How to Prepare for UGC-CSIR NET for LS, JRF & DRDO SET

The National Eligibility Test (NET) has now become virtually compulsory for
anyone who wants to pursue a career in research or teaching at the College Level in
India. Getting the NET certificate may seem as an elusive dream for many, but a
little bit of preparation may turn it into reality. We have tried to compile a list of tips
which might help you succeed! If one would like to join DRDO (www.drdo.org) as
a young scientist, taking the SET examination held in September is the way in.

If one approaches from a physics perspective, the GATE examination

conducted every year in February will be a more challenging one. We are not
discussing the strategies for the GATE examination here, but that also has become
objective type and a comprehensive preparation combining all the above mentioned
exams will leave one victorious in all. Moreover, the GATE exam will be useful for
those who wish to join for an M Tech in various fields available throughout the
country. It is good to notice that many countries like Singapore recognize GATE and
give admission to graduate courses, including Ph D, based on the GATE score. At the
same time, exams like the CSIR NET are important for those who wish to do
research and teaching within the country itself. Those who wish to have a foreign Ph
D should preferably have a good GRE and TOEFL score apart from a good Masters
Project and, desirably, some research publications. In that case also, if one wishes to
reach a prestigious institution, subject GRE, which again is an objective type
examination, is a prerequisite. So it is for the aspirant to set goals and aim for big.

Applying for NET/SET

The NET is held twice a year - in June and December. The forms are available
at notified bank counters throughout the country once the official call for application
comes. Check the Employment News/Career Magazines first for the details,
instructions, etc. This will tell you all that you need, to apply for the test. While
filling in the form, double check (and triple check) that you have filled in the
information correctly (especially the subject code and centre code) since you won't
be able to change anything later on.

The DRDO SET is held once in year in September and will be notified in April
or May. Application forms will be available in selected branches of SBI. Preparation
for the NET may help you to do well in this test also.

Preparing for NET

Follow the syllabus thoroughly. Even if you cannot finish all the options given,
at least make sure that you know some of the concepts in each unit. It is always
good to consult your peers and seniors who have gone through the process, though
sometimes worrying too much may leave you in the middle of utter confusion. So
develop genuine interest in the subject while you learn. Otherwise a research or
teaching career may not be challenging at all. Making use of the available objective
type question papers of exams like GATE can be a good practice before the exam.
Writing the Exam

The Paper I of the NET contains multiple choice questions where you will have to
finish 100 questions in 135 minutes. The first 30 questions comprise of general
science and math questions including earth sciences and computer science, where as
the remaining 70 questions are from your subject. First attempt the questions you
are sure about and then attempt the other questions. Since there is negative
marking learn to answer this paper promptly so that you avoid questions which you
cannot appropriate with a suitable answer. If you have time, recheck your answers.
The question paper for Paper II will be given in the afternoon session and it is
important to note that if you don’t score above a cut off mark in Paper I, your Paper
II will not be evaluated, which mean you won’t qualify at all. Furthermore, Paper II
will have two sections following the syllabus.

With regards to the first part of Paper I (General Science), try to recollect your
undergraduate Chemistry and Biology. It assumed that a Physics student is
comfortable in dealing with the Math, Computer Science and Physics questions in this
part which is meant for all science students taking the CSIR exam. If you are not
comfortable with any of these, put some common sense or logic into the questions
and given answers, you will not be disappointed. About the earth sciences part, read
the physical geography part of the book Certificate Physical and human
Geography – Goh Cheng Leong (Orient Longman) or any NCERT Physical
Geography book. Let us set the target for this session as at least 20 correct answers
out of thirty questions.

Though the sections in the syllabus may appear relatively tougher or easier to
different people, it is imperative to put more attention in the Paper I topics such as
Mathematical methods, Classical & Quantum Physics, Electromagnetics and
Thermal Physics & Statistical Mechanics. These sections are crucial for success
in the examination as they constitute the source for questions in the Paper I. If one
views the subject as a whole it is Mathematical Methods, Statistical & Quantum
Mechanics, Solid State Physics and Electrodynamics that form the core of the
subject. From the NET point of view, sections such as Mathematical Physics,
Electronics and Spectroscopy can be covered much easily and thus makes them
highly scoring. The same can be true for Classical Mechanics. One should not leave
out the highly scoring portions like electronics, spectroscopy and experimental
techniques. Choose the core areas from each section and concentrate on them after
ensuring that you have some basic idea of the section.

The SET has 150 questions out of which 50 will be GK + Math and 100
Physics. There will be separate sessions for both with a small interval in between
during which the candidate is not allowed to go out. Questions are again framed in
the CSIR mould if one goes through the syllabi. At the same time the SET syllabus is
not as elaborative as the CSIR’s. This is mainly due to the fact that DRDO specializes
in particular areas like Solid State, Electronics etc. The test is followed by an
interview for those who qualify the test, usually held in December.
How to Avoid a Disaster?

Though we cannot say anything about the cut off marks, experience tells that
one has to score well in Paper I to get a JRF. At the same time leave your thoughts
about the performance in the Paper I back and do well in the afternoon session with
a clear and sound mind. Some may have a tendency to throw it up feeling dejected
about your performance during the day. Let us wait the results to come before
making disastrous assumptions to spoil your day. Also be cool in your approach to
the exam and never give up during the examination by doing things like answering
all the multiple choice questions randomly based on luck feeling dejected of your
performance. There is plenty of time to be prepared and perform well. And from
experience, many have come out successfully even after believing that they did
perform very poorly.

In examination with objective type multiple choice questions (MCQs), there is

a tendency called the ‘Red Wire Syndrome’ which means to answer all questions
whether one knows the correct answer or not. If we can classify the questions into
three categories, viz. 1) Sure, 2) Not So Sure and 3) Never, indicating whether one
knows the correct answer, possible but some doubt still prevails and almost
impossible, respectively. The ‘red wire syndrome’ means that one will have tendency
to answer all the questions, which is disastrous, just like a child who touches a ‘red
hot wire’ seeing its beauty. The key to success lies in answering all the ‘Sure’ types,
and leaving out the ‘Never’ types. It is imperative to learn the art of intelligent
guessing to answer the type 2. This evidently comes from one’s experience and basic
knowledge of the subject. So never ever find it insulting to go back to your basics (at
least refer to some of the basic books in the list below). So never forget practice well
using previous question papers of GATE, UPSC Civil Services, etc. to make you come
out with flying colours.

In Paper II, one will have to answer a specified number (usually 20) of
questions, each one page long choosing from two sections and the paper total will be
200 marks with all questions carrying equal marks. It is important to answer to the
point with all relevant points so that one gets good score for this paper. This will help
to make one qualify for the JRF as well to appear for the selection process for the
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (SPM) Fellowship. Only the top 20% qualifiers from the
June and December exams will be called for the SPM selection exam which is
followed by an interview. This is highly challenging when one sees the number of
people who have been selected for the SPM so far.

After the Exam

Once the exam is over, I am sure you will be relieved. But don't stop now!
Write down the questions you can remember. Do this the same day or you won't be
able to recall them afterwards. This will help you in preparing for the next exam in
case you do not clear it this time. If you do clear it, well, you could pass on the
questions to your friends who plan to take the test or send it to us. Let us get ready
for a memory retention test too. In case of those who qualify SET, it is time to
prepare for the interview. Be thorough with the basics as well as the physics
experiments you have done after your schools.

Some Books that May Help!

General Reference

1. Fundamentals of Physics – R Resnick, D Halliday & J Walker (Wiley)

2. Concepts of Physics – H C Verma (Bharati Bhawan)
3. Calculus and Analytical Geometry – Thomas and Finney (Pearson) {for those
who want some basic math}
4. Perspectives of Modern Physics – A Beiser (TMH)
5. Concepts of Modern Physics – A Beiser (TMH)
6. Modern Physics – R Gautreau and W Savin (Schaum’s Outline Series)
7. Certificate Physical and human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong
(OrientLongman) {read the physical geography part of this book or any
NCERT Physical Geography book if you are weak in earth sciences.}
8. Quantum Mechanics – Y Peleg et al. (Schaum’s Outline Series)
9. Feynman Lecture in Physics
10. Read the linked article in Physics Kerala by Gerard’t Hooft and use the
resources cited by him thereof.

Basic Mathematical Methods

This section is not highly demanding but it is important to concentrate on

problems and basic functions. Key areas are: Vector Calculus, Properties of Matrices
and Matrix Equations, Fourier series and Complex analysis. Expect simple problems
in Paper I & II based on your basic understanding of the subject. Knowledge of areas
like the Eigen value equations of matrices and vectors are important throughout the
subject especially in areas like Quantum mechanics. Given below are some books
that may help. References #2 and #3 make good resources if you have one in the
library, but please feel comfortable to refer to any good book that come by.

1. Mathematical Methods for Physicists – Arfken

2. Mathematical Techniques for Engineers and Scientists – Andrews and Phillips
(SPIE Press)
3. Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers – Donald A McQuarrie
(University Science Books: California)
4. Complex Variables – Churchill (McGraw-Hill)

Classical Dynamics

This section is important from the point of view that most of the questions are
sure types if you develop some skill over dynamics and relativity. Relativity is
important since easy but tricky problems can be asked in both papers. Working our
as many problems as possible using books like Beiser and Resnick will help in that
area. Also expect problems in areas like Lagrangian Dynamics, Canonical
Transformations, Commutation brackets and Wave Phenomena. Prior knowledge of
ideas involving conservative forces, dispersion relations of waves and the
mathematical treatment of dynamics in general in important.

1. Mechanics – Landau and Lifshitz (Pergamon)

2. Classical Mechanics – Goldstein, Poole and Safko (Pearson) 3rd Edn.
3. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics – M G Calkin (World Scientific)
4. Relativity – The Special and General Theory – A Einstein (available for
download from the net)
5. Introduction to Special Relativity – R Resnick (Wiley)

Electromagnetics

This is a good area for those who have the basic knowledge of electromagnetics
(read your Resnick and Halliday or Kraus or anything that gives a good description).
Maxwell’s equations are the milestone but each among the four equations has a
story to tell. Differentiate between conducting and non conducting media and learn
about the symmetry of fields and boundaries to be able to solve problems in the
area. It is mostly a problem of defining your equations, and solving them using the
appropriate boundary conditions. It will be worthwhile to notice that both electric and
magnetic fields have many things in common (like both are not conservative fields)
but they have fundamental differences (like the presence of electric monopole and
absence of magnetic monopole). Fundamentals make good hunting ground for
examiners. So be prepared! Also, never forget to look into the relativistic
electrodynamics and different gauges used.

1. Introduction to Electrodynamics – D J Griffiths (Prentice Hall)

2. Basic Laws of Electromagnetism – I E Irodov (Mir)
3. Electromagnetics with Applications – Kraus and Fleisch (McGraw-Hill)
4. Optics – Eugene Hecht (Pearson)
5. Introduction to Modern Optics – Grant R. Fowles (Dover)

Quantum Physics and Applications

This is the core of modern physics and some good mathematical concept will make it
interesting. Stick to the basics again and work out basic problems like the calculation of Eigen
values, probabilities, expectation values etc. Commutation relations and conservation laws are a
must. Remember the solutions to different basic problems like the free particle, one dimensional
well, particle in a box and the harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum and coupling are
important. Scattering may be difficult to bite but questions can be asked. There are plenty of
books available following different strategies. A book like Modern Quantum Mechanics by J J
Sakurai is quite refreshing but from the examination point of view it is better to follow more
general books considering the demands of the syllabus and examination patterns. Before going to
dwell into the following or any serious book, have firm grip of the basics of quantum world using
books such as Beiser and Resnick & Halliday.

1. Quantum Mechanics – E Merzbacher (Wiley)

2. Quantum Mechanics – R Shankar (Plenum)
3. Quantum Mechanics – A Goswami (Waveland Pr Inc)
Thermodynamic and Statistical Physics

It is important to know the basic laws of thermodynamics and the relations that
define thermodynamic variables which are obtainable otherwise using the methods of
statistical mechanics. It will be better to use books like Patria and Huang to crack the
questions in this section. Develop basic idea behind of partition function, ensembles
and their classification (put the logic into your mind), and the need for different
statistical approaches. The last part is important as we deal with microscopic
particles everywhere in physics. It is always helpful if one can draw parallels between
different papers and think in unison.

1. Statistical Mechanics – R K Patria (Butterworth Heinemann)

2. Statistical Mechanics – K Huang (Wiley)
3. Elements of Statistical Mechanics – Kamal Singh and S P Singh (S. Chand)
4. Statistical Mechanics: A Set of Lectures – R P Feynman (W A Benjamin Inc:
New York)

Experimental Design

Remember your Laboratory lessons and the working principles of instruments

used. Give a reading over thermal gauges and gadgets, pressure gauges, vacuum
pumps, nuclear detectors, electric and electronic circuits for detection etc. Some
basic books in specific areas mentioned in the syllabus may help.

Electronics

Any good book covering the syllabus, for a problem oriented strategy to tackle the
simple questions from this high scoring part. A good grasp of basic ideas in
electronics is a prerequisite.

1. Elements of Electronics – Bagde & Singh (S Chand & Co)

2. Principles of Electronics – V K Mehta (S Chand & Co.)

3. Operational Amplifiers & Linear Integrated Circuits – R Gayakawad (Pearson)

4. Electronic Principles – A P Malvino (TMH)

Atomic & Molecular Physics

Much easier to learn and answer. Books 2 and 3 below can be helpful in general if
one wants to go more elaborately, Eisberg and Resnick may be helpful. One should
be able to answer to all questions related to this section especially from different
parts of spectroscopy. Reference #1 will be useful for other sections like nuclear and
elementary particle physics too.
 1. Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, - R
Eisberg and R Resnick (Wiley)
2. Introduction to Atomic Spectra - H.E. White (McGraw-Hill)
3. Molecular Spectroscopy – C N Barnwell (McGraw-Hill)

Condensed Matter Physics

This is a crucial paper worth spending time. In the field of research and
development most remarkable results were published in this area. So a good
knowledge of the subject not only helps in the exam but also helps in future career.
The section include simple theories in crystallography and superconductivity to
acoustic and electric properties of matter, free electron theory, heat capacity models,
band theory, theory of magnetism etc. Knowledge of statistical and quantum
mechanics will be highly helpful. Most of the bulk properties are derived from
microscopic analysis of matter. It is important to notice the temperature dependence
of many materials characteristics such as heat capacity, electrical conductivity,
magnetic properties etc. Syllabus follows the contents of Kittel which much more
abstract than the other books. Have a go at the book #3 if you are feeling other
books too abstract.

1. Introduction to Solid State Physics – C Kittel (Wiley)

2. Solid State Physics – Ali Omar (Pearson?)
3. Problems and Solutions in Solid State Physics – S O Pillai (New Age)
4. Solid State Physics – Azhcroft and Mermin

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear physics, not per se, is not that highly challenging if you go by the
syllabus. Nuclear models, semi empirical mass formula, nuclear stability, and ideas
of different counters can come in handy. In case of reactions and emissions, beta
particle decay is important. Follow different mechanisms possible within a nucleus.
Elementary particle physics can be tougher for some but learn the classification of
particles (there are not many groups – ref. Resnick and Halliday), with the aid of
some group theory and general reading. Learn to solve any nuclear or elementary
particle reactions using the basic conservation laws used to group them.
Hypercharge, Iso-spin, Baryon or Lepton Number, Strangeness etc. are not that
difficult to digest. Ideas of violation of parity, CPT etc will help. Questions from this
section will be adhered to the syllabus and have good reading of Khanna or any
other good book.

1. Any good book on Nuclear Physics or Modern Physics which may help to cover
the syllabus.
2. Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics – Khanna (Prentice Hall)
 Back to the Basics!

As students of physics we might have the habit of neglecting other realms of knowledge
especially achievements in other fields of science, if not the basics we had learned in schools.
Some general knowledge and parallel reading coupled with lateral thinking can help us in doing
well in competitive exams meant for public services in India like the DRDO exam. Let us go back
to our basics whenever we feel the heat of competence. Be a good physicist but at the same time
develop your other skills as well. Take Erwin Schrödinger as a good example. He, though
considered as a hard core theoretical physicist, went to on to write a book like ‘What is Life?’
which served as a revelation to the biological scientists. Let us never leave that habit of reading
and thinking apart from enjoying what we are good in.

“Learning is excellence of wealth that none destroy;

To man nought else affords reality of joy.”

– The ‘Thirukkural’

Books like Resnick & Halliday, H C Verma, and Beiser are marvels to help you with the
fundamentals in any area of Physics. Make Beiser your standard text for launching the subject in
our perspective. We don’t need any elaborative description of the Feynman Lectures in Physics
and the same is true about some of the books from the Russian School. Mathew Sands, one of the
authors of the Feynman Lectures in Physics, says it was the tutors and students outside the USA
who have made the best use of their masterpiece than the Americans. Masters of the subject like
Landau and Irodov speak volumes through abstract ideas expressed in their books. Some of the
books mentioned above may be out of ones reach but consult your peers and seniors since they
say in Spanish: “experto crede” meaning “listen to someone who’s been there”. The Schaum’s
Outline Series are best companions if you are looking for some problems and solutions. Problems
are the key to success in the wonderful world of physics. Conquer the hardest areas in the
syllabus to make yourself the best in the business. All the best!

“The only place where success comes before work is in dictionary” - Vidal Sasson

About the Author

Mr. Jijo P U is pursuing his Ph D availing the CSIR Senior Research

Fellowship at the International School of Photonics of the Cochin
University of Science and Technology. He has served two academic
terms as Lecturer in Physics at St. Thomas College, Palai, Kerala, where
he completed his B Sc and M Sc in Physics. His research interests are
Nonlinear Dynamics, Classical and Quantum Optics, Solid State Physics
and Computational Physics. The author is thankful to all his friends
within the Physics Kerala group and the CUSAT for the fruitful
discussions he had with them in preparing this article. He can be
reached at [email protected].

Disclaimer

This article is never an authorized account of the exams mentioned above and do not bear
any official confirmation from the part of the agencies mentioned above. Views expressed are
personal to the author and readers are recommended to follow their own discretion in following
the ideas expressed in the article.

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