What is the KVPY?

The KVPY or “Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana” is an ongoing program started by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to encourage students of Basic Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to take up research careers in these areas.

The aim of the program is to identify and encourage talented students with aptitude for research. This programme strives to assist the students to realize their potential and to ensure that the best scientific talent is tapped for research and development in the country. Generous scholarships are provided (up to the pre-Ph.D. level) to the selected students.

ELIGIBILITY

Stream SA: Students joining in the XI Standard (Science Subjects) and having secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST) marks in aggregate in Mathematics and Science in the X Standard Board Examination.

Stream SB: Students pursuing First Year B.Sc. degree / M.Sc. Integrated (UG Programme) in Basic Sciences and having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST) marks in aggregate in Mathematics and Science subjects in the XII Standard Board Examination.

Students of Class 12 (+2) who are aspiring to join IISER for Integrated M. S. programme may also take the KVPY Aptitude Test for the SB Stream provided they secure a minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ST) aggregate in Mathematics and Science subjects in XII Standard Board Examination.

Stream SP: Students pursuing XI, XII standard, First or Second year of any UG programme in Basic Sciences and having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST) marks aggregate in X Standard and XII Standard Board examination may apply by completing a science based research project.  The report of the project, chosen and executed by the applicant and supervised by a teacher/professional in the relevant field, to be submitted along with the application.  Based on the project submitted and scrutiny of application forms, short listed candidates are called for an interview, which is the final stage of the selection procedure.  The interview will be conducted at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore during the month of December or first week of January. Application without the project report is not considered.

Note for Students applying for Science Stream (SP)

This has been started in order to recognize and encourage creative and innovative talent of youngsters pursuing Science. The project carried out as part of this application should be based on novel and innovative ideas. The project can be experimental or theoretical in nature. However, the project must show that the applicant is creative and adventurous, and ready to explore. The project should not merely reflect use of certain techniques or reporting of routine experimentation improvement of an existing product or a technique may be accepted provided such improvement involves original ideas and creativity. One may try to incorporate some addition to the design or practical implementation that improves an existing technique. The main criteria that would be followed for selection for the interview would be originality and innovation. Only after these criteria are met, the level of sophistication and the nature of the project would be taken into consideration.

Olympiad

Students who represent India in the International Olympiads Physics / Chemistry / Biology / Mathematics / Informatics and Astronomy will automatically qualify for KVPY Fellowship.

Admission To IISERs

(Autonomous institutions created by MHRD, Government of India)

KVPY Fellows will automatically be eligible for direct admission to the five-year Integrated M.S. Programme conducted by Indian Institute for Science Education and Research (IISER).

Interested Students may visit the IISER Websites: http://www.iiserkol.ac.in or http://www.iiserpune.ac.in

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Basic Sciences (SA and SB)

After scrutiny of application forms and based on the performance in the Board Examination, about 10,000 – 12,000 candidates from Streams SA and SB will be called for a written aptitude test (multiple choice). The test will be conducted at different centers across the country on the First Sunday of November. The details of the venue of the aptitude tests will be mailed to the shortlisted candidates in October. Based on the performance in the aptitude test up to 600-800 candidates in Streams SA and SB will be called for an interview which is the final stage of the selection procedure.