IIT Madras PhD and MS Admission January 2027: Apply by 30 October

IIT Madras PhD admission January 2027 closes on 30 October 2026 at 5 pm, for both PhD and MS (by Research). The portal has been open since 10 April 2026, and applications received by the deadline are considered for the January-May 2027 semester. As of 7 October 2026, the brochure still gives 30 October; recent news reports of the window "opening" refer to this same cycle.

This page sets out IIT Madras's own rules for this cycle, taken from its research admission brochure updated on 10 September 2026. To compare it with IIT Bombay, IISc and others, see the January 2027 PhD deadline tracker.

What are the key dates for IIT Madras PhD and MS January 2027?

The portal opened on 10 April 2026 and the closing date is 30 October 2026, 5 pm. There is no single test or interview date. Each department emails shortlisted candidates the date, time and venue of the test and interview.

The lead "apply by 30 October 2026, 5 pm" is confirmed. IIT Madras accepts applications through the whole academic year, so anything that arrives after 30 October rolls into the next admission cycle.

Who can apply for PhD and MS at IIT Madras?

For a PhD in engineering, a master's in engineering or technology, a five-year dual degree, or a master's in science with GATE or NET is needed. B.Tech graduates can go for direct PhD. MS by Research needs a four-year degree plus a valid GATE score in most cases.

• Direct PhD after B.Tech: CFTI B.Tech or BS (Research) with CGPA 8.0, or a valid GATE score. Other universities' B.Tech graduates need CGPA 8.0 plus GATE.
• M.Sc from an IIT (via JAM): CGPA 8.0 or more removes the national-exam requirement for PhD.
• PhD in Data Science and AI: needs a PG degree in engineering or technology.
• PhD in Sciences: M.Sc with GATE, UGC/CSIR JRF, NBHM, INSPIRE or JEST; M.Tech holders are eligible directly.
• Management PhD: MBA from a CFTI with CGPA 8.0 is exempt from national exams; others need GATE, CAT or NET.

What are the MS by Research eligibility rules?

MS in Engineering needs a B.Tech, a recognised four-year B.Sc or BS, or a master's, with a valid GATE score. CFTI four-year graduates with CGPA 8.0 can apply without GATE. The MS in Data Science and AI takes any four-year degree plus a valid GATE score in any paper, and graduates of IIT Madras's four-year online BS in Data Science can apply too.

If your qualifying degree was completed 10 or more years before 30 October 2026, IIT Madras will hold a departmental test for you, even if the department normally interviews only.

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

Which departments are open for January 2027?

The brochure lists research areas for 18 departments, and applications are considered department by department. Each department may add "stiffer criteria" of its own, so check the department website before choosing.

The list covers Aerospace, Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil, Computer Science and Engineering, Data Science and AI, Electrical, Engineering Design, HSS, Management Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical, Medical Sciences and Technology, Metallurgical and Materials, Ocean Engineering and Physics.

There are also interdisciplinary PhDs through the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIDiS), with guides from two departments, and a joint PhD in Biomedical Devices with SCTIMST Trivandrum and CMC Vellore. Joint PhDs with foreign universities such as NUS and Melbourne are offered too.

What is the application fee at IIT Madras?

General, EWS and OBC-NCL men and transgender candidates pay Rs 1,000. General, EWS and OBC-NCL women, and all SC, ST and PwD candidates, pay Rs 500. Each extra department or programme needs a new application and fee.

How does IIT Madras select research scholars?

Departments shortlist eligible candidates and call them for a "test and interview" or an "interview" only. The Departmental Selection Committee then recommends names based on your academic record and your performance in the test and interview. Reservation follows Government of India rules.

Regular HTRA PhD candidates who attend an offline interview are paid second-class sleeper rail or bus fare to Chennai and back, once per trip even if they attend more than one department. At the interview, bring the printed application, all semester marksheets, your GATE or JRF document, and category certificates. Our IIT PhD admission 2027 overview has general interview tips.

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

How much stipend does IIT Madras pay?

PhD scholars under Half-Time Research Assistantship (HTRA) get Rs 37,000 a month for the first two years and Rs 42,000 a month for the next three years, plus HRA as per GoI norms. MS by Research HTRA scholars get Rs 12,400 a month for two years, extendable by six months.

• HTRA scholars work 8 hours a week for the department; renewal each semester depends on progress.
• UGC, CSIR, DBT, NBHM or INSPIRE fellows are paid as per their agency.
• External, QIP, staff and project-NHTRA categories do not get institute assistantship.

How do you apply for IIT Madras PhD or MS?

Apply only online at research.iitm.ac.in. No hard-copy form is accepted.

1. Read the January 2027 brochure and your department's website.
2. Register on the portal and pick PhD, direct PhD or MS, and the scheme (Regular HTRA, external, project and so on).
3. Upload the current category certificate; OBC-NCL and EWS certificates issued after 1 April 2026 are needed at interview or admission.
4. Pay Rs 1,000 or Rs 500 online and submit before 5 pm on 30 October.
5. Repeat for each extra department or programme.

If you are relying on GATE for July 2027 instead, check the GATE 2027 exam and registration guide. For every IIT exam in 2027 on one page, see our IIT exam dates 2027 table.

Final checklist for IIT Madras January 2027

IIT Madras PhD admission January 2027 ends on 30 October 2026 at 5 pm, which is later than most. Do not leave it to the last hour.

• Pick PhD, direct PhD or MS based on your degree and CGPA.
• Check whether GATE is needed or you qualify through CFTI CGPA 8.0.
• File one application per department or programme.
• Keep your email active for test or interview calls.
• Plan to produce your degree certificate by 31 March 2027.
• Also apply to IISc's mid-year PhD round, which closes on 26 October.

Many IIT Madras scholars studied B.Tech at little-known colleges. If you are still at the JEE stage, see our guide to colleges that accept a low JEE Main rank.