IISER Bhopal has Approximately 10 Academic Departments

I feel that IISER Bhopal has molded me into the person I am today based on the interactions and experiences I have had with the professors who are pioneers in their fields and the teaching assistants who go one step ahead to help the students with the doubts. It is a wonderful place to experience the vibrant cultures of different parts of India since for each festival as there are programs for each one of them. Being a sportsperson, I had the opportunity to keep myself engaged in various sports related activities conducted by the Institute and also to participate in Inter Institute events giving me exposure and an opportunity to network as well. One thing different about this one is the student led initiatives and how students come together in times of happiness and difficulties to help their peers. It also provides you with a competitive environment in order to push your limits.

The Institute offers many courses & has nearly 10 departments. I was enrolled into the BS+MS (Natural Sciences) and chose a Biological Sciences major. I initially was unaware of what Institute’s mission is and what students here end up doing. I then started reading up on it after getting my rank in IAT, and I was admitted to the Institute as per my preference. Currently, giving the Aptitude Test is the only mode of entry, as far as I am aware. As for exam frequency, we usually have 2 quizzes, a mid-sem, and an end-sem exam in a semester of approximately 4 months. The academics are highly rigorous if you wish to have a decent-to-good CPI.

As of now, my program fee is around Rs. 57,000/-. The mess fee is around Rs. 3500/- per month. The tuition fee is waived for SC/ST category students. There is INSPIRE fellowship available, eligibility is according to 12th percentage (valid for any educational board, but cutoffs is variable). There are also various need-based fellowships; mostly they are one time amount for example, Smt Gouri Mukherjee Fellowship, and Reliance fellowship.

Most of the faculty members here are Ph.D holders and lead their research groups independently. Depending on your department, professors are helpful and genuinely interested in helping students understand better. Teaching is either via a board or with a PPT and explanation, of which the latter is more common. Asking doubts is encouraged & answered satisfactorily, and professors are open for dialogue with students. This matters more from 3rd year onwards when students have chosen their majors (relevant for natural sciences stream). It is easy to build a rapport with professors if you put visible efforts in their classes, give answers, and have discussions with them.

Placement Cell has been newly formed in the Institute, and things are starting, but as of now, the situation is not great. Primarily being a research Institute, students opt for pursuing a Ph.D and continuing in academia. Mostly Engineering students go for campus placements, and there is more emphasis on self-application if you want to land a job with a more endowed package.

All the students of degree programs are mandated to be residential. Boys’ and girls’ hostels are separate and in each one, entry is barred for the opposite sex students. Hostel rooms were originally built for single occupancy but are given out on double sharing basis due to severe shortage of rooms as compared to intake. Mess food is mediocre at best. Hostel stay is ok if you have a good roommate. Hostel has strict rules about owning kettles, inductions, irons, etc. and you have to pay a fine if caught. Washing machines available on a pay to use basis (around Rs. 60/- for single load of clothes).

Infrastructure of the Institute is good. Most of the labs are fully equipped with state of the art machinery and resources are plenty. Campus area is around 200 acres. First year classes happen in the auditorium (500-student capacity), and as students choose their majors and are specialised, are moved to appropriate sized classrooms. Library consists of 3 floors. Computer centre is also there in the same complex. In terms of food joints, Indian Coffee House (ICH), Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), Sudarshan palace (Indian food), Nescafe, and many more food outlets are there at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal.

The campus life is very happening with lots of festivals and cultural events happening. The Institute has all types of people and you just have to find your group. One thing that is really amazing about the people here is how they are so multitalented and that they take time pursue their interests whether it be academic or co curricular. The Institute has many student run clubs, which are very active in the initiatives they take and keep conducting many events for students. Some of the active clubs in the Institute are namely Debating club, Quiz club, and Dance club. The annual fest ‘Enthuzia’ is a stress buster and a time when lots of fun activities such as games, live performances and student activities are organized. Overall, I enjoy the campus life at IISER Bhopal as it gives a balance of excitement and calm.