IISc Bangalore PhD Admission 2025-26: A Powerful Opportunity!
Mid-Year Admission Notice for the Academic Year 2025-26 (Session starting from January 2026)
Website: www.iisc.ac.in
The **IISc Bangalore PhD Admission 2025-26** is now open. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is inviting applications from eligible candidates for its regular Research Programmes (Ph.D.) and External Registration Programme for the academic year 2025-26. This mid-year admission notice is for the session beginning in January 2026. Prospective applicants should carefully review all the details provided to ensure they meet the requirements and submit a successful application.
Table of Contents
Research Programmes (Ph.D.)
The **IISc Bangalore PhD Admission 2025-26** offers Ph.D. programs across various faculties and interdisciplinary areas.
- Science Faculty: Inorganic & Physical Chemistry, Developmental Biology and Genetics, Neurosciences, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Solid State & Structural Chemistry, and Instrumentation and Applied Physics.
- Engineering Faculty: Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Electrical Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nano Science and Engineering, Design & Manufacturing, Computer Science and Automation, Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AS), Centre for Sustainable Technologies, and Computational & Data Sciences.
- Interdisciplinary Areas: Energy, Cyber Physical Systems, Climate Change, and Water Research.
Eligibility for IISc Bangalore PhD Admission 2025-26
To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum of a second class or equivalent in their qualifying degree. Candidates who are in the final semester/year of their qualifying examinations can also apply, but they must complete all degree requirements by December 31, 2025, and provide the necessary certificates by March 31, 2026.
| Qualifying Degree | Mandatory/Desirable National Entrance Tests (Mode of Entry) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Technology/ 4-year Bachelor of Science | Valid GATE score / NET JRF* is mandatory |
| Master’s degree in Science / Master’s degree in Economics, Geography, Psychology, Management, Commerce, Operations Research, Computer Science/Application | Valid GATE score / NET JRF is mandatory |
| Master’s degree in Engineering/ Technology / Architecture / Agriculture / Pharmacy / Veterinary Sciences | Desirable to have a valid GATE score / NET JRF/GPAT |
| Graduates of any course with a minimum duration of FOUR years, from any Centrally Funded Technical Institution (including IIITS in PPP mode) with a minimum CGPA of 8 out of 10 or its equivalent | Desirable to have a valid GATE score / NET JRF |
| MBBS/MD/MDS/Pharm D | Desirable to have a valid GATE score/NET JRF |
| B Pharm | Valid GPAT score/ NET JRF is mandatory |
| BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | Valid NET JRF is mandatory |
| BE/B.Tech. equivalent examinations of Professional Societies, recognized by MoE/ UPSC/AICTE | Valid GATE score/NET JRF is mandatory |
| Master’s degree in Life Sciences/Chemical Sciences from IISc with a minimum CGPA of 8.5 or equivalent (for Ph.D. only) | Valid GATE score/NET JRF is mandatory (no minimum cutoff) |
| 1 Year M. Engg from IISc | Must have been admitted to the M. Engg. program through GATE |
Important Notes on Eligibility
- The GATE/GPAT/JEST/NET JRF/other National entrance test score must be valid as on January 1, 2026.
- *NET JRF includes: Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF; UGC-NET for JRF; DBT JRF; ICMR JRF; JEST; NBHM Research Award; INSPIRE.
- Applicants must be qualified for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to be eligible through the NET JRF mode. Candidates who only qualified for Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professorship are not eligible for the Research Programme at IISc.
- Applicants who qualified in the Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences-2025 (JGEEBILS) are also eligible to apply.
Selection Procedure
Candidates will be shortlisted for an in-person interview based on their performance in the National Entrance Test and/or their qualifying degree. The final selection is based on the interview performance, though some departments may also have an aptitude test or a preliminary interview beforehand.
External Registration Programme (ERP) [Ph.D.]
The ERP is designed for professionals from R&D organizations/industries and faculty members from recognized colleges/universities. The educational qualifications are the same as for regular candidates, but qualifying in a national entrance test is desirable, not mandatory.
Applicants must have completed two years of full-time employment as of January 1, 2026. They must also be officially sponsored by their employing organization and submit both an online application and a printed version by November 4, 2025. The selection for the ERP is based on the in-person interview.
How to Apply
Applications for all programs are available online. To apply, visit the IISc website, go to “Admissions,” and click “Apply Online”. For other ongoing PhD admissions, you can check out our list of opportunities.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Website opens for online submission of applications | 03.10.2025 |
| Last date for online submission of applications (website closes at 23:59 hours) | 27.10.2025 |
| Last date for the submission of hard copies of the application and other relevant documents for ERP | 04.11.2025 |
| Date of Interview | 17.11.2025-20.11.2025 |
| Commencement of session | 01.01.2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee* |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | Rs. 800 |
| SC/ST/PwD (person with disability) | Rs. 400 |
| ERP candidates (all categories) | Rs. 2000 |
*The fee is non-refundable, and any additional bank or payment gateway charges must be covered by the applicant. Online payment options include net-banking, debit card, credit card, and UPI.
Important Notes
- The minimum class required in the qualifying examination is relaxed to a “Pass Class” for SC/ST candidates.
- Applicants applying under the EWS/OBC category must have a valid certificate issued on or after April 1, 2025, at the time of their interview and admission.
- All regular Ph.D. students who join the Institute are eligible for scholarships from agencies like MHRD, CSIR, and UGC, depending on their entry mode.
- IISc also offers various merit-based private/donor fellowships that can provide an enhanced monthly fellowship.
