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ABOUT TIFR EXAM
TIFR GS stands for Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Graduate School. TIFR is a premier research institution in India that offers graduate and doctoral programs in various fields of science and mathematics. The TIFR Graduate School provides opportunities for students to pursue research-intensive programs leading to Ph.D. degrees.
Typically, the admission process for TIFR GS includes a written test followed by an interview. The institute offers programs in disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, and various interdisciplinary areas. These programs are highly competitive and attract top-notch students from across India and around the world.
Important Information
Timelines & Deadlines
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application portal opens | 3rd October, 2023 |
| Application deadline | 12 noon on 2nd November, 2023 |
| Hall ticket download begins | 20th November, 2023 |
| Date of Examination | Sunday, 10th December, 2023 Morning Session : Physics, Chemistry, and Computer & Learning, Information and Data Sciences, and MSc (Wildlife Biology & Conservation) : 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afternoon Session : Biology (JGEEBILS) : 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mathematics & Science Education : 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Program start date | 1st August, 2024 |
Application Fee & Payment
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
Male Candidates : Rs 1000/-
Female Candidates : Rs 500/-
Others : Rs 500/-
Application fee can only be paid ONLINE through Internet Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI or other modes as available on our payment gateway
Eligibility
Syllabus and Exam Instructions
Question Papers of past exams
Fellowship
These amounts are expected to be enhanced in due course and the information will be updated on our website.
PhD
Students receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 31,000 (+ hostel accommodation OR HRA as applicable) enhanced to Rs 35,000 after registration.
I-PhD
Students receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 21,000 for the first year. At the end of the first year, upon satisfactory performance, the fellowship is enhanced to Rs 31,000 per month (further raised to Rs 35,000 after registration for PhD). If a student takes the MSc exit option, then the fellowship for the 3rd year is reduced to the 1st year amount.
Provisional Admission
For students whose final examination results for their qualifying degree are not declared by the time of joining (appoximately end July/ beginning August): They will be admitted on a provisional basis, subject to their passing of the relevant degree examination. The admission will be regularised on production of marksheets / provisional / final degree certificate of the qualifying degree examination.
If the qualifying degree is a Bachelor’s degree (1st degree after Std. XII): Payment of fellowship will be withheld in full till documentary evidence is submitted of having completed the qualifying degree.
If the qualifying degree is a Master’s degree (and the student already has a Bachelor’s degree): Payment of fellowship will be at a lower rate (I-PhD) until documentary evidence is submitted of having completed the qualifying degree.
In both cases, once the admission is regularised, arrears will be paid per the rules.
Online Payment
IMPORTANT: PLEASE WAIT TWO WORKING DAYS FOR CONFIRMATION. DO NOT MAKE A REPEAT PAYMENT.
After the online payment transaction is successful, please login to your account on the application portal and check the payment status. It may take up to 2 working days for the system to send you an acknowledgment of the payment. If you do not see your payment status updated after 2 days OR you don’t receive an acknowledgment, you may write to admissions[at]tifr.res.in.
Nearly 20,000 students appear for our test. Please help us to help students efficiently by waiting 2 working days before you send us email.
Instructions for downloading/ printing of Hall tickets will be sent by email after 1st December 2023. Please wait until then before you make email inquiries
Begin Application
Before you choose PhD or Integrated PhD program in the basic registration form, please go through the eligibility criteria carefully. Click here to check eligibility criteria
Ensure that you have typed your email ID correctly in the basic registration form. A SMS is sent on the mobile number and an email is sent after completion of the basic registration wherein login credentials are given to complete the form. Please check your SPAM folder, if you do not find the email in your inbox.
It is recommended that you use a desktop/laptop since some links may not work on mobile browsers.
Please note that details once given in the basic registration (name, date of birth, mobile number, email id, SSC details, subject, program etc.) cannot be modified nor will duplicate registration be allowed by the system
After login, please click “Go to Application” link on the right-top corner of the page and complete the full application. This link may not be visible on mobile browsers. In that case please try and use laptop/desktop.
Before you start filling up the complete application form make sure you have the following ready with you :
- Scanned image/electronic copy of your Passport size photograph (preferably a jpg file below 80 kb in size). Applications with personal photos (selfies) or edited photos uploaded will be rejected.
- Scanned copy of signature (preferably a jpg file below 80 kb in size).
- If you are applying under the Fee Waiver category, the scanned copy of the recommendation letter from the Principal/HOD of your college.
Check all the details before clicking the submit button.
You may take a print of your application after successful registration or save the same as a pdf file.
Click here for new registration.
Already registered Student Login .
MOCK TEST [ FREE]
ADMISSIONS FAQs
GENERAL
Does TIFR have an undergraduate programme?
— No. We offer programmes only for candidates who have completed their undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Can I do my dissertation in xxx department of TIFR? This is a requirement for my master’s degree.
— Dissertations/ internships/ projects (of any duration not leading to a TIFR degree) are not handled by the TIFR Graduate Studies office. You may directly approach the faculty members of the particular department with your request via email. Please identify the department and the area of research you are interested in by going through the department’s website.
I want to visit TIFR’s xxx department to see what it is like, can I be allowed?
— The GS Office does not organise such visits. However, you are welcome to contact any student/ postdoc/ faculty/ staff member you may know and request them to host your visit. The security clearance for you to enter any TIFR Center/ Campus would be their responsibility.
Will the summer programme (Visiting Summer Research Programme) be operational this year?
— The regular Summer Program at TIFR-Mumbai is held from May-July but has been suspended during the COVID pandemic and until further notice. See https://www.tifr.res.in/academics/summer_research.php in Feburary 2024 for additional information.
THE TIFR EXAM / WRITTEN TEST
Is there any age limit or percentage criteria for registering for the TIFR Entrance Test?
— No. There is no condition of age limit or percentage cut-off for UG or PG academic scores.
Can I register and take the TIFR written test in two subjects?
— Yes, provided the timings of the test of your desired subjects do not clash (please check the website for the timings). In that case, you will need to submit two registrations and pay the application fee separately. See the table https://www.tifr.res.in/academics/eligibility.php to determine which test(s) you wish to appear for.
What is the syllabus for the written test?
— Biology: The test consists of multiple choice questions covering *basics only* in physics, chemistry, maths, and biology. There is no guidebook and no syllabus. No special knowledge or preparation is required. Revise your basics, that is all.
All Subjects:Please refer to https://www.tifr.res.in/academics/syllabus.php
I have qualified for the Joint CSIR-UGC JRF. So, I want to know when the admission starts through NET-JRF. OR: I want to know how to apply using my JEST/ GATE scores.
— Please see https://www.tifr.res.in/academics/eligibility.php
HALL TICKET FORMS /APPLICATION FEES
Double payment: While making the online payment of the application fee, I accidentally paid twice because of multiple attempts to do the transaction. My bank account has now been debited twice.
— Please send us both the transaction details by emailing admissions@tifr.res.in and we will verify from our payment gateway. In case we have received excess payment(s), we will initiate the refund. The credit should reflect in your account within 5 working days.
If my fee waiver request is not approved, can I pay online and complete my registration?
— Yes, you can do so. If the fee waiver request is not approved, please send an email to admissions@tifr.res.in and request that the mode of payment be changed to Online Payment
I have downloaded my hall ticket but my photo is not there or not properly visible.
— This is not a problem. You may use the Hall Ticket as is and carry any government photo ID e.g. College ID card, Aadhaar Card, Driving Licence, PAN Card etc. for verification.
Are the write-up and referee report forms required at the time of registration for Hall Ticket?
— No, the write-up and referee report forms will be required only after you are shortlisted for the next stage.
I did my BSc from a normal college as a normal student and I did not do any past services before. So should I just click the “submit” button without filling anything.
— Correct. If any section does not apply, please leave it blank.
Is the entrance exam held every year in December and if I am selected, when does the programme start?
— Yes the exam is held every year for admission beginning the following August. This is why the application for Hall ticket for the written test held in December 2022 is for “GS 2023”.
THE INTERVIEWS/FURTHER SHORTLISTING/RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
How is the shortlisting for the interview done?
— Each Subject Board, and each Center offering a particular programme in that Subject, has its own criteria for shortlisting. These may include not only the written test marks, but may take into account past academic performance, write-up submitted (if required in your subject), and recommendation letters at the appropriate stage.
I cannot arrange any Letters of Recommendation as I am an Open University student and I do not have any lecturers/professors as a part of my programme.
— The basic criterion for being shortlisted for the interview /2nd round application is that you have to clear the TIFR entrance test. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the condition of getting letters of recommendation may be waived on a case-to-case basis.
If selected for TIFR, do I need to get a Migration Certificate and degree certificate from my present College/Institution at the time of joining?
— We do not require Migration certificates. If your degree certificate is not available at the time of joining, you will be given provisional admission and you can join and start your coursework etc. Your admission will be regularised once you provide your degree certificate/ final marksheet.
SUBJECTS SPEFIC QUERIES
I have looked at the Ph.D. programme details on the website of the programme I am applying for. What does this mean: “Before registering for a Ph.D., all students are required to satisfactorily complete the Graduate School requirements of the relevant Subject Board.”
— Each Subject Board has a specific set of coursework credit requirements and project work/ project seminars/ rotations. After students are admitted to a TIFR degree programme, they typically spend their first 2 (for PhD) or 3 (for I-PhD) years fulfilling these requirements. Successful completion of these is necessary in order to register for a PhD degree. I-PhD students also register for a PhD degree, and are awarded an MSc degree together with the PhD degree upon submission of their Final Thesis. Please see the relevant Subject Board guidelines for specific information.
I am doing BSC Hons physics but have taken GE MATHS in 4 SEM . Am I eligible to give TIFR GS from Math for IPHD.
— Yes, you may take the test for the I-PhD programme in Mathematics.
Currently I’m pursuing a BTech degree/ MTech (final year) in Mechanical Engineering. Can I join the I-PhD/ PhD course in (NAME OF PHYSICS DEPT) since my background is Technical. How many marks are required in the entrance test to get a seat. If I pass all the rounds, will I be allowed to choose any stream/department?
— BTech/MTech students in any Engineering subjects are welcome to apply for the I-PhD/PhD programmes in Physics, respectively. The selection is based on performance in written test(s) followed by an interview. For TIFR-Mumbai, the choice of Physics department is based on several factors: The candidate’s performance, the candidate’s choice, and the number of students each department will take in a given year.
What is the “Physics of Life interdisciplinary PhD programme”?
i) How do I apply for it?
ii) What will the written test and interview be based on?
iii) What coursework does this programme involve?
— This is a programme for candidates who have Engineering/ Physics/ Computer Science degrees and who are interested in interdisciplinary research areas at the interface of Physics and Biology. You may register for the Physics written test and give your option for being considered for the Physics of Life interdisciplinary PhD programme. Details are at https://pol.icts.res.in/
i) Entry to this programme is via the written test in Physics/ Computer and Systems Sciences. Please tick the “Physics of Life interdisciplinary PhD programme” box in the application form and you will be automatically considered for shortlisting for the interview for this programme.
ii) The same written test that is offered in Physics/ Computer and Systems Sciences will be used to screen candidates interested in the Physics of Life programme. No special preparation is required. The interview will be based on your past academic background. We do not require candidates to have any background in biological or interdisciplinary areas. This programme is for candidates who wish to apply *their subject background* to new questions in Physics of Life topics. Therefore, a strong background in your own subject and an interest in interdisciplinary research, is all that is required Top candidates in the JEST and GATE exams (Physics, CS and Mechanical Engg) are also encouraged to apply. These candidates need not take the TIFR exam.
iii) Please see https://pol.icts.res.in/courses
NOTE: Candidates who major in any Biological science/ Biotechnology stream will also have the opportunity of working in interdisciplinary areas, but their admission will be considered via the Biology PhD/ I-PhD admissions.
Biology- related queries
— i) What fields of research can I do my PhD or I-PhD research in?
See the web pages for research in biology at DBS, NCBS, TIFRH, and ICTS. Students are typically allowed to do lab rotations during the first semester to help them choose a lab for continuing their research. No laboratory requires a prior background in that particular field of research; strong interest and commitment are the only necessary factors. The background is acquired within a few months of joining your laboratory of interest. It is not unusual for students with a background in *any* branch of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or even Medical, Dentistry, or Veterinary backgrounds, to join a laboratory in a completely different area. These students do very well. We encourage students to follow their interests, rather than consider themselves restricted because of their backgrounds.
ii) Are MBBS/ BVSc/ BPharm degrees eligible for the PhD/I-PhD program in Biology?
Bachelor’s degrees in Professional courses are eligible for the Biology PhD program. Students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply and do very well in our program. Biology is an increasingly flexible field, where people switch areas even after their PhD, choosing to pursue post-doctoral research in completely different areas of Biology. The background is not a constraining factor in Biological Research. The Interview will be based on whatever area you are most interested in and most comfortable in.
iii) I am a Chemistry (or Physics) MSc/BSc. I want to do a PhD/I-PhD in Biology. Should I appear for both the written tests, Chemistry (or Physics) as well as Biology? I am worried that I will not do well in the Biology test.
You can appear for either or both the tests, and we will use your best score. For your information, the Biology test has 4 sections on basics of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths. This is designed so that people from various disciplines can be selected according to their strengths. You will have to apply for two hall tickets and submit two separate registrations if you want to appear for two exams provided the timings of the tests do not clash.
iv) Why is the MSc programme in Biology ?
We have an additional programme “I-PhD with MSc exit option” instead of the MSc programme, that will be operated only at DBS, TIFR-Mumbai. To register for this programme, please select Int. Ph.D. in the basic registration and in the full application after you select “Mumbai”, you will get an option of whether you would like to be considered for the Int. Ph.D. with M.Sc. exit available at TIFR-Mumbai.
- This is a Day-Scholar programme similar to the earlier MSc programme. Candidates will be directly assigned to labs based on their interests declared during the interviews.
- Candidates in this programme will be eligible to take an MSc exit option and leave with an MSc degree after fulfilling the requirements stipulated by the Subject Board. These requirements include coursework and research work and are completed in the first 3 years after joining.
- Candidates who do not wish to take the exit option will be evaluated at the end of their 2nd year for continuing as I-PhD students in the same lab, and will then complete their registration requirements in their 3rd year. They will continue as Day-Scholars for the entire duration of the 6-year regular term for I-PhD students.
What is the “Day Scholar” programme. I have seen that TIFR offers admission as “Day Scholar” to some selected students.
— In TIFR-Mumbai, two Departments, the Departments of Biological Sciences (DBS) and Chemical Sciences (DCS) respectively, offer students either “resident scholar” or “day scholar” offers based on their performance in the interviews. All ACADEMIC requirements and criteria are identical for resident or day scholars. Day Scholars are given HRA (27%) instead of housing. There is no possibility of converting from a Day Scholar to a Resident Scholar. The Day Scholar programme is for students who want to join TIFR and are willing to make their own housing arrangements.