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IIT Kanpur PhD and MS (By Research) Admission 2027 (Jan)

17 October, 2026

Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

PhD

IIT Kanpur

IIT

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Full details for IIT Kanpur PhD and MS (By Research) Admission 2027 (Jan).

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will invites applications for admission to PhD and MS (By Research) programmes commencing commencing in Jan 2027 (2026-27-II Semester).

Vacancy

  • MS (by Research)
    • Civil Engineering
      • Environmental Engineering
      • Geotechnical Engineering
    • Computer Science and Engineering
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Intelligent Systems
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Photonics Science and Engineering
    • Cybersecurity (Only for Sponsored / Part-Time / External candidates without financial assistantship)
  • Ph.D.
    • Aerospace Engineering
      • Aerodynamics
      • Flight Mechanics
      • Propulsion
      • Structures
    • Biological Science & Bio-Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
      • Environmental Engineering
      • Geoinformatics
      • Geotechnical Engineering
      • Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering
      • Infrastructure Engineering and Management
      • Structural Engineering
    • Chemistry
    • Computer Science and Engineering
    • Design
    • Economics
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Earth Sciences
    • Humanities & Social Sciences
      • English
      • Fine Arts
      • Philosophy
      • Sociology
    • Intelligent Systems
    • Kotak School of Sustainability
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Materials Science & Engineering
    • Materials Science Prog.
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Photonics Science and Engineering
    • Statistics and Data Science
    • Sustainable Energy Engineering
    • Space, Planetary and Astronomical Sciences and Engineering

Eligibility Requirements

  1. The eligibility conditions given below are the absolute minimum. Departments may prescribe any requirements over and above.
  2. 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.
  3. Admission to the Ph.D. programmes will be based on written tests and/or interviews of the candidates shortlisted by the DPGC of the department concerned.
    • The candidates with bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Design/Architecture or 4-year bachelor’s degree in Science must have a valid GATE / CEED / CAT / GMAT / COGJET score or must have qualified JRF/NET, except in the case of the degree from the MOE Funded Technical Institutes (MOEFTIs).
    • The candidates with master’s degree in Science/Arts/Commerce must either have a valid GATE/CEED/ CAT/GMAT/COGJET score or must have qualified JRF/NET, except in the case of the degree from IITs/ IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.

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 and 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
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in Engineering/ Pharmacy/ Medicine/ Veterinary Science with
marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.Those applicants may also be considered who have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Pharmacy/
Medicine/Veterinary Science or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Science with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5
CPI or a master’s degree in Science/Computer Applications or an allied area while satisfying each of the
following criteria: (a) a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the master’s degree; (b) first division in
bachelor’s degree; and (c) JRF/GATE AIR within the top 5% of the number of candidates that appeared for the
relevant paper (
if the master’s degree is not from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0
).

PhD inSciences
  • Chemistry
  • Earth Sciences
  • Economic Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Statistics and Data Science
  • Biological Sciences & Bio-Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in the relevant subject, Science, or allied area or a bachelor’s
degree in Engineering or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Science with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.

PhD inCognitiveScience
  • Cognitive Science
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in the relevant subject, Arts, Engineering, Medical, or Science with
minimum 60 percent marks/6.0 CPI.Those applicants may also be considered who have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Pharmacy/
Medicine/Veterinary Science or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Science with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5
CPI.

PhD inHumanitiesand Social Sciences(HSS)
  • Humanities and Social Sciences [English (Literature, Linguistics & ELT), Fine Arts, Philosophy, &
    Sociology]
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in the relevant subject or a master’s degree in Engineering with
marks/CPI not below the specified minimum.Those applicants may also be considered who have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a 4-year bachelor’s
degree in Science with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI or a master’s degree in Science/Fine
Arts/Commerce or an allied area of HSS while satisfying each of the following criteria: (a) a minimum of 55
percent marks/5.5 CPI in the master’s degree; (b) first division in bachelor’s degree; and (c) JRF/NET in the
relevant discipline or GATE AIR within the top 5% of the number of candidates that appeared for the Humanities
and Social Sciences (XH) paper (
if the master’s degree is not from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0
).

PhD inManagement
  • Management Sciences (all areas of Management)
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in Management or a master’s degree in Engineering with marks / CPI
not below the specified minimum.Those applicants may also be considered who have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a 4-year bachelor’s
degree in Science with a minimum of 75 percent marks/7.5 CPI or a master’s degree in Science/Arts/ Commerce
while satisfying each of the following criteria: (a) a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the master’s
degree; (b) first division in bachelor’s degree; and (c) JRF/NET/95 percentile or higher in CAT or GMAT/GATE
AIR within the top 5% of the number of candidates that appeared for the relevant paper, or qualifying in any
other national level examination (
if the master’s degree is not from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0
).

PhD inDesign
  • Design
 The applicant must have a master’s degree in Engineering/Design with marks/CPI not below the specified
minimum.Those applicants may also be considered who have a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 75 percent
marks/7.5 CPI or a master’s degree in Science/Visual Arts/Architecture/Arts while satisfying each of the
following criteria: (a) a minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the master’s degree; (b) first division in
bachelor’s degree; and (c) JRF/CEED or GATE AIR within the top 5% of the number of candidates that appeared
for the relevant paper (
if the master’s degree is not from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0
).

Master ofTechnology(MTech)
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biological Sciences & Bio-Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cognitive Systems
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Earth Sciences
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Kotak School of Sustainability
  • Management Sciences
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Interdisciplinary Programme on Materials Science
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science and Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Space, Planetary & Astronomical Sciences & Engineering
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Pharmacy/ Medicine/ Veterinary Science or a
4-year bachelor’s degree in Science 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) inCybersecurity (only for sponsored/ part time/ external)
  • Computer Science and Engineering
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Pharmacy/ Medicine/ Veterinary Science or a
4-year bachelor’s degree in Science 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 ofDesign(MDes)
  • Design
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Science/
Design/ Architecture/ Planning/ Pharmacy/ Fine Arts/ Visual Arts or a master’s degree in Science/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 and Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Intelligent Systems
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics Science & Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Medicine or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in
Science or a master’s degree in Science/ Arts with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum. Applicants with
3-year bachelor’s degree in Science/ Arts with a minimum of 75% marks/ 7.5 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).

MS(By Research) inCybersecurity (only for sponsored/ part time/ external)
  • Computer Science and Engineering
 (i)
The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Medicine or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in
Science or a master’s degree in Science/ Arts with marks/CPI not below the specified minimum. Applicants with
3-year bachelor’s degree in Science/ Arts with a minimum of 75% marks/ 7.5 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

  • The Institute may provide to postgraduate students financial support in the form of teaching or research assistantships (referred to as Institute Assistantship). Assistantships are awarded on a semester to semester basis for a period of up to 22 months for MTech/MDes/MS (By Research) students and up to five years for PhD students. The stipend for the assistantship is paid at the approved rates. A student is expected to devote up to eight hours per week towards job(s) assigned to him/her. The renewal of assistantship is contingent on the student’s satisfactory performance in the academic programme and in the discharge of assistantship duties.
  • Financial Assistance for MTech/MDes/MS (by Research) Programmes: A valid GATE score or JRF is required for awarding Institute Assistantship to MTech/MDes/MS (By Research) students. This requirement is waived for those with MBBS. degree and for those who are B Tech /BS (Four Year) graduates from IITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.
  • Financial Assistance for PhD (Engg.) Programmes: A valid GATE score is required for the candidates with bachelor’s degree in engineering/design/architecture. The requirement of GATE is waived for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs) with a percentage of 75% or more or a CPI of 7.5 or more. The candidates with master’s degree in science must either have a valid GATE score or must have qualified for/in JRF/NET.
  • Financial Assistance for PhD (Sciences) Programmes: The candidate either must have a valid GATE score or must have qualified for JRF. The requirement of GATE/JRF is waived for candidates having a master’s degree in science / arts from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0. In addition to GATE/JRF, a valid JEST score is also an eligibility criterion for financial assistantship in Physics.
  • Financial Assistance for PhD (HSS) Programmes: The candidate either must have a valid GATE score or must have qualified for/in JRF/NET. The requirement of GATE/JRF/NET is waived for candidates having a master’s degree in science/arts from IITs/IISERs/NITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.
  • For M.S. by Research students who are project employees of IIT Kanpur, there is a minimum commitment of support from the project for one year. On the completion of one year, it is expected that such candidates will continue to be supported by PI (possibly through other projects, if the current project is over), or by the department (through DPA or other such projects). In case, there is no support available from PI/Department, no financial support will/can be provided to the student, from the Institute funds at the level of M.Tech. assistantship even if s/he has a valid GATE score, as the students are admitted under sponsored category.
  • Some financial support in the form of research assistantships may also be available from sponsored research projects. Additional assistantships in the form of scholarships, fellowships, etc. may be available through other organizations such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), etc.

Application Process

  • The online application portal will be available on IIT Kanpur Website.
  • Indian as well as Foreign Nationals can apply only through online mode of application.
  • A separate application form is to be filled for each programme or department.

Important Dates

  • Opening of Online Applications portal: 16 October, 2026
  • Last Date for Applications: 3 November, 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

Important Links