Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER Pune) began in 2006 as a public research university established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is an autonomous, centrally funded institution with no affiliating university. The IISER Act of Parliament (2012) gives it the status of an Institute of National Importance.
NIRF 2025 placed IISER Pune at #35 in the Research Institutions category with a score of 50.35. It also secured the #55 position in the Overall category. Research is central to its academic model, and more than 60% of BS-MS graduates continue to doctoral study at institutions such as MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich, IISc Bangalore, and TIFR Mumbai.
The institute has a fully residential 98-acre campus in Pashan, Pune, next to the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory. It has three student hostels and a central dining facility. The total five-year BS-MS fee is INR 5,94,410, while each two-year M.Sc. programme costs INR 2,48,864. SC, ST, and PwD students receive a tuition fee waiver. A small placement group in 2025 reported a median salary package of INR 11.40 LPA.
- The flagship five-year BS-MS Dual Degree awards both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. Students can major in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Earth and Climate Science, or Data Science. Selection takes place through the IISER Aptitude Test, which all seven IISERs conduct centrally.
- The institute runs two-year M.Sc. programmes in Chemistry, Mathematics and Computing, and Quantum Technology. Entry is based on IIT JAM or an institute-level multiple-choice test, depending on the programme.
- An Integrated M.Sc.+PhD pathway is available in Biology, Mathematics, and Physics.
- The four to five-year PhD programme covers Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Education.
Eligible BS-MS students can receive the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology. It pays INR 5,000 per month during years one to three and INR 7,000 per month in years four and five.
IISER Pune Admission Dates 2027
IISER Pune uses separate admission schedules for its programmes. BS-MS admission is coordinated centrally through IAT, while M.Sc. and PhD selection follows programme or department-level timelines. The active schedule covers the PhD January 2027 intake, while the IAT 2027 schedule is expected in 2027.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Department-wise PhD application deadline for January 2027 intake | October 18 to 23, 2026 |
| PhD interviews for January 2027 intake | Late October to early November 2026 |
| PhD results for January 2027 intake | Mid-December 2026 |
| PhD intake | January 2027 |
| Expected opening of IAT 2027 applications | March 2027 |
| Expected IAT 2027 examination period | June 2027 |
Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm
The entrance route varies by course. BS-MS applicants take IAT, while postgraduate and doctoral applicants use the relevant test, fellowship, or national-level qualification listed below.
| Programme | Admission Route | Qualifying Exam |
|---|---|---|
| BS-MS, 5 years | Centralised IAT process | IISER Aptitude Test |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | IIT JAM | JAM Chemistry paper |
| M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing | Institute-level MCQ test | IISER Pune admission test |
| M.Sc. Quantum Technology | IIT JAM or GATE | JAM Physics or Mathematics paper, or GATE |
| PhD in all departments | National fellowship or qualifying examination | CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, or INSPIRE-PhD |
IISER Pune Courses and Fees
Academic options at IISER Pune range from the five-year BS-MS Dual Degree to M.Sc., integrated M.Sc.+PhD, and PhD programmes. The BS-MS course begins with broad science study before students select a major, while the postgraduate programmes provide subject-specific training.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS-MS in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Earth Sciences, or Data Science | 5 years | 10+2 Science and a valid IAT qualification | INR 5,94,410 |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | 2 years | B.Sc. with Chemistry, JAM qualification, and 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing | 2 years | B.Sc. or B.Tech, institute MCQ test, and 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| M.Sc. Quantum Technology | 2 years | B.Tech with GATE, or B.Sc. in Physics or Mathematics with JAM, and 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| Integrated M.Sc.+PhD in Biology, Mathematics, or Physics | 5 to 6 years | B.Sc. or B.E. with 60% and a national qualifying examination | INR 5,36,944 |
| PhD across all 8 departments | 4 to 5 years | M.Sc. or four-year B.Sc. with 60%, plus CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, GATE, or JEST | INR 3,78,600 |
Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm
During the first two BS-MS years, students take foundation courses spanning the sciences. They then declare a major and may combine it with a minor from another discipline, allowing interdisciplinary study.
IISER Pune Admission Process
Admission depends on the programme selected. IAT governs BS-MS entry, while M.Sc., integrated M.Sc.+PhD, and PhD applicants are assessed through the relevant national test, institute examination, fellowship, and interview requirements.
BS-MS Dual Degree
The seven IISERs jointly select BS-MS students through the IISER Aptitude Test. This three-hour online multiple-choice examination tests Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
- Complete 10+2 or an equivalent science-stream examination in the admission year or the immediately preceding year.
- For the State and Central Boards channel, obtain at least 60% aggregate. The requirement is 55% for SC, ST, and PwD applicants.
- Apply through iiseradmission.in, take IAT, obtain a merit rank, enter IISER and discipline preferences during counselling, submit documents for verification, and pay the required fee.
The rank needed for IISER Pune changes by discipline and reservation category. General Category applicants generally require a position within the top 500 to 800 on the IAT merit list for a preferred discipline. Seat allocation follows the standard OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD reservation rules.
M.Sc. Programmes
For M.Sc. Chemistry, applicants need a valid IIT JAM Chemistry score and at least 60% in the qualifying bachelor's degree. M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing uses a multiple-choice entrance test conducted on the IISER Pune campus. M.Sc. Quantum Technology considers JAM Physics or Mathematics scores from B.Sc. graduates and GATE scores from B.Tech graduates. Each programme lowers the minimum aggregate requirement to 55% for SC, ST, and PwD applicants.
PhD Programme
A valid national fellowship or qualifying examination score must remain current when the student joins. Recognised credentials include CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, DBT-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, GPAT, INSPIRE-PhD, and PMRF. Graduates of any IISER BS-MS programme with a CGPA of 8.0 or higher may qualify directly without another test. Departments shortlist applications before conducting a written examination or interview.
Integrated M.Sc.+PhD
B.Sc. graduates and B.Tech holders with at least 60% aggregate can seek admission to the integrated Biology, Mathematics, or Physics programme. Each department uses its own qualifying examination and interview process. Students first finish the M.Sc. portion and then progress to doctoral research.
IISER Pune Career Outcomes
Research study is the main route after graduation because IISER Pune does not operate a conventional large-scale campus placement system. More than 60% of every BS-MS cohort moves into a PhD or postdoctoral position after the five-year degree.
| Career Pathway | Typical Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral study abroad | MIT, Stanford, Harvard, ETH Zurich, and Max Planck Institutes | A common route among the highest-ranked graduates |
| Doctoral study in India | IISc Bangalore, NCBS, TIFR Mumbai, and IISERs | Requires CSIR-JRF or GATE qualification |
| Industry placement through campus recruitment | Microsoft Research, Biocon, and data science and analytics firms | 15 students were placed in 2025, with a median package of INR 11.40 LPA |
| Government research | BARC, ISRO, DRDO, and CSIR laboratories | A route for GATE-qualified graduates |
The limited campus recruitment cohort achieved a median package of INR 11.40 LPA in 2025. Students entering a CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF supported PhD receive INR 37,000 per month during the junior research fellowship stage.
IISER Pune Rankings
NIRF evaluates IISER Pune in both the Research Institutions and Overall categories. Its research ranking is especially relevant because teaching and scientific research form the institute's main academic purpose.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Research Institutions | 35, score: 50.35 | 29 |
| NIRF | Overall | 55 | - |
| THE | World University Rankings | 1201-1500 band | - |
The institute does not enter QS, FT, or business school rankings because it has no MBA or professional engineering programmes. Among the listed assessments, the NIRF Research Institutions category most closely matches IISER Pune's role.
IISER Pune Scholarships
Students can access merit-based central government support at different levels of study. INSPIRE-SHE assists eligible BS-MS students, while national fellowships support doctoral researchers. SC, ST, and PwD students in the BS-MS programme also receive a tuition fee waiver under central government policy.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE-SHE, DST | BS-MS students in the top IAT merit group or the top 1% of a 10+2 board | INR 5,000 per month in years 1 to 3 and INR 7,000 per month in years 4 to 5, plus an annual contingency grant |
| CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF | PhD scholars holding a national fellowship from CSIR or UGC | INR 37,000 per month at the JRF stage and INR 42,000 per month at the SRF stage |
| PMRF, Prime Minister Research Fellowship | Leading PhD applicants from selected institutions, including IISERs | INR 70,000 to 80,000 per month |
| PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme | Students whose parental income is up to INR 8 Lakhs per annum | Education loan with interest subvention |
IISER Pune Campus and Infrastructure
IISER Pune operates from a fully residential 98-acre site in Pashan on land provided by CSIR-NCL. Its place within the Pashan research cluster connects students with NCL and several research centres funded by CSIR and DST.
Teaching and research facilities include a modern lecture hall complex, undergraduate teaching laboratories, a central library, and research laboratories serving all eight departments. The campus also contains the National Facility for Gene Function in Health and Disease (NFGFHD), which focuses on genomics and molecular biology research. Academic buildings cover 37,000 sq m, while residential facilities occupy 80,000 sq m.
Accommodation is organised across three hostels. Hostel 1 houses male BS-MS students, Hostel 2 accommodates male PhD and integrated PhD students, and Hostel 3 houses female students from every programme. Recreation facilities include two tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a cricket ground, an open stadium, and an indoor gymnasium with badminton courts. The campus also runs a Day Care Centre, Guest House, Convention Centre, and central dining facility.
IISER Pune vs IISER Kolkata vs IISER Bhopal
IAT rank and the applicant's preference order determine allotment among the IISERs. IISER Pune, IISER Kolkata, and IISER Bhopal belong to the five older institutes in the system, so students often compare them while choosing counselling preferences.
| Parameter | IISER Pune | IISER Kolkata | IISER Bhopal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2006 | 2006 | 2008 |
| Location | Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra | Mohanpur, West Bengal | Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| BS-MS Total Fees | INR 5,94,410 | INR 5,94,410 | INR 5,94,410 |
| Key Strengths | Chemistry, Biology, and access to the nearby NCL research cluster | Mathematics, Physics, and strong research output | A larger campus, Chemistry, and an expanding PhD programme |
| Campus | 98 acres and fully residential | Fully residential | Fully residential |
Access to NCL and other Pune research institutions supports IISER Pune's work in Chemistry and interdisciplinary science. IISER Kolkata is known for Mathematics and theoretical Physics, while IISER Bhopal has a newer campus with growing infrastructure. The three institutes use the same BS-MS fee structure, IAT selection route, and central government scholarship schemes.
IISER Pune FAQs
Ques. How much does the complete BS-MS degree at IISER Pune cost?
Ans. The full five-year BS-MS Dual Degree has a total fee of INR 5,94,410. IISER Pune waives tuition fees for SC, ST, and PwD students.
Ques. How are students selected for the IISER Pune BS-MS programme?
Ans. Selection is based on the IISER Aptitude Test, which the seven IISERs organise together. Students who passed 10+2 Science in the admission year or the previous year can apply. IAT is an online multiple-choice test covering Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Ques. What career route do IISER Pune graduates usually follow?
Ans. Doctoral study is the main choice because IISER Pune is a research university, though a small group also takes part in campus recruitment. The 2025 placement cohort had a median package of INR 11.40 LPA. More than 60% of graduates pursue further study at institutions that include IISc, TIFR, MIT, and ETH Zurich.
Ques. Where did IISER Pune stand in the NIRF 2025 rankings?
Ans. NIRF 2025 ranked IISER Pune #35 among Research Institutions and #55 in the Overall category. Its Research Institutions score was 50.35.
Ques. Are IISER Pune students provided with on-campus housing?
Ans. Yes. Every enrolled student lives on the fully residential campus. Hostel 1 is for male BS-MS students, Hostel 2 serves male PhD and integrated PhD students, and Hostel 3 accommodates female students from all programmes.
Ques. Which financial support schemes can IISER Pune students receive?
Ans. Eligible BS-MS students in the top merit group can receive DST's INSPIRE-SHE scholarship. It provides INR 5,000 per month in years one to three and INR 7,000 per month in years four and five. CSIR-JRF and UGC-JRF scholars receive INR 37,000 per month during the JRF stage, while PMRF support ranges from INR 70,000 to 80,000 per month.
Ques. What is the remaining PhD admission schedule for the January 2027 intake?
Ans. Department-wise application deadlines are scheduled from October 18 to October 23, 2026. Interviews are planned for late October through early November, results are due in mid-December 2026, and the intake begins in January 2027.
Ques. Which credentials does IISER Pune recognise for PhD selection?
Ans. Accepted qualifications include CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, DBT-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, GPAT, INSPIRE-PhD, and PMRF. A graduate of any IISER BS-MS programme with a CGPA of 8.0 or above can apply directly without taking an additional test.
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