The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is a national fellowship programme in basic sciences, initiated and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to identify highly motivated students who could pursue basic science courses and research careers. Students of classes XI and XII, who qualify, receive a monthly scholarship up to their pre-Ph.D level or five years, whichever is earlier. The exam is administered by the IISc Bengaluru with only 2,500 students qualifying out of lakhs who apply.
The programme tests students at three levels: KVPY SA exam for students of class XI, KVPY SX exam for class XII and KVPY SB exam for first-year students of BSc, integrated five-year M.Sc, or integrated five-year M.S.
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Students who are already preparing for exams such as JEE Main, olympiads or any other competitive exam through institutes need not worry much, as the pattern accommodates KVPY. Here are some tips.
1. Manage your time with an effective study plan. Discipline is the key to following your timetable. Make a plan which is feasible, allowing you to utilise time effectively, while giving equal attention to all subjects and important topics. Keep aside an hour daily for self-analysis and correction. Segregate time for covering the syllabus concept-wise. While attempting the exam, it is always advisable to attempt the known portion of the question paper first.
2. Utilise available resources efficiently. Understanding concepts is a must; choose study material which enable this. Make use of periodic physical interactions with expert faculty and group study to clear your doubts. Make short self-written notes for long-term memorising.
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3. Evaluate yourself and reinforce your weak areas. Neglecting them can be your biggest mistake.
4. Stay connected with experts. Institutes which provide result analysis and doubt-clearing sessions on a regular basis could be useful.
5. Judge your performance with periodic testing, after focussed study. Practise with as many mock tests as you can and make sure you go through previous year’s question papers.
Subject-wise tips
Physics: The class XI syllabus forms the foundation of any competitive exam. Be thorough in it, especially if you are appearing at the SA level. Focus on topics such as optics, mechanics and electromagnetism. Do not leave any topic untouched, and go through thermodynamics, simple harmonic motion, and waves.
For the SX level, practise numerical problems and keep all the concepts clear. Focus on kinematics, gravitation, fluids, heat and thermodynamics, waves and sound, capacitors and electrostatics, magnetics, electromagnetic induction, optics and modern physics.
Math: Basic knowledge of geometry and number theory is a must. Other topics include algebra, quadratic equations, series and progression, permutations and combinations, and basic geometry. Study of fundamental topics such as circles, trigonometry and sequence and series can guarantee good marks. Go through them at least once before the exam, as three to four questions based on them are expected. The SX level will include questions from integration, statistics, vector algebra and 3D geometry. Topics such as application of derivatives, matrices and determinants, and limits are high-scoring.
Chemistry: If you are appearing for the SX exam, consult NCERT books for inorganic chemistry. Organic chemistry needs to be clear from the basic level along with regular practice. Focus on coordination chemistry and chemical bonding in inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical and ionic equilibrium, mole concept in physical chemistry and organic chemistry, atomic structure, and chemical bonding.
Biology: It is relatively easier to score good marks in biology in the SA category, compared to other subjects. If you are thorough with class IX and X NCERT and have gone through important topics from class XI and XII NCERT books, you can expect to score more than 80%. Genetics, cell and biomolecule, physiology (both animal and plant, especially photosynthesis in plants and control and coordination in both animals and plants), and health and disease are important. Read these topics from XI and XII NCERT selectively. Attempting mock tests and solving previous years’ question papers during preparation will help you score extra marks.
The writer is a FIITJEE expert.