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PCM or PCB streamEntrance: Class 12 marksChemistry, earth & forensics

Chemist

Chemists study substances and reactions to create and test medicines, materials, fuels, foods and everyday products.

Class 11–12 subjectsPCM or PCB
Entrance / admissionClass 12 marks / CUET UG
DegreeB.Sc Chemistry (+ M.Sc)
Duration3 years+2 years M.Sc

Your route, step by step

  1. 1Class 11–12: PCB or PCMChemistry with strong basics in either Biology or Maths.
  2. 2B.Sc Chemistry · 3 yearsOn Class 12 marks or CUET UG; BS-MS at IISERs through the IISER Aptitude Test.
  3. 3M.Sc Chemistry · 2 yearsChoose organic, inorganic, physical or analytical.
  4. 4Work or researchIndustry lab roles, or PhD via CSIR-UGC NET.

What a chemist does

  • Design and run experiments
  • Make and purify new compounds
  • Test products for quality and safety
  • Analyse samples with lab instruments

Entrance exams & admission

  • Class 12 marksMost Tamil Nadu arts & science colleges
  • CUET UGCentral universities
  • IISER Aptitude TestBS-MS at IISERs
  • CSIR-UGC NETPhD fellowships

Where you may work

Pharma, chemical, paint, food and cosmetics companies, testing labs, CSIR labs, universities and government analysts’ labs.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

  • Madras Christian College, Chennai
  • Loyola College, Chennai
  • IISER Tirupati

Official links

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

Outlook

India’s pharma and chemical industries hire chemists steadily; research roles need a PhD.

Specialise later

  • Analytical chemistry
  • Organic synthesis
  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Polymer chemistry
  • Green chemistry