Clear Career

🧬 Life Sciences

PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)

Duration

3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)

Entrance Exam

/

Degree

B.Sc

Job Roles

8 mapped

What it costs to get there

Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka

Government seat

₹20,000–60,000

about ₹13,333 a year

Private / management seat

₹1.5–4.5L

about ₹1L a year

Tuition for the full degree. Government first-grade colleges are heavily subsidised; autonomous and private colleges charge much more.

Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.

Who can apply

Passed Class 12 with Biology and Chemistry. Minimum marks vary by university.

How to apply

Admission via CUET UG (cuet.nta.nic.in) for central universities, KCET for Karnataka seats, or direct university merit.

The journey, step by step

SSLC through to leadership.

  1. 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
  2. 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
  3. 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 / Entry to B.Sc is through / . is run by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and leads to Engineering, farm science, nursing and allied courses in Karnataka. UG is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to Central and participating universities for BA, B.Sc, B.Com and more. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
  4. 4Degree · 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)📘 B.ScLife Sciences: 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP). You can specialise in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry and more.
  5. 5First Job · After graduating💼 Research ScientistCommon starting roles include Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Biotech Industry.
  6. 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MSc (2Y)You can continue with MSc (2Y), PhD (3–5Y), Post-Doc Research.
  7. 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 -UGC NET / JRF-UGC NET / JRF · PhD at IISc / NCBS · Post-doctoral research
  8. 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ laboratory scientist laboratory scientist · DBT / research posts · Forensic Science Laboratory officer · food safety officer · Pollution control board scientist
  9. 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Biotech startupBiotech startup · Diagnostics laboratory · Agri-biotech venture · Food testing laboratory
  10. 10Leadership · Long term Principal InvestigatorPrincipal Investigator · R&D Head · Professor

Job roles and salary ranges

Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.

Research ScientistEntry₹5–18L
Clinical Research AssociateMid₹4–12L
Biotech IndustryMid₹6–20L
Bioinformatics AnalystMid₹6–18L
MicrobiologistSenior₹4–10L
Food Safety OfficerSenior₹5–11L
Patent AnalystSenior₹5–14L
Environmental AnalystSenior₹4–10L

Higher studies

  • MSc (2Y)
  • PhD (3–5Y)
  • Post-Doc Research

Research routes

  • -UGC NET / JRF
  • PhD at IISc / NCBS
  • Post-doctoral research

Government jobs

  • laboratory scientist
  • DBT / research posts
  • Forensic Science Laboratory officer
  • food safety officer
  • Pollution control board scientist

Start your own

  • Biotech startup
  • Diagnostics laboratory
  • Agri-biotech venture
  • Food testing laboratory

Senior roles later

  • Principal Investigator
  • R&D Head
  • Professor

Specialisations

  • Biotechnology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics

Where it is taught

  • IISc Bengaluru
  • IISER Tirupati
  • Banaras Hindu University
  • University of Hyderabad

Where these facts come from

UGC curriculum; admission via KCET / CUET