IISER PhD Admission January 2027: Last Dates at Every IISER

Key takeaways
- Four IISERs have official January 2027 PhD deadlines: Bhopal 12 October, Tirupati 15 October, Pune 18-25 October (by department) and Berhampur 24 October 2026.
- IISER Kolkata has advertised its Spring 2027 PhD round, but the registration page and last date are not posted yet (7 October 2026).
- IISER Mohali has no January 2027 PhD notice; IISER Thiruvananthapuram's current call is for a session starting October 2026, not January.
- Most IISERs ask for a JRF, GATE, JEST or similar national test; IISER BS-MS graduates with CGPA 8.0 or more are usually exempt.
- Every IISER runs its own form and shortlisting, so you must apply separately to each one.
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IISER PhD admission January 2027 is open at four IISERs right now: Bhopal closes on 12 October, Tirupati on 15 October, Pune between 18 and 23 October (by department) and Berhampur on 24 October 2026. IISER Kolkata has advertised its Spring 2027 round but has not posted dates yet.
This page puts every IISER's January 2027 PhD status in one place, checked on official IISER pages on 7 October 2026. It covers windows, basic eligibility and what is still not announced. For IIT and IISc deadlines in the same season, see our January 2027 PhD last-dates tracker.
Status update, 11 October 2026: we re-checked the Bhopal, Tirupati, Pune, Berhampur and Kolkata pages today. No last date has moved. New: IISER Pune Science Education takes applications from 12 to 25 October, and IISER Berhampur's Chemical Sciences department posted a walk-in interview advertisement for the January 2027 session on 10 October. IISER Bhopal closes tomorrow, 12 October.
Which IISERs have PhD admission for January 2027?
Bhopal, Tirupati, Pune and Berhampur have official January 2027 calls with fixed last dates. Kolkata has an official Spring 2027 advertisement without dates. Mohali has not posted a January 2027 PhD notice, and Thiruvananthapuram's current call is for a session starting October 2026.
| IISER | Window | Last date | Departments in this round | Status (7 Oct 2026) | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IISER Bhopal | 16 Sep - 12 Oct 2026 | 12 Oct 2026, 11:59 pm | Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Physics, Chemical Engineering, DSE, EECS, Economic Sciences, HSS | Open (official) | phdadmission.iiserb.ac.in |
| IISER Tirupati | 25 Sep - 15 Oct 2026 | 15 Oct 2026 | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Climate Sciences, HSS | Open (official) | iisertirupati.ac.in/admission-phd |
| IISER Pune | From 5 Oct 2026 | 18 Oct (Biology); 21 Oct (Chemistry, ECS); 23 Oct (HSS), all 5 pm; 25 Oct (Science Education) | Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Climate Science, HSS, Science Education | Open (official); Science Education: 12-25 Oct (posted by 11 Oct) | iiserpune.ac.in (PhD programme) |
| IISER Berhampur | 30 Sep - 24 Oct 2026 | 24 Oct 2026 | Biological, Chemical, Earth and Environmental, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Computer Science | Open (official) | iiserbpr.ac.in/admissions-phd |
| IISER Kolkata | Not posted | Not posted | Biological, Chemical, Computational and Data, Earth, HSS, Mathematics and Statistics, Physical Sciences (no Space Sciences) | Advertised; registration "will open shortly" | apply.iiserkol.ac.in/phd |
| IISER Mohali | Not announced | Not announced | - | No January 2027 notice; latest results are for August 2026 | iisermohali.ac.in (Admission News) |
| IISER Thiruvananthapuram | Current call is for October 2026 session | 7-9 Oct 2026 (extended, by school) | Biology, Chemistry, EESS, Mathematics, Physics, HPC centre | Not a January 2027 intake | iisertvm.ac.in (News) |
IISER deadlines are department-wise and several interview dates are marked tentative. Recheck the department page on the day you apply. Aggregator sites often show last year's dates.
What is the IISER Tirupati PhD January 2027 schedule?
IISER Tirupati accepts online applications from 25 September to 15 October 2026. Shortlists are expected on 25-30 October, interviews on 5-10 November (18-19 November for Biology), results on 20-25 November, and joining on 4 January 2027. All dates after the deadline are tentative.
- Minimum: 55% or CGPA 6.0 in a relevant master's; B.E./B.Tech holders need 60% or CGPA 6.5.
- Plus a national test: for example JGEEBILS, CSIR/UGC-JRF, INSPIRE, JEST or GATE, depending on the department. Economics needs UGC-NET or JRF in Economics.
- Exemption: IISER BS-MS graduates with CGPA 8.0 or more.
- Not this round: Mathematics is not listed for January 2027.
Each department has its own online form link on the admission page, so pick the correct one.
Also readPhD Admission January 2027: Last Dates at IITs, IISc, IISERs
What are the IISER Pune PhD January 2027 last dates?
IISER Pune opened applications on 5 October 2026. Biology closes on 18 October, Chemistry and Earth and Climate Science on 21 October, and Humanities and Social Sciences on 23 October 2026, all at 5 pm. Science Education has now posted its steps: applications from 12 to 25 October 2026, a written exam on 2 November, a shortlist on 13 November and in-person interviews on 3-4 December 2026.
| Department | Last date | Interviews | Key eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 18 Oct 2026, 5 pm | 26 Oct - 6 Nov 2026 (online) | 60% (55% SC/ST/PwD); JRF, GATE, JEST, JGEEBILS, INSPIRE or IISER BS-MS CGPA 8.0 |
| Chemistry | 21 Oct 2026, 5 pm | 17 Nov - 11 Dec 2026 (in person) | 60% (55% SC/ST/PwD) and valid CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF |
| Earth and Climate Science | 21 Oct 2026, 5 pm | Late Oct / early Nov 2026 | 60% or CGPA 6; JRF, LS, GATE, JEST, INSPIRE, or INI/IISER CGPA 8.0 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 23 Oct 2026, 5 pm | 10-15 Nov 2026 (tentative) | 60% or CGPA 6; NET/JRF, NBHM or GATE, or INI CGPA 8.0; two-page research plan |
| Science Education | 25 October 2026 (opens 12 October) | Online test, then interview | 60% in a relevant degree; national fellowship desirable |
Biology's form asks you to write a research question and design a short study, which can be used for shortlisting. Start early; IISER Pune checks these answers for plagiarism. Physics and Mathematics are not listed in this January round.
What are the IISER Bhopal and IISER Berhampur rules?
IISER Bhopal asks for a four-year bachelor's or a master's with 60% or CGPA 7.0, plus GATE, NET or a similar test. IISER Berhampur asks for an M.Sc, MCA or M.Tech with 60% or CGPA 7.0, plus a national test, with a 5% relaxation for SC, ST and PwD.
- Bhopal: applications close on 12 October 2026 at 11:59 pm, which is five days from today. IIT B.Tech and IISER BS-MS graduates with CGPA above 8.0 are exempt from the test. Some departments add their own rules, so read the flyers on the portal.
- Berhampur: applications close on 24 October 2026. The shortlist is due on 5 November and interviews (offline) in the last week of November 2026 (tentative).
- Berhampur exemptions: CFTI B.Tech graduates with CGPA 8.0, IISER BS-MS graduates with CGPA 8.0, and exceptional MBBS candidates.
- Berhampur age limit: 28 years at joining, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC-NCL and 5 years for SC, ST, PwD and women.
Who is eligible for IISER PhD admission January 2027?
In most IISERs you need a master's (or a four-year B.Tech/B.S.) with about 55-60% marks, plus a valid national test such as CSIR-UGC JRF, GATE, JEST, JGEEBILS or INSPIRE. IISER BS-MS graduates with CGPA 8.0 are usually exempt from the test.
GATE scores you hold now (GATE 2025 or 2026) are what count for this round. GATE 2027 regular registration closed on 5 October 2026, and the late-fee window is open till 12 October; see our GATE 2027 exam dates and registration. For how research admissions differ between IITs, IISc and IISERs, read the IIT PhD eligibility and selection explained.
Fees differ. IISER Kolkata's advertisement lists Rs 200 (Rs 100 for PwD, SC and ST). Check the other IISER forms for their own fee.
Also readIIT Delhi PhD Admission January 2027: Last Date 29 October 2026
How should you plan your IISER PhD applications?
Apply in deadline order: IISER Bhopal by 12 October, IISER Tirupati by 15 October, IISER Pune Biology by 18 October, the other Pune departments by 21 or 23 October, and IISER Berhampur by 24 October. Watch IISER Kolkata for its dates.
- This week: finish Bhopal and Tirupati, which close on 12 and 15 October.
- By 16 October: submit IISER Pune Biology (research-question answers take time).
- By 20 October: Pune Chemistry, ECS and HSS. You can also apply to IIT Mandi's School of Chemical Sciences, which closes on 21 October.
- By 23 October: IISER Berhampur.
- November: keep dates free for interviews; Tirupati and Pune Biology overlap in early November.
Final Word: IISER PhD admission January 2027 checklist
IISER PhD admission January 2027 is department-wise and fast: the first deadline is IISER Bhopal on 12 October 2026. Use this list:
- Confirm your test route: JRF, GATE, JEST, JGEEBILS, INSPIRE, or the IISER BS-MS CGPA 8.0 exemption.
- Bhopal by 12 October; Tirupati by 15 October; Pune by 18, 21 or 23 October; Berhampur by 24 October.
- Check IISER Kolkata's portal every few days for its registration dates.
- Also compare IISc (closes 26 October) on our IISc PhD January 2027 page.
- Keep marksheets, test scorecards and category certificates ready as PDFs.
A research career does not depend on your JEE rank. If you are still choosing a college, our guide to colleges for a low JEE Main rank is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Which IISERs are taking PhD admissions for January 2027?
As of 7 October 2026, IISER Bhopal, IISER Tirupati, IISER Pune and IISER Berhampur have official January 2027 PhD calls with last dates. IISER Kolkata has advertised its Spring 2027 round but not its dates. IISER Mohali has not posted a January 2027 notice.
What is the last date for IISER Pune PhD admission January 2027?
It depends on the department. Biology closes on 18 October 2026, Chemistry and Earth and Climate Science on 21 October 2026, and Humanities and Social Sciences on 23 October 2026, all at 5 pm. Applications opened on 5 October 2026. Science Education has not posted its deadlines yet.
What is the last date for IISER Tirupati PhD January 2027?
IISER Tirupati's online application window runs from 25 September to 15 October 2026 for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Climate Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences. Shortlists are expected on 25-30 October and interviews in November 2026 (tentative). Mathematics is not admitting in this round.
Can I get IISER PhD admission without NET or GATE?
Usually only if you are an IISER BS-MS graduate with CGPA 8.0 or more, or meet a similar exemption. IISER Berhampur also exempts CFTI B.Tech graduates with CGPA 8.0. IISER Pune's Chemistry department is stricter and needs a valid CSIR-JRF or UGC-JRF. Check each department's rule.
Is IISER Kolkata PhD admission for Spring 2027 open?
IISER Kolkata has posted an advertisement for the Spring 2027 PhD programme across seven disciplines, with a fee of Rs 200 (Rs 100 for PwD, SC and ST). Its registration page says it will open shortly, and no last date is posted as of 7 October 2026. Space Sciences is not admitting in Spring 2027.
Do I need to apply separately to each IISER?
Yes. There is no common IISER PhD form. Each IISER, and often each department, has its own form, deadline, shortlisting rules and interview. IISER Tirupati even uses a different online form link for each department.
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