🧬 Life Sciences
PUC Science · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)
Entrance Exam
KCET / CUET
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.
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years🔬 PUC — ScienceTwo years of pre-university study in the Science stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 KCET / CUETEntry to B.Sc is through KCET / CUET. KCET is run by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and leads to Engineering, farm science, nursing and allied courses in Karnataka. CUET 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.
- 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.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Research ScientistCommon starting roles include Research Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Biotech Industry.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MSc (2Y)You can continue with MSc (2Y), PhD (3–5Y), Post-Doc Research.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 CSIR-UGC NET / JRFCSIR-UGC NET / JRF · PhD at IISc / NCBS · Post-doctoral research
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ CSIR laboratory scientistCSIR laboratory scientist · DBT / ICAR research posts · Forensic Science Laboratory officer · FSSAI food safety officer · Pollution control board scientist
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Biotech startupBiotech startup · Diagnostics laboratory · Agri-biotech venture · Food testing laboratory
- 10Leadership · Long term⭐ Principal InvestigatorPrincipal Investigator · R&D Head · Professor
Job roles and salary ranges
Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.
Higher studies
- ›MSc (2Y)
- ›PhD (3–5Y)
- ›Post-Doc Research
Research routes
- ›CSIR-UGC NET / JRF
- ›PhD at IISc / NCBS
- ›Post-doctoral research
Government jobs
- ›CSIR laboratory scientist
- ›DBT / ICAR research posts
- ›Forensic Science Laboratory officer
- ›FSSAI 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