Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences

Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (मौलिक विज्ञान प्रकर्ष केंद्र) (or UM-DAE CEBS) is an autonomous institute with an affiliation to the University of Mumbai. It was set up in the University of Mumbai by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in collaboration with the university. This institute offers undergraduate science education and research opportunities. It aims at improving the quality of basic science education in the country at the undergraduate level and developing a pool of scientists for the various scientific works of the country. The Institute was inaugurated on 17 September 2007 by Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. In 2016, the institution was granted the status of "Aided Institution" under the Department of Atomic Energy by the Government of India.

The founding director of the institute was Prof. Deepak Mathur, Distinguished Professor and former Dean of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. The second Director of the institute was Prof. Ramakrishna V. Hosur who was also a Senior Professor (Chemical Sciences) at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and was, in 2014, awarded Padmashree by the Government of India. The third director of the Centre was Dr. Vimal Kumar Jain (18 October 2017 to 17 October 2022). Dr. R. K. Vatsa took over as the officiating director from 18 October 2022.Currently, Professor Jacinta D'Souza is fulfilling the role of officiating director, overseeing the centre. Her temporary leadership ensures continuity and effective management.

Organisation
This autonomous institute is managed by a governing council headed by the Secretary of Dept. of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India which is the supreme decision making body for the institute. The Governing Council consists of scientists, academicians, and professors from proximate institutions.

Matters related to academic activities are handled by the Academic Board chaired by Professor Jai Pal Mittal who is a renowned scientist. Before him, Prof M. S. Raghunathan and Prof Shashikumar Chitre were the chairpersons of the board.

Campus
CEBS functions from the Kalina Campus of the University of Mumbai, Santacruz(E), Mumbai. Prefabricated(Pre-Fab) buildings near Annabhau Sathe Bhavan in the University campus serve as classrooms, library, computer lab, and chemistry and biology undergraduate labs. Some laboratories have moved to the new administrative and faculty building, named Nalanda, near the Nano Sciences Building of the University of Mumbai.

Currently, CEBS students are housed in the Takshashila building near Nalanda and Pre-Fab rooms near Annabhau Sathe Bhavan. In addition to the facilities provided by the institute, the University of Mumbai also extends its own facilities to the students which include a library (Jawaharlal Nehru University Library) and sports facilities.

Admissions
The students studying in undergraduate courses are selected through the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), also used by National Institute of Science Education and Research, Jatani.

Selected students are called for counseling and admission to CEBS. Since August 2023, CEBS has adopted the National Education Policy 2020.

The graduate students are selected by interview subject to certain criteria in the master's degree. Admission to PhD degree is offered in all four subjects Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

Academic Office
The Academic board of the institute exists to facilitate, initiate and co-ordinate the academic work of the Institute, particularly the teaching and assessment of students. It acts as the repository of grades and academic records of all students, both past and present.

Departments and research activities
The institute at present has 4 departments which are:


 * Physics
 * Mathematics
 * Chemical Sciences
 * Biological Sciences

Various research works are being carried out at CEBS in close association with institutes like TIFR, BARC, Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT) in nuclear physics, astrophysics, free electron lasers, biophysics, genetics, chemical biology, cell and developmental biology, and cancer biology and therapeutics.

Student Life and Culture
Students of UM-DAE CEBS, known as CBScients, reside at Takshashila building and pre-fabricated housing structures in the Kalina campus if the Mumbai University. Library, common room, maintenance, and mess facilities are provided by the institute. In addition, students can use the sports facilities provided by CEBS as well as the Bombay University.

Summer Associate Research Programme (SARP)
Since 2015, CEBS offers a 2-months of internship opportunity to students who are 2nd year or above pursuing their B.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in the fields of chemistry (organic, inorganic and physical), biology, mathematics, and physics (astronomy, condensed matter, quantum mechanics) etc.