Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore is a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, engaged in R&D activities in the front-line research areas of accelerator science, laser science, related technologies and applications.

As a part of the Public Outreach Programme of RRCAT, the Centre conducts every summer a certificate course titled “Orientation Course on Accelerators, Lasers and related Science and Technologies (OCAL)” every year for 8 weeks during the months of May to July. In this series, OCAL-2015, OCAL-2016, OCAL-2017, OCAL-2018 and OCAL-2019 have been successfully organised at RRCAT, Indore, which were attended by about 200 post-graduate students in total from all over India.

To commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space are jointly conducting ‘Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Programme’ during August 12, 2019 to August 12, 2020.  Under these celebrations RRCAT has been organizing various events keeping in focus the contributions of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai towards DAE’s programs. In this context, the sixth edition of the OCAL, OCAL-2020 is dedicated to Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and shall have special session(s) with various focussed activities like special talks, visits etc.

The details of the Sixth Orientation Course (OCAL-2020) are as follows:
Duration:
The Sixth Orientation Course, OCAL-2020, will be held at RRCAT, Indore during the period May 18, 2020 to July 10, 2020.

Course Content
The Orientation Course is structured to impart the students, a sound conceptual knowledge, as well as experimental training, in the front-line research areas in accelerators, lasers, and related technologies. The course will consist of classroom lectures, visits to various RRCAT laboratories, practical training in the form of hands-on experiments, and talks by eminent scientists and technocrats.

Towards the end of the course, the students will be examined for the grasp of course content and their performance in the hands-on experiments. Certificates will be awarded to all students who complete the course and perform satisfactorily in the examinations.

Eligibility:
The course is open to all students who would be completing the penultimate year (i.e. the year before the last year) of the following postgraduate degrees by May-June 2020

1. M.E. / M. Tech. in one of the following branches: Electronics, Electronics and Instrumentation, Electronics and Communications, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Instrumentation Engineering, Nanotechnology, Engineering Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Laser and related areas, Applied optics, Opto-electronics, Opto-electronics and optical communication or
   
   
2. M.Sc. in Physics or
   
   
3. Integrated M.Sc. (Physics) / M.S. (Physics) or integrated M.E. /M. Tech. course in one of the above-mentioned branches.

Selection procedure:

The students will be selected for OCAL-2020 based on a short essay and their academic record. The topic of essay this year is “Particle Accelerators and Lasers in Healthcare and Medicine". The length of the essay should be between 800 to 1000 words. The students should upload the essay along with the on-line application certifying that it is written in original by him/her. In addition to the essay, the students should have secured minimum 60% marks in the bachelor’s degrees and in the completed semesters of post graduate degree. In the case of integrated post graduate courses, the student should have secured minimum 60% marks in the completed semesters.

The students selected for the Orientation Course will be provided free lodging and boarding at RRCAT Guest House & Hostels Complex. In addition, they will also be given a total stipend of about Rs. 3000 (at the rate of Rs. 375 per week). The students completing the Course will be eligible for the above financial support based on their attendance and performance. II class (sleeper) train fare by the shortest route, from the place of their present institute of study / residence, to Indore and back, will be reimbursed on production of the tickets.

How to Apply:

• Fill the Application Form.
  
  
• Upload your latest passport size photo in JPG format.
  
  
• Upload the other required documents in PDF format.
  
  
  1. Mark sheets of UG and completed semesters of PG courses
  2. Essay
  3. Recommendation letter from your HoD
  4. Document regarding CPI/CGPA conversion to equivalent percentage - if applicable
  5. Certificate regarding awaited result -if applicable
     
     
• Take print-out of the completed form and sign it.


• Upload the scanned copy of completed signed application form in PDF format.
  

1. Signed application form (scanned copy of which has been uploaded)
2. Letter of Recommendation (scanned copy of which has been uploaded)

1. No paper copy of the application is required to be posted.
2. Application complete in all respect will only be considered. Any missing information/ document may render the application liable for rejection.
3. It is mandatory to upload the scanned copy of signed application form.
4. All uploaded scanned documents should be easily readable.

Note:

• The students selected for OCAL-2020 will also get a chance to carry out 6 to 12 months project at RRCAT for partial fulfillment of their degree.
  
  
• However, all students desirous of carrying out 6 to 12 months project at RRCAT for partial fulfillment of their degree (in addition to OCAL-2020) may visit the website.