Study at IISER: Indian Institute of 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.

Introduction 

At the heart of the IISER experience are several defining features that set them apart:

• 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

Programs Offered

The BS-MS dual degree is the flagship program of all seven IISERs. Students enrolled in this course receive a strong foundation in basic sciences and have the opportunity to pursue advanced coursework, research projects, and specialised areas of study.

Additionally, IISERs also offer a variety of other programmes giving students more academic options beyond the BS-MS degree.

• 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)  in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)- 4 Years 
  • B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree in Data Science & Engineering – 5 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 in Geology and Environmental Sciences- 5 Years
    
    

• IISER Pune 
  • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (BS-MS) Dual Degree Programme – 5 Years
    
    

• IISER Thiruvananthapuram
  • 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

Eligibility & Admission

• Admission to IISERs is exclusively through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), which is a computer-based test scheduled on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM, at various centres across the country.
• IAT will consist of 60 questions, 15 questions each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
• The total duration of the test will be 180 minutes. Questions will be of multiple choice type. Each question will have only one correct answer.
• Each correct answer will be awarded 4 marks.
• Each incorrect answer will lead to the deduction of 1 mark.
• Unanswered questions will be awarded 0 marks.
• The total marks obtained by a candidate will be 240 which will be considered for preparing the Rank List.

Note: Not every candidate appearing in IAT 2026 will be awarded a rank. The rank cut-off will be announced at an appropriate time. Further, getting a rank does not guarantee an offer or admission to an IISER.

The list of other institutes that will use IAT 2026 for admitting students to their programs will be updated soon.

Important Dates (2026)

Source: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research 

The IAT 2026 will broadly follow the rationalized NCERT syllabus for 2025-2026. Please click here for the details.

Application Fee 

• A non-refundable application fee is to be paid by the applicant during the submission of the application form:  
• Rs. 2,000/- for candidates applying under General, EWS, OBC, and OBC-NCL categories.
• Rs. 1,000/- for candidates applying under persons with disabilities (PwD), persons registered as Kashmiri Migrants/Kashmiri Pandits/Kashmiri Hindu Families (Non-Migrant) and SC/ST category.
• Rs. 12,000/- for candidates applying under Foreign National category.

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.

As the 2026 application portal opens on March 5, 2026, and the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2026, this is a pivotal moment for all aspiring scientists aiming to join one of India’s premier research-oriented science institutes.

Don’t miss this opportunity to take your first step toward an education that seamlessly blends interdisciplinary learning with cutting-edge research!