Cultivating Curiosity – The IISER Way of Science Education and Research

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The Government of India has established seven Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)  at Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati to integrate and promote interdisciplinary science education and research.

 Over the years, the IISERs have been successfully attracting talented young minds. An overarching goal of the IISERs is to enable students to shape the nation by inventing and implementing sustainable solutions for societal problems through research in science.

Programs Offered

The BS-MS dual degree is the flagship program of all seven IISERs. The programme typically spans a duration of five years and offers a seamless transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. 

Students enrolled in the BS-MS course receive a strong foundation in basic sciences and have the opportunity to pursue advanced coursework, research projects, and specialised areas of study.

  • IISER Berhampur
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme – 5 Years
  • IISER Bhopal
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme – 5 Years
    • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economic Sciences – 4 years 
    • Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) – 4 years 
  • IISER Kolkata
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme in Computational and Data Sciences – 5 Years
  • IISER Mohali
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme- 5 Years
  • IISER Pune 
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme – 5 Years
  • IISER Tirupati
    • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme – 5 Years
    • Bachelor of Science- Economics & Statistical Science (ESS) – 4 years 

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Eligibility & Admission

Candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent level exams with the science stream in the current year of application or the year before are eligible to apply for admissions.

BS-MS students are admitted through a national-level IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). 

  • Candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent level exams with the science stream in the current year of application or the year before are eligible to apply for admissions.
  • BS-MS students are admitted through a national-level IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). 
    • Computer-based test in various centres across India
    • 60 questions, 15 questions each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics
    • Total duration of the test is 180 minutes 
    • Questions will be of multiple choice type (Correct answer is awarded 4 marks and incorrect answer will lead to the deduction of 1 mark)   
    • The total marks obtained by a candidate out of 240 will be considered for preparing the Rank List
    • Not every candidate appearing in IAT will be awarded a rank. The rank cut-off will be announced at an appropriate time 

Visit the central portal http://www.iiseradmission.in/ for details, including relevant dates, eligibility criteria, and more.

Important Dates (2025)

Dates for 2026 will be updated once released 

Source: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research

Key Features

  • Highly competent and motivated faculty with passion for teaching and pursuing research in frontier areas of science
  • Integrated undergraduate teaching and cutting-edge research
  • Exposure and access to world-class research facilities right from the start of the program
  • Research internships and year-long research projects leading to MS thesis with opportunities for interdisciplinary research
  • Fully residential campuses with well-equipped hostels, access to on-campus medical facilities along with sports and other recreational facilities

Conclusion

The IISERs represent a unique initiative in India where teaching and education are integrated with state-of-the-art research, nurturing both curiosity and creativity in an intellectually vibrant atmosphere of research. Each IISER is an autonomous institution awarding its own Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees.

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