Low score in IISER? Confused about which IISER institute to apply for? Read this Shiksha article to know what are the IISER institute options are available for low scores in IISER 2025, passing marks and other alternative college options for BS-MS/ BS degree courses available.
IISER 2025 results were released on June 24, 2025, for admissions to the BS-MS/BS/Btech courses offered. These students who wish to get into one of the finest institutions through the IISER exam should know that the criteria for qualifying scores, getting scores less than the expected scores, can lead to disappointment.
Explore colleges based on IISER Entrance Exam
If students prepare for the IISER Exam, knowing the scores that can help them qualify for the exam, they can make a better preparation strategy for the exam to pursue different UG and PG courses in the science stream. To beat the IISER exam, it is important for students to understand the syllabus, exam pattern, preparation strategy, and important topics related to the exam. Before stepping into the counselling process, students must know the IISER institutes they can choose if they have a low score in the IISER 2025.
Also Read: IISER 2025 Marks vs Rank
IISER Entrance Exam 2026 notification is expected to be released by the conducting IISER in the second week of March 2026. The exam is conducted for admission to the five-year BS-MS dual degree and four-year BS degree programmes. The IISER Entrance Exam 2026 will be conducted tentatively in the fourth week of May 2026.
IISER Entrance Exam centres are located in cities across India. The exam is not conducted outside India. In case there is a change this year, it will be updated here.
- What is the parameter to determine a low score in the IISER exam?
- IISER Institute Options for Low Score in IISER 2025?
- IISER 2025 Passing Marks: Category-wise
- IISER 2025 Cut Off
- Alternative Institutions for IISER Aspirants
What is the parameter to determine a low score in the IISER exam?
Here are a few points to be considered to understand the factors that determine a low score in the IISER exam.
- Those students who get less than 90 marks should know that this comes under the low score category.
- Scores between 90 and 110 may be borderline and depend heavily on the candidate’s category (GEN, OBC-NCL, SC/ST, EWS).
-
IISER does not officially declare passing marks, but admission depends on cutoff ranks and availability of seats.
IISER Institute Options for Low Score in IISER 2025?
If you’ve scored below the expected cutoffs, admission into core IISER campuses may not be possible through the general merit list. However, all is not lost. There are low-scoring IISER institutions that offer excellent science programmes. Check out the previous year's IISER Rank, closing and opening ranks and IISER 2025 low scores, which provide admissions to the IISER institutes.
| Institute Name |
IISER 2024 Rank |
IISER 2024 Marks |
IISER 2025 Expected Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IISER Berhampur |
4484- GEN 1311- GEN EWS 2379- OBC 1333-SC |
92- GEN 75- GEN EWS 70- OBC 60- SC |
110- GEN 95- GEN EWS 90- OBC 80- SC |
| IISER Pune |
- | 125- GEN 105- GEN EWS 95- OBC 90- SC |
150- GEN 135- GEN EWS 125- OBC 115- SC |
Also Read: IISER Safe Score 2025
IISER 2025 Passing Marks: Category-wise
IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras are one of the top institutes that the test takers aim for, and the top-scoring candidates get their admissions in these two institutes.
| Institute Name | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | 210 | 195 | 150 | 135 |
| IIT Madras | 195 | 180 | 140 | 120 |
| IISER Pune | 175 | 160 | 130 | 110 |
| IISER Kolkata | 160 | 150 | 115 | 100 |
| IISER Bhopal | 145 | 138 | 115 | 95 |
| IISER Mohali | 145 | 142 | 105 | 95 |
| IISER Trivandrum | 135 | 120 | 95 | 85 |
| IISER Tirupati | 125 | 115 | 90 | 75 |
| IISER Berhampur | 115 | 100 | 85 | 65 |
Also Read: IISER Exam 2026
IISER 2025 Cut Off
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research will announce the IISER 2026 exam date on the website, iiseradmission.in/. Students can check the IAT exam date to know the schedule of important events like registration, entrance exam date, admit card, result, and more.
IISER 2025 Cut Off is the minimum mark applicants need to secure to get admission in college/university. IAT 2025 Cut off is anticipated to be higher for IISc Bangalore than IIT Madras and for IISER institutes. Based on the marks scored by the candidates and depending upon the number of seats available for the course, IISER cut off 2025 will be prepared in terms of opening and closing ranks.
| IISER 2024 Expected Cut Off | |
|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore |
200 -190 |
| IIT Madras |
185 -175 |
| IISER Pune |
170 -160 |
| IISER Bhopal |
140 -135 |
| IISER Kolkata |
160 -155 |
| IISER Mohali |
140 -132 |
| IISER Tirupati |
120 -115 |
| IISER Berhampur |
110 - 95 |
Alternative Institutions for IISER Aspirants
Here’s a list of popular universities and colleges where you may stand a good chance of admission, even with a lower IISER score:
1. Central Universities under CUET UG
Many central universities now accept students via the CUET score. These include various institutions like the Central University of Punjab, the Central University of Kerala, Hyderabad University, BHU and Jamia Millia Islamia. The passing scores needed for students to get into such central universities can differ between 35 and 60 per cent based on the course and candidate category.
2. State-Level Universities: Here are some of the universities at the state level, for those who wish to get accepted through CUET/IAT scores or the entrance exams conducted by these state universities.
- Jadavpur University in West Bengal: Students get through their class 12 marks or WBJEE.
- Ashoka University: Students can get science-related programs along with a holistic admission process.
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham: Students can get admission through scholarships and accept various entrance exam scores.
Read More: IISER 2025 Student Response Sheet

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Student Forum
Answered 4 days ago
There is no fixed number of entering preference for the IISER Entrance Exam counselling process. There are seven IISER institutes offering 11 programmes. Candidates have to select at least one IISER. Higher the number of preferences, better will be their chance of seat allotment.
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
Once the IISER Entrance Exam counselling seat allotment result is declared, candidates have the following options.
- FREEZE: By selecting this option, candidates confirm the acceptance of the offer, and that they will not participate in the next rounds of IISER Entrance Exam counselling.
- FLOAT: Selecti
V
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
Seat Acceptance Fee or SAF is the fee to be paid to accept the allotted seat at a particular round of IISER counselling process. Unless the SAF is paid, candidates will not be considered for admission.
L
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
During the IISER Entrance Exam counselling process, seats are allotted based on the following factors.
- Seats available across IISER institutes in the current round of counselling
- IAT Rank obtained by candidates
- IISER preference given by the candidate
- Candidate category.
Candidates are advised to fill as
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
IISER does not conduct the counselling or admission process for IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras through the IAT scores. These institutes conduct their own counselling or admission process. IISER counselling process is conducted only for seven IISER institutes located across India.
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
The IISER Entrance Exam counselling process is conducted in online mode. Candidates have to register on the exam website and fill in their institute in course choices in order of preference. Based on that, the seat allotment will be released. They can either 'Freeze' the seat and take admission, or
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 4 days ago
The IISER entrance exam scores are accepted by 11 IISER institutes across India. Apart from that, IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras also consider the scores for admission to BS courses offered by them.
P
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Passed 10+2 from a recognised board in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with minimum 60% marks in aggregate (55% for SC /ST /PwD students) are eligible to apply for IISER exam 2026. Candidates must have taken any three subject among Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology in class 12.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research will announce the IISER 2026 exam date on the website, iiseradmission.in/. Students can check the IAT exam date to know the schedule of important events like registration, entrance exam date, admit card, result, and more.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
No, the admit card for IAT 2026 has not released. The exam authority is expected to release the IISER Aptitude Test admit card 2026 in May 2026. The link to download the admit card will be updated on the IISER admission 2026 website.
V
Contributor-Level 8
The portal for document upload and freezing of IISER preferences for IISER 2026 Admissions is expected to begin in the month of July 2026, tentatively. After accepting the offer and paying the seat acceptance fee, the candidate can exercise two options: