A decent central university : Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ)

Centrak University of Jharkhand (CUJ) takes admission through the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET). Its level is slighly easier than JEE Mains. During the online application process you are asked to choose three universities and three courses at each university depending on your eligibillity. After the results are declared each university releases a percentile merit list. There are usually 2-3 rounds of counselling where in each round students are called in the descending order of percentile. The 1st round counselling cut-off is usually above 70% percentile. The counselling process involves reporting to the department that you have applied for and just submitting the required documents. Until 2016 CUJ offered mostly 5 year Integrated courses with an option to take exit after 3 years with a BSc degree. After 2016 only integrated programs in the School of Natural Sciences has been discontinued and only 2 year MSc courses are offered.

The 5 year Integrated MSc in Applied Physics curriculum at CUJ is splendid on paper. The syllabus is geared towards Nuclear physics, Material Sciences, and Photonics as most of the faculty are from these fields. The implementation of the syllabus however is subpar. Although most of the faculty are very qualified going by their qualifications but the teaching is usually below average. There are some brilliant and inspiring teachers who are not only highly qualified but also excellent teachers. Some of them have left the university in recent years due to variou reasons. The faculty to student ratio is good, although the quality of faculty has gone down in recent years. Each semester has three sessional exams and one final semester exam. These exams are essentially regurgitating type with mostly asking derivations and numericals that are repeated from previous year papers. The exams are conducted on time and are easier to pass by rote learning.

The fee for all courses at CUJ in general and science courses, in particular, is relatively very low. There are minor changes in the fee structure every few years sometimes even decreasing the fee of some courses. It costs less than 11,000 per semester for the science courses. The stdents of reserved classes are also provided scholarships by the central and state government which finances both the tuition and hostel fee. Specifically, SC/ST students from the state of Jharkhand are supported through the EKalyan scheme of the state govenrment. On-campus jobs are not offered to science degree students but various conferences and seminars are organised through which it is possible to connect with scientists from around the world even in person. The Physics department has organised one national level conference (NCNAP-2016) and one internation conference (ICNPAP-2018) both about Nuclear and Accelerator Physics.

There are two major fests in the college, more cultural one called NVAVADHAR and a more technical one called The Energiea. The former is usually organised in the summer and the latter is conducted in the winter. There are several other smaller fests by the various other departments too. There is a small open ground and a baskteball court on the current camus with a small gym for male and female with an indoor space too. Smaller sporing events are happening year long but the main sporting event is Khelotsav organised just after the summer vacation where several local colleges participate. There are social groups and clubs on the campus which mostly celebrate festivals and engage in cultural events. Some tecnical clubs by students are present on the campus but are not that active. The classes are ordinary single unit rooms spread all over the current campus with regular furniture. The library although small, is well stocked and most books, journals,magazines and newspapers are available.