Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), which is a highly reputed institution setup by ISRO and functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Space, Government of India is inviting application from engineering and science post-graduates for various PhD positions. The PhD programme is stated to begin from July 2019. IIST was setup by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by then ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair in the year 2007. Also, ISRO PSLV-C45 mission that was launched recently had a satellite on board that was from IIST.

Who is Eligible for the IIST PhD Positions?

The IIST website says that Indian citizens below 35 years of age as on 6 May 2019 can apply for the PhD positions provided they have a Master’s Degree in Engineering or Technology with 65 percent marks or 7.00 CGPA or equivalent in the Qualifying Master’s degree (60%marks or 6.50 CGPA for OBC, 55%marks or 6.00 CGPA for SC,ST and PD). They must also have pursued their Master’s degree on the basis of Qualified GATE score. Selection of these candidates to the PhD programme will be based on a written test followed by a personal interview. Nevertheless, candidates with a valid fellowship such as CSIR, NET-JRF fellowships and CSIR-NET Lectureship after their ME or M.Tech could be directly called for the interview.

Also, applicants who have a Master’s Degree in Science in the relevant subject with a minimum of 65 percent marks or 7.00 CGPA or equivalent in the Qualifying Master’s degree (60%marks or 6.50 CGPA for OBC, 55%marks or 6.00 CGPA for SC,ST and PD), and also have cleared a National level eligibility test, such as a valid UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF Lectureship/fellowship or NBHM, JEST, or GATE and State Government Science and Technology Scheme, in the relevant disciplines can apply for PhD at IIST. Selection would be based on a personal interview to be conducted at IIST.

Selected candidates would be eligible to get a fellowship of Rs 31,000 per month, which could be revised to Rs 35,000 per month based on a performance review after 2 years. For those who receive fellowship from agencies such as DST, CSIR, NBHM, UGC and candidates who have been provided research fellowship by State Government Science and Technology Scheme through competitive written test etc., IIST will not bear the fellowship of the student if the same is stopped due to any reasons by the concerned agency, says the website.

Candidates are also required to pay a fee of Rs 12,150 every month and a onetime fee of Rs 3000.

How to Apply for IIST PhD Positions?

The mode of application is online only on the official IIST website, and eligible candidates need to do so before 6 May 2019 11:59 PM. An application fee of Rs 700 per department needs to be paid by 7 May 2019 through SBI Collect only (Rs.350 per department for SC/ST/PD and Women applicants). Candidates shortlisted for the written test would be displayed on 16 May 2019 at 5:00 PM and the classes would begin from 22 July 2019. Interested are advised to go through theIIST website in detail before applying for the PhD positions.

Source – DataQuest