Indian Institute of Astrophysics, [IIA] Bangalore: Courses, Facilities

Debasree Banerjee

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics(IIA) is a premier institute which was originally set up in 1786 at Madras(Chennai) which led to the establishment of the Solar Observatory in 1899 at Kodaikanal. In the year 1971, the Kodaikanal Observatory was made into an autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The headquarters of the institute is in Koramangala campus from the year 1975. The Institute ranks as a premier institution devoted to basic research, instrumentation and training in astronomy, astrophysics and related physical sciences.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Admission can be done through national level tests like IIA screening test(IIAST), GATE exam, the NET exam for junior research fellowship(JRF) and Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), followed by personal interview. Students selected under Joint Astronomy Programme (JAP) organized by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore are also eligible to join IIA for the PhD programme. The institute offers two graduate programmes leading to PhD degrees. PhD jointly with Pondicherry Central University and Integrated M.Tech with the University of Calcutta.

The main observing facilities of the institute are located at Kodaikanal. The Kodaikanal Observatory is the principal centre of activity in observational solar and atmospheric physics. The Bengaluru campus has an extensive library, a computer centre, physics laboratories and electronics, photonics and mechanical laboratories supporting an active instruments development programme.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Quick Links:

• Highlights
• IIA Courses
• Areas of Research
• Scholarships and other allowances
• Facilities
• IIA Faqs
• Eligibility Criteria
• IIA Admissions
• Hostel details

IIA Highlights:

The highlights of IIA like address, contact number, fax, email and programs offered are mentioned below:

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Courses:

IIA courses include PhD and Integrated PhD programmes in the field of Engineering.

PhD Programme:

The IIA PhD programme is a full-time research programme where the students should work their PhD degree under the supervision of an IIA faculty. Students may join the PhD programme in the first semester that begins in the month of August or in the second semester that begins in January. Students should attend the entrance exam held in December followed by an interview in the month of January. Students who attended the JEST exam, the interview will be conducted in May/June.

Before beginning the work in their PhD, all students should undergo a course work for a period of one year.  The one-year course work programme begins with an orientation programme for one week. The orientation program will be on Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics at IIA.  The first semester will be from August to December and the Second Semester will be from January to April.

Tenure of the Programme:

Students admitted to the PhD programme are initially offered a Junior Research Fellowship(JRF). After completing two years as a Junior Research Fellow, the student is offered as a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) after an assignment. The total tenure of fellowship will not exceed five years including one year of course work. After a student submits the thesis, an enhanced fellowship amount may be given for a period of one year. Anyhow there is no guarantee for the continuation of the fellowship

Integrated M.Tech-PhD(Tech) Programme:

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics conducts the Integrated M.Tech-PhD (Tech) programme in Astronomical Instrumentation in collaboration with the Department of Applied Optics and Photonics, University of Calcutta.  The duration of the course will be 2 years which is divided into 4 semesters. The Degree will be awarded by the University of Calcutta. After completing the M.Tech course successfully a student can opt for registration for PhD (Tech) programme, subjected to a selection procedure and minimum cut-off grade. Selection of the course will be based on an entrance exam conducted in December followed by an interview in the month of May.

On Successful completion of 2 years in the program, candidates will be awarded an M.Tech in Astronomical instrumentation. In the 3rd year of the programme, students who qualify for the continuation of the programme leading to the PhD(Tech) degree can begin research work at IIA. At this time they will pay a fellowship of 25,000 per month from the 3rd year and Rs.28000 per month from the 5th year of the programme. The duration of the program is 6 years which includes a minimum of 2 years for the Master’s Degree.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics also offers visiting internship programme and Post Doctoral Programme. For Post Doctoral programmes  IIA offers a fixed fellowship of Rs 40,000 p.m with annual increment of Rs. 1500 p.m. candidates with a PhD degree in Physical / Mathematical Sciences from a recognized University / Institute are eligible for the programme. The Institute offers challenging opportunities to young researchers working in theory, observation and instrumentation in various areas of research in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. The duration of the fellowship is two years, with a possible extension for another year. Other allowances such as house rent, book grants (Rs 10,000/year), medical facility are offered in accordance with the prevailing rules of the institute 

The visiting internship programme, another programme of IIA is conducted by the Indian Astrophysics with the aim of promoting interest in Scientific Research among other institutions or universities or colleges. Candidates who are selected for this programme will work on specific projects under the supervision of the academic staff members of IIA.

IIA Areas of Research:

Sun and Solar system:

More than a century, observational studies of the Sun are actively pursued at the Kodaikanal solar observatory. Studies of the sun and solar system have been the longest pursued discipline at IIA. Members of the group will conduct theoretical, numerical, modelling and observational research on the working of the Sun. They will carry out the research using the Institute’s own facilities as well as international facilities on the ground and in the Space.

Stars and galaxies:

Stars and galaxies research in the area of stars, stellar systems and galaxies covers a broad range of topics. The main areas are exoplanets, star formation and the study of the interstellar medium and dynamics of the milky way galaxy. It also includes the study of neighbourhood galaxies such as the Magellanic clouds and those in the local group, activity in galaxies and the time domain astronomy.

IIA Scholarship and Other Allowances:

IIA offers scholarships to its students. The stipend of JRF is Rs. 25000 per month and SRF is 28,000 per month in addition to the medical facilities and an annual book grant. Fellowship may increase after submitting the thesis. Students can enrol in the contributory medical scheme of the institute. When tours are conducted students will get travel and dearness allowances on par with staff members of the institute. Students can also participate in national and international scientific conferences. A Canteen is available on campus in Bangalore as well as at the field of the institute.

IIA Facilities:

IIA has various facilities which includes:

• Technical Division
• Computing
• Library
• Archives

Indian Institute of Astrophysics has a  library established more than two hundred years ago. The library is open to faculty, students and visiting scholars from around the globe with ready to access to complete collections of print and online astronomy resources. The library has a huge collection of over 20,000 volumes of books and approximately 78 active serial titles. The Collection includes materials on observational astronomy, theoretical physics and astrophysics.

The IIA’s Computing facilities has always been individual-based, where most of the academic members of the institute use their own workstations for complete computing needs. The computer centre is allowed for visitors and project students.

IIA Other Centres:

Other than IIA main Campus, these are the other centres:

• Vainu Bappu Observatory
• Kodaikanal Observatory
• Gauribidanur Radio Observatory
• CREST Campus
• Indian Astronomical Observatory

Indian Institute of Astrophysics FAQs:

1. Where is IIA Located?
   - IIA is located in Koramangala Bangalore

2. What is the Contact Number Of IIA?
   - The Contact number of IIA is 91 (80) 22541224,22541324.

3. What are the programs Offered from IIA?
   - The programs offered in IIA is PhD and Integrated PhD.

Other Colleges in India:

• IIM
• DMS
• TJBS
• Alliance Business School
• AGBS

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates have to check their eligibility before applying for the course.

IIA Admissions:

Indian Institute of Astrophysics admissions can be done online on the official website.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Hostel Details:

IIA provides various facilities. IIA facilities include hostel facilities to all students inside the institute. A student can stay outside the institute also. If a student opts to stay in private accommodation, a house rent allowance is paid as per the institute rules.