KVPY-Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana

What is KVPY?

The "Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana" (KVPY) is a program started in 1999 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to encourage students who are studying Basic Sciences to take up a research career in Science. The aim of the program is to identify and encourage talented and motivated students to pursue careers in research.

The Indian Institute of Science administers KVPY to offer scholarships and contingency grants up to Pre Ph.D. for select students.

This program aims to achieve the following:

• Discover students with flair and propensity for research
• Help students comprehend their perspective in their studies
• Support their research endeavors in basic sciences
• Guarantee augmentation of the best scientific minds for research and progress in the country

KVPY has the following streams:

• SA: Students in Class 11 can appear in this stream
• SX: Students in Class 12 can appear in this stream
• SB: Students studying Science in the first year of graduation can appear for this stream

The Department of Science and Technology, the nodal agency of the Government has entrusted the overall responsibility for organizing and running the KVPY Program to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and set up a Management Committee and a National Advisory Committee (NAC) for overseeing its implementation. A core committee looks after both the day-to-day and academic aspects of the KVPY Program.

If students clear the written exam and interview, they are then eligible for admissions to institutes like IISc or IISER.

Syllabus for KVPY

Though the KVPY aptitude test does not have a specific KVPY syllabus attached to it, the examination pattern remains the same every year. The applicant has to prepare for the examination from the syllabus of the standard he/she is studying in, in order to qualify the examination. The examination is only eligible for applicants belonging to the field of science.
The syllabus for the different streams has been mentioned below in a descriptive way for the students to ascertain their preparation.

KVPY SA Syllabus 2022

KVPY SX Syllabus 2022

KVPY SB Syllabus 2022

Exam Pattern for KVPY

Here is the distribution of marks for the exam:

For Stream SA:

For Stream SB and SX:

Eligibility Criteria for KVPY

The eligibility criteria for various streams under KVPY 2021 are provided below:

For Stream SA: For applying for the aptitude test:

• Candidates should be studying in class XI during the academic year 2021–22 with Science subjects.
• They should have secured a minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate of Mathematics and Science in 10^th board exams.
• The board exam must be passed immediately in the preceding academic year, i.e. 2021-2022.

To avail the fellowship:

• Selected candidates should join an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences (B.Sc/ BS/ B.Stat/ B.Math/Int. M.Sc/ Int. MS) in the academic year 2023-24.
• They should also secure a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate in Science subjects in 12^th board exam.

Stream SX: For applying for the aptitude test:

• The applicants should be studying in class 12^th with Science subjects during the academic year 2021–22.
• Students in their 2nd year of study in Cambridge International Examination Board are eligible to apply too.
• They should have secured a minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate of Mathematics and Science in 10^th board exams.
• The board exam must be passed immediately in the preceding academic year, i.e. 2021-2022.

To avail the fellowship:

• Selected candidates should join an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences (B.Sc/ BS/ B.Stat/ B.Math/Int. M.Sc/ Int. MS) in the academic year 2023-24.
• They should also secure a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate in Science subjects in 12^th board exam.

Stream SB: For applying for the aptitude test:

• Students enrolled in the 1st year of undergraduate program in Basic Sciences during the academic year 2021–22 are eligible.
• They should also secure a minimum of 60% marks (50% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate in Science subjects in 12^th board exam.
• In the 1st year final examination of their undergraduate course they must secure 60% marks (50% for SC/ ST/ PWD candidates) in aggregate before taking up the fellowship, if awarded.

Application for KVPY

KVPY must be done online onl

• There are three steps to complete your application successfully.
• Step 1. Registration
• Step 2. Filling personal and academic details, choosing test centres and uploading photo, signature and other certificates, as applicable.
• Step 3. Payment of application fees. Please note that you must pay the application fee only at the KVPY application portal. This can be done by using a Credit Card, ATM-Debit Card, UPI or Net Banking. No other means of payment will be accepted. Once the payment is successful and application is submitted, no refund of application fee will be done

Application Fees for KVPY

Here are the application fees for the KVPY exam:

(Bank Charges Extra)

Selection Procedure for KVPY:

To get shortlisted for the KVPY scholarship, you need to clear the aptitude test and the interview.

Aptitude Test 

• Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for various streams,  will be called for  aptitude test conducted both in Hindi and English at different centers across the country on Sunday, the 9th January 2022.
• The application forms are first scrutinized to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Once you’re eligible, you are called for the aptitude test.
• This test is conducted in English and Hindi at different centers across the country.

Personal Interview:

• Based on your performance in the aptitude test, you are then called for an interview.
• This interview tests your knowledge in science and research.
• After the interview, the final list of qualifying candidates is released.
• The scholarship is awarded on your performance in both stages of the exam.

Admit Card for KVPY

Admit card will be released by the exam conducting authority for every registered candidates through online mode. Candidates will be able to download the admit card from 1^st week of January 2023 by login into the website of authority.

The admit card will be the mandatory documents to be carried out for the day of examination. No candidates will be allowed to participate in the examination without their valid admit card.The KVPY Admit Card contains your name, roll number, exam center, date, timing, and other exam-related information.

To download your admit card:

1. Visit the official website.
2. Go through the ‘Useful Links’ section.
3. Click the ‘KVPY 2022 Admit Card Download’ tab.
4. Enter your ‘Application Number’, ‘Date of Birth’, and ‘Submit’.
5. Click the ‘Generate Admit Card’ tab.
6. Download your admit card and take printouts for future purposes.

Do note that you won’t be allowed to give the exam without your admit card and a personal id Card(PAN Card not included).

KVPY Exam center List (State-wise) 

Results for KVPY

• The authorities will announce the result of the aptitude test on the official website of IISc KVPY.
• Based on the performance in the aptitude test, shortlisted students will be asked to appear for an interview round.
• Final result will be declared for those who clear both aptitude test and the interview round. 75% weightage will be given to aptitude test and 25% weightage to the interview.
• Candidates will be able to check their final result also from the official website.
• Documents and eligibility of the selected candidates will be verified after which they will be granted the fellowship.

Scholarships and Awards through KVPY

Due to delayed admission process at various Institutions the Students may send Data form on or before 31st December 2021 as a special case this year.

Renewal/Continuation of fellowship

The Fellow continues to study Basic Science courses in school/junior college/university, and maintains a minimum level of academic performance of first class or 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate or equivalent grade points and the students has to necessarily pass all the subjects prescribed for that particular academic year (two semesters in case of semester system) and should have obtained the above specified percentage of marks. In the course work, in each academic year, the marks/grades will have to be certified by the Dean or Head of the Institution. The fellowship will be discontinued if the above marks/grade is not obtained. However, if the fellow passes all the subjects and obtains greater than 60% ((50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in the subsequent years, the fellowship can be renewed only from that year onwards, again with the condition that the fellow should obtain 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate every year. This is effective from 2012 awardees onwards. The Student is eligible to receive the KVPY fellowship upto Pre-PhD level or 5 years whichever is earlier.

In addition to the above, participation and satisfactory performance in the Summer Camp in the first year and Summer project every year thereafter is required for renewal of the fellowship.

KVPY Fellows who opt out of the basic science (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S.) stream at any stage will forfeit the Fellowship and Contingency Grant forthwith.

The fellowship for the students selected under the stream SA/SX/SB will be started after the XII Standard/ (+2) / I year UG, only if they pursue an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences, that are, B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. 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, Materials Science, Environmental Science or Geophysics.

Summer program

Participation and satisfactory performance in the summer programme/Project each year from the second year (B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S.) onwards in an academic Institution of National or International repute or a DSIR approved research labs (in case of private lab or institutions) is mandatory for renewal of the Fellowship. The report on the summer programme /project together with the assessment report from the mentor will have to be forwarded along with the course performance certificate etc. for renewal purpose from second year of B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S. program.

Other Privileges

Each KVPY Fellow will be issued an Identity Card so as to have access to National Laboratories/ Universities who have agreed to extend special privileges like library, laboratory facilities, etc. to KVPY Fellows on production of the ID card.

Our Goal

We hope that the award of the Fellowship to a student acts as an encouragement and motivation to take up research in a subject in B.S. (Basic Sciences) of their liking that induces the student to choose a research career.

Preparation Tips for KVPY

Candidates must go through the points mentioned below for better preparation for KVPY 2021 exam. The KVPY preparation tips given below would help the students in strategising their study schedule in a proper manner. IISc conducts the KVPY scholarship examination for meritorious students who want to pursue higher education in Basic Science fields. Hence, the question paper difficulty level is a bit higher than other scholarship tests. 

To begin with, one must know the KVPY Syllabus and KVPY exam pattern. The question paper consists of four subjects – Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, which are of equal importance. A disciplined study routine, regular revision, regular practice of KVPY previous years’ question papers would help the students in scoring good marks in the KVPY aptitude test.

Given below are some preparation tips which the students can follow while preparing for the KVPY exam 2021:

1. Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
To attain good scores, one must start with the examination pattern, marking scheme, KVPY Syllabus 2021 and other important points. The important topics which must be covered are:

Physics- Electromagnetism, Waves, Mechanics, Ray Optics

Biology- Biomolecules, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Genetics

Chemistry- Chemical Energetics, Organic Chemistry, Stoichiometry and Gaseous State, Physical Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding

Maths- Permutations and Combination, Basic Geometry, Algebra, Geometry, Basics of Number Theory, Quadratic Equation, Progression and Series

2. Make a study plan
One must formulate a well-planned study routine to ensure that an appropriate amount of time is set aside for each subject and that no subject goes untouched. One must devote about 8 to 9 hours each day for studying with small breaks for an ideal study routine. Phone and social media should be off during this time. Candidates must go through NCERT books of classes 10, 11, 12 and prescribed books for 1^st year of UG (if applicable) which contains in-depth knowledge and covers all the relevant topics. Along with studies, candidates must also keep time for exercises like yoga or meditation to reduce fatigue and remain calm and fresh. Spend time with friends and family to feel fresh and motivated.

3. Revise till you become wise
To prepare better for the fellowship exam, candidates should download and practise as many KVPY sample papers and previous years' question papers to analyse KVPY exam pattern and get an insight into the type of questions asked in the examination. Giving a mock test of KVPY is also very beneficial as it gives an idea on the preparation level from time to time. While solving the question papers, one must keep a tab of time. It is important to solve all the questions within the given timeframe. Doing this will acclimatize the body clock with the exam day timings and attune one’s alertness and concentration levels accordingly. 

Also Read: Subject-wise KVPY Preparation Strategy

4. Analyse Performance

Analysis of score in mock tests during revision helps a candidate to know the strong and weak areas. Candidates can then devise a plan to work on them. Also, keep a note of recurring mistakes and go through them one week before so as not to get them repeated during KVPY 2021.

5. Solve Sample Papers & Mock Test
Solving KVPY 2021 sample papers helps the candidates to know the types of questions that are asked, the difficulty level of the exam and the important sections. Besides, students can also learn the way of managing their time. KVPY Mock Tests are also helpful in analyzing the preparation level. These mock tests are available in both English and Hindi medium for SA, SB/SX streams.