IISER 2026: Application Process, Admission, Closing Rank, Cut Off, Safe Score & Other Details

IISER Aptitude Test difficulty level is comparatively easier than JEE Main exam difficulty level. There are four sections in the exam, and all have equal weightage. Mentioned below are the details for the same:

• Biology: This section might sound a tough nut to crack for the PCM students, but a reasonable understanding of class 11 and 12 NCERT concepts can help you sail through this section. If you are not familiar with Biology try to ace the Maths section. As the number of test-takers has grown over the years, this section has also seen a surged difficulty level.
• Maths: For the Biology students, it might be hard to crack. You need to focus on 11th and 12th class concepts. You can search for the doable questions and solve them. The level is usually at par or even above JEE Mains. The Biology students can cover the scores in their specialised section.
• Physics and Chemistry: This section is usually easier than the above two sections. The scores obtained here can make-or-break your chances for counselling. The questions in these two sections cover the fundamental and essential concepts. It is better to score well in these two sections. The sections are not really tough. They are far away from the difficulty level of JEE Advance.

Overall, the exam is far from easier than JEE Advanced exam. The Biology students have the advantage to finish their section quicker. Make sure your fundamentals are clear and your reasoning ability is good. This should be enough to secure a good score.

No, IISER Entrance Exam is conducted in a single day and slot. The total duration of the exam is three hours. There is no break in between the test. IISER Aptitude Test is conducted in computer based mode. 

Yes, the questions of the official IISER Entrance Exam Mock Test are from the syllabus. The total duration of the mock test is 3 hours. It will provide familiarity with the IISER Aptitude Test and help in preparation. 

The IISER Entrance Exam questions are objective type. These are multiple-choice questions with four options. The mode of the exam is computer-based. Test-takers have to select one option. Marks per question is four. One mark will be removed for wrong answers.

IISER Entrance Exam is conducted for admission to the 5-year BS MS programme offered at the seven Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. Apart from that, the IISER Aptitude Test scores are also accepted by IISc Bangalore for the 4-year BS course and for the BS - Medical Sciences and Engineering programme at IIT Madras. Apart from this, other courses at IISERs for which the entrance exam scores are accepted are given below.

• 5-Year BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences at IISER Kolkata
• 4-Year BS in Economic Sciences at IISER Bhopal
• 4-Year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences at IISER Tirupati.

The IISER Entrance Exam 2026 pattern is expected to remains same as last year. IAT consists of 60 questions, 15 questions each from Biology, Chemistry Mathematics, and Physics. There will be four answer options. Total time for answering the test is 180 minutes. Questions are multiple choice type with only one correct answer. The mode of the exam is computer-based.

The IISER Entrance Exam Marking Scheme is given below.

Section	Marks
Physics	60
Mathematics	60
Chemistry	60
Biology	60

Each section carries 15 marks. 

IISER 2026 entrance exam will be conducted in computer-based test mode. The duration of the entrance exam is three hours, from 9 AM to 12 noon.

Yes, you can appear for the IISER Entrance Exam if you have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects in Class 11 and 12. According to the conducting body, students have to study a minimum of three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Hence, students from the PCB combination are eligible for the exam. 

There is no age limit to apply or appear for the IISER Entrance Exam 2026. However, applicants must have appeared for their Board examination in 2024, 2025 or 2026. Based on this, applicants must apply for the exam. Apart from this, students should have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in Classes 11 and 12. They have to secure a minimum aggregate percentage of 60 (Unreserved categories) and 55 (Reserved categories) in their Class 12 Board exam or equivalent. 

If you are planning to appear for the IISER Entrance Exam 2026, and you will write your Board exam in the same year, you will be eligible. In case you are slated to appear for the exam in 2027, you cannot take the IISER Entrance Exam 2026. The exam is expected to be conducted in May. If you do not clear the Board exam, then also you will be ineligible. 

Upon successful submission of the IISER online application form along with the exam fee, an automated email and SMS were sent to the registered email ID and mobile number of candidates. In case the application process was not submitted, but the application fee got debited, candidates were advised to contact IISER Exam conducting body or visit the official website for assistance for the application status. Even after three days if candidates did not receive the application confirmation, then they were advised to try and complete the IISER IAT 2023 application form.

For Candidates seeking admission under the OBC-NCL category:

1. As per the latest guidelines of the Government of India, the OBC-NCL Certificate should have been issued on or after April 01, 2025.
2. If any OBC-NCL candidate fails to submit the OBC-NCL Certificate (issued on or after April 01, 2025) at the time of online application, the candidate has to upload a signed declaration form.
3. The candidate has to upload a fresh Certificate (issued on or after 1 April 2025) on or before July 7, 2025.
4. If the Certificate is not uploaded by the given date and time, the candidate will not be considered for admission under this category. If qualified, the category will be adjusted accordingly in the Common Rank List.

Candidates are able to fill out the IISER Entrance Exam application form will start in March 2026 onwards. The application process is completely online, and candidates need to register themselves first on the IAT official website.

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 2025 will be conducted tentatively in the fourth week of May 2026. 

No, there is no option to apply for the IISER Entrance Exam in offline mode. Students have to go to the exam website, which is iiseradmission.in to apply for the exam. The fee has to be also paid in online mode, through Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking.

The category-wise IISER entrance exam application fee is given below.

• INR 2,000 for candidates applying under General, EWS, and OBC-NCL categories.
• INR 1,000 for candidates applying under persons with disabilities, persons registered as Kashmir migrants and SC, ST categories.
• INR 8,500 for foreign nationals.

Candidates must note that the application fee is non-refundable.

At the time of online application, a candidate will be shown 9 programmes across 7 IISERs or 7 programs across 7 IISERs if the candidate did not have Mathematics as a subject in class 12 or equivalent and is not eligible for BS Economic Sciences and BS Engineering Sciences. Candidate is required to make a preference list from among these programs for which the candidate wants to be considered for an admission. The preference order must be from the most preferred first preference to the least preferred or last preference. The preference list must contain at least one IISER programme. A candidate will be considered only to those IISER programs which are in the candidates preference list. Consequently, a candidate will not be considered for an admission to an IISER programme that is not mentioned in the candidates preference list.

Given below is a list of documents/certificates whose scanned copies are to be uploaded at the time of online application for IAT. The formats of the certificates are given in the Annexure.

1. Class 10 certificate
2.  Class 12 (or equivalent examination). 
3.  If the class 12 (or equivalent) marks sheet is not available now, then you can instead upload a signed declaration form mentioning : DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE IN LIEU OF ELIGIBILITY EXAM CERTIFICATE/ MARKSHEET SEE Annexure). Fill up the form, sign it, scan it and then upload. The scanned copies of the actual marks sheet must be uploaded on or before July 7, 2025, failing which you will not be allotted a seat in any of the IISERs.

Earlier, IISER admission took place through three channels, IISER Entrance Exam, JEE Main and KVPY scores. Last year onwards, the admission takes place only through IISER entrance exam scores. Hence, JEE Main scores or ranks will not be considered for admission. 

The question paper will be in English and Hindi languages. The candidates must read all the given instructions provided in the question papers at the time of examination.

IISER Entrance Exam carries equal weightage of all the subjects which are asked in the examination. The IISER Entrance Exam Marking Scheme is as follows: 1. Physics 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers. 2. Mathematics- 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers. 3. Chemistry 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers. 4. Biology 15 questions will be asked in the examination and 60 marks will be the maximum awarded for all the correct answers. Marking scheme: Candidates will be awarded three marks for each correct answer. There will be negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer.

The IISER entrance exam is of 240 marks. Each question carries four marks. There is a minus one mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be removed for questions not answered. There are 60 marks in each of the four sections. All questions are objective type and have four answer options. Students have to select one option only. Sections tested in the exam are PCMB.

IISER entrance examination provides admission to candidates in the five-year-long BSMS dual degree programme offered by them. On the basis of a candidates score in the IISER Entrance Exam (also known as IISER aptitude test), he/she can secure admission at IISER located in Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, or Tirupati. Since it is an undergraduate degree, the syllabus for the examination is confined to class 11 and 12 subjects which are Physics Chemistry Biology and mathematics. Candidates can find the complete syllabus in the information brochure of the IISER on the official website. For detailed syllabus, candidates can view the below Shiksha link- https://www.shiksha.com/science/iiser-entrance-exam-syllabus.

The IISER Entrance Exam syllabus is in tune with the Class 11 and 12 Board exam syllabus. The questions in the examination are asked from four domains of the Science subject, which are Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

As per the syllabus mentioned in the information brochure of IISER, it is observed that in the Biology subject maximum syllabus is covered from the Class 12 book. For the subjects of Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry, the syllabus is equally distributed in Class 11 and 12.

The IISER entrance exam Chemistry syllabus is given below.

• Structure of Atom
• Classification of elements and periodicity in properties
• Chemical bonding and molecular structure
• States of matter
• Thermodynamics
• Equilibrium
• Redox reactions
• Hydrogen
• The s-block Elements
• The p-Block Elements
• Organic Chemistry 
• Hydrocarbons
• Environmental Chemistry
• The solid state
• Solutions
• Electrochemistry
• Chemical Kinetics
• Surface Chemistry
• General principles and processes of the isolation of elements
• The d and f block elements
• Coordination compounds
• Haloalkanes and haloarenes
• Alcohols, phenols and ether
• Aldehydes
• Ketones and carboxylic acids
• Organic compounds containing nitrogen, biomolecules and polymers
• Chemistry in everyday life.

The syllabus for Physics in IISER 2025 entrance examination is as follows: Physical World and Measurement Kinematics, Laws of Motion. Work, Energy and Power. Motion of Systems of Particles and Rigid body, Gravitation Properties of bulk matter, Thermodynamics Behavior of perfect gas and kinetic energy, Oscillations, Waves Electrostatics, Current Electricity Magnetic effect of current and magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction Alternating current, Electromagnetic Waves Optics Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter. Atoms, Nuclei, Electronic devices, Communication Systems.

Candidates are advised to read all the important instructions which are mentioned on the IISER 2023 admit card carefully and assemble all the important documents which are asked by the conducting body to carry along with the admit card on the day of the examination. Test takers have to carry their government-authorised IDs, including Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, etc.

Yes, The IISER exam address/venue is mentioned on the IISER admit card. For avoiding last minute hassles, candidates are advised to visit the exam center in advance and plan the commute and timing accordingly.

If there is a mistake or an error on IISER admit card, candidates are advised to contact officials immediately well before IISER exam. They must ensure that changes are done at earliest and rectified IISER 2026 admit card is issued before exam day. 

Registered candidates of the IISER entrance exam can download their IAT admit card. To download it, they have to visit the official website of IISER admissions, iiseradmission.in. Candidates have to log in to download the admit card. It must be preserved till the admission process is over.

Candidates should preserve the IISER 2026 admit card till the admission is completed. The admit card has to be carried to the exam centre. It has to be verified during the IISER counselling processes as well. 

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. 

The following details will be mentioned on the IISER Entrance Exam admit card which are as follows- Name of Candidate Application Number Roll Number Exam Schedule Exam Centre Address Candidate Photograph and Signature Father's Name Contact Details Exam Day Guidelines.

Yes, the timing, date and venue will be mentioned on the IISER 2026 admit card. Candidates must check the entry timing as well as the exam timing carefully on the admit card. They must visit the centre at least half an hour prior to the entry time. This will allow them enough time to get themselves composed and undergo the security checks. A last moment entry will not only increase their stress level, but the exam authorities may decide to restrict their entry.

As per the IISER Entrance Exam 2025 analysis, Physics was the toughest section. The overall difficulty level was medium to high. The topics covered were Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics, Optics and Modern Physics. The questions were from Classes 11 and 12. 

IISER Exam pattern for the academic session 2026-27 is yet to be announced. However, last year pattern remains to be same as of the previous year of IISER Entrance Exam which was also conducted in online mode i.e., computer-based. The only change which is made by the exam conducting body is the marks awarded for each correct anwer.

IISER entrance examination is considered to be one of the finest and the toughest exams under Science stream undergraduate entrance examination as it provides the BSMS dual degree in the most reputed and research-oriented institutions across the country which is IISERs. On a comparison note, candidates will find the examination tougher than JEE Main exam, but below JEE Advanced. Unlike JEE or NEET the IISER aptitude test asks questions from both mathematics and Biology. Subjects which are found tougher in IISER entrance examination- Organic Chemistry can easily create hassle while giving the entrance examination as there are a lot of naming reactions, its electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks which are commonly asked in the examination. For the bio-background people, the Math section is not usually unscalable. With a decent understanding of regular 11th and 12th-grade concepts, you should be able to crack a few questions without much trouble. Of course, the caveat being that you rock it in the bio section and make up for it. So ensure that you don't falter at this juncture.

There is no provision for re-evaluation/re-checking of IAT result. The official notification reads, No correspondence in this regard shall be entertained. The candidates can only raise objections against the provisional answer key. Based on the objections raised by the candidates the final answer key and the result is released.

Candidates need to enter application number and password/date of birth as login details to check your IAT result. Other than this security question or captcha that is provided on login page. If you have forgotten your application number then you will need your registered mobile number and email to retrieve application number. 

The IISER entrance exam result will be available on iiseradmission.in. The result will be announced in the form of a scorecard or a rank card in PDF format. It will carry subject-wise and overall scores and ranks. The IISER Entrance Exam result will be out tentatively by the fourth week of June 2026. The result should be preserved till the counselling process is over. The scorecards will not be sent through mail.

 

 

Students can follow the process to check the IISER Entrance Exam results.

• Visit the official website of IISER Admissions.
• Click on IISER Entrance Exam Results tab.
• Enter the login credentials, such as Email ID and Password.
• The scorecard will be visible.

Candidates have to take a printout of the IISER Entrance Exam scorecard. It should be preserved till the admission process is completed. The scorecard has to be verified during the counselling process of the IISER Aptitude Test. 

The IISER Entrance Exam 2026 counselling dates will be announced by June. Last year, nine rounds of counselling were conducted between July and September 2025. This year the number of rounds is expected to be similar. 

No, the IISER Entrance Exam result can be checked only in online mode. The exam authorities will release the result or rankcard on the exam website. Students have to login with their registration credentials to download the IISER Aptitude Test result.  

IISERs offer admission into courses leading to BSMS Dual Degree, and BS Degree (only at IISER Bhopal) Programs. Admissions are via IAT Channel, KVPY Channel and JEE Advanced Channel. Below are the programmes offered by IISERs: 1. Biological Sciences 2. Chemical Sciences 3. Earth & Climate Sciences/Earth & Environmental Sciences 4. Economic Sciences 5. Engineering Sciences (Chemical Engineering, Data Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science) 6. Geological Sciences 7. Integrated & Interdisciplinary Sciences (Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences) 8. Mathematical Sciences 9. Physical Sciences.

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:

1. Candidate can FREEZE the seat (they will not participate in further rounds of counselling),
2. Candidate can FLOAT (they will participate in further rounds of counselling to get their higher preferences). The FLOAT option is activated by default for those who pay the seat acceptance fee. A student who has chosen to FLOAT will again be considered for seat allocation in the next round. If they are eligible to secure a seat in an IISER that is higher in their preference list than the currently accepted one, they will be offered that seat.

IISER Marks vs Rank is generally the data interpretation of the candidates who had appeared in the IAT examination. Here, candidates will be able to know the expected AIR rank/ category rank that they will achieve based on the marks scored by them in the IISER examination. 

IAT candidates' ranks are based on their combined scores from the four sections (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology). The exam comprises 60 questions with a total score of 240 marks. 

Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research conduct an entrance exam in order to provide admission to candidates in the five year long BSMS dual degree programme offered by them. On the basis of a candidates score in the IISER Entrance Exam also known as IISER aptitude test, he/she can secure admission at IISER located in Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, or Tirupati. Candidates who cleared their Class 12 in the Science stream are eligible to apply for the IISER Entrance Exam 2023. As per the IISER Entrance Exam pattern, there are a total of 60 objective questions that candidates need to complete in three hours duration.

After the declaration of the IAT 2026 seat allotment list, candidates whose AIR rank lies in the released closing rank list will then have two options, i.e., accept or reject the seat. Candidates can check out how to fill out the IISER 2026 decision-making form by following the method given below:

• Visit the IAT 2026 official website and log in to your registered account with the help of login credentials, i.e., username and password.
• Click on the submit reference tab present in the left corner of the system.
• Next, “Click Here to Submit Your Decision”
• You will see this kind of offer letter once you click “Click here to download the offer letter”. This is a sample offer letter.
• Click “DECISION MAKING” and then click “Click Here to View Allotted Seat”
• Click “Generate OTP” to go to the next page
• Enter the captcha to receive the OTP
• Check your registered mobile number and/or email ID for the OTP
• Validate the OTP received on your registered mobile number and/or email address 
• Once the OTP is validated successfully, the pop-up will appear
• After validating the OTP, you need to select one of the options. Candidates who received their 1st choice will not see the FLOAT (I WANT TO ACCEPT AND FLOAT MY SEAT PREFERENCE) option
• Please select the option carefully and click “Proceed”. Once submitted, NO FURTHER CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED.

Earlier, there were three channels through which candidates could get admissions to the courses offered at IISER institutions, IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras. From the academic session 2025, admissions are done through the IAT exam channel only, and the other two channels, including JEE Main and KVPY scores, have been discontinued. 

Following the previous years' trends, the exam officials release the round-wise IISER institute-wise closing ranks. IAT cutoff marks refer to the minimum marks test takers need to score to get admission in the programmes offered by the participating institutes. 

 

Candidates will be able to download the answer key PDF of the IISER entrance exam from the exam website. Authorities releases the provisional answer keys and response sheets first, based on which candidates can check the correct answers and calculate probable scores secured in IISER Aptitude test. To download the IISER answer key, candidates can follow the process given below.

• Go to IISER website - https://iiseradmission.in/   

• Click on ‘IISER answer key” link.

• Enter application number and password.

• Answer key of IISER was displayed on screen.

• Take a print out of answer key and save it for future reference