IISC PHD GATE Cutoff 2026: Branch-Wise Scores For Admissions
The IISC PhD GATE Cutoff for Instrumentation and Applied Physics (XE-Biochemistry) reached 900 for the Unreserved category in 2026, indicating a significantly higher bar compared to Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (XE-Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences) which closed at 450. The IISC PhD GATE Cutoff is the minimum GATE score required for admission to various PhD research programs at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with scores ranging from 300 to 900 across different disciplines and categories for the 2026-27 academic year. This year’s cutoffs reflect the intense competition for research positions at India’s premier institution.
IISC PhD GATE Cutoff 2026: Engineering Disciplines
The following table details the IISC PhD GATE cutoff scores for various engineering disciplines for the 2026-27 academic year, categorized by GATE paper and applicant category.
| Department | GATE Paper | UR | OBC (NCL) | EWS | SC | ST | KM | PH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioengineering | XE- Engineering Mathematics | 700 | 600 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 |
| Bioengineering | XE (other papers) | 600 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 500 | 500 |
| Bioengineering | XL- Biochemistry | 700 | 600 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 |
| Bioengineering | XL- Botany | 700 | 600 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 |
| Bioengineering | XL- Microbiology | 700 | 600 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 |
| Bioengineering | XL (other papers) | 850 | 750 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 750 | 750 |
| Materials Research | XL- Chemistry | 650 | 550 | 550 | 300 | 300 | 400 | 400 |
| Materials Research | XL (other papers) | 750 | 550 | 550 | 300 | 300 | 400 | 400 |
| Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | XE- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | 450 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | XE (other papers) | 500 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| Instrumentation and Applied Physics | XE- Biochemistry | 900 | 700 | 700 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 |
| Instrumentation and Applied Physics | XE- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | 600 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Instrumentation and Applied Physics | XE (other papers) | 600 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
IISC PhD GATE Cutoff 2026: Science Disciplines
Here are the IISC PhD GATE cutoff scores for various science disciplines for the 2026-27 academic year, broken down by GATE paper and applicant category.
| Department | GATE Paper | UR | OBC (NCL) | EWS | SC | ST | KM | PH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Research | XL- Botany | 600 | 600 | 600 | 350 | 350 | 600 | 350 |
| Water Research | XL (other papers) | 700 | 600 | 600 | 350 | 350 | 600 | 350 |
| Biochemistry | XL- Chemistry | 800 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 350 | 400 | 400 |
| Biochemistry | XL (other papers) | 600 | 500 | 500 | 400 | 350 | 400 | 400 |
| Developmental Biology and Genetics | XL- Biochemistry | 550 | 500 | 500 | 450 | 400 | 500 | 500 |
| Developmental Biology and Genetics | XL- Botany | 750 | 700 | 725 | 675 | 650 | 725 | 700 |
| Developmental Biology and Genetics | XL- Microbiology | 700 | 600 | 600 | 500 | 500 | 600 | 600 |
| Developmental Biology and Genetics | XL- Zoology | 750 | 700 | 725 | 675 | 650 | 725 | 700 |
| Developmental Biology and Genetics | XL (other papers) | 800 | 675 | 700 | 600 | 500 | 725 | 700 |
Key Dates for IISC PhD Admissions 2026
The following table outlines the important dates for IISC PhD admissions for the 2026-27 academic session.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | February 11, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Research Programmes) | April 6, 2026 |
| Interview Dates | May 11 to May 15, 2026 |
| Date of Reporting at IISc (tentative) | July 23-24, 2026 |
| Classes Begin | August 3, 2026 |
FAQs
Q: What is a good GATE score for IISC PhD admission in 2026?
A: A good GATE score for IISC PhD admission in 2026 varies significantly by department and category, generally ranging from 300 to 900. For highly competitive programs like Instrumentation and Applied Physics (XE-Biochemistry), scores of 900 or above for the Unreserved category are considered strong.
Q: Does IISC PhD admission require an interview after GATE?
A: Yes, candidates are typically shortlisted for an interview based on their GATE scores. The final selection for IISC PhD programs is based on performance in this interview, with some departments potentially conducting an aptitude test or preliminary interview beforehand.
Q: Are there different GATE cutoffs for various categories at IISC PhD?
A: Yes, IISC PhD GATE cutoffs differ across various categories, including Unreserved (UR), Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Kashmiri Migrants (KM), and Persons with Disabilities (PH). Reserved categories generally have lower cutoff scores than the Unreserved category.
Q: What is the application fee for IISC PhD programs?
A: The application fee for IISC PhD programs in 2026 is ₹800 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹400 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Q: Can I apply for IISC PhD with a B.Tech degree?
A: Yes, candidates holding a B.E./B.Tech or equivalent degree with a valid GATE score are eligible to apply for IISC PhD programs, provided they meet the basic qualification for eligibility for the relevant departments.
Q: When do IISC PhD classes typically begin?
A: Classes for the IISC PhD programs for the 2026-27 academic year are scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026.
