Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 2/28/2009

Question
I am studying in 11th std in Pune,India.I want to go for Astrophysics but not sure of the ways.In which college should I apply? and if to give any entrance exams which are they?Which are the ways for me to get into graduation in Astrophysics.Please do help me Sir.

Answer
Steffi,
I am not sure either.
I have been out of touch with academic world in India, and so truly hopelessly out of synch.

But some institutions come to mind.
1 - TIFR (TATA Institute of Fundamental research), Bombay
2 - Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
3 - Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore.

These institutes have web sites.
1 - Indian Institute of Astrophysics,
   http://www.iiap.res.in/
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institute_of_Astrophysics
This institute offers:
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics offer graduate and doctoral programs of studies and research. It has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Calcutta to offer an integrated M.Tech-Ph.D program in astronomical instrumentation. The degrees would be awarded by both institutions.

2 - Tifr:-
http://math.tifrbng.res.in:8080/tifr/Programs/Data/ObjectType/l/links/viewObject...

Find where you can go, by discussing further with your placement officer.If your academic record is great, so will be your future.

India has the one of the world's largest radio telescopes.
And its own satellites and space program.
The space applications center at Ahmedabad is a great place to work. One of my friends joined there in the 80s with a MSc in maths, in their digital image processing department, And another worked on the so called spy satellite, 'TES'!

The Isro Chandrayaan has kindled hope amongst would be scientists in India's new generation. Lets hope you do cutting edge work soon!

regards
Jayen