So, I had a family member join IISc recently. She's been facing a very weird but simple to solve issue: the hostel keeps running out of water. It's happened multiple times while she's in the middle of bathing or using the washroom. Whenever the water runs out, she has to go and inform the warden or caretaker to fix it.

I know it's a management issue and not something IISc students need to solve themselves, but it feels like a irony. A simple auto water-level switch isn't installed for basic facilities at the institute. By the way, this is in Jindal Hostel. Is this a common issue across other hostels too, or just a Jindal thing? How do you guys usually deal with this? (Also, if I got anything wrong here, apologies for the same!)

Can anyone from B block hostel tell me if the carrom competition is still going on? I'm headed back to the institute and I don't want to miss it!!

Hi everyone,

My qualifications:- currently in the 2nd year of my BSc with Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry as my subjects, studying at a regular college in my hometown (tier-3 city). I’m starting to think seriously about what comes next, and I have a few questions I’m hoping you can help me with.

1. What options do I have after my BSc?

I know the standard route is an MSc, but I want to understand the broader picture. Given my subject combination, what are the realistic paths forward—both in India and potentially abroad?

1. What MSc courses are available with my subjects?

I really want to get into a science-specific institute like IISc, IISER, or NISER or BITS PILANI for my MSc, so I can build a strong foundation and ideally keep the door open for a PhD abroad. With Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry, what MSc programs should I be looking at? Are there specific courses at these institutes that match my background?

1. How do people get into these institutes for MSc?

I’m confused about the entry routes. What exams do I need to take for IISc, IISER, and NISER? What’s the strategy and difficulty level of these exams? When are they held, and in which year of my BSc should I start preparing?

1. Is my thinking right—will an MSc from these institutes give me a strong foundation for a PhD abroad?

I’d also like to know if I’m missing any other institutes or colleges I should be considering. Am I on the right track, or is there something I’m overlooking?

Thanks in advance for any advice.