Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata is an autonomous public institute for scientific teaching and research. The Government of India established it in 2006, and it became an Institute of National Importance in 2012. The Ministry of Education funds and governs the institute through an autonomous Board of Governors. It is not affiliated with another university. In NIRF 2025, IISER Kolkata held the 67th Overall rank and the 46th rank in Research in India.

The institute occupies a 201-acre semi-urban campus at Mohanpur in Nadia, West Bengal, 50 km north of Kolkata. Its seven departments are Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Computational and Data Sciences, Earth Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physical Sciences.

  • The BS-MS Dual Degree is an integrated 5-year programme in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Computational and Data Sciences, Earth Sciences (Geological), Mathematics and Statistics, or Physical Sciences. It has 310 seats across the disciplines, and admission is based on the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).
  • The 2-year M.Sc programmes cover Astronomy and Space Physics, Chemical Biology and Drug Design, Mathematics, and general M.Sc study. Selection is through JAM or an institute-level test.
  • The Integrated MS-PhD provides research training in Biological, Physical, and Geological Sciences.
  • PhD study is available through all seven departments, including Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Data Science, Space Science, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

The full BS-MS fee is INR 6.59 Lakhs for General category students and INR 1.21 Lakhs for SC/ST students. Hostel accommodation for both male and female students costs INR 9,050 per year. IISER Kolkata has 1,791 students and 128 faculty members, while its research community publishes more than 400 papers each year. Graduates commonly enter PhD programmes at IITs, IISc, and leading universities abroad.

Admission Update: Admissions for the 2026-27 batch have ended. The 2027-28 cycle is expected to begin with the IAT 2027 application process in April 2027, followed by the test in May 2027.

IISER Kolkata Admission Dates 2027

The next BS-MS admission cycle is expected to follow the schedule below. The 2027 dates are tentative.

EventDate
Classes begin for the 2026-27 batchOctober to November 2026
IAT 2027 application windowApril 2027 (expected)
IAT 2027 examinationMay 2027 (expected)
IAT 2027 resultLate June 2027 (expected)
IAT 2027 counselling roundsJuly to September 2027 (expected)

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

IISER Kolkata Courses and Fees

IISER Kolkata teaches science at the integrated undergraduate, master's, integrated research, and doctoral levels. The main courses, entry requirements, duration, and total fees are listed below.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees (General)Total Fees (SC/ST)
BS-MS in all disciplines5 years10+2 with PCM or PCB and a qualifying IAT scoreINR 6.59 LakhsINR 1.21 Lakhs
M.Sc in Astronomy and Space Physics2 yearsB.Sc in Physics or a relevant science subjectINR 2.66 LakhsINR 50,900
M.Sc in Chemical Biology and Drug Design2 yearsB.Sc in Chemistry or BiochemistryINR 2.43 LakhsINR 47,700
M.Sc in Mathematics2 yearsB.Sc with MathematicsINR 2.09 LakhsINR 13,200
Integrated MS-PhD in Biological, Physical, or Geological SciencesTypically 5 to 6 yearsB.Sc or an equivalent degree with a valid scoreINR 2.67 LakhsINR 52,400
PhD in all departmentsTypically 3 to 5 yearsM.Sc or M.Tech with GATE, NET, or JESTINR 2.52 LakhsINR 58,900

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The BS-MS dual degree is the institute's main programme. Its newer Computational and Data Sciences stream admits 30 students each year. PhD researchers may receive fellowships under DST-SERB or UGC rules, and these payments are separate from the fees in the table.

IISER Kolkata Admission Process

Selection differs by programme. BS-MS applicants participate in common IISER counselling, while master's and research applicants use the test, fellowship, and interview routes set for their courses.

BS-MS Admission

  1. Applicants must pass Class 12 with PCB or PCM and secure at least 60% marks in the General or OBC category, or 55% in the SC, ST, or PwD category. They must also be at least 17 years old on October 1 of the admission year.
  2. Under the IAT route, students take the IISER Aptitude Test. It covers Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics at the Class 12 level.
  3. A candidate with a valid JEE Advanced rank may enter counselling directly without taking IAT.
  4. The centralised portal ranks qualified students from the IAT, JEE Advanced, and historical KVPY routes. Applicants list their choices among all seven IISERs, and seats may be allotted through as many as nine rounds between July and September.

IISER Kolkata has 310 BS-MS seats across its disciplines. Computational and Data Sciences is the newest and smallest stream, with 30 seats per year. Physical Sciences and Chemical Sciences are highly competitive, and an IAT rank within the top 500 is typically needed for admission to these streams.

M.Sc Admission

Mathematics applicants are selected through JAM, the Joint Admission Test for Masters. For Astronomy and Space Physics and Chemical Biology, selection may use JAM or a separate institute test. Applicants need a three-year B.Sc in the relevant subject from a recognised university.

PhD and Integrated MS-PhD Admission

PhD admission takes place twice each year through the January and July cycles. Applicants require a postgraduate degree in the relevant field and a valid CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, JEST, or INSPIRE PhD fellowship. IISER Kolkata may also select students through its own written test and interview. Research students receive a DST-SERB or similar fellowship during the programme.

IISER Kolkata Career Outcomes

Research and further study are the main career routes after IISER Kolkata. The institute does not run conventional engineering-style campus placement drives. Most BS-MS graduates move to doctoral research, although recent batches have sent a growing number of students into data science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and quantitative finance jobs.

Popular destinations for doctoral study include IITs, IISc, TIFR, NCBS, and leading universities in the USA, Europe, and Australia. IISER Kolkata graduates have a strong record of admission to competitive international PhD programmes.

Career PathwayTypical Next Step
Academic researchPhD study at IITs, IISc, TIFR, or overseas universities, followed by postdoctoral research or faculty work
Government researchWork at ISRO, DAE laboratories, CSIR laboratories, DBT institutes, or DRDO
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnologyRoles such as research associate, formulation scientist, or clinical researcher
Data science and financeWork as a quantitative analyst, data scientist, or machine learning engineer in a private company
Civil services through UPSCIAS, IPS, or IFS through the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Direct entry into data science and analytics is more common among Computational and Data Sciences graduates than among students from the traditional science streams. Mathematics and Physics graduates have the strongest presence in PhD programmes outside India.

IISER Kolkata Rankings

IISER Kolkata is listed among India's leading research institutions. Its NIRF Overall position changed from 61 in 2024 to 67 in 2025, while its Research Institutions position moved from 38 to 46.

Ranking BodyCategory2025 Rank2024 Rank
NIRFOverall6761
NIRFResearch Institutions4638

The institute does not take part in major international university rankings such as QS or THE, which mainly assess universities with wider academic portfolios. Its 46th NIRF Research rank reflects peer-reviewed publications, patents, and research funding in comparison with India's dedicated research institutes.

IISER Kolkata Scholarships

Eligible BS-MS students may receive financial support through the DST-INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE). It provides INR 80,000 each year as scholarship support and another INR 20,000 each year for a summer research attachment, making the total benefit INR 1 Lakh per year.

ScholarshipEligibilityCoverage
DST INSPIRE SHEStudents in the top 1% of their Class 12 board or with a JEE Advanced rank within the top 10,000INR 80,000 per year plus a INR 20,000 contingency grant, totalling INR 1 Lakh per year
SC/ST Fee ConcessionAdmitted SC/ST studentsThe full BS-MS fee is reduced to INR 1.21 Lakhs, compared with INR 6.59 Lakhs for General category students
Institute Merit ScholarshipsAwarded according to the student's CGPA at IISER KolkataThe amount varies, and awards are made by the institute each semester

PhD scholars may receive research fellowships through DST-SERB, CSIR-UGC, or institute grant schemes. The relevant funding organisation decides the fellowship amount under its current rules.

IISER Kolkata Campus and Infrastructure

IISER Kolkata's 201-acre semi-urban campus is in Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, 50 km north of Kolkata. Students can reach Mohanpur from Kolkata using suburban trains on the Sealdah division. Natural buffer areas separate the academic and residential parts of the green campus.

Male and female students have separate hostel blocks, with accommodation charged at INR 9,050 per year. Research facilities include the Dirac Supercomputer, which has 78.8 teraflops of computing power, along with FESEM, or Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, MALDI mass spectrometry, NMR facilities, and advanced biological imaging equipment.

Other facilities include a central library with digital resources, a science cafe, sports grounds, an aquatic centre, and a cultural amphitheatre. The institute also runs science communication and outreach activities. Its annual cultural and science festival attracts participants from different IISERs.

IISER Kolkata versus IISER Mohali and IISER Bhopal

These three IISERs follow the common IAT counselling system and offer the same BS-MS dual degree format. The comparison can help IAT-qualified students choose among institutes at a similar academic level.

ParameterIISER KolkataIISER MohaliIISER Bhopal
LocationMohanpur, Nadia, West BengalMohali, PunjabBhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Established200620072008
NIRF 2025 Overall rank676378
Campus Area201 acres125 acres200 acres
Total Students1,7911,5001,600
BS-MS Total Fee for General CategoryINR 6.59 LakhsSimilar rangeSimilar range
Distinct StrengthDirac Supercomputer and Computational Data SciencesChemistry research outputEarth and Environmental Sciences

IISER Mohali was slightly ahead of IISER Kolkata in the NIRF 2025 Overall ranking, with positions of 63 and 67, respectively. IISER Kolkata has a larger campus and offers the newer Computational and Data Sciences programme. IISER Bhopal ranked below IISER Kolkata at 78. Students often base their final choice on location, their preferred branch of science, and the research groups at each institute.

IISER Kolkata FAQs

Ques. Which IAT rank range can lead to a BS-MS seat at IISER Kolkata?

Ans. Physical Sciences and Chemical Sciences usually require an All India IAT rank within the top 500 to 700. Admission to Biological Sciences or Earth Sciences may remain possible up to the top 1,500. Competition for the newer Computational and Data Sciences stream is increasing. Students who qualify through JEE Advanced can enter counselling directly without appearing for IAT.

Ques. What gives IISER Kolkata the status of an Institute of National Importance?

Ans. The Government of India granted IISER Kolkata this status in 2012. It works under the Ministry of Education, has its own autonomous Board of Governors, and is not affiliated with a state or central university.

Ques. Where did IISER Kolkata stand in the 2025 NIRF lists?

Ans. IISER Kolkata was placed 67th Overall and 46th among Research Institutions in NIRF 2025.

Ques. What career support and outcomes can students expect after IISER Kolkata?

Ans. The institute focuses on research and does not organise conventional campus placement drives. Most BS-MS graduates continue to PhD programmes at IITs, IISc, TIFR, or leading international universities. Private-sector opportunities are also growing in data science, quantitative finance, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. IISER Kolkata does not have an official placement cell that publishes salary packages.

Ques. How much does the complete BS-MS programme at IISER Kolkata cost?

Ans. General category students pay a total of INR 6.59 Lakhs for the full 5-year BS-MS dual degree. The corresponding fee for SC/ST students is INR 1.21 Lakhs. Hostel accommodation costs another INR 9,050 per year.

Ques. Which scholarships can support IISER Kolkata BS-MS students?

Ans. Eligible students can receive the DST-INSPIRE SHE award of INR 80,000 per year and a INR 20,000 contingency grant, giving total annual support of INR 1 Lakh. Applicants must be in the top 1% of their Class 12 board or hold a qualifying JEE Advanced rank within the top 10,000. The institute also gives merit scholarships according to academic performance.

Ques. How should a student compare IISER Kolkata with IISER Mohali?

Ans. Both institutes belong to a similar academic tier and use the same IAT counselling process. IISER Mohali held the higher NIRF 2025 Overall position, ranking 63rd compared with IISER Kolkata at 67th. IISER Kolkata offers Computational and Data Sciences and has the larger campus. The better choice depends on the student's preferred location, science discipline, and available research groups.