The Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics is an institute of basic scientific research located in Kolkata (Calcutta). The Institute was founded in 1950 by Professor Meghnad Saha as a part of University of Calcutta. At that time, it was called the Institute of Nuclear Physics, with Professor Meghnad Saha the founding director. In the beginning, research was mainly directed towards Nuclear Physics, which was an emerging field at that time and also Biophysical Sciences

First year science undergraduate students of 3-year B. Sc programme in Physics/Chemistry/Biological Sciences who have secured at least 85% marks in both Science and Mathematics and at least 80% in aggregate in Class XII Board Examination are eligible to apply for the UGA programme.

Applications are invited from Indian nationals for selection as Undergraduate Associates (UGA) of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata under the auspices of the Centre for Advanced Research and Education (CARE), SINP. The purpose of UGA programme is to identify budding scientists and provide them with the necessary resources/nourishment in order to motivate them to take up scientific research in Physical and Biophysical sciences as a career option.

Selected UGAs will be exposed to reading courses and laboratory training through short projects under the guidance of assigned mentors for a total period upto 90 days spread over their undergraduate years.