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Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER Pune) is a public research university established in 2006 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The institute holds the status of an Institute of National Importance under the IISER Act of Parliament (2012). It is autonomous and fully funded by the central government, with no affiliating university.
As per NIRF 2025, IISER Pune is ranked #35 in the Research Institutions category, with a score of 50.35. In the NIRF Overall ranking, it stands at #55 among all higher education institutions in India.
The institute is located on a 98-acre campus at Pashan, Pune, adjacent to the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL). The campus is fully residential, housing three student hostels and a central dining facility.
- BS-MS Dual Degree (5 years), the flagship undergraduate programme, leading to a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree. Major subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Earth and Climate Science, and Data Science. Admission is via IAT (IISER Aptitude Test), conducted centrally by all seven IISERs.
- M.Sc. (2 years) in Chemistry, Mathematics and Computing, and Quantum Technology. Admission via IIT JAM or an MCQ-based institutional test.
- Integrated M.Sc.+PhD in Biology, Mathematics, and Physics
- PhD (4 to 5 years) across eight departments: Biology, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth and Climate Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Education
The total fee for the BS-MS programme is INR 5,94,410 for the full 5-year duration. M.Sc. fees are INR 2,48,864 for two years. SC/ST/PwD students receive a tuition fee waiver.
Selected BS-MS students are eligible for the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology, offering INR 5,000 per month in years one to three and INR 7,000 per month in years four and five.
IISER Pune is a research-first institution. Over 60% of BS-MS graduates pursue doctoral programmes at institutions including MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich, IISc Bangalore, and TIFR Mumbai. A campus placement cohort in 2025 recorded a median package of INR 11.40 LPA.
IISER Pune Admission Dates 2027
Admissions at IISER Pune run on two calendars: the centralised IAT for the BS-MS programme, and department-specific timelines for M.Sc. and PhD programmes. The BS-MS and M.Sc. 2026 cycles have concluded. The PhD January 2027 batch is the currently active admission cycle.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| PhD (Jan 2027) Application Opens | October 5, 2026 |
| PhD Application Deadline (department-wise) | October 18 to 23, 2026 |
| PhD Interviews | Late October to early November 2026 |
| PhD Results | Mid-December 2026 |
| PhD Intake | January 2027 |
The BS-MS 2026 batch (entering August 2026) has completed all IAT rounds and counselling. The IAT 2027 for the BS-MS 2027 batch is expected around June 2027, with applications typically opening in March 2027. The table below shows the programme-wise entrance exam requirements.
| Programme | Admission Route | Qualifying Exam |
|---|---|---|
| BS-MS (5-year) | IAT (centralised) | IISER Aptitude Test |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | IIT JAM | JAM (Chemistry) |
| M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing | Institutional MCQ test | IISER Pune admission test |
| M.Sc. Quantum Technology | IIT JAM or GATE | JAM (Physics/Math) or GATE |
| PhD (all departments) | National fellowship or qualifying exam | CSIR-JRF / UGC-JRF / GATE / JEST / NBHM / INSPIRE-PhD |
IISER Pune Courses and Fees
IISER Pune offers a focused portfolio of science and research programmes. The BS-MS Dual Degree is the flagship entry point, spanning five years across six major science disciplines. The institute also offers M.Sc., integrated M.Sc.+PhD, and PhD programmes for postgraduate candidates.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS-MS (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Earth Sciences, Data Science) | 5 years | 10+2 Science, IAT qualified | INR 5,94,410 |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | 2 years | BSc with Chemistry, JAM qualified, 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing | 2 years | BSc / BTech, institutional MCQ test, 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| M.Sc. Quantum Technology | 2 years | BTech (GATE) or BSc Physics/Math (JAM), 60% aggregate | INR 2,48,864 |
| Integrated M.Sc.+PhD (Biology, Mathematics, Physics) | 5 to 6 years | BSc / BE with 60%, national qualifying exam | INR 5,36,944 |
| PhD (all 8 departments) | 4 to 5 years | MSc or 4-year BSc with 60%, CSIR/UGC-JRF or GATE/JEST | INR 3,78,600 |
The BS-MS curriculum follows a flexible structure. Students complete foundation coursework across all science disciplines in years one and two before declaring a major subject. Interdisciplinary combinations of major and minor are permitted.
IISER Pune Admission Process
BS-MS Dual Degree
All seven IISERs admit BS-MS students jointly through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). The test is an online MCQ exam of three hours, covering Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
- Eligibility: Passed 10+2 or equivalent with science stream in the current or preceding year
- Board score requirement for the State and Central Boards (SCB) channel: 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Admission steps: Apply on iiseradmission.in, appear for IAT, receive merit rank, participate in counselling rounds for IISER and discipline preference, complete document verification, pay fees
IAT cutoffs at IISER Pune vary by discipline and category. General Category candidates typically need a rank in the top 500 to 800 across the IAT merit list to secure a preferred discipline at IISER Pune. Seats are distributed under the standard reservation policy (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD).
M.Sc. Programmes
M.Sc. Chemistry requires a valid IIT JAM score in the Chemistry paper and a minimum 60% aggregate in the qualifying bachelor’s degree. M.Sc. Mathematics and Computing admits through an MCQ-based test held at IISER Pune campus. M.Sc. Quantum Technology accepts IIT JAM scores (Physics or Mathematics papers) for BSc holders and GATE scores for BTech holders. All three programmes require 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD).
PhD Programme
PhD applicants must hold a current national fellowship or qualifying exam score at the time of joining. Accepted qualifications include CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, DBT-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, GPAT, INSPIRE-PhD, and PMRF. BS-MS graduates from any IISER with a CGPA of 8.0 or above qualify directly without an additional test. The selection process involves shortlisting based on application review and a department-level written test or interview.
Integrated M.Sc.+PhD
The integrated programme in Biology, Mathematics, and Physics is open to BSc graduates and BTech holders with 60% aggregate. Admission is through department-specific qualifying exams and interviews. Students enrolled in the integrated track complete the M.Sc. component first before continuing to the doctoral stage.
IISER Pune Career Outcomes
IISER Pune does not run a traditional campus placement programme. The institute is structured as a research university, and the primary career pathway for BS-MS graduates is doctoral research. Over 60% of each BS-MS batch pursue a PhD or postdoctoral position after completing the five-year programme.
| Career Pathway | Typical Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PhD abroad | MIT, Stanford, Harvard, ETH Zurich, Max Planck Institutes | Most common for top-ranked graduates |
| PhD in India | IISc Bangalore, NCBS, TIFR Mumbai, IISERs | CSIR-JRF or GATE qualification required |
| Campus placements (industry) | Microsoft Research, Biocon, data science and analytics firms | Approx. 15 students placed in 2025, median INR 11.40 LPA |
| Government research | BARC, ISRO, DRDO, CSIR laboratories | GATE-qualified graduates |
The campus-placed cohort in 2025 recorded a median package of INR 11.40 LPA. Campus recruitment at IISER Pune covers a small fraction of each batch. Graduates who join CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF funded PhD programmes receive a monthly fellowship of INR 37,000 during the junior research stage.
IISER Pune Rankings
IISER Pune is ranked among the leading research institutions in India by the NIRF. The institute participates in NIRF under both the Research Institutions category and the Overall category.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Research Institutions | 35 (Score: 50.35) | 29 |
| NIRF | Overall | 55 | - |
| THE | World University Rankings | 1201-1500 band | - |
IISER Pune does not participate in QS, FT, or business school rankings as it does not offer MBA or professional engineering programmes. The NIRF Research Institutions rank is the most relevant measure for the institute’s primary function.
IISER Pune Scholarships
IISER Pune offers merit-based financial support through central government scholarship schemes. BS-MS students are eligible for the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship and PhD students benefit from national research fellowships.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE-SHE (DST) | Top merit in IAT or top 1% in 10+2 board, enrolled in BS-MS at IISER | INR 5,000 per month (years 1 to 3), INR 7,000 per month (years 4 to 5) plus annual contingency |
| CSIR-JRF / UGC-JRF | PhD students with national fellowship from CSIR or UGC | INR 37,000 per month (JRF stage), INR 42,000 per month (SRF stage) |
| PMRF (Prime Minister Research Fellowship) | Top PhD candidates from select institutes including IISERs | INR 70,000 to 80,000 per month |
| PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme | Students with parental income up to INR 8 Lakhs per annum | Education loan with interest subvention |
SC/ST/PwD students enrolled in BS-MS programmes receive a tuition fee waiver as per the standard central government policy.
IISER Pune Campus and Infrastructure
IISER Pune occupies a 98-acre campus at Pashan, Pune, on land made available by CSIR-NCL. The institute shares the Pashan research cluster with NCL and several CSIR and DST-funded research centres, providing students access to a dense scientific ecosystem.
Academic infrastructure includes a modern lecture hall complex, research laboratories across all eight departments, undergraduate teaching labs, and a central library. The campus houses the National Facility for Gene Function in Health and Disease (NFGFHD), a dedicated genomics and molecular biology research centre. Total academic space on campus is 37,000 sq m, with approximately 80,000 sq m of residential space.
Three hostels are available for students: Hostel 1 for male BS-MS students, Hostel 2 for male PhD and integrated PhD students, and Hostel 3 for all female students. Sports facilities include two tennis courts, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a cricket ground, an open stadium, and an indoor gymnasium with badminton courts. A Day Care Centre, Guest House, and Convention Centre also operate on campus.
IISER Pune vs IISER Kolkata vs IISER Bhopal
Candidates who qualify the IAT are allotted an IISER based on merit rank and preference order. IISER Pune, IISER Kolkata, and IISER Bhopal are three of the five older IISERs and are frequently compared during counselling preference-filling.
| Parameter | IISER Pune | IISER Kolkata | IISER Bhopal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2006 | 2006 | 2008 |
| Location | Pashan, Pune, Maharashtra | Mohanpur, West Bengal | Bhauri, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| BS-MS Total Fees | INR 5,94,410 | INR 5,94,410 | INR 5,94,410 |
| Key Strengths | Chemistry, Biology, proximity to NCL research cluster | Mathematics, Physics, strong research output | Larger campus, Chemistry, growing PhD programme |
| Campus | 98 acres, fully residential | Fully residential | Fully residential |
IISER Pune’s proximity to NCL and other Pune-based research institutions gives it a distinctive advantage in Chemistry and interdisciplinary science. IISER Kolkata has a strong tradition in Mathematics and theoretical Physics. IISER Bhopal offers a newer campus with expanding infrastructure. All three IISERs follow the same fee structure, IAT admission process, and central government scholarship schemes.
IISER Pune FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for IISER Pune BS-MS programme?
Ans. The total fee for the BS-MS Dual Degree at IISER Pune is INR 5,94,410 for the full 5-year duration. SC/ST/PwD students receive a tuition fee waiver.
Ques. Which entrance exam is required for IISER Pune BS-MS?
Ans. Admission to the BS-MS programme is through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), conducted jointly by all seven IISERs. Candidates who have passed 10+2 Science in the current or preceding year are eligible. The IAT is an online MCQ exam covering Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Ques. Does IISER Pune offer campus placements?
Ans. IISER Pune is a research university. Most graduates pursue doctoral programmes in India or abroad after completing the BS-MS. A small campus placement cohort participates each year. The median package in 2025 was INR 11.40 LPA. Over 60% of graduates pursue higher studies at institutions such as IISc, TIFR, MIT, and ETH Zurich.
Ques. What is IISER Pune’s NIRF ranking?
Ans. IISER Pune is ranked #35 in the Research Institutions category and #55 in the Overall category as per NIRF 2025. The institute holds a NIRF Research score of 50.35.
Ques. Is hostel accommodation available at IISER Pune?
Ans. Yes. IISER Pune is a fully residential campus. All enrolled students are housed on campus. Three hostels are available: Hostel 1 for male BS-MS students, Hostel 2 for male PhD and integrated PhD students, and Hostel 3 for female students across all programmes.
Ques. What scholarships are available for IISER Pune students?
Ans. BS-MS students qualifying in the top merit band are eligible for the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship from DST, providing INR 5,000 per month in years one to three and INR 7,000 per month in years four and five. PhD students with CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF receive INR 37,000 per month at the JRF stage. PMRF fellows receive INR 70,000 to 80,000 per month.
Ques. When does IISER Pune PhD admission open for the January 2027 batch?
Ans. PhD applications for the January 2027 batch open on October 5, 2026. Department-wise deadlines fall between October 18 and October 23, 2026. Interviews are held in late October to early November, with results in mid-December 2026.
Ques. What qualifying exams are accepted for IISER Pune PhD admission?
Ans. IISER Pune accepts CSIR-JRF, UGC-JRF, DBT-JRF, GATE, JEST, NBHM, GPAT, INSPIRE-PhD, and PMRF as qualifying credentials for PhD admission. BS-MS graduates from any IISER with a CGPA of 8.0 or above may apply directly without an additional test.
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The entrance exam for IISER Pune, the IAT is generally considered to be of moderate difficulty, similar to the JEE Mains. Compared to challenging exams like JEE Advanced, IAT is considered manageable with good preparation. The exam emphasizes a strong understanding of foundational concepts in PCMB.
IISER Pune has a state-of-the-art research infrastructure to carry out work in various areas of science. The available facilities are rapidly expanding as the institute grows. National Facility for Gene Function in Health and Disease (NFGFHD) is a state-of-the-art animal house facility established at IISER Pune in 2016, with funding from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. IISER Pune hosts the National Supercomputing Mission facility, PARAM Brahma, deployed by C-DAC at the institute through the Government of India's National Supercomputing Mission. PARAM Brahma is currently with CPU and GPU compute aggregate of 1.7 PF (petaflops) with high-performance parallel file system-based storage of 1 PB (petabytes). In addition, the institute hosts multiple data centers for high-performance computing and parallel file system-based storage aggregating to 400 TF (teraflops) and 700 TB (terabytes). Together, these computing facilities support research in the areas of computational biology, particle physics, astrophysics, computation chemistry, materials modeling, molecular dynamics, nanoparticles, cryptography, seismology, climate science, etc. Experimental research facilities are distributed across the institute and set up at the research departments.
IISER Pune offers 21 courses at the UG, PG, PhD, and Dual degree levels. There are 7 UG, 3 PG,11 Dual, and 7 PhD programs at IISER Pune. Admissions to all the programs at IISER Pune are based on entrance exams. It offers BS+MS (7 Courses). The top course at IISER Pune is the BS-MS Dual Degree Program which is offered for a duration of 5 years. Aspirants can apply and appear for KVPY/JEE-Advanced/SCB for dual-degree admissions. It offers MSc (3 Courses), MSc+PhD (4 Courses), and PhD (7 Courses).
Admission to BS-MS degree programs is done through 3 channels: Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), JEE Advanced, and State and Central Boards Channel (SCB). Admissions to Ph.D. programs are done on the basis of CSIR-UGC NET/ GATE/ JEST/ NBHM/ JGEEBILS/ INSPIRE Ph.D. Scholarship. For Integrated Ph.D. (i-Ph.D.), the institute considers JAM/ JEST/ NBHM (for Mathematics) scores.
IISER Entrance Exam 2024 Online application starts on the Second week of April 2024. IISER 2024 Admit Card will be released in the second week of June 2024.
IISER Pune median package stood at INR 11.40 LPA.
IISER Pune does not offer an MSc in Statistics. Check here for the MSc courses from IISER Pune.
IISER accepts admission on the basis of JEE Advanced or IISER entrance exam marks. For these forms, passing class 12th is mandatory.
Amplitude test for session 2023 is set to commence registrations from April-May 2023 and the exam dates are expected from June-July 2023.
The admissions to Ph.D programmes are done on the basis of CSIR-UGC NET/ GATE/ JEST/ NBHM/ JGEEBILS/ INSPIRE. For more details, visit IISER, Pune- Admissions, Eligibility