IISER Mohali Ph.D. Admission 2026: Application and Shortlist
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IISER Mohali offers Ph.D. admissions across six core departments for candidates holding post-graduate or qualifying professional degrees with at least 55% to 60% marks and a valid national fellowship qualification such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, GATE, JEST, or NBHM. The selection process relies on departmental screening tests and personal interviews following initial application scrutiny.
The sections below detail department-wise eligibility criteria, mandatory national entrance exams, shortlisting procedures, required documentation, and nationwide Ph.D. institutional benchmarks.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Institution | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali |
| Degree Offered | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
| Disciplines Available | Biological, Chemical, Physical, Mathematical, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 55% to 60% (or high-second class score depending on department) |
| Mandatory Qualification | Valid National Level Fellowship/Exam (CSIR/UGC-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE) |
| Selection Mode | Screening Test and Interview |
| Application Mode | Online via iisermohali.ac.in |
Ph.D. Eligibility
Eligibility for Ph.D. admission at IISER Mohali requires a Master’s degree, B.Tech, M.Tech, MBBS, MA, or MPhil with a sound academic record. Minimum academic performance thresholds range between 55% and 60% depending on the specific department.
| Discipline | Educational Qualification Required | Minimum Marks Requirement | Mandatory Entrance / Fellowship Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | BTech / MSc / MBBS / MTech or equivalent degree | Minimum 60% / High second class | CSIR/UGC-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DBT-JRF, DBT-BINC, DST-INSPIRE, JGEEBILS, GATE |
| Chemical Sciences | MSc degree in Physics or Chemistry or equivalent degree | Minimum 55% marks | CSIR/UGC-JRF, GATE, DST-INSPIRE, GPAT |
| Physical Sciences | Master’s degree in Physics or Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in engineering | Minimum 60% / High second class | CSIR/UGC-JRF, JEST, GATE, DST-INSPIRE |
| Mathematical Sciences | Master’s degree with Mathematics as primary subject | Minimum 60% / High second class | NBHM-JRF, GATE, CSIR-UGC-NET |
| Earth & Environmental Sciences | MSc / MTech / BTech in Atmospheric Sciences, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Physics, or Chemistry | Minimum 60% / High second class | UGC/CSIR-NET, GATE, DST-INSPIRE |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | MSc / MA / MPhil degree | Minimum 55% marks | UGC-NET / CSIR-NET / Recognized National Fellowship |
Ph.D. Selection Procedure and Shortlisting
- Application Submission: Candidates must submit their application online through the official portal at iisermohali.ac.in.
- Application Scrutiny: Submitted applications undergo an initial application scrutiny phase.
- Screening Test & Interview: Shortlisted candidates are evaluated through screening tests and personal interviews.
Following application scrutiny, shortlisted candidates are selected through screening tests and personal interviews. Online applications must be completed via the official portal at iisermohali.ac.in.
Top Ph.D. Colleges
Across India, at least 3561 colleges offer Ph.D. programmes, comprising 287 government institutions and 1129 private institutions. Government colleges report a median total course fee of ₹71,600, with the middle half ranging between ₹34,582 and ₹1.16 lakh. Private institutions report a median total course fee of ₹1.85 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹90,270 and ₹3.00 lakh. State-wise distribution includes Maharashtra with 609 colleges, Tamil Nadu with 538, Karnataka with 352, Uttar Pradesh with 287, Gujarat with 222, and Rajasthan with 188 colleges. The median average placement package across 9 reporting colleges is 6.47 LPA.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | — | ₹89,200 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹30,850 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | Government | — | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹70,200 | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Manipal University Manipal | Manipal | — | ₹59,000 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹1.76 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹27,740 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Government | ₹52,200 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | — | ₹85,800 | 6 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Bharathi Women’s College | Chennai | Government | ₹5,105 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹5,215 |
| Gulbarga University | Gulbarga | Government | ₹6,545 |
| Govt. Raza Post Graduate College | Rampur | Government | ₹6,810 |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Bastar University | Bastar | Government | ₹7,170 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹7,410 |
| Government Thakur Ranmat Singh College | Rewa | Government | ₹7,777 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani | Pilani | Private | ₹1.84 lakh |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹3.60 lakh |
| VIT University Chennai | Chennai | Private | ₹1.33 lakh |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | Private | ₹69,000 |
| Chebrolu Hanumaiah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Guntur | Private | ₹1.05 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad | Dhanbad | Private | ₹50,400 |
| Uttaranchal University | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.59 lakh |
| Marwadi University | Rajkot | Private | ₹2.25 lakh |
| SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Navi Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | Private | ₹3.00 lakh |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.30 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 179 | ₹50,000 – ₹8.75 lakh | Alliance University, Christ University |
| Pune | 173 | ₹52,785 – ₹5.16 lakh | Symbiosis Law School Pune, Armed Forces Medical College |
| Mumbai | 149 | ₹7,923 – ₹33.82 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies |
| Chennai | 135 | ₹5,105 – ₹7.50 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Coimbatore | 114 | ₹36,500 – ₹9.34 lakh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, P.S.G College of Technology |
| Delhi | 77 | ₹5,215 – ₹7.50 lakh | All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| Jaipur | 76 | ₹30,970 – ₹45.00 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Hyderabad | 69 | ₹35,000 – ₹5.20 lakh | University of Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad |
| College | City | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIHMR University | Jaipur | ₹4.00 lakh |
| Indian School of Business Management & Administration | Kolkata | ₹69,900 |
| Indian Institute of Business Management and Studies | Mumbai | ₹75,800 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City | Sri City | ₹1.83 lakh |
| Shyam University | Dausa | ₹3.15 lakh |
| Birla Institute of Technology Mesra | Ranchi | ₹1.99 lakh |
How to Apply for Ph.D. Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Verify Departmental Eligibility: Ensure you hold a Master’s degree, B.Tech, M.Tech, MBBS, MA, or MPhil with at least 55% to 60% marks depending on your chosen subject.
- Qualify National Level Fellowship Examination: Secure a valid score in UGC-NET, CSIR-NET JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM-JRF, JGEEBILS, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, or DST-INSPIRE.
- Access Online Portal: Visit the official IISER Mohali admission portal at iisermohali.ac.in and click on Online Application Facility.
- Submit Application Form: Fill in personal, academic, and exam details accurately and upload required supporting documents.
- Application Scrutiny: Submitted applications undergo scrutiny, after which eligible candidates move forward to the next selection stage.
- Appear for Screening Test and Interview: Shortlisted applicants participate in the screening test and personal interview conducted by IISER Mohali.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Ph.D. colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates must submit their completed forms through the official online portal at iisermohali.ac.in to be considered for evaluation.
FAQs
Does PhD admission at IISER Mohali require an entrance exam?
Yes, applicants must hold a valid qualification in a national-level exam such as CSIR/UGC-NET, GATE, JEST, NBHM, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, or DST-INSPIRE before appearing for the institute screening test and interview.
Can I do PhD without 55 percentage at IISER Mohali?
No, IISER Mohali requires at least 55% marks for disciplines like Chemical Sciences and Humanities & Social Sciences, while other disciplines require at least 60% or a high second-class PG score.
How are shortlisted candidates selected for IISER Mohali PhD?
Following application scrutiny, shortlisted candidates are selected through departmental screening tests and personal interviews.
Which disciplines offer PhD programmes at IISER Mohali?
IISER Mohali offers Doctor of Philosophy programmes across six core academic streams: Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth & Environmental Sciences, and Humanities & Social Sciences.
