field. IIA also provides postdoctoral fellowships where the eligibility criteria include an M.Sc./M.Tech./Integrated M.Tech. degree in related fields.

Course/Program	Eligibility	Selection Process	Additional Information
Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics	M.Sc. (Physics), Integrated M.Sc. (Physics), B.E./B.Tech., M.E./M.Tech. with 60% marks	IIA Screening Test (IIAST), followed by interview	Entrance exam held in December, interview in January
M.Tech + Ph.D. in Astronomical Instrumentation	B.E./B.Tech. (Optics, Electronics, etc.) or M.Sc. (Physics, Applied Mathematics, etc.)	Written test in December, personal interview in January	Duration: 6 years (2 years M.Tech, then Ph.D.)
M.Tech + Ph.D. in Physics/Astrophysics	B.Tech./B.E. (related fields) or M.Sc. (Physics/Applied Physics)	Entrance exam, personal interview, past academic performance analysis	Specific Ph.D. cut-off after M.Tech
Postdoctoral Fellowship	M.Sc./Integrated M.Sc. (Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, etc.) or M.E./M.Tech. (Engineering Physics, Electronics, etc.)	Comprehensive application review, interview	Regular fellowship (age < 36), Chandrasekhar fellowship (age < 32), 2-year duration (extension possible)
Application Process	Online through the official website	Submit personal and academic details and required documents.	Application review and selection communicated after review process

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru Scholarship

The students who are selected for the Integrated M.Tech-Ph.D. in Astronomical Instrumentation shall receive a stipend of Rs 24,000/month for the first two years, increasing to Rs 37,000/month from the third year and Rs 42,000/month from the fifth year. From the time the Ph.D. thesis is submitted, the stipend could be enhanced up to Rs 46,000/month. Hostel accommodation, medical benefits, HRA for private accommodation, and support for travel and conferences shall be provided.

Program	Stipend	Other Allowances	Accommodation	Medical Facilities	Other Benefits
Integrated M.Tech-Ph.D. in Astronomical Instrumentation	Rs. 24,000/- pm for the first two years. Rs. 37,000/- pm from the third year (increased to Rs. 42,000/- pm in the fifth year). Rs. 46,000/- pm after Ph.D. thesis submission.	Annual book grant, medical facilities, travel and dearness allowances during tours, support for conference participation.	Hostel accommodation or house rent allowance (HRA) for private accommodation.	Enrollment in contributory medical scheme.	Subsidized canteen on campus and at field stations. Support for national and international conference participation.
Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics	Rs. 37,000/- pm (JRF), Rs. 42,000/- pm (SRF), Rs. 46,000/- pm after Ph.D. thesis submission.	Annual book grant, medical facilities, travel and dearness allowances during tours, support for conference participation.	Hostel accommodation or house rent allowance (HRA) for private accommodation.	Enrollment in contributory medical scheme.	Subsidized canteen on campus and at field stations. Support for national and international conference participation.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru Ranking

Annapurni Subramaniam was given the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024, Vigyan Shri, for her work in space science and technology. Jayant Murthy had an asteroid named after him in 2024, 2005 EX296, for his contributions to NASA's New Horizons Science Team. Other accolades include associate membership in the Indian Academy of Sciences for Wageesh Mishra (2023) and the National Academy of Sciences award in 2022 and IAU honorary membership to Dorje Angchuk in 2021.

Name	Award/Recognition	Year	Details
Annapurni Subramaniam	Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024, Vigyan Shri	2,024	Conferred for distinguished contributions in space science & technology.
Jayant Murthy	Asteroid named after Prof. Jayant Murthy, 2005 EX296 (now 215884)	2024	Recognized for work in the NASA New Horizons Science Team.
Wageesh Mishra	Elected as an Associate of the Indian Academy of Sciences (IASc)	2023	For a proven record of independent research work in India.
Eswar Reddy	Elected into the fellowship of the Indian Academy of Sciences (IASc), Physics section	2023	Recognized for contributions in the field of physics.
Wageesh Mishra	National Academy of Sciences - Platinum Jubilee Young Scientist Award	2022	For excellent research in solar astrophysics and space weather.
Dorje Angchuk	International Astronomical Union honorary membership	2021	For promoting astronomy in the Ladakh region through astrophotography.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bengaluru Placement

After completing the doctoral degree, the institute provides an internship program that enables the students to have hands-on experience in research. It is allowed to choose his preferred area of research by the students and encourage them to seek work opportunities in that field.