IISER Bhopal PhD admission 2027 application open: apply by October 12

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal has opened applications for its PhD programmes for the January 2027 semester. Prospective candidates can submit their online applications until October 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM, through the institute’s official admission portal.

This admission cycle aims to recruit eligible candidates for doctoral research across a range of disciplines, including Natural Sciences, Engineering Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences. IISER Bhopal conducts PhD admissions twice annually, catering to both January and July cycles.

Eligibility and Age Criteria

General eligibility for the PhD programme requires candidates to hold a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA/CPI of 7.0 on a 10-point scale in their qualifying degree. Relaxations are provided for specific categories: a 10% relaxation in marks or equivalent grade for SC/ST/PwD categories, and 5% for OBC-NCL/EWS categories.

Applicants must possess a valid GATE score, or have been selected through a National Eligibility Test such as UGC NET/CSIR/NBHM (including lectureship), or a National level examination conducted by the MHRD or its agencies/institutions. Candidates with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering/Technology, or a Master’s or equivalent degree in science, or a Master’s or equivalent degree in Arts/Commerce (or allied subjects) are eligible. Integrated M.Tech (5-year degree) or B.Tech from IITs, or BS-MS from IISERs with a CGPA/CPI exceeding 8.0 on a 10-point scale, are eligible without the requirement of a National Qualifying Exam.

The preferable age limit for applicants is not more than 28 years as on the last date of online application submission. Age relaxation of 3 years is granted for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, and 5 years for SC/ST/PD/Female applicants. The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate/Aadhar Card will be accepted for age determination.

Application Process and Fellowships

The online application portal for IISER Bhopal PhD admissions for the 2026-27 Session II commenced on September 16, 2026. Applicants are advised to complete their submissions by the stated deadline of October 12, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, with specific dates communicated via email and on the Institute’s website. Travel allowance (TA) will be provided to SC/ST candidates appearing for the interview, in accordance with Government of India norms.

All selected candidates will be eligible to receive a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) as per the funding agency/Institute norms. Candidates who are appearing or are about to appear for final examinations of their qualifying degree program are eligible to apply, with admission conditional upon completing the degree with the defined marks criteria before joining. Students awaiting results for CSIR-JRF/UGC-JRF/INSPIRE-PhD Fellowship or NET-LS or Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship may apply using their roll number(s). Candidates appearing for JEST 2026 are also encouraged to apply, with interviews scheduled after the JEST 2026 results are announced.

Programmes Offered and Important Dates

IISER Bhopal offers PhD programmes across various disciplines. In Natural Sciences, options include Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Physics. Engineering Sciences encompass Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and Data Science and Engineering. Humanities and Social Sciences include Economic Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Department of Biological Sciences, for instance, offers research opportunities in areas such as Behavioural Ecology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics, Cancer Biology, and Cell and Molecular Biology. For Biological Sciences, candidates with an M.Sc./M.Tech. or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA/CPI of 7.0 are eligible. Exceptionally brilliant candidates with B.Tech./MBBS/MCA degrees can also apply for Biological Sciences. The respective departments may employ additional screening criteria for shortlisting candidates for interviews.

Written by Nishit Kumar

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 FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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