IISER offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral study in Science and Humanities. BS + MS is a major undergraduate option, while M.Sc is available at the postgraduate level. The application fee is INR 2,000 for General and OBC applicants and INR 1,000 for SC, ST and PwD applicants.

Applicants for undergraduate courses must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board and meet the IISER cutoff requirements.

  • Selection follows the IISER cutoff. PG applicants need a bachelor's degree from a recognized university, and selection is based on UGC NET followed by an interview.
  • BS + MS is the popular programme offered by IISER.
  • For BS + MS admission, applicants need graduation from a recognized university and must qualify under the IISER cutoff.
  • PG admission requires a graduation degree from a recognized university and qualification in the UGC NET examination.

IISER UG Admission 2026

BS + MS admission is offered on merit to students who have passed 10+2 from a recognized board. Applicants must take the IISER Aptitude Test, also called IAT, and satisfy the applicable cutoff. The programme covers Biological Sciences, Physical Science, Mathematics, Computational Data Sciences, Geological studies and Chemistry.

Course Specialisations Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
BS + MS Biological Sciences, Physical Science, Mathematics, Computational Data Sciences, Geological and Chemistry 10+2 IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)

Eligible students apply through the official IISER portal and appear for IAT. Online counselling is used to allocate BS + MS seats. Admission is confirmed after the required fee and documents have been submitted.

IISER PG Admission 2026

IISER offers M.Sc and the integrated M.Sc + Ph.D programme. PG and doctoral admissions consider performance in a bachelor's degree from a recognized university along with the interview score. The PG route also uses UGC NET, while national examinations such as JAM and GATE apply to the integrated Ph.D route.

Course Specialisations Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
M.Sc + Ph.D Physical Sciences, Biological Science and Geological B.Sc., B.E., B.Tech. or M.B.B.S. Academic performance and interview
M.Sc Physics and Biological Science Graduation with 60% Academic performance and interview

PG applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Selection considers the required entrance examination, academic record and personal interview. Candidates shortlisted for the integrated Ph.D programme attend a virtual or in-person interview that checks their research aptitude.

IISER PhD and Postdoctoral Admission 2026

Full-time and part-time Ph.D options are available across science, data, mathematics and humanities subjects. Applicants for the Ph.D programme need a postgraduate qualification, while a completed Ph.D with 60% is required for the postdoctoral programme.

Course Specialisations Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
Ph.D Computer and Data, Humanities and Social Science, Mathematics, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Geological Sciences and Physical Sciences Postgraduation Academic performance and interview
Ph.D (Part-time) Biological Sciences, Data Science, Geology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Space Science Postgraduation Academic performance and interview
Post Doc Geological, Biological Science, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Ph.D with 60% Not specified

Ph.D applicants are assessed through their academic performance and an interview. National examinations such as JAM, GATE and UGC NET may be used for integrated Ph.D and Ph.D admission. Shortlisted applicants must attend a virtual or in-person interview focused on research aptitude.

IISER Admission Process 2026

Admission begins with an online application. The route then depends on the programme: BS + MS applicants take IAT after completing 10+2, while PG applicants need a recognized bachelor's degree, UGC NET and a personal interview.

Step Description
Submit the online form Use the official IISER portal for BS + MS applications or the IISER Pune website for integrated Ph.D and Ph.D applications. Enter the required details and pay INR 2,000 if applying under General or OBC, or INR 1,000 for SC, ST and PwD applicants.
Take the applicable examination BS + MS applicants appear for IAT. Integrated Ph.D and Ph.D applicants use national examinations such as JAM, GATE or UGC NET. The admit card must be downloaded from the relevant examination portal.
Meet programme eligibility Requirements differ by programme. BS + MS needs 60% in Science at the 10+2 level, integrated Ph.D requires 60% in a bachelor's degree, and Ph.D applicants need 55% in a master's degree. Programme details should be checked on the IISER Kolkata website.
Check the result BS + MS results are published online at www.iiseradmission.in. Integrated Ph.D and Ph.D results appear on the IISER Kolkata portal. Shortlisted applicants receive information about counselling or interviews.
Attend counselling or interview BS + MS seats are assigned through online counselling. Integrated Ph.D and Ph.D applicants attend virtual or in-person interviews that assess research aptitude.
Confirm the seat Complete admission by paying the required fees and submitting documents such as the 10+2 marks record and caste certificate.

Documents Required for Admission

Applicants should keep the following documents ready for admission:

  • Scanned photograph and signature
  • Date of birth certificate
  • Self-attested Class 12 certificate and mark sheet
  • Self-attested bachelor's degree copy
  • Community certificate issued by the competent authority
  • National or state-level examination scorecard

IISER Cutoff 2026

For General category applicants, the overall IISER closing-rank range is 498 to 4758. In 2025, BS + MS Computational Data Sciences was the most preferred programme among General category applicants, with its lowest stated rank at 2745. BS + MS Chemistry followed with a cutoff of 4758.

The IISER Kolkata General category cutoff for 2025 is given below.

Course Round 1 Closing Rank Round 2 Closing Rank Round 3 Closing Rank Round 4 Closing Rank Round 5 Closing Rank Round 6 Closing Rank
BS + MS Computational Data Sciences 498 1236 1839 2745 Not available Not available
BS + MS Chemistry 935 2440 2904 3317 3521 4758
BS + MS Biological Sciences 935 2440 2904 3317 3521 4758
BS + MS Geological 935 2440 2904 3317 3521 4758
BS + MS Mathematics 935 2440 2904 3317 3521 4758
BS + MS Physical Science 935 2440 2904 3317 3521 4758

IISER Campus Facilities

The green campus provides research rooms, hostels and a library. Students can also use the Students Activity Centre, known as the SAC Building, for recreational activities. The campus is in Mohanpur, 35 km from Kolkata city centre, with access to Kalyani, Bongaon and NH12.

IISER Admission FAQs

Ques. What kind of study and research experience can students expect at IISER?

Ans. Fundamental sciences and interdisciplinary research form the centre of academics at IISER. Its academic areas include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Earth and Climate Science, and Research. During the early years, students complete demanding core science and laboratory courses. Research rotations and project work start early in the integrated BS + MS programme, while PG and Ph.D courses focus strongly on research. Faculty members are active researchers, and seminars, journal clubs and guest lectures take place frequently. Students need initiative and regular self-study. Evaluation continues throughout the term through assignments, laboratory work and midterm tests, along with end-semester examinations. Attendance and laboratory performance also affect assessment.

Ques. Which transport options connect students with the IISER campus?

Ans. The IISER campus is located in Mohanpur, 35 km from central Kolkata. Its semi-rural setting is quiet and green, with links to Kalyani, Bongaon and NH12. Kalyani provides local train services, while Sealdah and Howrah in Kolkata serve long-distance rail passengers. Flights are available through Kolkata. The institute also arranges occasional shuttle or transport services for students.

Ques. What facilities and rules shape hostel living at IISER?

Ans. Hostel rooms are generally shared by 2 to 4 students and include basic furniture. Wi-Fi is available in hostels and common areas. Electricity is usually reliable, though load-shedding can happen occasionally. The mess serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, while some students form cooking groups or purchase food from nearby stalls on weekends. Hostel rules may include guest curfews, roll calls or compulsory attendance in some years, and a formal system for leave and permission. Students must follow the disciplinary code to avoid penalties. Hostel accommodation is relatively low-cost, and mess and incidental spending is typically much lower than the cost of living in the city.