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Career Yatra
Research and Development

Seismologist

Geophysicist who studies earthquakes — the Earth's sudden, violent movements — and Earth materials from lab samples to the planet's core.

After Class 12GraduationPostgraduateDegreeGovernmentPrivate Sector

Overview

Seismologists are scientists, specialized in geophysics, who study the sudden, violent movements of the earth connected with earthquakes. Seismologists study geological materials which can range from a laboratory sample to the Earth as a whole, from its surface to its core.

Where they work

  • Research institutes
  • Petroleum industry
  • Geothermal power industry
  • Nuclear research centres and so on

Work environment

You have to work for at least 8 to 9 hours and for 5 to 6 days a week. Shift duties may be there. Overtime is common.

Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.

Skills and interests

This career might suit you if…

  • You enjoy science and maths
  • You like to do experiments
  • You are good with computers
Scienceresearchinganalysing

Eligibility and education roadmap

Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.

Route 1

  1. 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
  2. 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (BSc) in Geophysics, Geology and so on.

Alternative route 2

  1. 1Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in the same or related field.

Alternative route 3

  1. 1Complete a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree followed by a Ph.D. in Geography/Geology.

Forms, exams and applications

Not applicable / varies by institution — check directly with your chosen institute.

Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.

Where to apply

This course is offered by the Department of Geophysics. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.

Government institutes

  • Government Arts College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
  • Government Arts College, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
  • Government College, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
  • Government Degree College, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
  • Government Gandhi Memorial Science College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
  • Pachhunga University College, Aizawl, Mizoram
  • Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Private institutes

Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.

  • Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Vadodara, Gujarat
  • Shri Guru Ram Rai PG College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
  • AVS College of Arts and Science, Salem, Tamil Nadu
  • Global Education and Management Studies Arts and Science College, Ramapuram, Kerala
  • KJ Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Mahadev PG College, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • Baba Farid Institute of Technology Group of Institutions, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
  • Patkai Christian College, Dimapur, Nagaland
Check official institute rankings (NIRF)

These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.

Career outcomes

Growth path

  • 1Intern
  • 2Seismology Researcher/Seismologist
  • 3Senior Seismologist
Government roles available

Expected income

₹50,000 – ₹60,500 per month

These figures are indicative and subject to change.

Source

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Student action plan

What you can do this month

  • Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
  • Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
  • Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
  • Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
  • Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.

Example from the field

Kusala Rajendran — An Indian seismologist, described in the source as a professor at the Centre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. She has primarily worked on earthquakes and their source mechanisms. She completed her Master of Technology in Applied Geophysics at IIT Roorkee in 1979 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Seismology at the University of South Carolina, USA, in 1992. In 2018 she received the first National Award for Women Scientists for 'Ocean Sciences and Technology' and 'Atmospheric Sciences Technology'.

Source

This profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.

Sources and update notice

  • Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 847 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
  • Income source: https://shorturl.at/WJiRL
  • Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21

This card is printed on page 847; the contents list gives 849. Government Arts College, Coimbatore is listed twice under government institutes; it is shown once. The card lists Physics, Chemistry and Biology at 10+2, but geophysics programmes often require Mathematics — check the eligibility for the specific course.

Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.