HOMI BHABHA CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION, TIFR
V. N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai – 400 088, INDIA
National Initiative on Undergraduate Science (NIUS) PHYSICS
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 Physics for the year 2025. The announcement for the Astronomy programme for 2025, which can be applied for simultaneously, is available separately (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in/announcements/nius-astronomy-2025/).
Structure of the programme
The broad structure of the NIUS (Physics) programme will be similar to other subjects in NIUS (https://nius.hbcse.tifr.res.in). All selected students will attend an exposure and enrichment camp to be held from 17 June to 02 July 2025 at the HBCSE campus in Mumbai. This camp will include lectures aimed at introducing students to a wide variety of areas of current research in theoretical and experimental physics. There will also be a laboratory course based on the Experimental Problem Solving approach. Every selected student is required to attend the camp for its entire duration.
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 (PHYSICS) for 2025 from FIRST-YEAR undergraduate students with a strong interest in scientific research and development, 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. with a strong interest in Physics, and
Group (iv): 4-year/5-year B.E./B.Tech./B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree in any branch of Engineering/Technology with a strong interest in Physics.
Applicants should have a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grades in Class X and XII examinations. Only students with a strong inclination towards choosing a Physics major should apply. Students without either a 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 65 students for the NIUS (Physics) 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 Physics.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.