The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, funds and organises a National Fellowship Program in Basic Sciences. Initiated in 1999, this ongoing program called Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana or KVPY draws extraordinarily talented students towards a research profession in Basic Sciences. Our country needs extremely capable and driven minds to work in the field of research and development. This program is precisely aimed to identify and select talents of exceptional magnitude. KVPY provides a path to budding scholars to live up to their academic aptitude. The students are encouraged to build a career in research and contribute to country’s growth.
All students in Class XI, XII, and first year undergraduates pursuing any of the courses in Basic Sciences are deemed eligible for selection to this program. The selection procedure to the fellowship program is the supervised by the Indian Institute of Sciences. A specially appointed committee at IISc monitors applications of eligible students. The screened students sit for a skill test conducted at different centres across the country. The students who qualify the aptitude test have to appear before the selection committee for an interview. A rank list is prepared on the basis of marks obtained in the test and interview. The students are awarded fellowships purely on merit based on their performance in the exam and interview. Thus students who possess zeal and talent for working in the research programs are selected. This is the reason why should you appear for KVPY.
If a career in research and development in areas of Medicine, Engineering and Basic Sciences excites you, then is the program you must head for. This scholarship program is funded by Government of India to inspire students to engage in research careers. The selected students are granted scholarships up to the pre-doctoral level. Intimation for the selection process is advertised every year in newspapers on 11th May that is the Technology Day and the second Sunday of July. The students studying Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry and have the aptitude for pursuing technical research programs in future can apply for the scholarship. KVPY bestows grants to successful students to pursue graduate and post graduate programs in different specializations of research.
Preparation for KVPY
The questions are usually based on the academic curriculum followed in Classes X, XI, and XII so the aspirants can utilize their regular syllabus to prepare for the test. There is no standard syllabus for KVPY preparations and students are judged on the basis of their reasoning and assessment ability during the written test. Another benchmark for founding your preparations is the syllabi for JEE and JEE Advanced test. This will give you an opportunity to assess your preparation status and upgrade you shortfalls. Abiding by the prescribed syllabus for JEE is best way to ascertain that your preparations are going the right way.
It is needless to add that NCERT books must be followed for studying for KVPY as the books provide thorough explanation of concepts. The students who followed NCERT found it easier to get through the selection process. All the study material coupled with a strict training regime can help you prepare better. Since KVPY is held in November students have enough time to prepare once their academic session ends. Therefore students must chalk out a well planned strategy integrated with their ongoing studies to successfully crack KVPY. The students must not ignore the importance of solving mock tests before they appear for the test. This helps them to understand the level of questions they will face and hence can tune their preparations accordingly.
