NIUS Astronomy 2025

HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION, TIFR
V. N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai – 400 088, INDIA

National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) ASTRONOMY

Announcement for 2025 programme

The NIUS programme organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE-TIFR), Mumbai is designed to provide extended mentoring and guidance to undergraduate students in various areas of science. This is the first announcement for the NIUS programme in Astronomy for the year 2025. The announcement for the Physics programme for 2025, which can be applied for simultaneously, is available separately (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/announcements/nius-physics-2025/).

Structure of the programme

The broad structure of the NIUS (Astronomy) programme is as follows. All selected students will attend an exposure and enrichment camp to be held in early to mid December 2025 at the HBCSE campus in Mumbai (exact dates of the camp will be announced later). This camp will include lectures aimed to introduce students to a wide variety of areas of current research in astronomy and astrophysics. In addition, the camp will include interactive sessions in the form of mini-workshops to provide glimpses of the techniques and tools of research in astrophysics, using real or simulated data. The camp may include a visit to the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR), Pune, and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Narayangaon, Maharashtra. Every selected student is required to attend the camp for its entire duration. All participants will be reimbursed travel expenses (AC 3-tier train or road travel as per norms). Accommodation and meals will be provided for the duration of the programme.

The enrichment camp will be followed by an extended nurture programme for a smaller subset of students in the form of long-term projects in different research institutions across the country. These students will be required to visit their respective mentors’ institutions during vacation periods over the next 1.5 years to carry out the projects. A final report at the end of two years will mark the successful completion of the NIUS project.

Who can apply

Applications are invited for NIUS (ASTRONOMY) for 2025 from FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students with a strong interest in scientific research and development, especially in Astronomy and Astrophysics, who are enrolled in India for any of the following degrees (categorised into four groups):

Group (i): 3-year or 4-year B.Sc./ B.Sc.(H)/B.S. with Physics as one of the subjects,

Group (ii): 4-year B. Tech./B.E. in Physics/Applied Physics/Engineering Physics,

Group (iii): 5-year BS-MS/Integrated M. Sc.in Physics/Astronomy, and

Group (iv): 4-year/5-year B.E./B.Tech./B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree in any branch of Engineering/Technology.

Applicants should have a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class X and Class XII examinations. Only students with a strong inclination towards choosing a Physics major should apply. Students without either Physics or Mathematics background in the last two years need not apply.

Application process and deadline

The last date for ONLINE submission of the application and two confidential assessment forms by teachers/referees is 28 MARCH 2025.

The application process for NIUS (Physics) and NIUS (Astronomy) programmes is common. Students interested in both programmes will be able to apply for both together in the same form, and will be required to indicate a preference for the subject. Students should not submit separate applications for two subjects. A student will be selected in only ONE of the subjects, if at all. Only one confidential assessment will be requested from each of the two referees, and the student’s preference of subject (and other details in the application) will be revealed to the referees.

Please note that while the NIUS (Physics) camp will be held in June-July 2025, the NIUS (Astronomy) camp will be held in December 2025, although the list of selected candidates in both programmes will be published in April 2025.

Criteria for selection

HBCSE usually receives a large number of excellent applications from FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students from all over the country for the NIUS programme. We expect to select about 35 students for the NIUS (Astronomy) programme in 2025. 

Evaluation of each application will be based on the following:

  • Performance in Class X and Class XII board examinations, and First Semester of UG degree examinations (wherever available).
  • Confidential Assessment from two teachers/referees, at least one of whom must have taught the candidate at the UG level.
  • Brief answers to certain questions regarding the student’s interest in Astronomy.
  • Additional qualifications, contributions, and awards  (like INSPIRE, qualification for Olympiad Orientation-cum-Selection Camp organised by HBCSE, etc.).

All the completed and eligible applications will be categorized into the above-mentioned four groups according to the degrees the students are enrolled for. Based on the above criteria

  • Approximately 50% of the participants will be selected from Group (i).
  • Approximately 45% of the participants will be selected from Groups (ii) and (iii) combined.
  • Approximately 5% of the participants will be selected from Group (iv).

The list of selected students will be made available on the NIUS website by 17 April 2025 and an email invitation will be sent to each selected student.

Please note:

  1. The number of applications received by HBCSE is usually much higher than the numbers that can be accommodated in the NIUS programmes. Every effort is made to select as many deserving candidates as possible within the organisational constraints. The decision of the selection committee shall be final and binding and no appeals for reconsideration of applications will be entertained.
     
  2. HBCSE is aware of the examination and vacation schedules of various universities and institutions across the country. Unfortunately, since the academic calendars of different institutions are quite asynchronous, it is impossible to find a long enough window to fit the NIUS camp during the vacation time of every university. Best efforts have been made already to ensure that students from a maximum number of institutions can avail of this opportunity. Please do not approach HBCSE with requests to reschedule the camp due to clashes with your academic calendar. Partial attendance will NOT be permitted; please apply only if you are sure about attending the entire programme, if selected.

Click HERE to REGISTER AND APPLY ONLINE.

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