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PCM streamEntrance: CUET UGPhysical sciences & maths

Atmospheric & Space Scientist

Atmospheric and space scientists study the air above us — from weather and climate to the upper atmosphere, space weather and the Sun’s effects on Earth.

Class 11–12 subjectsPhysics, Chemistry, Maths

Entrance / admissionCUET UG / JEE Advanced

DegreeB.Sc Physics / B.Tech + M.Sc / M.Tech + PhD

Duration7–10 years including PhD

Your route, step by step

1Class 11–12: take PCMThermodynamics, waves and Maths are the base for weather and space science.
2B.Sc Physics or B.TechB.Sc via CUET UG / Class 12 marks; B.Tech via JEE (IIST offers space-science courses).
3M.Sc / M.Tech in atmospheric or space scienceOr M.Sc Physics with these electives.
4PhD and researchThrough CSIR-UGC NET, JEST or GATE.

What an atmospheric & space scientist does

Collect data from radars, balloons and satellites
Model the atmosphere and climate
Study space weather and its effect on satellites
Publish research and support missions

Entrance exams & admission

CUET UGB.Sc at central universities
JEE AdvancedIITs, after qualifying JEE Main
CSIR-UGC NET / JESTPhD entrance

Where you may work

ISRO (including NARL and Space Physics Laboratory), PRL, IITM Pune, IMD, universities and climate research centres.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
IIT Madras

Official links

CollegeIndian Institute of Space Science and Technology (opens in a new tab)iist.ac.in
Official bodyIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (opens in a new tab)isro.gov.in
Official bodyNational Atmospheric Research Laboratory (ISRO) (opens in a new tab)narl.gov.in
Official bodyPhysical Research Laboratory (opens in a new tab)prl.res.in
Exam / admissionJoint CSIR-UGC NET (for research fellowships) (opens in a new tab)csirnet.nta.ac.in

Links checked: Oct 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.

Outlook

Climate change and India’s satellite programme are increasing research in this area.

Specialise later

Climate science
Upper atmosphere
Space weather
Satellite meteorology
Atmospheric chemistry