How to Become a Physicist: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Skills Required, Benefits, Salary

Q: What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in India?

Candidates typically need a bachelors degree in physics followed by a masters degree. A PhD is highly recommended as it improves career opportunities.

Q: Can I specialise in a specific area of physics during my studies?

At the masters level, candidates can choose to specialise in different fields according to their interests.

Q: Name some top colleges offering physics courses in India.

St. Stephens College, Hindu College, Parul University, Miranda House and MIT - WPU are some of the best colleges for physics in India.

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

Physicists explore the fundamental laws of the universe through theoretical analysis, experimental research and mathematical modelling. To become a physicist, candidates must clear class 12 from a recognised board and then pursue a bachelor’s course in physics followed by a master’s degree. They can start looking for jobs after completing their education but a PhD degree can greatly help in career growth.

The salary of a physicist varies according to their experience and expertise in India. Their compensation is also affected by the type of organisation they work in. Physicists in government institutes are generally paid more than those working in private sectors. The average annual salary of a physicist in India is INR 7 LPA.

There are various courses that can be pursued by candidates aspiring to become physicists. Some of the top courses include BSc, BTech and MSc in Physics, Applied Physics and different specialisations like biophysics, geophysics and nuclear physics.

Physics courses are offered by many colleges in India. St. Stephen’s College, Hindu College, Parul University, Miranda House and MIT - WPU are some of the best colleges for physics education. DUET, BHU PET, IPU CET and JEST are popular entrance exams for physics aspirants.

Table of Contents

How to Become a Physicist: Quick Facts
Eligibility to Become a Physicist
Qualifications to Become a Physicist
Steps to Become a Physicist
Physics Courses

5.1 Entrance Exams

Top Physics Colleges
Skills Required to Become a Physicist
Benefits of Becoming a Physicist
Salary of a Physicist
How to Become a Physicist: FAQs

How to Become a Physicist: Quick Facts

Eligibility	Class 12
Qualifications	BSc/MSc Physics or related courses
Starting Salary	INR 3.92 LPA
Average Salary	INR 7 LPA
Highest Salary	INR 3 LPA
Top Recruiters	BARC, ONGC, BHEL, Solid State Physics Laboratory, ISRO, Nuclear Science Center

Eligibility to Become a Physicist

Candidates are required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria to become a physicist in India which are as follows.

Candidates must clear class 12 with 50% marks.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in physics to become a physicist.

Qualifications to Become a Physicist

There are certain educational qualifications which candidates should meet to go on to become a physicist. Some of the general qualifications include,

Candidates should clear class 12 with a PCM stream from a recognised board.
They should have a bachelor’s degree in physics or a related field.
A master’s degree and a PhD are highly advisable as they greatly increase employability and provide better research opportunities.
Candidates should qualify for entrance exams like NET and GATE to get admission into top colleges.

Steps to Become a Physicist

There are multiple steps which candidates have to follow to become a physicist in India. The overall general steps are mentioned in the following points.

Complete class 12 - Candidates should pass class 12 with 50% marks forms a recognised board in the PCM stream.
Earn a bachelor’s degree - A graduate degree in physics or a related field is a must for candidates aspiring to be physicists. The students learn the physics fundamentals that help them in their future endeavours.
Qualify for an entrance exam - Though many colleges offer admission on the basis of merit, if candidates are targeting top colleges, they have to qualify for entrance exams.
Earn a master’s and Ph.D. degree - Higher degrees in the field of physics are highly advisable as they greatly increase career opportunities. Candidates can opt for general physics or specialised integrated topics for their higher degrees.
Gain experience - After the completion of education, candidates can start applying for physicist roles at different organisations. They may have to start with entry-level jobs and with time and expertise make their way up to higher designations.

Candidates also have the option to enrol on post-doctoral research opportunities if they want to continue in the research field after their Ph.D.

Courses to Become a Physicist

There are many courses that can be pursued by students to become a Physicist. BSc, BTech and MSc in Physics, Applied Physics and different specialisations in physics like biophysics, geophysics and nuclear physics are some of the top courses available. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters	BSc Physics	MSc Physics	BTech in Engineering Physics
Eligibility	Class 12	Bachelor’s degree in Physics or related fields	Class 12
Entrance Exams	GSAT, IISER, SET	DUET, CUET PG, NEST, IIT JAM	JEE, SRMJEE, WBJEE, KEAM
Top Colleges	IIT Kanpur, IISC, St. Stephens College, Miranda House, Hindu College	Miranda House, Hindu College, Fergusson College, Christ University	IITs, LPU, DTU, Chandigarh University
Course Fees (INR)	5,000 - 60,000	12,000 - 60,000	2,50,000 - 5,00,000
Average Salary (INR)	3 LPA - 8 LPA	5 LPA - 10 LPA	3.6 LPA - 6 LPA
Top Recruiters	ISRO, DRDO, NIO, BARC, Nuclear Science Centre	ISRO, DRDO, NIO, BARC, Nuclear Science Centre	TATA, Reliance Industries ltd., Maruti Udyog, TCS, Infosys, Wipro

Entrance Exams

There are many entrance examinations for becoming a physicist in India. Some of the most famous entrance exams for physics include DUET, BHU PET, JNUEE, IPU CET, JEST and NET. The details for some of the top exams for physics are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams	Application Deadlines	Exam Dates	Result Declaration
BHU PET	To be Announced	To be Announced	To be Announced
IPU CET	February 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024	April 27 – May 14, 2024	June 2024
JEST	To be Announced	To be Announced	To be Announced

Top Colleges to Become a Physicist

There are many colleges in India that offer courses in physics and related disciplines for students looking for a career as a physicist. St. Stephen’s College, Hindu College, Parul University, Miranda House and MIT - WPU are some of the best colleges for physics.

The details for top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Name of the Colleges	Location	Average Fees (INR)
St. Stephen’s College	New Delhi	42,835
Hindu College	New Delhi	20,460
Parul University	Vadodara	1.02 L
Miranda House	New Delhi	19,200
MIT - WPU	Pune	75,000
Loyola College	Chennai	13,180
Madras Christian College (MCC)	Chennai	24,500
Hansraj College (HRC)	New Delhi	24,115
LPU	Jalandhar	1.12 L
Presidency College	Chennai	1,270

Skills Required to Become a Physicist

Some of the top skills that a physicist should possess are tabulated below.

Strong Mathematical and Analytical skills	Problem-solving Abilities	Computational and Programming skills
Experimental skills	Critical Thinking and Formulation	Strong Foundation in Physics
Communication and Presentation skills	Perseverance and Curiosity	Scientific Reasoning

Benefits of Becoming a Physicist

There are many benefits to pursuing a career as a physicist. Some of the key benefits include.

Job Security - With the advancements in technology, there is a good demand for physicists around the world to provide the job security that professionals seek.
Competitive Pay - Physicists are generally compensated in a good way seeing the work and knowledge they bring to an organisation. The salary increases with time as their experience and expertise increase.
Diverse Career Opportunities - There are diverse career paths available for physics professionals. Candidates can work in academia, research and development or contribute to scientific policy and consulting.
Research Opportunities and Advancements - Physicists have the opportunity to engage in the latest technologies, explore new research and contribute to scientific discoveries.
Contributing to Society - Physicists contribute to the betterment of humanity by expanding knowledge and solving real-world challenges.

Salary of a Physicist

The average annual salary of a physicist in India is INR 7 LPA. The compensation can vary according to the type of job and the offering body. The starting salary of a physicist in India is between INR 1.96 LPA to INR 3 LPA.

The salaries for different physicist designations are mentioned in the following table.

Designations	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Theoretical Physicist	19 L
Experimental Physicist	15 L
Astrophysicist	6.86 L
Particle Physicist	5.10 L
Nuclear Physicist	11 L
Biophysicist	10 L
Computational Physicist	14.61 L
Medical Physicist	6.3 L

How to Become a Physicist: FAQs

Ques. What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in India?

Ans. Candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in physics followed by a master’s degree. A PhD is highly recommended as it improves career opportunities.

Ques. Are there any entrance exams to get into the physics program in India?

Ans. Yes, most of the top universities offer admission on the basis of entrance exams. DUET, BHU PET, JNUEE, IPU CET, JEST and NET are some of the top entrance exams.

Ques. Can I specialise in a specific area of physics during my studies?

Ans. At the master’s level, candidates can choose to specialise in different fields according to their interests.

Ques. Are there any scholarships or financial aid available for physics students?

Ans. Many organisations, government bodies and research institutes offer fellowships and grants to support deserving students pursuing physics and research.

Ques. What research opportunities are available for young physicists in India?

Ans. There are many research opportunities available for aspiring physicists. Universities, research institutions and government-funded laboratories conduct research in various areas of physics.

Ques. Nam some skills important for a career in physics.

Ans. Strong mathematical and analytical skills, problem-solving skills, computational and programming skills and critical thinking are some of the top skills that a physicist should possess.

Ques. What career options are available after completing a physics degree?

Ans. Physics graduates have diverse career options to choose from. They can work as professors, work in research and development or contribute to the scientific community by consulting. They are also in demand in data science, engineering and programming fields.

Ques. What is the average salary of a physicist in India?

Ans. The average annual salary of a physicist in India is INR 7 LPA.

Ques. Name some top colleges offering physics courses in India.

Ans. St. Stephen’s College, Hindu College, Parul University, Miranda House and MIT - WPU are some of the best colleges for physics in India.

Ques. How much does a Nuclear Physicist earn in India?

Ans. A Nuclear Physicist earns up to INR 11 LPA in India.