The annual national-level aptitude test Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is conducted by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, for high school and college students who are interested in a research career in basic sciences, engineering, and medicine.
The examination has various streams:
Stream SA: For students enrolled in the class 11 in basic science subjects during the current academic year who have secured minimum 80 per cent (70 per cent for those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) marks in aggregate in mathematics and science subjects in the 10th standard board examinations.
SX: For students enrolled in class 12 during the current academic year and aspiring to join undergraduate programmes in basic science (B.Sc., BS, or integrated M.Sc.) with minimum 80 per cent (70 per cent) marks in aggregate in mathematics and science subjects in the 10th standard board examinations.
SB: For students enrolled in the first year B.Sc., BS, or integrated M.Sc. programme during the current academic year with at least 60 per cent (50 per cent) marks in aggregate in science subjects in the class 12 board examination.
SP (basic sciences and engineering): For students enrolled in standards 11 or 12 or the first or second year of the B.Sc., BS, integrated M.Sc., or BE, B.Tech. or B.Arch course during the current academic year with minimum 60 per cent (50 per cent) marks in aggregate in the 10th and 12th board examinations. Additionally, students enrolled in second year B.Sc., BS, integrated M.Sc., BE, B.Tech., or B.Arch. programme with at least 60 per cent (50 per cent) marks in the first year examinations.
SP (medicine): Students enrolled in the first or second year of the MBBS, BDS, B.V.Sc., or B.Pharm. course during the current academic year with at least 80 per cent (70 per cent) marks in aggregate in science subjects or the standard 12 board examination.
Students enrolled in the second year of these programmes must have secured 60 per cent (50 per cent) marks in the first year examination.
Those who qualify in the KVPY examination are eligible to get national scholarships and fellowships if interested in research careers. The Department of Science and Technology of the Union government offers fellowships ranging from Rs.4,000 to Rs.7,000 a month and annual contingency grants equivalent to four months' fellowships to students studying in 11th standard and B.Sc., BS, integrated M.Sc., B.V.Sc., B.Pharm., BE, B.Tech., B.Arch., MBBS, MDS, and BDS programmes. Selection is based on academic excellence and demonstrated interest in research.
Details can be had from >www.kvpy.org.in
