
IISER Colleges in India 2026: Complete Campus List and Seats
Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At…
- 10 Sep 2026IISER Tirupati Physical Reporting Window 2026 Released
Physical reporting window for candidates admitted to the BS-MS and BS-ESS 2026 programs at IISER Tirupati is scheduled from September 10th to September 12th, 2026. - 7 Jun 2026IISER Admissions Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 Exam Date Announced
The national-level IISER Aptitude Test (IAT 2026) for admission into 5-year BS-MS dual degree and undergraduate programs across IISERs is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2026.
India has 7 Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) located in Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, and Berhampur, offering around 2,363 total seats across flagship 5-year BS-MS dual degree and select 4-year BS/B.Tech programs. Admission across all IISER campuses is conducted through the national-level IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).
Below is the complete guide to IISER institutes in India, detailing campus lists, program options, closing rank cutoffs, semester fee structures, career opportunities, and step-by-step admission procedures for 2026.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total IISER Campuses | 7 Autonomous Institutes (Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Berhampur) |
| Flagship Course | 5-Year BS-MS Dual Degree Program |
| Primary Entrance Exam | IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) |
| Total Seat Intake | ~2,363 seats (~2,138 for BS-MS, ~225 for B.Tech/BS) |
| Class XII Eligibility | Minimum 60% aggregate (Gen/OBC/EWS) or 55% aggregate (SC/ST/PwD) |
| Tuition Fee | Around ₹15,000 per semester |
| Scholarship Opportunity | INSPIRE Scholarship (₹5,000/month for top 1% board exam scorers) |
Top BS-MS Dual Degree Colleges
The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) were established by the Government of India as Institutes of National Importance to integrate high-quality teaching with cutting-edge scientific research. Each IISER is an autonomous institution awarding its own Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees. IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata were the first two campuses established in 2006, setting the standard for research-intensive undergraduate education in basic sciences across the nation.
| Campus Name | State / Location | Year Established | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IISER Pune | Maharashtra | 2006 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Kolkata | West Bengal | 2006 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Mohali | Punjab | 2007 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 2008 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Thiruvananthapuram (TVM) | Kerala | 2008 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh | 2015 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
| IISER Berhampur | Odisha | 2016 | Autonomous / Institute of National Importance |
Government BS-MS Dual Degree Colleges
| Institute | Program Offered | General Category Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IISER Pune | BS-MS Dual Degree | 1671 |
| IISER Kolkata | BS-MS (Computational & Data Science) | 2745 |
| IISER Bhopal | B.Tech | 3169 |
| IISER Kolkata | BS-MS Dual Degree | 4758 |
| IISER Mohali | BS-MS Dual Degree | 4939 |
| IISER Tirupati | BS-MS Dual Degree | 8328 |
| IISER Berhampur | BS-MS Dual Degree | 8769 |
IISERs were established by the Government of India as autonomous Institutes of National Importance. Candidates can review the 2025 General Category closing ranks to understand entry thresholds across different campuses and degree programs.
Courses Offered at IISERs: BS-MS Dual Degree, BS, and B.Tech Programs
The flagship academic offering across all IISER campuses is the 5-year BS-MS Dual Degree in basic sciences, which incorporates foundational coursework in the initial years followed by advanced specialization and a mandatory thesis project in the final year. In addition to basic sciences, specific campuses offer professional undergraduate degrees in applied areas. IISER Bhopal provides 4-year B.Tech degrees in Data Science & Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, alongside 4-year BS degrees in Economic Sciences and Engineering Sciences. Similarly, IISER Tirupati offers a 4-year BS in Economic & Statistical Sciences.
| Program Type | Degree Name | Offered At | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Year Dual Degree | BS-MS Dual Degree (Basic Sciences) | All 7 IISER Campuses | 5 Years |
| 5-Year Dual Degree | BS-MS in Computational & Data Science | IISER Kolkata | 5 Years |
| 4-Year Bachelor Degree | BS in Economic Sciences | IISER Bhopal | 4 Years |
| 4-Year Bachelor Degree | BS in Engineering Sciences | IISER Bhopal | 4 Years |
| 4-Year Bachelor Degree | BS in Economic & Statistical Sciences | IISER Tirupati | 4 Years |
| 4-Year Engineering | B.Tech in Data Science & Engineering | IISER Bhopal | 4 Years |
| 4-Year Engineering | B.Tech in Electrical Engg & Computer Science | IISER Bhopal | 4 Years |
BS-MS Dual Degree Fees
- Tuition Fee: Approximately ₹15,000 per semester (may vary slightly by campus).
- INSPIRE Scholarship: ₹5,000 per month for 5 years for students in the top 1% of their board exam who join IISER in the same year.
- Other Scholarships: Additional scholarships are available for economically weaker students.
The tuition fee across IISER campuses is approximately ₹15,000 per semester. Top-performing students ranking in the top 1% of their board exams can avail the INSPIRE scholarship of ₹5,000 per month for 5 years.
BS-MS Dual Degree Admission Process
Admission to all IISER institutes in India for BS-MS, BS, and B.Tech degrees is conducted through the national-level IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). Candidates can attempt the examination within two years of completing their Class XII board exams.
To qualify for IAT, candidates must have studied at least three subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology in Class XII. Candidates must secure an aggregate mark of at least 60% (for General/OBC/EWS) or 55% (for SC/ST/PwD). Mathematics in Class XII is mandatory for admission into specific programs such as Computational & Data Science at IISER Kolkata, B.Tech programs at IISER Bhopal, and Economic Sciences degrees. Scores obtained in IAT are also utilized for admission into select research programs at IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, and IIT Guwahati.
How to Choose a BS-MS Dual Degree College
Choosing the right IISER depends on preferred academic streams, career goals, and cutoff ranks. Older institutions like IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata (established in 2006) maintain higher competitive demand with closing general ranks of 1671 and 4758 for BS-MS degrees. Students focused on applied engineering or quantitative social sciences may prioritize IISER Bhopal for its B.Tech and BS Economic Sciences programs, or IISER Tirupati for its BS in Economic & Statistical Sciences.
Career Pathways and Placement Opportunities After Graduating from IISER
IISER graduates possess strong research backgrounds, opening pathways in higher academics and industrial research. A substantial portion of graduates secure fully funded PhD positions at global research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and Max Planck Institutes.
For graduates opting to work in India, primary recruiters include top national research agencies and laboratories such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and laboratories affiliated with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
How to Apply for BS-MS Dual Degree Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Verify Class XII aggregate marks: at least 60% for General/OBC/EWS or 55% for SC/ST/PwD, with at least 3 subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Biology.
- Register for IISER Aptitude Test (IAT): Apply online through the official IISER admissions portal (iiseradmission.in).
- Appear for IAT 2026 Examination: Take the computer-based test scheduled for June 7, 2026. The exam contains 60 MCQs (15 each from PCMB) scored as +4 for correct and -1 for incorrect.
- Fill IISER Campus & Program Preferences: Submit preferences for IISER Pune, Kolkata, Bhopal, Mohali, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, and Berhampur during the post-exam preference window.
- Participate in Centralized Seat Allocation Rounds: Check seat allotment results based on IAT rank, category, and preferences.
- Pay Seat Acceptance Fee & Complete Physical Reporting: Accept allotted seat and complete physical document verification at the assigned IISER campus (e.g., IISER Tirupati physical reporting from Sept 10–12, 2026).
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | BS-MS Dual Degree colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
Which is the top 1 IISER in India?
IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata are the oldest IISER campuses, established in 2006. In terms of IAT general closing rank cutoff, IISER Pune remains the most sought-after campus with a closing rank of 1671 in 2025.
What does BS-MS dual degree mean?
A BS-MS dual degree is a 5-year integrated program offered at IISERs that combines foundational undergraduate science coursework with advanced master’s level research, culminating in both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.
What is the fee structure at IISER colleges?
The tuition fee across IISER campuses is approximately ₹15,000 per semester. Students scoring in the top 1% of their board exams can also avail the INSPIRE scholarship of ₹5,000 per month for 5 years.
Which IISER campuses offer B.Tech or 4-year BS programs?
IISER Bhopal offers 4-year B.Tech programs in Data Science & Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, alongside 4-year BS degrees in Economic Sciences and Engineering Sciences. IISER Tirupati offers a 4-year BS in Economic & Statistical Sciences.
