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Hi Hrishav,
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To pursue a career in Astronomy, your friend needs to pass 10+2 in Science stream with Maths and Physics as core subjects.
After completing graduation you can take up a Master's degree in Physics and Astronomy.
Thereafter, you can even opt for a specialization in astronomy i.e. PhD which enables you to become an astronomer/ astronaut/ astrophysicist/ scientist or a research officer.
For PhD, you need to appear for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) examination.
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Job Prospects :
- A beginner could be employed as a junior researcher in any existing Astronomy project.
- An Astronomer usually works for the government, defense and space research organizations, electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers etc.
- Degree/ Diploma/ Doctorate holder in these disciplines can find job opportunities in stellar establishments like the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Space Physics Laboratories, Space Applications Centers, etc.
- Candidates with a Master's degree or a PhD can join and do research in any one of the following renowned institutes :
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, (Pune)
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore
Aryabhata Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIOS), Nainital
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmadabad
Space Science Centre, ISRO, Thiruvanthapuram
- The prospects of traveling abroad are wide open as international seminars and conventions are held quite regularly in different countries
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Salary :
Salary depends on various parameters such as size of the organization, profile, qualification, experience etc.
But, still, to give you a brief idea,
- Freshers can earn a salary of Rs. 10000-12000 per month.
- Government bodies and research institutes employ astronomers with high salary package and other allowances.
- Many globally reputed institutions such as NASA offer high package for talented students.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful.
Wish You Luck!

Hi Rajan,
As per the official website :
" To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2013 :
The IIT Council has clearly spelt out the eligibility criteria for students who have given their XII Boards in 2012, for those who are writing betterment in 2013 and for those who are writing their XII boards for the first time in 2013 and for foreign nationals.
* For Students who Passed Their Class XII Board Exam in 2012 :
The eligibility criteria for joining any of the IITs or ISM Dhanbad will be 60% marks in their 12th Board or equivalent (55% for SC/ST/PD candidates).
* For Students Who Passed their Class XII Board Exam in 2012 but are reappearing the Boards in 2013 to improve their performance:
1.60% rule will apply if they use their 2012 Board exam results
2.Top 20 percentile' rule will apply if they use their 2013 Board exam results.
This will be a one-time exception for JEE (Advanced) 2013 only.
* For Students Who Give their Class XII Board Exams for First Time in 2013 :
It is 'top 20 percentile of the successful candidates' in their Boards, category-wise. This will be a one-time exception for JEE (Advanced) 2013 only.
* For Students Where Percentile Score is Not Available From Testing Agencies :
In case the percentile score is not available from testing agencies [such as Pre-University exam conducted by a University, two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy, General Certificate Education examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka), High School Certificate Examination of Cambridge University, International Baccalaureate Diploma (Geneva), Senior Secondary School Examination of National Institute of Open Schooling, three year Diploma recognized by AICTE / State Board of Technical Education and any Public School/Board/University examination in India or in any foreign country recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)] , the CBSE score for top 20 percentile of the successful candidates in the student's category will be used. "
You may visit the official website for specific details.
Hope it helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful.
Wish You Luck!