Skip to content

Ariv AcademyEmpowering Minds, Enriching Futures

← All careers with PCM

PCM streamEntrance: Class 12 marksPhysical sciences & maths

Physicist

Physicists study how the universe works — from particles and light to materials, energy and space — through experiments and theory.

Class 11–12 subjectsPhysics, Chemistry, Maths

Entrance / admissionClass 12 marks / CUET UG

DegreeB.Sc / BS-MS Physics (+ M.Sc, PhD)

Duration5–10 years including PhD

Your route, step by step

1Class 11–12: take PCMGo beyond the textbook — Physics olympiads and science projects build a researcher’s curiosity.
2Choose a degreeB.Sc Physics on Class 12 marks or CUET UG; BS-MS at IISERs (IISER Aptitude Test) or NISER (NEST); B.Sc Physics at CMI.
3M.Sc Physics · 2 yearsChoose your area of interest.
4PhDThrough JEST, CSIR-UGC NET or GATE, then research or faculty positions.

What a physicist does

Design and run experiments
Build mathematical models and simulations
Analyse data and publish research
Apply physics in technology and industry

Entrance exams & admission

Class 12 marksB.Sc in most Tamil Nadu arts & science colleges
CUET UGB.Sc at central universities
IISER Aptitude TestBS-MS at IISERs
NESTNISER and UM-DAE CEBS
JESTPhD entrance in physics

Where you may work

Research institutes (DAE, ISRO, CSIR), universities, IITs, technology companies, defence labs and teaching.

Well-known colleges in and near Tamil Nadu

IISER Tirupati
Chennai Mathematical Institute
Madras Christian College, Chennai
Loyola College, Chennai

Official links

Exam / admissionIISER Aptitude Test (BS-MS admissions) (opens in a new tab)iiseradmission.in
Exam / admissionNEST — NISER & UM-DAE CEBS admissions (opens in a new tab)nestexam.in
Exam / admissionNational Testing Agency (CUET UG notices) (opens in a new tab)nta.ac.in
Exam / admissionJEST — PhD entrance for physics & astronomy (opens in a new tab)jest.org.in
CollegeIISER Tirupati (opens in a new tab)iisertirupati.ac.in
CollegeChennai Mathematical Institute (opens in a new tab)cmi.ac.in

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

Outlook

Research careers need a PhD and patience, but physics training is also valued in tech, finance and data roles.

Specialise later

Condensed matter
Particle physics
Optics & photonics
Quantum technology
Astrophysics