Benefits of Clearing JEST Exam: Eligibility, Preparation Tips and Participating Colleges

Benefits of clearing JEST exam : Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is conducted every year for admission to PhD and Integrated PhD programmes of different participating institutes in physics and theoretical computer science/neuroscience. SERB is responsible for conducting JEST exam. JEST is a national-level entrance test, candidates who qualify JEST get the opportunity to study in very prestigious universities of India. The qualifications required for admission to the PhD and Integrated PhD programmes various participating institutes are different. So, it is important that potential candidates visit the websites of the participating institutes of their choice to learn more about the qualification requirements. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram (IIST) is the conducting authority of JEST exam. JEST 2025 exam will be conducted on April 06, 2025 .

Students who will appear for the exam must know the benefits of clearing JEST 2025 Exam. So, scroll down to check all the benefits of clearing JEST exam 2025.

JEST Overview

Some of the important information regarding JEST is mentioned in the following sections for the convenience of the candidates:

• Applicants seeking admission for a Ph.D. / Integrated Ph.D. programme in either physics or theoretical computer science or neuroscience or computational biology in any one of the participating institutions can appear for JEST at any one of the exam centers.
• JEST is considered to be a National Eligibility Test (NET) by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) (a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament).
• Research fellows working in SERB programmes and having qualified NET would be eligible to get enhanced fellowships through JEST
• Various participating institutes have their own eligibility criteria for admission in Ph.D. / Integrated Ph.D. programmes.

Also Read: JEST 2025 Selection Process

Benefits of Clearing JEST 2025 Exam

Depending on JEST result, every participating institution would call a limited number of candidates for its own selection procedure depending on its eligibility criteria and requirements. All the selected candidates would receive research fellowships from the respective institutes. This leads us to a next set of questions as to why the candidates should opt for JEST exam? Let’s discuss benefits of clearing JEST exam further:

• The integrated PhD programme is offered in very few institutes. Some of the prestigious institutes where this course is offered include Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSC), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), ETC.
• The interested candidates can also enroll in Harish Chandra Research Institute (HRI) which has come up with the MSc programme in theoretical physics based on JEST rank.
• One of the most important things about clearing JEST exam is that it is a lifeline for engineering graduates who do not have a degree in Physics but want to enter a research career in Physics.
• Students after going for post-graduate or PhD level programmes can opt for jobs as faculty or research associates in the physics department of various national and international institutions of high repute.
• Candidates after completing their studies can also work as a technology expert in a reputed organization.
• Students can also go for research and development jobs, and publish their work in scientific journals after clearing JEST exam
• Also if at the end of the programmes candidate is still confused they can even end up studying various fields of physics and would be in a position to decide which field to choose for higher studies.
• By clearing JEST exam a candidate can get various career options in the private and public sectors.
• Once JEST exam gets cleared, candidates get a chance to complete the PhD course in a reputed organization/firm/company. Candidates with PhD degrees may gain high salary packages due to the in-depth knowledge gained during their course work in their respective field of study.

How to Crack JEST 2025 on the First Attempt?

JEST 2025 is scheduled for April 06, 2025, across designated exam centres. It will be an offline examination for PhD programmes. Based on past year's paper analysis, a conclusion can be drawn that the difficulty level is pretty difficult. We have shared some quick tips on cracking JEST 2025 and improving the chances of selection.

Strengthen Conceptual Understanding

As JEST is a professional-level entrance, questions will test a test taker’s knowledge depth in a particular subject. So, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the concepts. Take help and guidance from seniors or tutors who have already cracked JEST as it can provide you with adequate advice regarding what to expect in the exam.

Maintain Consistency

When preparing for a tough exam like JEST consistency plays a key role. Keep a timetable and divide topics based on priority. After you read a concept, revise it and try making notes. Regular study improves in keeping the information fresh in your mind.

Refer to Good JEST Books

JEST 2025 books offer much-needed guidance on the syllabus, important topics, and exam patterns. Buy books from renowned authors and publication houses. It is advised to refer to books that contain JEST's latest topics and practice materials.

Participating Institutions of JEST 2025

A list of various participating colleges that will be accepting JEST Score are mentioned in the following sections:

JEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Admission in Participating Universities

For a detailed overview of the eligibility criteria the candidates should refer to the websites/advertisements of the participating institutes in detail. However, few of the tentative eligibility criteria of admission to M.Sc, Ph.D, and Integrated / M.Sc / M.Tech. - Ph.D programs in the participating institutes for JEST are discussed in the following sections.

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D. Program

Candidates wanting to pursue Ph.D. Physics should have the following:

• A criteria mandated by all the participating institutes includes M.Sc. in Physics. Additionally, few of the institutes accept B.E. / B.Tech. / M.Sc. / M.E. / MTech. in disciplines of applied physics and mathematics, as listed below.
• M.Sc. in Mathematics / Applied Physics / Applied Mathematics / Optics and Photonics / Instrumentation / Electronics will also be considered at IIA.
• B.E. or B.Tech. will be considered at IISc, IMSc, ICTS-TIFR, IUCAA, JNCASR, NCRA-TIFR, TIFR-TCIS, RRI, IISER Mohali, IISER Pune, IISER Thiruvananthapuram.
• M.Sc. in Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Applied Mathematics will be considered at  IUCAA and NCRA-TIFR.
• MSc  in Physics, Engineering Physics or Applied Physics will also be considered at IPR.
• M.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Biophysics or Biochemistry will be considered at SNBNCBS.
• B. Tech Eng. Phys.will be considered at TIFR and NCRA-TIFR.
• M.E./ M. Tech in Applied Physics will be considered at NISER.
• M.Sc. in Physics/Astronomy/Optics/Photonics/Biophysics/Mathematics or ME/M.Tech in Engineering also will be considered at RRI.
• MSc. in Physics, Chemistry and BioPhysics will be considered at SNBNCBS.

Eligibility Criteria for Theoretical Computer Science at IMSc

M.Sc./ M.E. / M.Tech. in Computer Science and related disciplines, and should be interested in the mathematical aspects of computer science.

Eligibility Criteria for Ph D in Neuroscience at NBRC

M.Sc (Physics/ Mathematics), B.E/ B.Tech/ M.C.A in Computer Science

Eligibility Criteria for Ph D in Computational Biology at IMSc

M.Sc./ M.E. / M.Tech. ​/ MCA  ​in any engineering or science discipline, with good mathematical skills and strong interest in biological problems.

Eligibility Criteria for Integrated M.Sc. / MTech - Ph.D. programme(Physics)

Eligibility Criteria for admission to  Integrated M.Sc. / MTech - Ph.D. programme(Physics) programs are listed below:

• BSc in Physics (Major/Hons), or in Physics and Mathematics (Physics cannot be an allied/subsidiary/minor subject) will be considered at SNBNCBS.
• B. Sc. (Physics) will be considered at IMSc.
• B.Sc. (Physics / Mathematics) / B.E. / B.Tech. in Electrical / Instrumentation / Engineering Physics / Electronics and Communications / Computer Science and Engineering / Optics and Photonics will be considered in IIA.
• B.Sc (Physics) or B.E./B. Tech in Engineering Physics , with a minimum of first class marks, will be considered at NISER.
• B.Sc. (Physics) will be considered at IISER-Pune, ICTS-TIFR, NCRA-TIFR, and TIFR-TCIS.
• B. Sc. (Physics / Mathematics) / B.E. / B.Tec. will be considered for Integrated M.Sc - PhD at Bose Institute.
• B. Sc. (Physics / Mathematics/Computer Science/Electronics) / B.E. / B.Tech. will be considered for Integrated M.Sc - PhD at Bose Institute.

Eligibility Criteria for Integrated Ph.D programme in Theoretical Computer Science at IMSc

B.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. /M.C.A. in Computer Science or related disciplines and should be interested in the mathematical aspects of computer science.

Eligibility Criteria for Integrated M.Tech - Ph.D. programme at IIA

M.Sc. (Physics / Applied Physics) / Post-B.Sc. (Hons) in Optics and Optoelectronics / Radio Physics and Electronics.

Eligibility Criteria for Integrated Ph.D. programme at IISER Kolkata and IISER Thiruvananthapuram

B. Sc. (Physics) or B.E. / B. Tech. in any discipline.

Eligibility Criteria for M. Sc. programme at HRI

• B. Sc. (Physics) or B.E./B.Tech. degree in any discipline
• HRI is starting a new M.Sc. programme in Physics from 2017. The Integrated Ph.D. programme in Physics at HRI is discontinued from 2017.

Eligibility Criteria for Joint SPPU-IUCAA MSc Physics (Astrophysics) programme

B. Sc. (Physics and Mathematics) or B.E. / B. Tech. in any branch of engineering, with a minimum of 55% marks.

To keep yourself updated about JEST exam 2025, stay tuned to CollegeDekho !

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