Want to make a career as a scientist in ISRO? ISAT is the perfect answer. It opens the door to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in less time and negligible cost. You can attain it in four years and that too after completing your B.Tech immediately. This is not possible for those who apply for the above mentioned post after completing their B.Tech/ M.Tech in any other manner. (Both courses make you eligible to become a scientist at ISRO)
The IIST i.e. the Indian institute of Space Science & Research conducts an annual entrance test by the name ISAT every year for admission in the undergraduate courses. The B.Tech degree is offered in three branches. They are Aerospace Engineering, Avionics and Physical Sciences.
Fully sponsored programme
Those who crack the ISAT (Also read: ISAT: For a career in Space Science) are given assistance by the institute. The cost of education, boarding, lodging and healthcare are taken care of and students do not have to bear any expenses.
Opportunities
On successful completion of the course with prescribed academic standards, the students are absorbed in ISRO as Scientists/Engineers. For this the students need to complete the course in four years with a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 6.5 out of 10.All those who pass out in this manner have to furnish a bond to serve the ISRO for five years.
IIST has also signed MoU with USRA (Universities Space Research Association) of USA and California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) for exchange of students and faculty. Under this scheme selected students can do their project work/ internship in USA.
Though the maximum time for completing the course is six years it makes you ineligible to be absorbed as scientist in ISRO.
About the exam
The ISAT is conducted by the IIST in the month of April for which notification is issued in the month of November in almost all national newspapers including Employment News. The details are also made available on the official website of the IIST.
The exam is totally objective type in nature with a total of 75-80 questions from Maths, physics and Chemistry. It is a three hour test in which three marks are awarded for every correct answer and one mark is deducted for the wrong answer.
Courses
The IIST focuses on learning & research in Space Science and Technology. It offers specialisations in three branches at the undergraduate level .They are:
• Aerospace Engineering: is a 4-year under-graduate degree programme focused towards the needs of space technology. Its curriculum and nature gels significantly with Mechanical Engineering, including Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Sciences and Space Dynamics. It is similar to the programmes of the same title available in many reputed Institutions in India and abroad.
• Avionics: is a 4-year under-graduate degree programme which consists of subjects taught in Electronics and Communications Engineering programmes. Besides, Advanced Electronics in Digital Communication, Control Systems and Computer Systems used in Aerospace Systems are also studied in the programme
• Physical Sciences: is a 4-year under-graduate degree program which is about the application of basic sciences in Space Science and Technology. It builds a strong foundation in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics apart from giving exposure to important applications of space technology such as Remote Sensing and GIS, Astronomy and Astrophysics and Earth System Sciences.
Seats and Reservation
B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering: 60
B.Tech in Avionics: 60
B.Tech in Physical Sciences: 36
(In all the courses the seats are reserved as per the guidelines of the government of India in Central Educational institutes i.e. 27% for OBC, 15% for SC and 7.5% for ST candidates.)