IIT Bombay PhD Admission Spring 2027: Last Date 17 October 2026

IIT Bombay PhD admission spring 2027 closes on 17 October 2026 for regular applications, and on 21 October 2026 if you pay the late fine. The online form has been open since 16 September 2026, and selected scholars start classes around 4 January 2027.

This page covers only IIT Bombay's Spring semester 2026-27 round, using the official schedule, advertisement and brochure. For all January 2027 deadlines side by side, see our January 2027 PhD last-dates tracker.

What are the key dates for IIT Bombay PhD spring 2027?

The advertisement came out on 4 September 2026 and forms opened on 16 September. The regular last date is 17 October 2026, the late-fine last date is 21 October, the shortlist is due on 30 October, and results with fee payment are scheduled for 18-23 December 2026.

As of 7 October 2026, the Academic Office page shows no change to this schedule. The dates marked tentative can still change, and IIT Bombay says any change will be posted on that page. The lead doing the rounds online, "17 October, or 21 October with late fine", matches the official schedule.

Who can apply for IIT Bombay PhD in spring 2027?

A master's degree in engineering or technology (or an MBA after B.Tech) is enough on its own. B.Tech, four-year BS, M.Sc and MA holders also need one extra qualifier, such as a valid GATE score or UGC NET. The minimum is 60% or CGPA 6.0, relaxed to 55% or 5.5 for SC, ST and PwD.

• Extra qualifier options: valid GATE; JEST (only for Physics and Biosciences and Bioengineering); UGC NET including lectureship; another national exam by MoE, UGC, IIT, IISc or IIIT; a provisional DST-INSPIRE award; or two years of work experience after the qualifying degree.
• GATE exemption: an IIT bachelor's, integrated or dual degree (admitted through JEE) with CGPA 8.0 or more removes the GATE requirement for TA and RA. For the TAP/RAP categories, the exemption also covers other CFTIs.
• Catch on experience: the two-years-experience route does not qualify you for TA or RA funding.
• HSS only: an MA with 55% (50% for SC, ST and PwD) is accepted for the Humanities and Social Sciences department.

Departments can add stricter conditions. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a test or interview call.

Also readPhD Admission January 2027: Last Dates at IITs, IISc, IISERs

Which departments are open this round?

Almost all academic units listed in the 2026-27 brochure accept spring applications. The official schedule says there is no spring admission at the Ashank Desai Centre for Policy Studies or MED-TRIC. Semiconductor Engineering at the SemiX centre is listed as a new programme from this spring semester.

The brochure lists over 30 units, from Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, CSE, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, HSS, Management and Design (IDC). It also lists newer centres for Machine Intelligence and Data Science, Digital Health, Climate Studies, Defence Technology, Traditional Indian Knowledge and Financial Markets.

The IIT Bombay-Tohoku University Double Doctoral Degree Programme (DDDP), new from 2026-27, is also in this spring round, with a separate eligibility link. Its areas include AI and machine learning, semiconductors, quantum computing and robotics.

Several units want a research proposal, not just an SOP: Management (about 1,500 words), IDC (about 1,500 words plus recent work), DSSE (1,500 words) and the capital markets centre (1,000-1,500 words). Units that require one will not consider an application without it.

What is the IIT Bombay PhD application fee?

The regular fee is Rs 300 for general candidates and Rs 150 for women, SC, ST and PwD candidates. In the extended period with late fine, it rises to Rs 800 and Rs 650. It is paid online and is non-refundable.

The late fine is Rs 500, so four extra days cost more than the form itself. Aim for 17 October.

How does IIT Bombay select PhD scholars?

Each department shortlists from the applications and calls candidates for a written test, an interview, or both. The shortlist is due on 30 October 2026. Admission depends on your GATE or test score and interview, on top of the general and department eligibility.

Interview dates (checked 27 September 2026): IIT Bombay has not published one institute-wide interview date. Its schedule leaves test and interview dates to each academic unit, and department recommendations are due by 11 December 2026. The Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management lists its entrance test and interview for the spring round on 2 December 2026. A "2-3 December" date seen online is not confirmed for all departments, so check your own department page.

Bring a photo ID, the printed application, your thesis or project report and publications, and copies of marksheets to the test or interview. PwD candidates can ask the department head for extra time well in advance. Our how IIT PhD admission works explains how to prepare for PhD interviews in general.

Also readIISER PhD Admission January 2027: Last Dates at Every IISER

How much stipend does an IIT Bombay PhD scholar get?

Teaching Assistantship (TA) pays Rs 37,000 a month for the first two years and Rs 42,000 after that. Research Assistantship (RA) pays Rs 42,000 and then Rs 47,000. Both run for up to five years or until thesis submission, whichever is earlier.

• TA: about 8 hours a week of teaching-assistant duty; employees on any organisation's rolls are not eligible.
• RA: about 20 hours a week of lab, teaching or research work; seats are announced by each unit.
• PMRF: the Academic Office page lists Rs 70,000 a month plus Rs 2 lakh a year contingency for Prime Minister's Research Fellows.

Payment is linked to monthly attendance and satisfactory progress.

How do you apply for IIT Bombay PhD spring 2027?

Apply only through the online portal linked from acad.iitb.ac.in/admissions/research. There is no downloadable form, and you do not post a printout.

1. Read the spring advertisement and the department page for your chosen units.
2. Register on the portal and pick up to three disciplines or specialisations.
3. Upload photo, signature, latest marksheets, and category, EWS, PwD or sponsorship certificates as applicable.
4. Upload one combined PDF with your SOP, writing sample or research proposal.
5. Pay the fee online and save a printout of the submitted form.

OBC-NC and EWS candidates need a certificate for the financial year 2026-27. If you are writing GATE 2027 for a later round, check the complete GATE 2027 guide, and see all IIT-run exams on our IIT exam dates 2027 calendar.

Final checklist before 17 October

The IIT Bombay PhD admission spring 2027 window closes on 17 October 2026, with a costly late-fine window until 21 October. Use this list to finish early.

• Confirm your eligibility route: M.Tech, GATE, NET, INSPIRE or the IIT CGPA 8.0 exemption.
• Check that your target unit is not ADCPS or MED-TRIC, which have no spring intake.
• Write the research proposal if your unit asks for one.
• Pay Rs 300 (or Rs 150) before 17 October.
• Watch for the shortlist on 30 October 2026.
• Final-year students: submit the degree certificate and transcripts by 29 January 2027.
• Compare with IIT Roorkee's spring PhD round, which closes three days later.

A PhD at IIT Bombay is open to graduates of many colleges, not just the top ones. If you are still choosing a B.Tech college, our guide to engineering colleges for a low JEE Main rank can help.