Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search

The Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) is the institute that offers the renowned JBNSTS Scholarship to under-graduate students studying in West Bengal (India), considered to be the most prestigious state-level scholarship programme at under-graduate level.

Contents

History

JBNSTS was founded in 1958 to commemorate the birth centenary of Acharya Jagadis Chandra Bose (1858-1937), who is considered India's first modern scientist. Founded by visionaries like Dr. B. C. Roy (Chief Minister of West Bengal ) and Sir Jehangir Ghandy (Chairman, Tata Steel), Dr. D. M. Bose (Bose Institute), Dr. S. K. Mitra, Sir Ramasawamy Mudaliar, Shri R P Billimoria, and other stalwarts, it was designed with the help of Westinghouse Science Talent Test, Science Service, Washington. The first batch of JBNSTS scholars received their medals from independent India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961. Currently it has its own campus at J.B.Centre for Excellence, JAGADIS BOSE NATIONAL SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH, 1300, Rajdanga Main Road, Kolkata - 700107, West Bengal

About the institution

JBNSTS is a non profit Autonomous body and this organisation is promoted by the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal and administered by a Governing Body with representatives from the State Government, Academics and Industry. It gets funding from both private and government bodies to meet the educational needs of its range of students. The program in West Bengal is funded and maintained by the State Government, whereas financial support for the neighboring states' student programs is obtained from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Awards to scholars are met from donations from individuals, institutes and industries.

Objective

The objective of the institution is:

To select students with special aptitude for science and providing a scheme for counselling, conserving and helping this most precious resource, namely, human talent, which is necessary for building up the nation, by award of scholarship and otherwise.

Mission

JBNSTS has a threefold mission.

Motivate

To help students realize the importance of excellence in the scientific world and try to cultivate this in their own lives as students of science.

Identify

To identify talented students of science, engineering and medicine who shall develop into scientists and technologists of very high abilities.

Nurture

To nurture them through enrichment programs to develop their talents.

Scholarship programs

Senior Scholarship Program

The Senior Scholarship Program of JBNSTS is the oldest scholarship program of this institution. Started in 1958, it continues to be the most popular scholarship scheme in West Bengal till today.

Application

Selection procedure

All aspiring candidates have to write a written test held on the last Sunday of September every year(for 2010 Senior scholarship exam is to be held on 26 September).LAST DATE FOR RECEIVING APPLICATION FORM AT JBNSTS OFFICE IS 20th AUGUST, 2010. Exam consists of 150 marks and the time given is 3 hours. Questions are of short answer type questions, knowledge based indepth questions and scientific thought based questions, on basic science subjects (includes Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology). The selected candidates from this level are then made to appear in a three-tier selection process which includes:

  1. Interview: The candidate is interviewed by a panel consisting of India's eminent scientists and academicians.
  2. Scientific Creativity Test: The candidates have to undertake this test to evaluate their Scientific thought Process, Understanding and Scientific Creativity.

The candidates are given a choice of 8 questions (two each from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology) and have to attempt any one of them. They are given a time of 24 hours to prepare the solution for the problem and have full access to library facility and are allowed to discuss the answers with their fellow candidates. The next day, they have to present their approach of solving the problem before a panel of experts.

Scholarship details

The scholarship scheme consists of:

  1. Annual scholarship of Rs. 12000, for the students other than basic sciences and for the students of basic sciences gets Rs.80000/year(under DST INSPIRE programme)
  2. Annual book grant of Rs. 1000
  3. Opportunity to participate in Talent Enrichment Program (TEP), where the scholars are taken on a fortnight-long trip to leading research facilities in India like Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Institute of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, etc.
  4. Opportunity to participate in scientific seminars organized under the purview of JBNSTS.
  5. Educational and career counselling from JBNSTS staff.

Every year, a Best School Award is also given to the school that the maximum number of awardees belonged to. It consists of a Rotating Shield and Library Grant of Rs. 5000.

Junior Scholarship Program

Application

This program is specifically for science students of classes XI and XII from Assam , Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, the three Hill Districts of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar and Chattishgarh. However, only students studying science in a recognized institution in Assam , Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland , Tripura and Sikkim can apply for the scholarship. HOWEVER AT THIS MOMENT (YEAR 2010) JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS STOPPED.

Selection procedure

The students have to clear the scholarship test held on third Sunday of September every year.

Scholarship details

The scholarship scheme consists of:

  1. Scholarship for 2 years
  2. Annual book grant
  3. Counseling
  4. Opportunity to take advantage of Distance education program.
  5. Opportunity to participate in science workshop organized by JBNSTS.
  6. Opportunity to participate in contact programs with eminent scientists.
  7. Opportunity to take advantage of Vacation Classesorganized by JBNSTS.
  8. Opportunity to take advantage of Travel Program organized by JBNSTS.

Students from the other five remaining states are invited only for motivational and nurture programs.

Also, every year the school that contributes maximum number of awardees in that particular year is declared as the Best School. The award is in the form of a Library Grant of Rs. 5000 and a Certificate of Honor.

Development Program

This was started in 2000 and is funded by state government and is aimed at students aged between 12 – 14 years receiving formal education from the districts schools of West Bengal. Essentially a motivational program, this is part of the West Bengal District Scheme.

This includes opportunities for the students to take part in:

  1. Science awareness programs.
  2. Accelerated learning program in science.
  3. Counseling sessions.
  4. Vacation classes.
  5. Distance education program.
  6. Apprenticeship and mentorship programs.
  7. Communication skills program.
  8. Travel programs.

Facilities at JBNSTS

Library

JBNSTS library is open between 10:00AM till 5:30PM during Monday till Friday. It contains books from different disciplines of science such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Britannica Encyclopedia and Popular Science.

Laboratory

J C Bose Laboratory for Science through Experiment is under construction

Dormitory

At its campus, i.e. J B Centre for excellence, JBNSTS has a dormitory Accommodation for Boys / Men - 40

Accommodation for Girls/ Women - 20

2 Guest Room

Different Activities of JBNSTS

JBNSTS Motivation Program

JBNSTS Teacher’s Training Program

JBNSTS Nurture Program for neighbouring State students

JBNSTS-DST INSPIRE Program (SHE)

JBNSTS-DST SEATS Program

JBNSTS has been identified as one of the main nodal centers to conduct science camps for science students of Class XI of West Bengal who have secured top 1% position in their Class X examinations at the CBSE, ICSE or State Board. Recently, three northeastern States namely, Sikkim, Manipur and Mizoram are also being covered by JBNSTS.

JBNSTS-DST FIST Program.

JBNSTS has been entrusted with the responsibility of being the Chief Disbursement Nodal Centre for the entire Northeastern region, for the FIST program initiated by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. Under this program research scholars and faculties of NE universities can visit institutions in other region and faculties from other regions visit the NE universities for sharing their experience and expertise.

External links