Scope This is a full-time two-year programme and is offered only at Kolkata.It is intended to produce specialists in Statistical Quality Control, Reliability, Operations Research, and Quality Management Systems. Enough background on computing technologies is provided to enable the students to use technology effectively.

The programme is designed to offer adequate instruction in the theory and practice of the above disciplines. The objective is to equip students with the basic practical skills and sufficient theory to understand the principles involved in the application and to inculcate in them the power of systematic thinking and reasoning, practical approach and exposition. Every student, besides undergoing classroom instruction, shall do practical work by way of case studies, dissertation or project work on live problems under the guidance of the expert faculty members of ISI. On successful completion of this programme, the students may take up either

• a professional career in the field of quality engineering and management in departments of government, semi-government, public/ private sector undertakings, industrial organizations, financial sector, consultancy agencies, or
• an academic career for further study and research in theoretical and applied aspects of Quality, Reliability and Operations research in organizations of higher learning and research institutions.

Eligibility In order to be eligible for admission to this programme, an applicant must have

(i) a Master’s Degree in Statistics with Physics and Chemistry at the (10+2) level; or

(ii) a Master’s Degree in Mathematics with Statistics as a subject at undergraduate or post-graduate level, and Physics and Chemistry at the (10+2) level; or

(iii) a BE/B Tech degree or any other qualification considered equivalent (such as AMIE).

The programme is offered in two streams:

• Statistics Stream for candidates with qualifications (i) or (ii) mentioned above;
• Engineering Stream for candidates with an undergraduate degree in Engineering or Technology as in (iii) above.

Selection Procedure All candidates, including sponsored ones, are admitted through written tests and interview. For admission to this programme, valid GATE score is not necessary, and candidates with valid GATE scores also must take the written tests. There is, however, a provision for sponsorship by government, semi-government, public sector undertakings, autonomous institutions and industrial organisations, which can sponsor candidates from their establishments, provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements. The Institute, at its discretion, may apply a different criterion for such candidates. A candidate would be considered sponsored only if the employer gives him/her leave and full salary for the entire duration of the programme. Sponsored candidates will not receive any stipend and their sponsors will have to pay a tuition fee of Rs 20,000/- per year.

The Admission Test is conducted in two sessions (forenoon and afternoon):

Session 1: a multiple-choice type of test in Mathematics at the undergraduate level;

Session 2: a descriptive test for the two streams as follows:

Part I (for Statistics Stream): A test divided into two sections carrying equal marks, in Statistics and Probability. Candidates must answer questions from both the sections.

Part II (for Engineering Stream): A test divided into two sections carrying different marks, in Mathematics and Engineering. The Engineering section will have questions on Thermodynamics, Engineering Mechanics, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Engineering Drawing. Candidates must answer questions from both the sections.