The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), which has campuses at Thiruvananthapuram, Mohali, Kolkata, Pune, Bhopal, Tirupati and Berhampur (Odisha), has invited applications for five-year Bachelor of Science-Master of Science (BS-MS) and four-year BS programmes for students who have cleared their Plus-Two (Class 12).

All the seven IISERs are separate autonomous institutions under the Union Ministry of Education and were established to encourage studies and research in basic sciences. The website is www.iiseradmission.in and applications could be submitted from April 15.

Five-year BS-MS double degree

The subjects are Biological/Chemical/Earth & Climate/Earth & Environmental/Geological/Physical/ Mathematical Sciences and Integrated & Interdisciplinary Science ( Biological/Chemical/Data/Mathematical/Physical Sciences.)

Four-year BS (Only at IISER Bhopal)

The subjects are Economic Science, Engineering Sciences (Chemical Engineering, Data Sciences & Energy and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science).

All programmes are not available at all IISERs. The curriculum is designed to inspire students to pursue a career in research. Moreover, during the final year, the main focus is on research.

Three channels for admissions

Students who have cleared Class 12 in Science stream with at least 60% marks in 2022 and 2023 can gain admission to IISERs through three channels. The minimum marks for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/Tribe and differently-abled categories is 55% or equivalent grade.

Applicants should have studied three among these subjects in Class 12: Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Even though results for Class 12 include marks for Class 11 and 12, only the marks obtained in Class 12 would be considered by IISER. Meanwhile, Maths is mandatory for four-year BS programmes. Students currently awaiting Class 12 results also can apply.

• IAT

As many as 7% of the seats will be filled through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) channel. IAT 2023 is a computer-based three-hour test and will take place on June 17, from 9 am, at various centres in India, including Kerala.

There will be 60 multiple-choice questions, 15 each in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with a correct answer earning four marks, while a wrong answer would lead to one negative mark. Previous question papers and mock-tests are available on the website.

The rank cut-off will be announced later. Results of IAT will be announced on July 3.

• KVPY

The second channel for IISER admissions is Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY – www.kvpy.iisc.ernet.in). However, students on extended list will not be considered.

• JEE-Advanced

A high rank in Joint Entrance Examination–Advanced (JEE-Advanced) 2023 is the third channel leading to IISER. In order to gain admission, students have to score at least rank 15,000 in the common or category rank-list. Website: https://jeeadv.ac.in

Application guidelines

A candidate can apply for two or even two channels, if eligible. Those who are applying through KVPY/IIT-JEE channel need not attempt IAT. Candidates belonging to OCI/PIO categories will be considered as Indians.

(OCI denotes Overseas Citizenship of India and PIO is Person of Indian Origin.)

Applications through IAT/KVPY channels could be submitted from April 15 to May 25. The dates to apply through JEE are from June 25 to 30, which are subject to change.

All applications should be submitted online on www.iiseradmission.in Separate applications have to be submitted for each channel. Initially, candidates have to register on the online portal and depending on their preferences, submit separate applications for different channels. Separate application fee also has to be paid for each channel.

Only one application is required for each channel for admission to all the seven IISERs. The candidate’s choice of IISERs could be mentioned in the application. The fee is Rs 2,000. The amount for Scheduled Caste/Tribe and differently abled candidates is Rs 1,000.

Applicants who had received better marks after scrutiny or revaluation in Class 12 should upload the original mark-sheet and mention the marks obtained in the application. They also have to e-mail various details to ask-jac2023@iisermohali.ac.in

Things to note

There are a total 1,748 seats for BS-MS in all IISERs, including Thiruvananthapuram. For the four-year BS at Bhopal, there are 60 seats for Engineering and 30 for Economics. Central Government’s reservation norms will apply during admissions.

The first round selection list will be published on July 5 and candidates who receive the seat offer have to pay Rs 35,000 as acceptance fee, which includes a non-refundable administrative fee of Rs 10,000, within a stipulated date. The fees for Scheduled Caste/Tribes are Rs 17,500 and 5,000 respectively. Applicants who fail to submit this fee would be out of the admission system. The amount would be later adjusted in the semester fee of candidates who receive admission.

Those who receive seat offer can choose from freeze/float. Candidate who select freeze can continue in the seat they are allotted and those who choose float would be able to shift to other seats depending on the preferences given earlier.

All students should stay on the campus. No change will be allowed from one IISER to another after admission. Tuition fee for each IISER is given on the respective website.

Applicants who are admitted through the KVPY channel would receive scholarships under the Yojana. Limited INSPIRE scholarships of the Central Science and Technology Department are available for candidates in JEE and IAT channels.

Contact details

The Chairperson, Joint Admissions Committee 2023, IISER Mohali, Punjab – 140306. Phone: 0172 – 2240121. E-mail: ask-jac2023@iisermohali.ac.in

Applicants should constantly check the website for alerts and updates. More details are available in the FAQ section of the website.