IISER Entrance Exam 2026

The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam for students seeking admission to the 5-year BS-MS Dual Degree programs and 4-year BS programs at various IISERs. Key highlights include:

• Exam Name: IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
• Language: English and Hindi
• Total Questions: 60 (15 each from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology)
• Total Marks: 240

While official dates are usually released in early 2026, the tentative schedule based on previous cycles is as follows:

• Online Application Starts: First week of April 2026
• Last Date to Apply: Second week of May 2026
• Correction Window: Third week of May 2026
• Admit Card Release: First week of June 2026
• IAT 2026 Exam Date: Second Sunday of June 2026
• Answer Key Challenge: Mid-June 2026
• Result Declaration: Last week of June 2026

The IISER Entrance Exam, officially known as the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), is the common entrance gateway for admission to the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. These institutes are premier autonomous bodies established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to promote high-quality science education and research. Since 2024, the IAT has become the primary channel for admission, replacing the KVPY and JEE Advanced channels for IISER entry.

The full form of the IISER Entrance is the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). It is conducted by the Joint Admissions Committee (JAC) on behalf of the seven IISERs located across India.

Initially, IISERs accepted students through three channels: SCB (State and Central Boards), KVPY, and JEE Advanced. However, in a major policy shift, the KVPY channel was discontinued, and from 2024 onwards, the IAT (SCB channel) became the mandatory route for most applicants. The exam has evolved from being a paper-based test to a highly competitive Computer Based Test, with a significant increase in the number of applicants interested in pure sciences and research careers.

To be eligible for IAT 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed the Class 12 or equivalent exam in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with the Science stream.
• Subject Requirement: Candidates must have studied at least three of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology during their Class 12.
• Minimum Marks: Candidates must score at least 60% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) for General/OBC/OBC-NCL/EWS categories, and 55% for SC/ST/PwD categories.
• Citizenship: Indian nationals, PIOs, and OCIs are eligible to apply.

The application process for IAT 2026 is entirely online. Steps include:

1. Registration: Create an account on the official IISER Admission portal.
2. Form Filling: Enter personal details, academic qualifications, and choice of exam centers.
3. Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of photographs, signatures, and category certificates.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee (approx. ₹2,000 for General/OBC and ₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD) through online modes.
5. Submission: Review and submit the application form.

The IAT 2026 consists of four sections. Candidates are encouraged to attempt all four, though they are evaluated on the total score. The subjects are:

• Physics: 15 Questions
• Chemistry: 15 Questions
• Mathematics: 15 Questions
• Biology: 15 Questions

The syllabus for IAT 2026 generally follows the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. Key topics include:

• Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics.
• Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, and Equilibrium.
• Mathematics: Sets, Functions, Algebra, Calculus, Vectors, and Probability.
• Biology: Diversity in Living Organisms, Cell Structure, Genetics, Plant and Animal Physiology, and Ecology.

The IAT 2026 follows a specific pattern designed to test analytical ability:

• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with only one correct answer.
• Number of Questions: 60.
• Marking Scheme: +4 for every correct answer, -1 for every wrong answer, and 0 for unattempted questions.
• Total Score: 240 marks.

The admission process is divided into several stages:

1. Application: Filling out the IAT form.
2. Examination: Appearing for the computer-based test.
3. Result & Rank List: Release of the Common Rank List (CRL) and Category Rank List.
4. Counseling Registration: Filling out preferences for specific IISERs.
5. Seat Allotment: Allocation of seats based on rank and preference.

The primary participating institutes are the seven IISERs. Additionally, other premier institutes also use IAT scores:

• IISER Berhampur
• IISER Bhopal (Offers both BS and BS-MS)
• IISER Kolkata
• IISER Mohali
• IISER Pune
• IISER Thiruvananthapuram
• IISER Tirupati
• IISc Bangalore: Uses IAT for Bachelor of Science (Research) admission.
• IIT Madras: Uses IAT for BS in Medical Sciences & Engineering.

The IAT 2026 results will be published on the official admission portal. Candidates can download their scorecards by logging in with their credentials. The result will display the overall marks and the rank obtained in the candidate's respective category.

Once the results are declared, successful candidates must participate in the centralized counseling process. This involves uploading Class 12 marksheet (if not done earlier) and submitting a prioritized list of the IISERs they wish to join. It is crucial to monitor the portal for seat allotment rounds.

The counseling is conducted online in multiple rounds. If a seat is allotted, the candidate has three options:

• Accept & Freeze: Pay the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) and secure the seat in the specific IISER.
• Accept & Float: Pay the SAF but opt for a possible upgrade to a higher preference IISER in subsequent rounds.
• Reject/Withdraw: Decline the seat and exit the admission process.

The cutoff for IAT varies every year based on the difficulty of the paper and the number of applicants. Generally, a score above 110-120 out of 240 is considered competitive for General category students to secure a seat in one of the IISERs. Top-tier IISERs like Pune and Kolkata often have higher cutoffs.

While IAT is managed by the IISER Joint Admissions Committee (JAC), candidates can reach out via the official helpdesk for technical issues. Note: NTA does not typically conduct IAT; it is handled by the IISERs directly.

• Official Website: iiseradmission.in
• Email: askjac2026@iiser.ac.in (Tentative)
• Address: Chairperson, JAC 2026, IISER (Rotating Host Institute).