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Which one is better for pure sciences and cosmology IISER, NISER or IISC?
For pure science, IISc is the obvious choice among these. It is the best in India, in terms of research interface, faculties, and alumni base.
If you are particularly interested in Physics, you should definitely choose IISc. It has an excellent Physics department. IISc Bangalore, Department of Physics has a Theoretical Cosmology group. The research interest of the group mostly involves early universe cosmology topics. For pure science courses, the preference order for these institutes is - IISc>>IISER>NISER.
Which institute is better, IISER or NISER?
No matter where you ask or look, no one’s going to tell you which is better, IISER or NISER because both are equally good for undergraduate studies.
To ensure learning directly about your field of interest and look for the professors working in it, the best way is to look into the research being done at the IISER and NISER. Additionally, talking to the alumni and going through the course structure will result in a more informed decision.
You will not have any students or professors with this IIT-NIT difference mindset because deep down they are well aware that the institutes have the same goals, infrastructure, and opportunities.
Also, I find it quite lame when people compare IISER and NISER claiming the former is at par with IITs while the latter is at the level of NITs just because of the first letter they share.
What is the SCB in IISER?
There are three ways of being admitted to an IISER.
- You can either give a KVPY SA or SB or SX.
- You can give JEE Advance and clear it.
- You can be a part of the SCB stream.
SCB criteria are applicable for only the top 1% of students of each of the boards across India. To simply word it, those who have secured 99 percentile are a part of SCB. If you secure marks that are above the cut-off, you will get INSPIRE scholarship as well.
The top 1% of students from across India and all boards are invited to give the IISER test. After this, a rank list/merit list is prepared about the marks scored in the exam. And the top students are admitted to the six branches of IISERs.
What is the standard of questions that are set in IISER aptitude tests?
A few of my friends have taken the IISER aptitude test and according to them, the difficulty level of the questions asked is equal to or less than JEE Mains level. They are mostly conceptual and there will be very few numerical questions.
IISER aims to test your conceptual understanding rather than your problem-solving skills.
- Maths - If you are preparing for JEE Advanced, then the questions usually asked in the maths section for the IISER aptitude test will be quite easy for you.
- Physics - You can easily solve most of the questions if your basics are clear. The question also won’t require you to do lengthy calculations. Physics questions are usually at the JEE Mains level.
- Chemistry - For Chemistry too, the questions will test your conceptual clarity.
- Biology - Reading NCERT textbooks will be sufficient to score well in Biology.
So, to score well in the IISER aptitude test, thoroughly read your 11th and 12th textbooks.
How is IISER Kolkata better than IISER Pune?
Here are some of the things that make IISER Kolkata stand out.
Course Choice: You can choose your course from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, even from Earth Sciences.
Peaceful Campus: The campus is secluded and hence ideal for studies.
Faculties: The faculties of IISER Kolkata are well-known worldwide for their research work.
Friendly Environment: The professors and the seniors are quite friendly. You can discuss any problem you may have with your faculties openly.
Alumni Network: IISER Kolkata has a vast alumni network. The alumni base of IISER K is better than that of IISER Pune.
All IISER have their own pros and cons, so there is no use in comparing one IISER to another. IISER Pune has better infrastructure and outreach but that doesn’t make it better than all the other IISER. All these IISERs are great options for pursuing your studies.
How is IISER Pune better than IISER Kolkata?
There is no clear winner between IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata. IISER Pune and Kolkata are quite old and equally reputed. IISER Kolkata is more known for its Physics degree. While IISER Pune is reputed for Biology.
Comparably IISER Pune has a better location. So, students receive better employment opportunities.
How is the hostel facility at IISER Kolkata?
IISER Kolkata has three hostels. The hostel accommodations are quite good.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Hall (ICVS): It is an all-boys hostel for BS-MS students. This hostel is closest to the lecture halls and research labs. You can get to the lecture halls within 2 minutes from this hostel.
ICVS has great facilities including high-speed internet, wash-rooms with geysers, washing machines on each floor. The hostel is under CCTV surveillance. However, there are no strict entering and exiting times specified.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (NSCB): NSCB has the same facilities as ICVS. It was also built at the same time. There are 2 wings for girls and 1 wing for boys. The boy’s and girl’s wings are separated by doors.
The main canteen is situated between NSCB and ICVS. The canteen is run by students. Below the main canteen, there are two stationary shops, xerox shops, saloons, and two refreshment shops.
Nivedita Hall: This hostel was built most recently. It is for the junior year BS-MS students. It has 2 wings for boys and 1 wing for girls. The wings are well-separated. It has all the facilities as the other two hostels. But there is poor ventilation.
It is close to the cricket ground, gym, badminton court, volleyball court. This hostel has its own canteen.
In the hostel, there are separate wings for Ph.D. and BS-MS students. Ph.D. students are allotted single rooms and BS-MS students are allotted double sharing accommodation. There are no hostel facilities for post-doctoral students.
Am I making a mistake by preferring IISER Kolkata over IIT Kharagpur MSc Integrated Physics?
No, it is not a mistake to prefer IISER Kolkata over IIT KGP for an MSc integrated course in Physics. You are going to get a pure science degree so it makes more sense to get the degree from an institute that focuses on that degree. IIT KGP is popular for its engineering degrees. So, you will be mostly surrounded by people who are pursuing engineering degrees. You won’t get to meet many like-minded students. The course structure of integrated MSc at IITs is also outdated.
At IISER Kolkata, you will get a decent course structure and better faculties for an integrated MSc.
How is IISER Kolkata in terms of academics, research and student life?
In terms of academics, research, and student life, IISER Kolkata is great. Reputed universities across the world such as Caltech, Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia, Cornell, UC, etc. have a few IISER Kolkata alumni in each batch.
The institute has an active research culture. The institute publishes many cited research papers. IISER Kolkata hosts Vijyoshi. The aim of this camp is to provide a forum for aspiring researchers to interact and share ideas.
The campus life offered is good. Although there had been some political problems in the past, the campus environment has improved a lot in recent years.
Where should I go, IISER or NISER for physics?
It is difficult to choose when the comparison is question is NISER vs IISER. Choosing one institute over another will not matter much if you stay dedicated to your studies after taking admission. NISER and IISERs offer decent academics and facilities for fundamental sciences. NISER has a great Physics department. If you are choosing an IISER, make sure it is an old one.
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