IISER Kolkata PhD Admission 2026-27 Autumn Semester

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata invites applications for PhD Admission 2026-27 Autumn Semester.

Eligibility Criteria

• Biological Sciences
  • Masters’ (or B.E., B.Tech., M.Tech., MBBS) degree holders or equivalent (with minimum 55% marks) in any branch of science, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
  • A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non- creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates.
  • Students whose final results in Master’s or equivalent are yet to be declared can also apply. However, if selected, the offer for these students will be provisional, subject to fulfilling the above criteria at the time of admission.
  • Applicants must have any one of the following qualifications – Qualified a National Level Eligibility Examination that provides a 5-year PhD fellowship such as CSIR–JRF (Category I) / UGC–JRF (Category I) / DBT– JRF– A / ICMR–JRF / DBT–BINC–JRF / Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship/ National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students by CSIR-UGC / National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students / National Fellowship for OBC Candidates / National Fellowship for persons with disabilities (NFPWD).
  • The aforementioned fellowships must be valid on August 31, 2026.
  • Students with 4 Years bachelor’s degree with 75% marks and having their own fellowship (CSIR, UGC etc.) now are eligible for the PhD Programme of IISER Kolkata.
• Chemical Sciences
  • Master’s degree with at least 55% (50% for reserved category) aggregate marks in Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics or Biology.
  • 4-year BS with 75% (70% for reserved category) aggregate marks with Chemistry as one of the subjects.
  • Final-year MSc/MS/BS students who have yet to obtain their degree may also apply; however, they must complete the MSc/MS/BS degree at the time of admission with the requisite aggregate marks.
  • Self-funded: In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility criteria, candidates must have their own PhD fellowship, such as UGC-JRF/CSIR-JRF/ NET-Category-1/any other equivalent fellowships.
  • Institute/Project Funded: Apart from satisfying the minimum eligibility criteria, candidates must have a valid rank in one of the following national-level exams: GATE/NET-LS/NET-Category-2/NET-Category-3/INSPIRE/Project-JRF/others.
• Computational and Data Sciences
  • Bright and motivated candidates with a Master’s degree with minimum 55% marks (or equivalent) or 4 Years bachelor’s degree with 75% marks (or equivalent) in any field of Computer Science. Besides satisfying minimal eligibility criteria, the candidates are expected to have CSIR/UGC-NET JRF or other equivalent fellowships.
  • A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per UGC norms.
  • Please note that fulfilling the minimum essential criteria does not ensure that a candidate will be called for the interview. Additional shortlisting criteria might be set by the department based on academic records, experience and research interest of the candidates.
  • Candidates are expected to have CSIR/UGC-NET JRF or other equivalent fellowships.
• Earth Sciences
  • Master’s degree with at least 55% aggregate marks in Geology / Applied Geology / Geophysics / Earth Sciences / Marine geology / Environmental Sciences / Environmental Studies / Environmental Science and Engineering / Biotechnology /Atmospheric Science / Geographical Science / Agricultural Science or any other branch of Geological Sciences. OR
  • Masters degree with at least 55% aggregate marks in Physics / Chemistry / Mathematics / Biological Sciences / Computational Seismology and interested to pursue research with the DES faculty member in the matching specialization. OR
  • 4-year BS with at least 75% aggregate marks in any subject and interested to pursue research with the DES faculty member in the matching specialization.
  • A relaxation of 5% marks may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per GoI norms. Candidates belonging to the respective reserved category need to submit relevant certificates and documents.
• Humanities and Social Sciences
  • A Master’s with a minimum of 55% marks or 4-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75% marks in Economics or statistics/related subject.
  • Candidates having their own valid PhD fellowship (UGC/CSIR-NET JRF or any other equivalent fellowship) are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Relaxation of eligibility criteria and reservations for SC/ST/OBC /EWS/DIVYANG candidates are applicable as per Government of India rules.
• Mathematics and Statistics
  • 1-year/2-semester master’s degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade will be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other Category of candidates.
  • Candidates seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade. A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (noncreamy layer)/Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates.
  • Self Funded: Apart from satisfying the minimum eligibility criteria, candidates must have their own PhD fellowships, such as UGC/CSIR-JRF/ NET-Category-1/NBHM.
  • Institute Funded: Apart from satisfying the minimum eligibility criteria, candidates must have qualified one of the following national-level entrance exams: GATE/ NET-LS/NET-Category-2/NET-Category-3.
• Physical Sciences
  • A MS degree with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for reserved categories) in any field of Physical Sciences, OR
  • A 4-year BS degree with at least 75% aggregate marks (70% for reserved categories) in Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, or allied disciplines, OR
  • Final-year MS/BS students who have not yet obtained their degree may also apply. However, they must complete their MSc/MS/BS degree with the required aggregate marks at the time of admission.
  • Self-Funded Category: Candidates applying through this channel must satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria and possess a valid PhD fellowship, such as UGC/CSIR-JRF or NET Category-1.
  • Institute-Funded Category: Candidates applying through this channel must satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria and must have a valid rank in one of the following national-level examinations: GATE (rank < 500), JEST (rank < 500), NET-LS (all ranks), NET Category-2 (all ranks), NET Category-3 (Percentile > 75%). Candidates with INSPIRE Fellowship should apply only if they possess the “Provisional Offer of Research Studentship under INSPIRE Fellowship”.

Check Subject wise detailed Eligibility Criteria on IISER Kolkata website.

Selection Procedure

• List of shortlisted candidates (based on merit, subject specialization and required research area) for interview will be published in the IISER-Kolkata website.
• The Institute will not provide any TA/DA or accommodation for attending the interview.
• The selected candidates will receive the offer letter containing also the last date for joining shortly after the interview.

Application Process

• Please have your picture (soft copy, preferably in JPG or PNG format) ready.
• Please read the department wise eligibility criteria carefully.
• The applicants should open the link (http://apply.iiserkol.ac.in/application) and properly fill the application form as instructed. The form can be opened and edited/corrected until the last date.
• You must complete your application, incomplete application will be rejected.
• Applicants should save the properly filled application form and take the printout after you finish and bring the signed copy at the time of interview if you are shortlisted.
• Download the Recommendation Letter, bring this document at the time of interview. Recommendation should be in a sealed envelop.

• PhD application portal opens: 8 March, 2026
• Application portal closes: 7 May, 2026
• Selection Interview window: 29 May to 19 June, 2026
• Publication of PhD interview results: 25 June, 2026
• Pre-registration portal opens: 29 June, 2026
• Pre-registration deadline: To be announced
• PhD Registration: 29 July, 2026

• Notification & Application Portal
• IISER Kolkata Website