IIST offers admission to B.Tech and M.Tech programmes, along with integrated UG, PG and PhD options. The institute has B.Tech in 3 specialisations and M.Tech in 15 specialisations, and the fee support available to eligible students includes full and 50 per cent tuition fee waivers under stated scholarship rules.

  • IIST's popular choices include MTech and BTech.
  • For the UG course, students need 10+2 from a recognised board with 75% aggregate marks. Selection is based on the JEE Advanced score.
  • For PG courses such as MTech, students must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with 60% aggregate marks. Admission depends on the GATE score.
  • For PhD admission, students need a post-graduation degree from a recognised university. Selection is done through UGC NET scores.
  • IIST has started the “Abdul Kalam Postdoctoral Fellowship” for young doctoral students with a strong research record who want to work on disruptive and cutting-edge research in fundamental science and engineering, with social relevance, in areas connected to IIST research.

IIST UG Admission 2026

At the UG level, IIST provides single degree and integrated programmes in different specialisations. Its main UG option is B.Tech, offered in 3 specialisations.

The table below lists the UG courses with their eligibility and selection rules:

Courses Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
BTech 10+2 with 75% JEE-Advanced
BTech + MTech 10+2 with 75% JEE-Advanced
BTech + MS 10+2 with 75% JEE-Advanced

IIST PG and PhD Admission 2026

For PG admission, IIST offers M.Tech and MSc programmes. M.Tech is the most preferred course, and Machine Learning and Computing is a popular specialisation. PhD admission is also available for students who meet the required postgraduate qualification.

Courses Eligibility Criteria Selection Criteria
MTech Graduation with 60% GATE
MSc Graduation with 60% GATE
PhD Post Graduation UGC NET

IIST Admission Process 2026

IIST uses entrance exam scores for both UG and PG admissions. For UG and integrated UG-PG courses, including BTech, BTech+MTech and BTech+MS, students must pass 10+2 from a recognised board and qualify through JEE Advanced. For PG courses such as MTech and MSc, students need a Bachelor's degree with at least 60% marks from a recognised university, and selection is based on the GATE exam score.

  • Appear for JEE Advanced: Students seeking UG admission must take and qualify in JEE Advanced with good scores.
  • Registration: After qualifying in JEE Advanced, students must check the eligibility rules and register on the IIST Online Admission Portal. They also need to choose their preferred branch.
  • Submit the Application: Once registration is complete, students must submit the application before the last date and pay the application fee.
  • Counselling Process: IIST releases its rank list, and seats are then allotted through the portal. Students can pay the first-semester fee to block their seat.
  • Verification of Documents: After fee payment, document verification may be completed online, after which students can join the campus.

Documents Required 2025

Students must keep the following documents ready for verification during IIST admission:

  • SLSS/ SSc Certificate
  • 10+2 Certificate
  • BE/B.Tech/ MS or Equivalent degree Marksheet
  • GATE Scorecard
  • OBC/ ST/ SC Certificate
  • Migration Certificate
  • Medical Fitness Certificate from a Class ‘A’ Practitioner
  • Vaccination Certificate from Class ‘A’ Practitioner
  • No Objection Certificate from the concerned Authorities

IIST Cutoff 2025

IIST accepts GATE scores for MTech admission. GATE scores are also used for admission to M.Sc. courses. The course-wise cutoff details are given below.

IIST, ME/MTech, GATE Cutoff 2025

For the General Category, the IIST ME/MTech GATE Cutoff 2025 ranges from 388 to 597 overall.

Courses Round 1(Cutoff marks) Round 5(Cutoff marks)
M.Tech Geoinformatics 597 483
M.Tech Quantum Technology 549 -
M.Tech Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics 527 421
M.Tech Structures and Design 518 404
M.Tech VLSI and Microsystem 510 440
M.Tech Thermal and Propulsion 499 425
M.Tech Power Electronics 468 420
M.Tech Control Systems 462 -
M.Tech Digital System & Signal Processing 456 436
M.Tech RF and Microwave Engineering 452 -
M.Tech Optical Engineering 440 354
M.Tech Earth System Science and Technology 429 -
M.Tech Material Science and Technology 392 -
M.Tech Manufacturing Technology 388 -

IIST, M.Sc, GATE Cutoff 2025

For the General Category, the IIST M.Sc. GATE Cutoff 2025 has an overall cutoff mark of 493.

Courses Round 1(Cutoff marks) Round 4(Cutoff marks)
MSc Astronomy and Astrophysics 493 424

IIST Scholarships 2026

IIST provides scholarships for meritorious students and students from weaker sections of society. The benefits are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

S. No. UG Scholarships PG scholarships
1. The top 5 students in UG/DD admitted in 2025-2026, who secured AIR up to 1000 in JEE Advanced Examination, 2025, get a full fee waiver for the first year. To continue the full fee waiver in the next year, they must keep a CGPA of 9.0 or above on a scale of 10 at the end of each year. MTech students with a valid GATE score will receive scholarships through AICTE
2. UG/DD students admitted in 2025-2026 who secure a CGPA of 9.0 or higher on a scale of 10 in a semester receive a 50 per cent tuition fee waiver in the next semester. The waivers are limited to ten per cent (10%) of admitted students in each program. For students enrolled in the Master of Science program, Scholarships will be paid by IIST

IIST Admissions FAQs

Ques. What facilities do IIST Halls of Residence provide?

Ans. IIST is a fully residential campus with 11 well-planned hostels named after mythological star constellations, also called Nakshatras. These Halls of Residence give students a comfortable living space where they can study, build friendships and take part in campus life. Out of the 11 hostels, 3 are for girls and 8 are for boys. Rooms are allotted as single, double or triple occupancy based on the program. Hostel allotment is done at the start of each academic semester and is rotated every year to support inclusivity and diversity. Dhanishta hostel also has 27 guest rooms with attached washrooms and air conditioning for limited urgent guest accommodation.

Ques. Why is the Advanced Microwave Laboratory important at IIST?

Ans. The Advanced Microwave Laboratory supports mainly MTech and PhD research. Work in the lab covers reconfigurable and multifunctional antennas, satellite and ground station antennas, metamaterial and metasurface-inspired antennas, antennas for smart phone and cellular communication, radar antennas, wireless power transfer and energy harvesting. Students can test fabricated antennas using a Vector Network Analyser, spectrum analysers and an anechoic chamber. An anechoic chamber is a protected room made to block electromagnetic waves and stop electromagnetic waves from escaping outside. It is fully shielded with metal and has radio wave absorbers on the walls, ceiling and floor.

Ques. How do internships support IIST students and outside applicants?

Ans. IIST offers different internship options for its own students as well as external applicants. Outside applicants can apply for summer internships, year-round internships and projects, internships under national schemes and the PhD. Visiting Students Scheme. These options give hands-on exposure to advanced work in science, space science and technology research, and humanities and social sciences. IIST students can choose credited internships linked with academic learning and research and RD activities of ISRO centres, industries or institutes of national repute. They may also take non-credited internships for more flexibility and exploration. These internships help students gain skills, build networks and work on innovative projects in space science and technology. Applicants should check the eligibility rules, application steps and requirements for each program carefully. Selected students contribute to active research projects and can use specialised labs, the library and campus facilities.