Pure science careers after Class 12
Pure science is the route to research careers in physics, chemistry, maths and biology. After Class 12 you can join a five-year BS-MS at an IISER, an integrated MSc through NEST, or a degree at IISc or a central university.
Pure science routes at a glance
Each route below is a full degree with its own way in.
| Career | Main exam | Subjects that matter | Example roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS-MS at an IISER | IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology | Research scientist, Science faculty, Industry R&D scientist |
| Integrated MSc at NISER or CEBS | NEST | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology | Research scientist, Scientific officer, Science faculty |
| BS (Research) at IISc Bengaluru | JEE Advanced, IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology | Research scientist, Data scientist, Science faculty |
| BSc (Hons) at a central university | CUET (UG) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology | Lab scientist, Quality analyst, Science teacher |
BS-MS at an IISER
The BS-MS is a five-year dual degree in science, offered at all seven IISERs.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
What you study
- The seven IISERs are at Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Tirupati.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
- IISER Bhopal also runs a four-year BS in Economic Sciences, and IISER Tirupati one in Economic and Statistical Sciences.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
How you get in
- Admission to the IISERs is only through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
- IAT 2026 had 60 questions, 15 each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. It broadly follows the NCERT syllabus.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
- For 2026 the IISERs listed a tentative 2,343 seats across BS-MS, BS and B.Tech.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) | The IISERs | BS-MS and BS at the seven IISERs, and IISc's BS (Research) | IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test | Chapter practice below |
Scholarships and stipends
- INSPIRE-SHE is worth ₹80,000 a year: a ₹60,000 scholarship plus a ₹20,000 mentorship grant. It is open to students in the top 1% of their Class 12 board who study a basic science.source: INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education — FAQs, DST
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
PhysicsChemistryMathematicsBiology
Integrated MSc at NISER or CEBS
NEST is the entrance for the five-year integrated MSc at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai.source: NEST — National Entrance Screening Test
What you study
- For 2026, NISER listed 200 seats and CEBS a tentative 57.source: NEST — National Entrance Screening Test
How you get in
- The NEST syllabus follows the CBSE curriculum and the NCERT Class 11 and 12 books in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.source: NEST — National Entrance Screening Test
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEST | For NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai | Five-year integrated MSc | NEST — National Entrance Screening Test | Chapter practice below |
Scholarships and stipends
- NEST students can receive a scholarship of ₹60,000 a year through the DISHA programme.source: NEST — National Entrance Screening Test
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
PhysicsChemistryMathematicsBiology
BS (Research) at IISc Bengaluru
IISc Bengaluru runs a four-year Bachelor of Science (Research) degree.source: IISc Bachelor of Science (Research): selection process
What you study
- Students major in one of five disciplines: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, or Earth and Environmental Science.source: IISc Bachelor of Science (Research)
How you get in
- Indian students are admitted on merit in either JEE Advanced or the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). The selection page does not list JEE Main or NEET.source: IISc Bachelor of Science (Research): selection process
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEE Advanced | The IITs | IITs, and also IIST and IISc's BS (Research) | JEE (Advanced) 2025 result press release | Engineering entrances → |
| IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) | The IISERs | BS-MS and BS at the seven IISERs, and IISc's BS (Research) | IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
PhysicsChemistryMathematicsBiology
BSc (Hons) at a central university
CUET (UG) scores are used for admission to undergraduate programmes at all central universities and at participating state, deemed and private universities.source: CUET (UG), National Testing Agency
What you study
- INSPIRE-SHE supports BSc, BS and integrated MSc study in basic sciences, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, statistics and geology. It does not cover engineering, medicine or computer science.source: INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education — FAQs, DST
How you get in
- The University of Delhi, for example, admits students to BSc (Hons) programmes through CUET scores, with subject combinations set for each course.source: University of Delhi UG Bulletin of Information 2026-27
| Exam | Conducted by | Leads to | Official site | Prepare on XamBaaz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET (UG) | National Testing Agency | UG programmes at central and participating universities | CUET (UG), National Testing Agency | Chapter practice below |
Class 11 and 12 subjects that matter most
PhysicsChemistryMathematicsBiology
Which subjects keep pure science open
The tests below expect different subjects from Class 11 and 12.
PCMPCBPCMB
- IAT has questions from all four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.source: IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test
- NEST's syllabus also spans Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.source: NEST — National Entrance Screening Test
Choosing your stream now? See which stream to take after Class 10 →
Practise the chapters these exams are built on
IAT and NEST draw on NCERT Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology. Each chapter below opens with free Key Concepts notes and practice questions.
Class 11 Physics23 chapters
- Physical World
- Units and Measurements
- Motion in a Straight Line
- Motion in a Plane
- Laws of Motion
- Work, Energy and Power
- System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Gravitation
- Mechanical Properties of Solids
- Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Thermal Properties of Matter
- Thermodynamics
- Kinetic Theory
- Oscillations
- Waves
- Mathematical Methods
- Sound
- Optics
- Electrostatics
- Electric Current Through Conductors
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetic Waves and Communication System
- Semiconductors
Class 11 Chemistry17 chapters
- Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Structure of Atom
- Classification of Elements and Periodicity
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
- Thermodynamics
- Equilibrium
- Redox Reactions
- Organic Chemistry — Basic Principles and Techniques
- Hydrocarbons
- Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
- Basic Analytical Techniques
- Elements of Group 1 and 2
- Elements of Group 13, 14 and 15
- States of Matter
- Adsorption and Colloids
- Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity
- Chemistry in Everyday Life
Class 11 Mathematics16 chapters
- Sets
- Relations and Functions
- Trigonometric Functions
- Principle of Mathematical Induction
- Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations
- Linear Inequalities
- Permutations and Combinations
- Binomial Theorem
- Sequences and Series
- Straight Lines
- Conic Sections
- Introduction to Three Dimensional Geometry
- Limits and Derivatives
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Statistics
- Probability
Class 11 Biology19 chapters
- The Living World
- Biological Classification
- Plant Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom
- Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Anatomy of Flowering Plants
- Structural Organisation in Animals
- Cell: The Unit of Life
- Biomolecules
- Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
- Respiration in Plants
- Plant Growth and Development
- Breathing and Exchange of Gases
- Body Fluids and Circulation
- Excretory Products and Their Elimination
- Locomotion and Movement
- Neural Control and Coordination
- Chemical Coordination and Integration
Class 12 Physics14 chapters
- Electric Charges and Fields
- Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Current Electricity
- Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Magnetism and Matter
- Electromagnetic Induction
- Alternating Current
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Wave Optics
- Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Atoms
- Nuclei
- Semiconductor Electronics
Class 12 Chemistry10 chapters
- Solutions
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- The d- and f-Block Elements
- Coordination Compounds
- Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
- Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
- Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
- Amines
- Biomolecules
Class 12 Mathematics13 chapters
- Relations and Functions
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Matrices
- Determinants
- Continuity and Differentiability
- Application of Derivatives
- Integrals
- Application of Integrals
- Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Three Dimensional Geometry
- Linear Programming
- Probability
Class 12 Biology13 chapters
- Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
- Human Reproduction
- Reproductive Health
- Principles of Inheritance and Variation
- Molecular Basis of Inheritance
- Evolution
- Human Health and Disease
- Microbes in Human Welfare
- Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
- Biotechnology and its Applications
- Organisms and Populations
- Ecosystem
- Biodiversity and Conservation
Pure science — frequently asked questions
How do I get into an IISER?
Only through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). It tests Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, and broadly follows the NCERT syllabus.
Which exams does IISc accept for its BS (Research)?
For Indian students, JEE Advanced or the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). IISc's selection page does not list JEE Main or NEET.
Is there a scholarship for studying pure science?
Yes. INSPIRE-SHE is worth ₹80,000 a year for students in the top 1% of their Class 12 board who study a basic science. NEST students can also receive ₹60,000 a year through the DISHA programme.
Who pays for a PhD in science?
The CSIR Junior Research Fellowship, awarded through CSIR-UGC NET, pays ₹37,000 a month for the first two years. Fellows must register for a PhD within two years of joining.
Is KVPY still a route into science?
No. The Department of Science and Technology has subsumed KVPY into the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these official pages. Rules change each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply.
- IISER admissions — IISER Aptitude Test · iiseradmission.in
- NEST — National Entrance Screening Test · nestexam.in
- IISc Bachelor of Science (Research): selection process · bs-ug.iisc.ac.in
- CUET (UG), National Testing Agency · cuet.nta.nic.in
- IISER Aptitude Test 2026 syllabus · iiseradmission.in
- INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education — FAQs, DST · online-inspire.gov.in
- INSPIRE scheme, Department of Science and Technology · dst.gov.in
- NEST 2026 syllabus · nestexam.in
- IISc Bachelor of Science (Research) · bs-ug.iisc.ac.in
- NTA notice on CUET (UG) 2026 results · nta.ac.in
- University of Delhi UG Bulletin of Information 2026-27 · du.ac.in
- CSIR Human Resource Development Group — fellowships · csirhrdg.res.in
- DST: KVPY subsumed into INSPIRE-SHE · dst.gov.in
- JEE (Advanced) 2025 result press release · jeeadv.ac.in
Read next
Other science career routes, each checked against official sources.
Prepare for the exam that leads there
Chapter-wise practice for Class 8 to 12, with free Key Concepts notes and full-length mock tests. It runs in any browser.