IIT Kanpur PhD and MS (By Research) Admission 2026 (July)

20 March, 2026

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

PhD

IIT Kanpur

IIT

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Full details for IIT Kanpur PhD and MS (By Research) Admission 2026 (July).

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will invites applications for admission to PhD and MS (By Research) programmes commencing commencing in July 2026 (2026-27-I Semester).

Vacancy

PhD

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biological Sciences & Bio engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Design
  • Earth Sciences
  • Economic Sciences
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Humanities and Social Sciences [English (Literature, Linguistics & ELT), Fine Arts, Philosophy, Psychology & Sociology]
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Interdisciplinary Programme on Materials Science
  • Kotak School of Sustainability
  • Management Sciences
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science and Engineering
  • Physics
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
  • Statistics
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering

MS (BY RESEARCH)

  • Aerospace Engineering (only in Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics, Propulsion and Structures)
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering (only in Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering)
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science & Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering

MS (BY RESEARCH) in Cybersecurity

  • Cybersecurity (Only for sponsored/part time/ External candidate without financial assistantship)

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility conditions that are given below are the absolute minimum. Departments may add other requirements over and above these.

The specified minimum marks/CPI (Cumulative Performance Index), referred to in subsequent sections, implies a minimum of 55 percent marks /5.5 (on a 10 point scale) as long as it is not less than the minimum pass marks/CPI; otherwise, the specified minimum marks/CPI implies the minimum pass marks/CPI.

Students who are in the final year of their programme (likely to finish the programme by July 27, 2026) may also apply and secure provisional admission for the session commencing in July 2026 (2026-27-I Semester).

Eligibility Criteria

Programme Offered by the Department/

Interdisciplinary Programme (IDP)

 Eligibility Criteria

PhD inEngineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biological Sciences & Bio-Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Management Sciences
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Interdisciplinary Programme on Materials Science
  • Kotak School of Sustainability
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science and Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
 (i)
A Master’s degree in Engineering with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.orBachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI and a
valid GATE score (the requirement of GATE score is waived for candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
or Science (4-year programme) from the centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs)).

or

A Master’s degree in Science or an allied area while satisfying each of the following three criteria:

  1. a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the Master’s degree,
  2. first division in bachelor’s degree, and
  3. Valid JRF/GATE score.

For admission into PhD in Biological Sciences and Bio Engineering, applicants having Master’s degree in
Pharmacy/Medicine/Veterinary Science with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum, or Bachelor’s degree in
Pharmacy/Medicine/Veterinary Science with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI, may also be considered a Valid
GATE score is required.

For admission into PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, applicants with Master in computer applications
while satisfying each of the above criteria in (a), (b) and (c) may also be considered.

(ii)
A valid GATE score is required for the candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Design/Architecture,
except in the case of candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme)
/Design/Architecture from the centrally funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). The candidates with Master’s degree
in Science must either have a valid GATE score or must have qualified for/in JRF/NET.

For admission into PhD in Biological Sciences and Bio Engineering and Space, Planetary & Astronomical
Sciences & Engineering : The requirement of GATE/JRF/NET is waived for candidates having a Master’s degree
in Sciences/arts from IITs/ IISERs /NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.

For admission into PhD in Electrical Engineering: The requirement of GATE/JRF is waived for candidates having a
Master’s degree in sciences from CFTIs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.

PhD inSciences
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Economic Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics
  • Biological Sciences & Bio-Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
 (i)
A Master’s degree in the relevant subject or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme)
with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.(ii)
The candidate must either have a valid GATE score or must have qualified JRF. Otherwise, a valid JEST score,
valid GPAT score, and NBHM fellowship are also eligibility criteria for applying to the PhD programmes,
respectively, in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Statistics. The requirement of GATE/JRF/JEST/GPAT is waived
for candidates having a Master’s degree in Science from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8. 0.(iii)
For Economic Sciences:

  1. The candidate must have a Master’s degree in economics or a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Sciences (4
    year programme) or a Master’s degree in Sciences or in an allied field of economics with marks/CPI not below
    the specified minimum.

(iv)
For Economic Sciences and Earth Sciences:

  1. The candidate must either have a valid GATE score or must have qualified JRF/NET. The requirement of
    GATE/JRF/NET/JEST is waived for candidates having a Master’s degree in Sciences/arts from IITs/ IISERs /
    NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0. (For Economics and Earth Sciences)

PhD inCognitiveScience
  • Cognitive Science
 Applicants must have a MA/M.Sc/M.Phil/MS/equivalent degree (Cognitive Science/ Psychology/
Linguistics/Philosophy/ Anthropology/ Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ Bio Sciences/ related
disciplines) with a minimum of 60%/6.0 marks/CPI in the qualifying degree. Applicants should have a valid
score/qualification in GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET/ other equivalent exam. Applicants from IITs with a minimum
CPI of 8.0 are exempted from the GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET requirement. Applicants with M.Sc. in Cognitive Science
are also exempted from the GATE/CSIR/JRF/NET requirement.orM.Tech/ME/MD (any branch) with a minimum of 60%/6.0 marks/CPI in the qualifying degree.

or

B.Tech/BE (any branch), BS 4-year programme (Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Statistics/Biosciences/ related
sciences), MBBS. Applicant must have a minimum of 75%/7.5 marks/CPI in the qualifying degree. Should have a
valid score/qualification in GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET/ other equivalent exam. Applicants from CFTIs
(centrally funded technical institutions) with a minimum CPI of 7.5 and those with an MBBS degree are exempted
from the GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/NET requirement.

PhD inHumanitiesand Social Sciences

(HSS)
  • Humanities and Social Sciences [English (Literature, Linguistics & ELT), Fine Arts, Philosophy,
    Psychology & Sociology]
 Applicant must have a Master’s degree in relevant subject or Master degree in Engineering/technology with
marks/CPI not below the specified minimumora Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4 year programme) with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI
and a valid GATE score or must have qualified JRF ( NET in the case of Ph.D. programmes in Humanities)

or

A Master’s degree in Sciences/(fine-arts)/arts/commerce or chartered accountant from or in an allied field of
HSS or an allied area while satisfying each of the following criteria:

a minimum of 55 percent marks/5.5 CPI in the Master’s degree or CPI not below the specified minimum.

  1. first division in bachelor’s degree, and
  2. JRF/NET in a relevant discipline, GATE in Humanities and Social Sciences (XH) or any other national level
    exam

For admission to the Ph.D. programmes in sciences and Humanities , the candidates from any background either
must have a valid GATE score or must have qualified JRF ( NET in the case of Ph.D. programmes in Humanities ) ,
unless the candidates have a master’ s degree in science /arts from IITs/ IISERs / NITs with a minimum CPI of
8.0.

PhD inManagement
  • Management Sciences (all areas of Management)
 (i)
A Master’s degree in management or relevant disciplines in Engineering / technology with marks / CPI not below
the specified minimum.ora Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI and
a Valid GATE/CAT/GMAT score ( the requirement of GATE/CAT/GMAT score is waived for candidates with Bachelor’s
degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) from the centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs)).

or

A Master’s degree in Science/arts/commerce/chartered accountancy while satisfying each of the following three
criteria:

  1. a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the Master’s degree,
  2. first division in bachelor’s degree, and
  3. Valid JRF/GATE/CAT/GMAT/NET score or any other national level examination.

(ii)
A valid GATE score is required for the candidates with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year
programme), except in the case of candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme)
from the centrally funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). The candidates with Master’s degree in
Science/arts/commerce must either have a valid GATE/CAT/GMAT score or must have qualified for/in JRF/NET.

PhD inDesign
  • Design
 (i)
A Master’s degree in Engineering/Design with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.ora Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Design (4-year)/architecture or Science (4-year programme) with a minimum of
75 percent marks/7.5 CPI and a valid GATE/CEED score (the requirement of GATE/CEED score is waived for
candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / Design / Architecture or Science (4-year programme) from the
centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs)).

or

A Master’s degree in Science or an allied area while satisfying each of the following three criteria:

  1. a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the Master’s degree,
  2. first division in bachelor’s degree, and
  3. Valid JRF/GATE/CEED score.

(ii)
A valid GATE/CEED score is required for the candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in
Engineering/Design/Architecture or Science (4-year programme), except in the case of candidates with Bachelor’s
degree in Engineering /Design/Architecture or Science (4-year programme) from the centrally funded Technical
Institutes (CFTIs).

Master ofTechnology(MTech)
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biological Sciences & Bio-Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Earth Sciences
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Kotak School of Sustainability
  • Management Sciences
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Interdisciplinary Programme on Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science and Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
 (i)
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) or a Master’s degree in Science with marks/CPI
not below the specified minimum.(ii)
A valid GATE score is required for admission to the MTech programme in the case of regular (non-sponsored)
candidates. The requirement of GATE score is waived off for the candidates with the B Tech/BS (Four Year) degree
from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech/BS (Four
Year).

Master ofTechnology(MTech) in

Cybersecurity (only for sponsored/ part time/ external)
  • Computer Science & Engineering
 (i)
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) or a Master’s degree in Science with marks/CPI
not below the specified minimum.(ii)
A valid GATE score is required for admission to the MTech programme in the case of regular (non-sponsored)
candidates. The requirement of GATE score is waived off for the candidates with the B Tech/BS (Four Year) degree
from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech/BS (Four
Year). Fulfilment of GATE requirement may be waived for sponsored/ part time/ external candidates.
Master of Technology (MTech) in Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
 Discipline: Aerospace, Electronics, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation and Control, Computer Science,
Avionics, Textile Engineering, Civil, and Communication Engineering.(i)
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) or a Master’s degree in Science with marks/CPI
not below the specified minimum(ii)
A valid GATE score is required for admission to the MTech programme in the case of regular (non-sponsored)
candidates. The requirement of GATE score is waived off for the candidates with the B Tech/BS (Four Year) degree
from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech/BS (Four
Year).
Master of Technology (MTech) in Cognitive Systems
  • Cognitive Science
 B.Tech./BE (any branch), BS 4year program (Physics/ Chem/ Math/ Stat/Biosciences/ related sciences). An
applicant must have a minimum of 60% or 6.0/10 in the qualifying degree. All regular applicants must have a
valid score/qualification in GATE. Applicants with B.Tech. from IITs with an overall grade point average of
6.5/10 or higher and 8.0/10.0 in the last two years.

Master ofDesign(MDes)
  • Design
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in science / Design
(B.Des.) / Architecture (B.Arch) / Planning (B.Plan) / Pharmacy (B.Pharm) / Fine Arts (BFA) / Visual Arts (BVA)
with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum. or Master’s degree in science or arts with marks/CPI not below
the specified minimum.(ii)
A valid GATE/CEED score is required for admission to the M Des programme in the case of regular (non-sponsored)
candidates. The requirement of GATE score is waived off for the candidates with B Tech graduates from IITs with
a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech.

MS(By Research)
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Science & Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science & Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
 (i)
MS (By Research) 2-year Programme: For Aerospace Engineering and Sustainable Energy Engineering:Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) or a Master’s degree in
Science with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.For Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering:

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (4-year programme) with marks/CPI not below
the specified minimum.

For Cognitive Science:

Applicants must have a: (i) BTech/BE (any branch), BS 4-year programme (Physics/ Chemistry/ Math/
Stat/BioSciences/ related Sciences), MBBS. An applicant must have a minimum of 60%/6.0 marks/CPI in the
qualifying degree. All regular applicants must have a valid score/qualification in GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET/
other equivalent exam. Applicants with BTech from IITs with an overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in
the last two years and those with an MBBS degree are exempted from the GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET requirement; or,
(ii) MA/M.Sc/equivalent degree (Psychology/ Linguistics/ Philosophy/ Anthropology/ Phy/ Chem/Math/ Stat/
Biosciences/ CS/ related disciplines) with a minimum of 60%/6.0 marks/CPI in the qualifying degree. An applicant
must have a valid score/qualification in GATE/CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET/ other equivalent exam. Applicants from
IITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0 and those with an MBBS degree are exempted from the GATE/ CSIR/JRF/ NET
requirement.MS (By Research) 3-year Programme: For Computer Science & Engineering and Photonics Science &
Engineering:

Applicants with B.Sc. (3-year) or equivalent with a minimum of 75%/7.5 marks/CPI may also be considered.

For Cognitive Science:

Applicants with 3-year BA/B.Sc/equivalent degree in (Psychology/ Linguistics/ Philosophy/ Anthropology/
Physics/Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Statistics/ BioSciences/ Cognitive Science/ related disciplines) with a minimum
of 60%/6.0 marks/CPI in the qualifying degree may also be considered.

(ii)
A valid GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET score is required for admission to the MS (Research) programme in the case
of regular candidates (non-sponsored/non-project candidates). The requirement of GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET
score is waived for the B Tech/BS (Four Years) graduates from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a
minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech/BS (Four Year).

MS(By Research) inCybersecurity (only for sponsored/ part time/ external)
  • Computer Science & Engineering
 (i)
Applicants with B.Sc. (3-year) or equivalent with a minimum of 75%/7.5 marks/CPI may also be considered.(ii)
A valid GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET score is required for admission to the MS (Research) programme in the case
of regular candidates (non-sponsored/non-project candidates). The requirement of GATE/ CSIR/ JRF/ NET/ COGJET
score is waived for the B Tech/BS (Four Years) graduates from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a
minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in B Tech/BS (Four Year). Fulfilment of GATE requirement may be waived
for sponsored/ part time/ external candidates.

Financial Assistantships

  • Financial support (in the form of Institute Assistantship) is available to the regular (non-sponsored/ non part time/ non external) students of MTech, MS (By Research), MDes and PhD Programmes.
  • The student is expected to carry out the assigned duties during the programme. Mtech, MDes and MS (By Research) students are currently entitled to a monthly assistantship of Rs. 12400/- for 8 hours of work per week. For PhD students the corresponding financial support amounts to Rs. 37000/- for the first two years, and thereafter, it is raised to Rs. 42000/- for another three years.
  • Students may also avail financial assistantship from external funding agencies (such as UGC/CSIR/ NBHM/DBT/ ICAR/ICMR/ PMRF etc.).
  • In addition to the above, several attractive fellowships from Industry/DAE are also available.

Important Dates

  • Opening of Online Applications portal: 19 March, 2026
  • Last Date for Applications: 13 April, 2026 (2 PM)

Application Fee

  • General, EWS and OBC and OBC-NCL candidates: Rs.500/-
  • SC/ST and all DAP candidates: Rs.250/-
  • Foreign National category: Nil

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