Summary
A Critical / Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Technologist studies the earth and its systems, combining fieldwork, instruments and spatial data to explain what is happening beneath and above the surface. In India this work sits inside the Paramedical Sciences stream: students usually take Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) in Class 11–12, qualify through B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…), and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Field observation and sampling technique
- GIS, remote sensing and data analysis
- Physical stamina for field seasons
- Technical report writing
Where you can work
- Geological Survey of India, CGWB and state departments
- Oil, gas and mining companies
- ISRO, IMD and environmental consultancies
- Universities and research institutes
Professional Opportunities
Geological Survey of India, CGWB and state departments
Oil, gas and mining companies
ISRO, IMD and environmental consultancies
Universities and research institutes
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…) | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | M.Sc. in the specialisation | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | Ph.D., professional certifications, or senior practice in the field | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: B.Sc. in the allied-health specialisation (nursing, MLT, radiology, optometry…).
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS, New Delhi | AIIMS-EE | aiims.edu/ |
| 2 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, JIPMER, Puducherry | NEET-UG | jipmer.edu.in/ |
| 3 | PGIMER, Chandigarh | PGIMER-EE | pgimer.edu.in/ |
| 4 | Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu | Based on merit | cmch-vellore.edu/ |
| 5 | Government Medical College, Chandigarh | GCET | gmch.gov.in/ |
| 6 | Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | SRU-EE | sriramachandra.edu.in/ |
| 7 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi | IPU-CET, CUET-UG | ipu.ac.in/ |
| 8 | Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi | JH-ET | jamiahamdard.edu/ |
| 9 | MAHE (KMC Manipal, KMC Mangalore & MTMC Jamshedpur) | MET | manipal.edu/ |
| 10 | Dr.M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Based on merit | drmgrdu.ac.in/ |
| 11 | Sri Venkateswara Institute, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | — | svimstpt.ap.nic.in/ |
| 12 | Dr. D. Y. Patil School of Allied Health Sciences, Pune, Maharashtra | AICET-UG | alliedsciences.dpu.edu.in/ |
| 13 | Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh | AP EAMCET | drysruhs.edu.in/ |
| 14 | Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh | CUET-UG | amity.edu/ |
| 15 | SHUATS, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh | SOETAP - UG | shuats.edu.in/ |
| 16 | University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, New Delhi | Entrance Exam | ucms.ac.in/ |
| 17 | St.John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka | Entrance Exam and Interview | stjohns.in/ |
| 18 | K.L.E. Academy of Higher Education & Research, Belagavi, Karnataka | Based on merit | kledeemeduniversity.edu.in/ |
| 19 | Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Dwarka, Uttar Pradesh | CUET-UG | dseu.ac.in/ |
| 20 | Dr. B R Ambedkar Medical College Hospital, Bengalore, Karnataka | KEA-CET | bramc.edu.in/ |
| 21 | EMS Memorial Cooperative Hospital and Research Centre, Malappuram, Kerala | Based on merit | emscollegeofparamedical.com/ |
| 22 | K S Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore, Karanataka | Based on merit | kshema.nitte.edu.in/ |
| 23 | NITIE University, Mangaluru, Karnataka | — | nitte.edu.in/ |
| 24 | Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala | NEET-UG | kuhs.ac.in/ |
| 25 | Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad | TS-EAMCET | nims.edu.in/ |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | United States | www.jhu.edu/ |
| King's College London | United Kingdom | www.kcl.ac.uk/ |
| University of Sydney | Australia | www.sydney.edu.au/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS-EE | AIIMS Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Post Basic Nursing & Various Paramedical Courses in all AIIMS across India | aiimsexams.ac.in/ |
| MHT-CET | Maharashtra Technical Common Entrance Test | B. Pharma. and Pharma-D Courses in all Govt. & Affiliated Colleges in Maharashtra | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| WBJEE | West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam | B.Pharm. courses across colleges in West Bengal | wbjeeb.in/ |
| OJEE Form A | — | B.Pharm. in affiliated colleges across Orissa | ojee.nic.in/ |
| PARA-CET 124 | Paramedical Common Entrance Test | BPT, BPO, BOT, B.Sc. MLT, BASLP Programs across affiliated colleges of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi | ipu.ac.in/ |
| BPHARMA CET 133 | Pharmacy Common Entrance Test | Bachelor of Pharmacy program across affiliated colleges of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi | ipu.ac.in/ |
| PHARM UG, CET Optom, SLPCET, B.Sc. Nursing, BPTHCET | — | B.Pharm. & B.Optom. BASLP, B.Sc. Nursing & B.Physio at Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune-Maharashtra | bvuniversity.edu.in/ |
| IMAT | Indian Medical Aptitude Test | BPT at Institute of Health Sciences, Bhubaneshwar-Orissa | ihsindia.org/ |
| JMI-ET | JMI Entrance Test | BPT Program at Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi | jmi.ac.in/ |
| KEA-CET | Karnataka Examination Authority Common Entrance Test | B. Pharma and Pharma-D course in all Govt. & Affiliated Colleges in Karnataka | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea/ |
| TS-EAMCET AM | Engineering Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test Agriculture Medicine | B Pharm. / Pharm D. across Universities in Telangana | eamcet.tsche.ac.in/ |
| WB-JENPAS UG | West Bengal Joint Entrance for Nursing, Physiotherapy, Audiology at University of Health-UG | B.Sc. Nursing, Physiotherapy, BHA and other Paramedical Degree Courses across Affiliated Colleges of West Bengal University of Health Sciences Kolkata | wbjeeb.nic.in/ |
| SRU-EE Group A | SRU Entrance Exam | Pharmacy, Nursing and other Paramedical and Allied Health Sciences Courses at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai | sriramachandra.edu.in/ |
| PGIMER-EE | PGIMER Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Post basic and Paramedical Courses at PGIMER Chandigarh | pgimer.edu.in/ |
| RACKON-ST | RACKON Selection Test | B.Sc. Nursing at RACKON New Delhi | rakcon.com/ |
| NMIMS-CET | Common Entrance Test | B.Pharm+MBA (Pharma. Tech.) program at Narsee Monjee, Mumbai, Shirpur and Hyderabad Campuses | nmimscet.in/ |
| AMU-ET | Aligarh Muslim Univ. Entrance Test | 3.5 year Bachelor of Radiation Therapy Technology (BRTT), B.Sc. Nursing and other Paramedical Programs at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | amu.ac.in/ |
| AU-ET | Assam University Entrance Test | B.Pharma. Program at Assam University, Silchar | aus.ac.in/ |
| PU-CET | PAU Common Entrance Test | B.Pharma. Program at Punjab Agriculture University | cetug.puchd.ac.in/ |
| KIIT-EE | KIIT- Entrance Test | B.Sc. Nursing at KIIT- Bhubaneshwar | kiit.ac.in/ |
| UPESPAT | Pharmacy Aptitude Test | B.Pharma Program at UPES Dehradun | upes.ac.in/ |
| NEET UG | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test | Paramedical Courses across Paramedical Institutions in India | neet.nta.nic.in/ |
| LHMC B.Sc. Nursing-EE | LHMC Entrance Exam | B.Sc. Nursing at College of Nursing, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | lhmc-hosp.gov.in/ |
| SRMJEEH (UG) | SRM Joint Entrance Examination Health Science Program | B.Sc. Nursing, B Optom, B Pharm, BASLP, BOT, BPH, BPT, Pharm D at SRM University, Chennai | srmist.edu.in/ |
| BITSAT | BITS Aptitude Test | B.Pharm at Pilani & Hyderabad campus | bitsadmission.com/ |
Work Description
- 01Plan and carry out field surveys, sampling or observation campaigns.
- 02Analyse samples, imagery or instrument data in the laboratory.
- 03Map findings using GIS and remote-sensing software.
- 04Prepare technical reports for industry or government use.
- 05Advise on resource, hazard or land-use decisions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuine fieldwork instead of a desk-only career
- Strong PSU and government recruitment
- Geospatial skills are in growing demand
Cons
- Extended field postings in remote areas
- Recruitment cycles depend on government notifications
- Research careers need a PhD
Are you fit for this career?
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Sources
© HBK Careers. Compiled in-house from official regulators, exam bodies and institute websites. Exam and institute records on this page are the same records used across the HBK handbook and exams pages.