Are you love science very much? And want to make your career in science as a scientist? If yes, you are in right place. This article will tell you about How to Become a Scientist in India.
So let’s get started it.
Scientific research and development are one of the most demanding and rewarding jobs in the world. Science plays an increasingly important role in our daily lives.
Being a scientist is the most exciting career in the modern world. There are huge numbers of opportunities for students to develop their skills and knowledge in this field.
Let's find it...
Who is a scientist?
Most people would probably agree that a scientist is a person who studies the natural world and finds things out.
But the word of scientists is not limited to this, it is also beyond it.
For example:
In science, the word scientist is used as a synonym for natural scientist. On the other hand, In psychology, people use the term to refer to someone who studies human behavior. In the humanities, the word scientist means a person who studies human behavior, cultural, environmental, economic, and political contexts.
Note: Don’t be confused between scientist and researcher. We’ll talk about it further.
A scientist is a person who seeks the truth, and also seeks to understand it using the scientific method. A person who questions everything can also be a scientist.
A scientist is a person who finds something fascinating, and who spends their life figuring out exactly how it works.
If you want to become a scientist, first of all, you have to decide which field (subject) you want to become a scientist.
Remember, it is very important to have an interest in whatever decision you take.
Difference between scientist and researcher
Usually, we think of researchers and scientists as the same but in reality, they are two different professions.
Before you are ready to become a scientist in India, it is very important for you to understand the difference between a scientist and a researcher.
- A scientist wholly conducts research on subjects related to science. Whereas a researcher does research on non-scientific subjects like literature, education, social science, religion, etc.
As in the first example, the person who studied philosophy and humanities was given the status of scientist by us but this is not entirely true. A person studying non-scientific subjects is given the status of researcher and not scientist.
A scientist can be a researcher but a researcher can’t be a scientist.
- The biggest difference between a scientist and a researcher is that a scientist conducts a systematic and organized investigation on a problem whereas a researcher uses scientific methods to find a solution to a particular problem.
3 steps to become a scientist in India
Many people have a fascination for science and want to become scientists. But they have some questions related to becoming a scientist.
Like- How to become a scientist? What does it take to become a scientist? What subjects would one study to become a scientist?
All your questions will be answered in the following 3 steps on how to become a scientist in India.
Step 1: Select a field of study
If you want to become a scientist. So you should choose the niche of your choice and narrow it down to a particular niche that what kind of scientist you want to become.
Now you have to take the decision according to your dream (Niche). Like you have to take PCM or PCB in Science stream after passing 10th.
Note: To become a scientist you must be good at maths because in research you may always need statistics and basic maths.
Step 2: Select a university and degree program
Now whatever niche you have decided to pursue (Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Social Sciences, Geology, Astronomy).
In that, you have to select a Bachelor’s degree program like B. Tech, B.Sc, B. Pharma etc. And get specialization in that field.
Step 3: Pursue Higher Qualifications
To become a scientist, you need to have a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree. For better scope, you need to have a doctorate (Ph.D.) in a specific subject.
You can apply for a fellowship during your research which will help you financially to complete your research.
Qualification to become a scientist in India
To become a scientist, it is very important for the candidate to have some basic qualifications, which are as follows.
- The candidate must have completed his graduation degree from a well reputed college and university.
- Candidate must have Bachelor’s degree from Science stream only.
- Candidate must have scored at least 60% marks in their Bachelor’s degree (graduation)
- Similarly, 60 to 65% marks must be obtained in post graduation also.
- Ph.D. holder candidates get preferences and advantages to become a scientist.
Required skills to be a scientist in India
Anyone can fulfill the basic qualification required to become a scientist. But to become a successful scientist it is necessary to have some key skills which are as follows.
- The first thing every scientist needs is curiosity. Scientists find themselves in situations where they need to figure things out as quickly as possible.
- The second thing is patience.
- The third thing every scientist needs is persistence. Scientists get interrupted all the time. They spend years working on something that turns out to be a dead end. So you should be firm towards your work.
Type of roles of the scientist
The following are the different types of jobs role that a scientist can assume according to his interest, expertise, and specialization. You can choose any one role according to your interest and dream to become a scientist in India.
- An agronomist specializes in soil and crops.
- An astronomer studies outer space, stars, planets, and galaxies.
- A botanist who specializes in botany studies plants.
- A cytologist specializes in the study of cells.
- A chemist is a scientist specializes in chemistry. They probably study a specific field of biology like biochemistry, which is about the chemical properties of living things.
- An ecologist studies ecosystems, or the environment that we live in.
- An epidemiologist studies the spread of diseases.
- An ethologist studies animal behavior.
- A geneticist studies how traits are inherited.
- A geographer studies Earth’s surface.
- A geologist specializes in the history of Earth.
- A marine biologist studies ocean plants and animals.
- A microbiologist studies microscopic plants and animals.
- A meteorologist studies weather and climate. Microbiology doesn’t tend to include the cells of bigger animals, just microorganisms that live by themselves.
- A physicist studies matter, energy, and how they are related.
- A paleontologist specializes in fossils.
- A seismologist studies earthquakes.
- A zoologist studies zoology, the study of animals.
Entrance exam to become a scientist in india
There are many such entrance exams, after cracking which you will get a chance to do your graduation and post-graduation degree from a good college.
But before you start preparing for them, you have to select a perfect entrance exam according to your dream.
The following are the most common entrance examinations in India, arranged by preference:
- JEE (Joint Entrance Exam)
- JEE advanced
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
- IISER Aptitude test
Where you can work as a scientist in India?
Now a question must be coming to your mind that after fulfilling all these qualifications and skills, which is the organization in India that recruits the candidate as a scientist?
So, Here’s your answer:
You can work in laboratories and research institutions, universities, and colleges. These are some of the places where you can try your luck as a scientist:
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
- Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Indian Association for Cultivation of Science (IACS)
If you are interested in Space science, then Indian Space Research Organization is a good option for you. You can also join Defence Research and Development Organisation or Central Drug Standard Control Organisation as a research scientist.
If you have more interest on development of science and technology, then you can prefer Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) or National Science Foundation.
It is not necessary that you work in a research lab after doing science; There are also many other options like teaching at the college/university level where your subject will be the same in which you have specialized.
Best books and study material to become a scientist
There are several books on the market for scientists. Here are some popular books compiled by our specialists after examining other study resources. You must read these books and study material if you have a dream to become a scientist in India.
- Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy) by Isaac Newton
- The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard P. Feynman
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
- Encyclopedia of Space Science and Technology by Maureen Salkin, Hans Mark Publication.
- Microbiology: Principles and Explorations by Jacquelyn G Black
- Measuring Behaviour by Patrick Bateson and Paul Martin
- The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard P. Feynman
- Elements: A Visual Exploration by Theodore Gray
- The Story of Earth by Robert M. Hazen
- The Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins
- Modern Epidemiology by Kenneth Rothman
- The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- When Life Never Died by Michael J. Benton
Conclusion
There are many scientists in the world who contribute to society and make a difference. If you have a love for science and want to become an expert in your field, there are many ways to get started. We’ve already discussed outlined the 3 steps it takes to be a scientist in India.
The first step is deciding where you want to work as a scientist; there’s no shortage of options for those qualified so go ahead and start exploring right away!
Next, research the qualifications necessary for that particular position before taking any entrance exam or pursuing further education requirements.
And finally, read up on supplementary materials like books and articles about how science works – we’ve included some great suggestions at the bottom of this post just for you!
If you also want to make your career in Science, then you should choose it as your aspiration in life.
Qualifications include being dedicated and passionate about your chosen subject, having good communication skills, and being able to work well with others or alone on projects that interest you.
You may need special training before entering into the workforce as a researcher– but if not, don’t worry! There’s still plenty of opportunities out there for those who dream of becoming scientists one day. You can also find your own way for this.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends so that they can also know about how to become a scientist after 12th.
Happy your science journey:)