IISc PhD Admission January 2027: Apply by 26 October

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has opened mid-year PhD admission for the academic year 2026-27, for the session that starts in January 2027. Applications are invited for regular research programmes (PhD) and for the External Registration Programme (ERP).

The last date for online submission of applications is 26 October 2026, and the website closes at 23:59 hours that day. Interviews are held from 16 to 20 November 2026 and the session begins on 1 January 2027.

IISc Bengaluru mid-year PhD admission for January 2027 - apply by 26 October 2026

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IISc mid-year PhD admission 2027: quick facts

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru – mid-year admission to PhD research programmes and the External Registration Programme for the session starting January 2027
Last date to apply	26 October 2026, 23:59 hours (website closes on this date)
Official website	IISc admissions page (official website)

Go to official website

What is the IISc mid-year PhD admission?

IISc runs two admission cycles a year. This mid-year notice is for the session starting in January 2027, and it covers regular PhD research programmes plus the External Registration Programme. Applicants who are in the final semester or year of their qualifying examination can also apply, provided they complete all requirements for the award of the degree by 1 January 2027 and furnish the certificates on or before 31 March 2027.

Departments and research areas on offer

PhD in the Science Faculty: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Materials Research, Developmental Biology and Genetics, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Solid State and Structural Chemistry, and Instrumentation and Applied Physics.
PhD in the Engineering Faculty: Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Automation, Electrical Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nano Science and Engineering, Design and Manufacturing, and Sustainable Technologies.
PhD in interdisciplinary areas: Energy (offered by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research), Mathematical Sciences (offered by the IISc Mathematics Initiative), and Cyber and allied areas listed in the notice.

IISc PhD eligibility and entrance test requirements

IISc selects candidates for the in-person interview on the basis of a national entrance test and the qualifying degree. The notice lists the accepted tests department by department, and the score card must be valid on 1 January 2027.

Valid test: GATE, GPAT, JEST, NET JRF or another national entrance test listed for your department. The passing certificate or score card must be valid as on 1 January 2027.
NET JRF means the Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF, UGC-NET for JRF, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, JEST, NBHM Research Award or INSPIRE.
Lectureship is not enough: candidates who qualified only for lectureship (LS) or assistant professorship, or under Category-2 or Category-3, are not eligible.
JGEEBILS: candidates who qualified in the Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences-2026 (JGEEBILS) are also eligible to apply.
Medical sciences: candidates who qualified in NEET PG, INI-CET or AIAPGET are eligible to apply for PhD in Medical Sciences.
INSPIRE: applicants applying through the INSPIRE mode must hold a valid provisional INSPIRE offer for consideration at level II of the selection, issued by DST at the time of interview.
Relaxation: the minimum class prescribed in the qualifying examination is relaxed to a pass class for SC and ST candidates.

External Registration Programme (ERP)

The ERP is a separate route for people who are already working. It is meant for professionals from R&D organisations and industries and for faculty members of engineering, agricultural, pharmaceutical, veterinary and medical colleges or universities recognised by the appropriate government agencies.

The educational qualifications are the same as for regular candidates.
You must have completed two years of full-time employment as on 1 January of the academic year.
You must be officially sponsored by your employing organisation and upload the necessary documents.
Qualifying in a national entrance test such as CSIR-UGC NET for JRF, UGC-NET for JRF, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, GATE or NBHM is desirable for ERP applicants.
Selection for the ERP is based on performance in the in-person interview.

Selection procedure

Candidates are shortlisted for the in-person interview based on their performance in the national entrance test and the qualifying degree. The final selection is based on the interview, and in some departments an aptitude test or a preliminary interview is held before the final interview. Candidates who were called for the May 2026 interview in any of the listed departments are also eligible to apply again.

Important dates for the January 2027 session

Website opens for online submission of applications: 6 October 2026.
Last date for online submission of applications: 26 October 2026, with the website closing at 23:59 hours.
Date of interview: 16 to 20 November 2026.
Commencement of session: 1 January 2027.

Application fee and how to apply

The application fee is Rs 800 for General, OBC and EWS candidates and Rs 400 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. ERP candidates of all categories pay Rs 2000. The fee is non-refundable, and any bank or payment gateway charges are borne by the applicant. Payment is accepted online through net banking, debit card, credit card and UPI.

Applicants under the EWS or OBC (non-creamy layer) category must hold a valid certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026 (financial year 2026-27) at the time of interview and admission.

Go to the IISc website and open Admissions, then Apply Online, then the Online Admissions portal.
Choose the PhD research programme, or the External Registration Programme, and the department or interdisciplinary area you want.
Fill the form and upload your entrance test score card, degree certificates and, for ERP applicants, the sponsorship letter from your employer.
Pay the application fee online and submit before 26 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the last date for IISc mid-year PhD admission 2027?

The last date for online submission of applications is 26 October 2026, and the website closes at 23:59 hours that day. Interviews follow from 16 to 20 November 2026, and the session begins on 1 January 2027.

Which entrance tests does IISc accept for PhD admission?

IISc accepts GATE, GPAT, JEST, NET JRF and other national entrance tests listed department by department in the official notice. NET JRF includes the Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF, UGC-NET for JRF, DBT JRF, ICMR JRF, JEST, NBHM Research Award and INSPIRE. The score card must be valid as on 1 January 2027.

Can I apply to IISc with only NET lectureship?

No. Candidates who qualified only for lectureship (LS) or assistant professorship, or under Category-2 or Category-3, are not eligible for admission to the research programme at IISc. You need a valid JRF.

What is the External Registration Programme at IISc?

The ERP is for professionals from R&D organisations and industries and for faculty of recognised engineering, agricultural, pharmaceutical, veterinary and medical colleges. You need two years of full-time employment as on 1 January and official sponsorship from your employer.

What is the IISc PhD application fee?

The fee is Rs 800 for General, OBC and EWS candidates and Rs 400 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. ERP candidates of all categories pay Rs 2000. The fee is non-refundable.

Can final-year students apply for IISc mid-year PhD admission?

Yes. Applicants who are in the final semester or year of their qualifying examination can apply if they expect to complete all requirements for the degree by 1 January 2027 and can furnish the certificates on or before 31 March 2027.

When does the IISc January 2027 session begin?

The session commences on 1 January 2027. Interviews for the mid-year admission are held from 16 to 20 November 2026.