Hi fellow reddit users,

I need some help regarding my course selection in PhD. I've done my Masters in aviation with avionics specialization and i want to do my research work in avionics and I'm pretty confused which topic to choose in avionics I got to know that there's an IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology) in Thiruvananthapuram and I'm really interested in joining this college/institution If there's anyone from this college please guide me and can you please tell me the eligibility criteria and the requirements to get admission into this. Your help is much appreciated Thanks in advance,

Regards...

Hey Guys, we are Rocketry-India, one of India's largest communities to discuss, collaborate and build anything related to rocketry, comprising of 400+ students and working professionals. We are on the journey of crafting indigenous high-powered rockets in India. You can check out our first successfully launch, Jericho here- https://www.youtube.com/@RI40555 and are currently in the finishing stages of building our second high-powered rocket.

If you are a rocketry/space enthusiast, do join our community. We are a bunch of like-minded people talking, discussing and building Rockets and other cool stuff related to it. Link to our community- https://discord.com/invite/KMFAM6aUZT

Links for our LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocketry-india as well as our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rocketry_india/ too. Cheers!

Picture- Our First rocket, Jericho was equipped with indigenously developed Solid rocket booster, a flight computer and consisted of various payloads. After months of hard work, our rocket successfully took flight, soared to an altitude of 1 km and was recovered without any cosmetic damage.

This post is for IIST undergrad students to make the most of your time on campus and set yourselves up for a successful career after IIST. As you may know, IIST has been evolving. Originally, the college was established to induct UG students directly into ISRO, but over time, this dynamic has been changing. Although many students will still join ISRO (exact numbers may vary each year).

Following the journeys of IIST alumni—both those within ISRO and those who’ve ventured outside — can give you insight into various career paths. You have the flexibility to shape your own path whether in or out of ISRO, and have plan-B for how things pan out.

For those aiming to join ISRO

If your goal is to join ISRO as a Scientist/Engineer, focus on maintaining strong grades. That should help you in getting the job. You should also focus on building a strong academic and technical foundation through your studies/projects that will help you once you are in the job.

For aspiring SpaceTech Professionals

If you want to work in spacetech (even outside ISRO), you should also focus on building a strong academic and technical foundation through your studies/projects. Work to get internships at ISRO centres, spacetech startups and industry. Keep an eye on what SpaceTech startups in India (and abroad) are working on and the roles they’re hiring for. Online courses can help you align your skills with industry demands.

For Those Leaning Toward Tech Roles (Software, Analytics, AI/ML, Design)

If you’re aiming for tech roles, start working on gaining relevant skills, if those you feel are lacking in the core curriculum. Take up suitable projects and internships to back this path. There’s a wealth of resources online to help you prepare.

For Business/Non-Technical Careers

For those inclined toward business roles—like consulting, product management, or marketing—start preparing for those interview styles and gaining industry-relevant skills. This may include practicing case studies, guesstimates, and other specific interview prep. Again, internships and projects relevant to your interests will back up this path.

For Students Considering Higher Education (MTech, MS, MBA, PhD)

If you want to pursue higher eduction, start researching programs and setting timelines. Tests like GATE, GRE, or GMAT may be part of the process, so allocate time for those preparations.

Some General Advice

- Show initiative: Don’t just rely on the college for placements, start following relevant alums on LinkedIn. Many spacetech firms don't prefer campus hiring, they role out jobs based on their specific hiring needs and their schedule might not match with campus placements. They receive a large number of applications and coming to campus to hire 1/2 fresher candidates might not be feasible for them. Closer to placements follow their Career pages and linkedIn. Connect with alums in these startups for specific queries, job posts, internships and potential referrals. Show why you would be a great fit and deserve to be hired at their firm.

- Student Clubs: While a lot of clubs at IIST do good work, building a strong placement pipeline and connect should be an important part of club activities. Clubs at IIST have a vital role in exposing students to career options, fostering a network of peers with similar interests, and supporting placement preparation. IIST lacks a lot of clubs which other colleges have (which play an important role in placements) such as a Analytics/AI-ML Club, Entreprenuership Club, Consulting Club, Product Management Club, Design Club etc. These clubs are important in today's industry scenario. Rather than viewing your peers as competition, remember that students from other premier institutions are the larger competition in the talent pool, so at campus, its important to help and grow together.

- The IISTian brand: Your alumni through the years are working in impressive roles, companies and institutions all accross the world. IISTians have founded multi-million dollar startups solving impactful problems. A lot of alumni at ISRO are leading and contributing to important projects of national importance. Some of them are also students and alumni of other globally recognised universities. Being an IISTian, you are becoming part of a well recognised community, which gives you access to all these people by association, and who may play an important part in your professional journey. Once you have joined this college, it will stay on your resume throughout your life. Think about how you want to represent this brand — This includes not publicly defaming your own brand, college and alumni as on some of the posts in this sub-reddit. Engage meaningfully with issues you face rather than airing them in ways that might harm your own perception outside.

- Focus Beyond the Short Term: Your undergrad college experience is once in a lifetime experience, and thus is important. But your college life is a temporary four year stop, meant to prepare for the rest of your life outside college. Don’t get stuck just solving day-to-day problems or short-term concerns of your college life. Take this time to discover your goals, interests, and passions, and help each other to build towards them.

Been there, done that, An IIST alum reminiscing his own journey, wishes you all the best in yours!

Hey guys, I am a 2024 AE passout. I just wanted to tell you guys that doing internships outside IIST in other colleges gives you so much exposure. Better start from second year. There are people who get internships in IITs in second year by mailing profs. Internships in ISRO are also good. It's a good chance to go to other cities and experience their culture. I've realised it after doing an internship at IIST and two more outside. It helps a lot.

Given that you don't have the guarantee of ISRO job, its better to gain as much xp as possible.

Is that ture the absorbing rate going down year by year . please help me out

can i get into IIST by doing well in their ISAT (aptitude test) but not writing the JEE exam?

Because i am a student that is not studying the Indian syllabus, I'm in the cambridge British Syllabus. So JEE is not cut out for me. But i still really wish to get into IIST.

I am a first year ECE student preparing for GATE. I want to pursue Avionics for my MS or Mtech in India or abroad... Which good govt college offer such courses other than IIST?

Also, how is IIST's Avionics dep? and any internship opportunities or placements in ISRO or related companies?

They called me, but I decided to skip this opportunity... sadly..

How's the weather at IIST and do the classes and library have air conditioning during classes??

Indian institute of Space science and Technology (IIST), Vailamala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Anyone who joined IIST this year please comment or DM me ... I need some help

Is this error for only me or is it the same for everyone else too?

Hi!

Went through many posts in the r/iist subreddit, but couldn't find much info on the PG programs. Almost all of them were for the UG programs.

Tbh, a lot of the stuff here scared me. I was looking to potentially join here (next year) in M.Tech in Machine Learning and Computing or Quantum Technology (very interested in both), but the scenarios of bad campus and hostel life, terrible placements are making me reconsider.

I thought the college is a Grade A institution, on par with some of the IITs and NITs, but I did not know things were bad (?) However, most of this info was for the UG programs, and I hope it's better for PG.

So if anyone studying in the PG programs could tell me more about the scenes there.... FOR A MASTER'S STUDENT... The placements, academic rigour, student life, hostel life etc. I believe that Master's students will have more freedom and autonomy than the UG students. I'd love to hear some Masters-specific answers please 🙏🙏 TIA!

Those who got IIST and those who don't both please answer which college will you go if you will not get iist or students who still didn't got iist.. KINDA A SPACE ENTHUSIASTS ..

Anyone joining in post graduation aerospace??...lets connect!!

last year ke cutoff dekhkar bahaut khush tha ki iist me admission ho jayega ab main sari hope kho chuka hu WL is 75

Mobile phones are strictly not allowed in the institution premises. Juniors note it.

I wanted to ask seniors which softwares that are required for ece? since I have to buy a laptop; I wanted to know about technical requirements.I am confused between mac or windows laptop.

Why this year Revalidation option was removed .. and in spot also many students are in waiting list despite of getting their college they cannot come out of spot rounds..

IIST should look over this issue to revalidate students for spot rounds again

What's your opinion please comment down 👇

Are there any restrictions regarding dress code?

Please let me know.

i have not received any email stating admission is confirmed (or) to report on 27th July 9am.

What about the room allotment for pg students?...is there any single sharing rooms or all will get double sharing?

1. Is it must to stay in Hostel or can come as day scholar. If needed to stay in hostel how many semesters is it mandatory.

2. Whether parents are allowed to see the student. Any specific timing and day is followed.

3. Whether students can order food from outside like swiggy, zomato. Whether they are allowed inside for deliveries.

4. What about the hostel facilities and rules followed for the student.

My friend wants to join IIST......so he wants to ask some college related questions.....

He is in very much dilemma....

Please.... anyone wants to help?

Please message given below, I will talk to you personally....

I am joining for the dual degree program, what should I fill in the details of the course, it should be undergraduate degree Or others? Also what to fill in the name of the course?

Many of you guys will be coming to IIST for admissions next week. But as soon as you'll reach Trivandrum you'll realise how far the campus is from the city, be it the Railway Station, or the Airport. And along with that you may also face some challenge while communicating with the locals if you don't know Malayalam. So here's a guide to reach IIST Campus from Trivandrum City.

This guide is also helpful while coming back to campus when you'll go to city as a student.

Also note that, this is not an exhaustive guide, there can be more ways, and if you know, please mention in the comments as it will be useful for me too.

This guide is mainly focused for those who don't want to spend a lot of money on cabs/auto and want to reach through buses and are not in a hurry. If you're in a hurry, just spend some money and take the cab. Also, you'll not find bus if it's night time, so this guide is only for day-time.

If you do want to come via cab/auto, you'll get it easily from either the Railway Station or the Airport. The typical fairs are as follow:

• Airport
  • Taxi: Rs1500 (Airport Taxi service)
  • Auto: 900-1100 (depends on how good you bargain)
• TVM Central Railway Station
  • Taxi: Rs1000-Rs1300
  • Auto: Rs800-Rs1000

Important Note: Please make sure that the cab/auto driver has clearly understood that you want to go to IIST, sometimes they confuse it with IISER (which is much farther from the city than IIST). To remove any confusion, mention the place "ISRO Valiamala" to the driver.

The Main Guide

Step 1:
First of all you have to somehow reach the "Thampanoor Bus Stand". Thampanoor Bus Stand is just in front of the TVM Central Railway Station. So to reach Thampanoor Bus Stand from:

• TVM Central Railway Station: Come out of the railway station and cross the road.
• Airport
  • Cab/Auto: It's relatively cheap and the distance is also less, I'm not sure about the fare, but it's straightforward and worth it in my opinion.
  • Bus: There are special buses that are named as "Air-Rail Bus" that goes from Both terminal of Airport to the Railway Station, but I'm not sure about their timings.

Step 2:

After reaching Thampanoor Bus Stand; There are multiple terminals with numbering where the buses arrive and departs. You've to find the Terminal which is going to "Vithura".

Note: Almost everything is written in Malayalam, so if you can't find that terminal, there is an enquiry section where you can ask. Currently I forgot which terminal it was, but I'll update it later.

After reaching that terminal, wait for the bus to come. If the bus is already there, ask the conductor/driver if the bus is going to "Vithura". If yes, then only board the bus.

Take ticket from the conductor for the place "ISRO Junction Valiamala". It's fair is Rs38-Rs40 per ticket.

Now get a seat, or stand if you want to, till you'll reach ISRO Jn. You'll reach there in around 45min-60min from Thampanoor. For convenience, open google maps and set your journey till ISRO Jn to make sure you don't miss that bus stand.

https://preview.redd.it/bs7yk8l9exdd1.png?width=2337&format=png&auto=webp&s=15e3a86dd25472e10ef834551706348b9ac221fe

Step 3:

After deboarding at ISRO Jn, you'll have to walk 10-15min to reach IIST Back Gate (Also known as IIST Hostel Gate).

It's best to follow google maps in walking mode to reach the gate.

In between you'll find LPSC (Liquid Propulsion System Centre) cryo gate which is very near to the Valiamala Police station. Don't confuse it for the IIST Gate and turn left from that point, eventually you'll reach IIST Back Gate and it is clearly written there. Just follow the google maps.

https://preview.redd.it/zlaetmzdexdd1.png?width=2273&format=png&auto=webp&s=3699f54605759d4228d5a4e716efe1939fb78e19

If I have made any mistake, please correct me in the comment section so that I can update it.