For applied Physics, NIT Calicut will be a better option. You will learn how to analyze and solve real-world problems using Physics. NIT Calicut placements are good for Engineering Physics. The placement rate for the branch was around 60%. Students of the branch usually receive an average CTC of around INR 27 LPA.  IISER Pune is essentially a science institute. If you are more interested in learning the theoretical aspects of Physics, IISER will be the right place for you. 

The cut-offs vary every year in IISER, so it's quite difficult to make any assumptions. Here are some of the facts: General category students should secure a rank below 10,000 while the reserved categories should score within 10,000.  Overthinking the required rank will just burden and affect your peace of mind.  You can learn new skills such as editing, graphics, coding, or hang out with your friends, and family to refresh yourself, as it provides you some relief from the hectic schedule.  It is necessary for you to calm yourself down and meditate to concentrate on your studies.  You just need to give your best and prepare yourself with precision. Rest will simply fall in place. Do not obsess yourself with rank predictions by different coaching institutes, it is fruitless. You should just be focused and confident.

No, the IISER aptitude test isn’t as difficult as JEE Advanced. It has a similar difficulty level as JEE Main. The one thing that differentiates IAT from other entrance examinations at this level is that it imposes equal weightage for all four sections, i.e. Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology.  Questions asked in the Mathematics sections are conceptual but doable. The difficulty level is less than JEE Advanced but slightly above JEE Main. Physics questions are easier than JEE Main. You just need basic problem-solving skills, to score well. Chemistry questions are comparable to JEE Main level. Biology section is very easy to score. 

After doing some research online, here are some pointers that might help you answer your question.  Prepare off-track topics.  Questions can come from the unnoticed chapters in the NCERT textbooks.  You can refer to the NCERT books and the JEE main books for preparing for the aptitude test.  JEE MAIN and NEET sample papers can also be practiced.  NEST questions are available online every year for smooth preparation of the examination.  After solving the NCERT book, you can refer to Halliday, Resnick and Walker, H.C. Verma, J.D Lee, and R.D. Sharma. The reference books will have a strong involvement in your preparation if pursued relentlessly. The questions in your aptitude test should be solved with confidence. There should be no random guessing and overall knowledge and accuracy is important.

If you are truly passionate about Physics, be it theoretical or practical, you should choose either IISER Pune or IISER Kolkata. IISER Kolkata is the best option for Physics, while IISER Pune is well-known for its overall academics and infrastructure. Here are the reasons why you should prefer IISER over IIT. Most students joining IIT, aim to get corporate jobs. If you are interested in the subject and want to do actual research on it, IISER is the best place. You will get to meet like-minded people too.  You can check the faculty and the curriculum for Physics at IIT. Even IIT Kanpur which is known for its Physics department puts more emphasis on applied Physics. Most IITs leave out theory-oriented courses like ‘Cosmology’. Also, you won’t get the lab infrastructure similar to IISER at IITs. The labs at IISERs are specifically designed for research works. From the 5th semester onwards, the course curriculum at IITs become quite different. It becomes more technology-oriented. While students at IISERs are required to do a one-year-long research project.   Based on the performance over the last few years, IISER Pune will be better than IISER Kolkata. 

There is no clear winner between IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata. IISER Pune and Kolkata are quite old and equally reputed. IISER Kolkata is more known for its Physics degree. While IISER Pune is reputed for Biology.  Comparably IISER Pune has a better location. So, students receive better employment opportunities. 

Both IISER Pune and IISER Mohali offer good academics and placement opportunities to students. In terms of facilities, both institutes are on an equal footing now. The research output of IISER Mohali is catching up. In terms of coursework, electives at both institutes are slightly different. You can check out the course structure and faculty profile from the official websites. Before joining, you should also get to know about the culture of the places. You can talk to the current students from both institutes. Do your research about both institutes and choose according to your convenience.

It is quite unlikely that you will get IISER Pune or Mohali. Even if you got all the answers correct, it’s only half of the total marks. According to the cutoff trends of recent years, it won’t be enough. You may have a chance of getting admission if you are from some reserved category. 

I have a few friends from IISER Pune. Here are some of the points that they have shared from their experience.  You can roam around the campus freely. Every building is open always. There are no bizarre rules regarding dress codes. There is no specific entry and exit time on campus.   The rules are gender-neutral. There is no unreasonable rule regarding any gender. Although safety of the students isn’t compromised. 

Here are some of the things that make IISER Kolkata stand out.  Course Choice: You can choose your course from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, even from Earth Sciences.  Peaceful Campus: The campus is secluded and hence ideal for studies. Faculties: The faculties of IISER Kolkata are well-known worldwide for their research work. Friendly Environment: The professors and the seniors are quite friendly. You can discuss any problem you may have with your faculties openly.  Alumni Network: IISER Kolkata has a vast alumni network. The alumni base of IISER K is better than that of IISER Pune.  All IISER have their own pros and cons, so there is no use in comparing one IISER to another. IISER Pune has better infrastructure and outreach but that doesn’t make it better than all the other IISER. All these IISERs are great options for pursuing your studies.