IIT Kanpur has opened applications for its postgraduate programmes for the January 2027 semester. Students can apply for MS by Research, MS by Research in Cybersecurity under limited categories, and PhD programmes in several departments. The online application window closes on November 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
The January 2027 intake is also called the 2026-27 second semester. Final-year students who are likely to complete their course by January 4, 2027, can apply for provisional admission if they meet the department rules.
IIT Kanpur PG admission 2027: Important dates
| Event | Date and time | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Application window opens | October 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM | Online form becomes available |
| Last date to apply | November 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM | Online submission closes |
| Withdrawal deadline with ₹2,500 deduction | December 13, 2026 | Applies before joining the institute |
| Expected start of January semester | January 2027 | Session covered by this notice |
Which programmes are open?
MS by Research is available in Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Intelligent Systems, Mechanical Engineering and Photonics Science and Engineering. The notice also lists MS by Research in Cybersecurity for sponsored, part-time or external applicants who do not seek financial assistantship.
PhD applications are open in departments and areas such as Aerospace Engineering, Biological Science and Bio-Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Design, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Intelligent Systems, Materials Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Data Science, Sustainable Energy Engineering and Space, Planetary and Astronomical Sciences and Engineering.
Who can apply?
Eligibility is decided by the department and the IIT Kanpur PG manual. Applicants should open the department information page for the exact degree, marks, test or fellowship rule for the programme they choose.
Students in the final year of their qualifying course may also apply if they are likely to finish by January 4, 2027. Their admission will remain provisional until they meet the final degree requirements.
Indian applicants receive reservations under Government of India norms for EWS, SC, ST, OBC non-creamy layer and DAP categories. Students working in industry or in a college, university or institute can apply as sponsored, external or part-time candidates.
Assistantship, accommodation and fee rules
IIT Kanpur says institute assistantship or scholarship will be provided to non-sponsored PhD and MS by Research students, subject to the applicable rules. Sponsored and other categories should check the department instructions before applying.
In-campus accommodation may not be available when a new student accepts the offer. The institute says HRA may be provided as per rules, and students may be offered campus accommodation later when a place becomes available.
The application fee is ₹500 for General, EWS, OBC and OBC-NCL applicants. It is ₹250 for SC, ST and DAP applicants. Foreign-national applicants do not pay the application fee. The fee is non-refundable, and a separate application is required for each programme or department.
How to apply online
All Indian and foreign-national applicants must apply online. For MS by Research and PhD, register through the apply-online page and choose the concerned department. The IIT Kanpur portal warns applicants to check marks, uploaded documents and scorecard details carefully because the submitted form cannot be edited or corrected. A fresh form with another email address is required if a submitted application has an error.
What to do next
- Choose MS by Research, MS by Research in Cybersecurity or a PhD department before opening the form.
- Read the department information and PG manual for the exact degree, marks, test and fellowship rules.
- Keep your marksheets, category certificate, scorecards, degree details and contact information ready.
- Check every uploaded document and mark before final submission. The portal does not allow a submitted form to be edited.
- Pay the correct non-refundable fee and submit the online form by November 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
- If you may need to withdraw, note the December 13 deadline and keep the fee-refund instructions for your category.
IIT Kanpur PG admission FAQs
What is the last date to apply?
The online application closes on November 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Which semester is covered?
The notice is for the January 2027 semester, also called the 2026-27 second semester.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Students likely to finish their qualifying course by January 4, 2027, may apply for provisional admission, subject to the department rules.
How much is the application fee?
The fee is ₹500 for General, EWS, OBC and OBC-NCL applicants, and ₹250 for SC, ST and DAP applicants. Foreign nationals are exempt.
Can I apply to more than one department?
Yes, but IIT Kanpur requires a separate application form for each programme or department.
Will hostel accommodation be available?
In-campus accommodation may not be available when you accept the offer. HRA may be provided as per rules, and accommodation may be offered later if a place becomes available.
