IISER Bhopal - A perfect blend of rigorous science and vibrant campus life.

The course curriculum is relevant and research-focused. It includes 1st year (when you learn all subjects, whatever your major will be?). In the second year, you have to choose 3 pre-major subjects. Thus, these initial two years promote interdisciplinary studies, during which you learn about all other sciences. In the 3rd and 4th years, you learn your core subjects of the major subject. The 5th year is dedicated to research via a master's thesis. There are very frequent exams, Each semester consist of Quizzes and Midsem, endsem exams on monthly basis. You become well prepared and trained for further higher studies or jobs in the respective field.

It is a research institute. So, students prefer institutional internships to industrial ones. People generally do summer internships in research labs in institutes or other colleges in the country. These are research internships and may include a stipend.

The placement cell is growing and has not yet fully developed. Very few companies in consultancy, data science, etc., approach the institutes for recruitment. Mostly, engineering and economic sciences students are placed with an average placement of 7 LPA, etc. Some companies recruiting are Deloitte, Dr. Reddy's Lab, etc. Other BS-MS students generally go for higher studies abroad and in the country.

The overall fees, including tuition, maintenance, etc., are around 1 lac yearly. It excludes the mess charges, which the respective vendors charge monthly. The fees increase every 3-4 years, with a 10-20% hike. There is no scholarship provided by the institute itself, but you can avail yourself of an INSPIRE scholarship if you are in the top 5% of your 12th board. There are no campus employment opportunities, but students do freelancing, Chegg expert answering, etc., to earn money.

You will meet people from all the corners of the country. You will appreciate the diversity, cultural differences, etc. There will be many intelligent, talented, artistic people. You will have many festivals and fests. Some are Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, Navratri Garba etc. Also, some fests are Enthuzia (Annual Cultural Fest), Singularity (Science Fest), Arts and Letters (FALC Fest), Luminaire (Movie Club Fest), Mahua (ESIC), Inter IISER Sports Meet (IISM), Inter IISER Cultural Meet (IICM). The clubs are very active; there are many clubs, such as science clubs, sports clubs, Literary clubs, Movie clubs, quiz clubs, etc. Events will be scheduled each weekend, such as your weekend being packed. The library is really good, with a subscription to a broad range of books and ebooks and journals available. The classrooms are fully air-conditioned with projectors, audio speakers, etc.

Hostel fees are already included in the overall fee structure. You are provided a room of two on a sharing basis, with an almirah, cupboard, table, etc. The bathrooms are clean and maintained every day. You are also provided with housekeeping service in day. The mess food is good, and there are very few complaints. Generally, it has value for money food. The mess menu is diverse, considering people from all over the country are here. Hostels are very affordable. Also, hostels are mandatory for the students. Day scholars or PG residents outside campus are not allowed for students.

You must be 12th passed or can be a 2-year dropper to be eligible for the IAT (IISER Aptitude test) exam. All the admissions happen through the IAT exam only. There is a dedicated website for the admission process. It has application fees of Rs. 2000, and the application end date is in May. The reservation criteria are the same as other national-level entrance exams. The difficulty of the exam is around the JEE mains level. There are around 300-250 seats in all 7 IISERs each.

All faculties have good knowledge and are highly intellectual. You will really fall in love with Science and research. And then they always try to help students with their knowledge, they will try to clear your doubts. Also, provide you with internship opportunities in their lab.