IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26 Awaits: Excellent Opportunity to Apply!
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) – Admission for January 2026 Semester
Institute Address: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India
Introduction
IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26 notification for the January 2026 semester (2025-26-II) is officially out. The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) is inviting applications from highly motivated candidates for its prestigious Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs across various engineering, science, and humanities departments.
This is a transformative opportunity for researchers aiming to contribute significantly to their respective fields while benefiting from IIT Kanpur’s world-class faculty, state-of-the-art research facilities, and dynamic academic environment. Candidates are urged to check their eligibility and prepare their applications promptly to meet the application deadline. The institution provides comprehensive financial support (Institute Assistantship/Scholarship) to non-sponsored PhD students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic excellence.
Potential applicants should note that a separate application form is mandatory for each program or department they wish to apply to. Furthermore, students currently in the final year of their qualifying degree program may also apply, provided they are likely to complete their requirements by January 05, 2026.
Table of Contents
Important Dates for IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26
| Activity | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Online Application Portal Available (Start Date) | October 21, 2025 (Tuesday), 02:00 PM |
| Deadline for Application in Online Mode (End Date) | November 10, 2025 (Monday), 02:00 PM |
| Deadline for Sponsored/External/Part-Time Applications | November 10, 2025 |
| Last Date for Completion of Final Year Program (for provisional admission) | January 05, 2026 |
PhD Disciplines Offered (January 2026 Semester)
Applications are invited for the PhD program in the following departments and interdisciplinary areas. Prospective candidates should visit the concerned department’s page for specific research area details and vacancy information.
| Engineering & Technology | Sciences & Interdisciplinary |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | Biological Sciences & Bio Engineering |
| Civil Engineering | Chemistry |
| Computer Science & Engineering | **Cognitive Science** |
| **Design** | Economic Sciences |
| Electrical Engineering | Intelligent Systems |
| Mechanical Engineering | Interdisciplinary Programme on Materials Science |
| Photonics Science and Engineering | Management Sciences |
| Sustainable Energy Engineering | Mathematics |
| Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering | Materials Science & Engineering |
| — | Physics |
| — | Statistics |
Eligibility Requirements & Financial Support
The eligibility conditions provided below are the absolute minimum for IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26. Departments may prescribe additional requirements. The specified minimum marks/CPI is 55% marks / 5.5 (on a 10-point scale), provided it is not less than the minimum pass marks/CPI.
General Financial Assistance for PhD Candidates
- Institute Assistantship: For PhD students, the financial support amounts to Rs. 37,000/- for the first two years, and thereafter, it is raised to Rs. 42,000/- for another three years.
- External Fellowships: Students may also avail financial assistantship from external funding agencies such as UGC/CSIR/NBHM/DBT/ICAR/ICMR/PMRF etc., and attractive fellowships from Industry/DAE.
- Fee Structure: The application fee is Rs. 500 for General, EWS, OBC, and OBC-NCL candidates and Rs. 250 for SC/ST and all DAP candidates (Non-Refundable). Fee is waived for ‘Foreign National’ category.
- Reservations: EWS/SC/ST/OBC(NCL)/DAP reservations shall apply as per Government of India (GoI) norms.
Specific Financial Assistance Requirements
- PhD (Engineering): A valid GATE score is required for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering/design/architecture. This is waived for CFTI graduates with **≥ 75%** marks or **≥ 7.5** CPI. Master’s in Science must have a valid GATE score or JRF/NET qualification.
- PhD (Sciences): Candidate must have a valid GATE score or qualified JRF. This is waived for Master’s degree holders in Science/Arts from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0. A valid JEST score is also an eligibility criterion for financial assistantship in Physics.
- PhD (HSS): Candidate must have a valid GATE score or qualified JRF/NET. This is waived for Master’s degree holders in Science/Arts from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria for PhD
| Programme Offered | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| PhD in Engineering (Aerospace, Civil, CSE, EE, Mechanical, MSE, etc.) |
|
| PhD in Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Statistics, Economic Sciences, etc.) |
|
| PhD in Cognitive Science |
|
| PhD in Design |
|
| PhD in Management Sciences (all areas) |
|
| PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) (English, Fine Arts, Philosophy, & Sociology) |
|
Crucial Minimum Eligibility Notes:
- The specified minimum means 55% marks / 5.5 CPI (on a 10-point scale), unless the minimum pass mark is higher.
- A valid GATE score or JRF/NET qualification is generally required for financial assistance, unless specifically waived (e.g., for IIT/IISER/NIT graduates with a minimum CPI of 8.0).
How to Apply for IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26
The application process for the IIT Kanpur PhD Admission 2025-26 is entirely online. Candidates must ensure they complete the submission before the deadline on November 10, 2025, 02:00 PM.
- Online Mode Only: Indian as well as Foreign Nationals can apply only through the online mode of application. The application link will be available on the ‘Important Links’ page.
- Registration: Applicants must register and submit their applications through the ‘apply online’ link provided on the official portal.
- Separate Applications: A separate application form is mandatory for each program or department a candidate applies to.
- Sponsored/External/Part-time: Those employed in industry or a college/university/institute may apply for admission as sponsored, external, or part-time candidates. The deadline for online applications under these categories is also November 10, 2025.
- Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable application fee as per your category (Rs. 500 or Rs. 250).
Important Notes (Withdrawal Policy)
Withdrawal from the Programme:
- The last date of withdrawal from the program with a deduction of Rs 1000/- is December 13, 2025.
- If withdrawal is received after this date, the deduction will be as per institute norms.
- Refund processing will commence after January 15, 2026, and may take up to 21 working days.
- Withdrawal applications must be submitted through the designated online form, along with necessary documents like the signed application, fee payment receipt, and bank details.
Foreign Nationals Applications
Foreign Nationals (Study in India / ICCR / ASEAN etc) should note that the deadline for online applications is November 10, 2025. For assistance related to these categories, kindly contact the Office of International Relations at IIT Kanpur.
