How should I prepare for my interview in IISc Bangalore for the Integrated PhD course in Physics? I appeared in JAM 2016.

I was interviewed at IISc Bangalore for an integrated Ph.D. in Physics. Once you get an interview call, your JAM marks or rank do not matter.

You will give an interview to a panel of 5 to 6 professors, each one of whom will be an expert in their field. In the beginning,  you are asked about your UG studies and favorite topics in Physics. After this, you are asked questions and thoroughly examined. 

Be very clear with the basics of Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Mathematical Physics. You can be asked anything from them. Truncated Harmonic Oscillator and Finite Square Well are important topics that are routinely asked during a Physics interview. 

You should accept it if you do not know about a topic or did not study it. This is because the panelists easily assess what you know and what you do not know. If you do not know a topic and the panelists are in a good mood, you will be asked to get into the ‘let’s figure out’ mode, else, they will move on to another topic.

My interview experience at IISc Bangalore was quite good. I was not selected for the iPh.D. Physics program but the interview aided my growth and knowledge. I would recommend you enjoy the interview at IISc Bangalore and also give it well-prepared.