About KVPY
KVPY, also known as Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana was started in 1999 by then Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee with an aim of encouraging students pursuing basic sciences and research. Students selected in the examination are awarded a scholarship till their pre-PhD studies. KVPY is administered by the apex science and research institute of India IISc. The exam was started with the intent of identifying brilliant minds who have passion and zeal for pursuing science and research.
Dates
KVPY dates are usually announced on Technology Day i.e. May 11th every year in all the leading national newspapers. For the year 2017, following are the important tentative dates:
| Opening of online application portal | 9th July |
| Last Date for online application | 23rd August |
| Exam Date | 29th October |
The exam is similar to NTSE which is also conducted nationally. However, KVPY is confined to science students aspiring to take up natural sciences.
Eligibility
KVPY fellowship is awarded to students holding Indian nationality. However, the students intending to pursue distance education or correspondence courses from any university are not eligible for KVPY.
KVPY is open to students studying in class XI to 1st year of any Undergraduate programme in basic science i.e.
- Sc./ B.S./ B.Stat./ B.Math./ Integrated M.Sc./ M.S. in
- Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Bioinformatics, Marine Biology, Geology, Human Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Materials Science or Environmental Science.
Stream SA: Students enrolled in class XI
- With 80% (70% for SC/ST/OBC) in aggregate in Math and Science subjects in class X Board examination.
- Scholarship provided upon joining undergraduate course in basic sciences upon securing minimum 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC) in science subjects in XII board
- During the interim period, the students are invited to regional/ national science camp with expenses reimbursed.
Stream SX: Students enrolled in class XII
- With 80% (70% for SC/ST/OBC) in aggregate in Math and Science subjects in class X Board examination.
- Scholarship provided upon joining undergraduate course in basic sciences upon securing minimum 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC) in science subjects in XII board
Students enrolled in 2nd year of Cambridge International Examination Board
- With 80% (70% for SC/ST/OBC) in aggregate in Math and Science subjects in class X Board examination.
- Scholarship provided upon joining undergraduate course in basic sciences upon securing minimum 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC) in science subjects in XII board
Stream SB: Students enrolled in 1st year of undergraduate program
- With 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC) in aggregate in Math and Science subjects in class XII Board examination.
- Securing minimum 60% (50% for SC/ST/OBC) in science subjects in 1st-year final exam
KVPY Interview
Although the organising body of KVPY does not disclose any prescribed format, KVPY written exam qualifiers have shared their experiences. The interviews are usually easy in nature and candidates are asked random questions from science subjects of their interest.
The interview may range from few minutes to 20-25 minutes as well depending upon the performance of the interviewee. Many a times, interview consists of common sense questions aimed at testing students’ application of science and scientific principles in real life.
How much scholarship is awarded to KVPY fellows?
Rs. 5000 monthly fellowship from 1st to 3rd year of B.Sc/ B.Stat/ B.S./ B.Maths/ Integrated M.S./M.Sc with an annual contingency grant of Rs.20,000.
After three years: Rs.7000 per month during M.Sc/ 4th & 5th year of Integrated M.S./ M.Sc and an annual contingency grant of Rs. 28,000.
How many students appeared in and qualified for KVPY in 2015-16?
About 1 lakh students appeared for the exam.
Class XI: 881 students
Class XII: 1554 students
1st-year graduation: 96 students
Weightage:
In the cumulative scoring, 75% weightage is given to the Aptitude Test and 25% to the interview.
Result of Aptitude Test is announced in the 2nd fortnight of December
