How to Get Into IISER?

How to Get Into IISER? The selection process for IISER is extremely competitive as it is determined by the IAT entrance exam. Students must meet the qualifying marks along with the eligibility criteria to gain admission.

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) were established by the Government of India and are regarded as the country's finest research institutes. IISER is placed 26 in the 'Overall Category' in the NIRF Rankings 2023. IISERs are independent institutes that provide master's and doctorate degrees to students. IISERs provide courses such as BS, MS, integrated PhD, and PhD to aspirants.

IISERs has seven campuses across the country in Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati. It was created with the purpose of encouraging basic science education in the country.

Table of Contents

• How to Get into IISER?
• IISER Eligibility Criteria
• Admission Process to Get into IISER
• IISER Admission Channels
• Steps to Fill IISER Application Form
• IISER Counselling Process
• IISER Qualifying Cut-offs
• Exam Preparation Tips to Get into IISER

How to Get into IISER?

IISERs enroll students through a standardized application process, and all candidates will be admitted using the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2024. A single application form submitted through the application portal is valid for all IISERs. The detailed process of how to get into IISER is explained below.

IISER Eligibility Criteria 

IISER has published the IAT 2024 eligibility criteria on its official website. IISER eligibility criteria include nationality, education level, and other factors. Candidates must meet the IISER eligibility requirements before filling out the application form.

• To apply for the IAT 2024, applicants must be Indian nationals, OCI/PIOs, or foreign nationals.
• Candidates must have passed the Class XII or equivalent level examination in 2022, 2023, or 2024 from a board recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE). 
• Candidates must have studied at least three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics at their Class XII (or equivalent) examination.
• SC/ST/PwD candidates must obtain a minimum of 55% aggregate or equivalent grade in their Class XII (or equivalent) examination. Candidates from other categories must achieve a minimum aggregate grade point average of 60% in their Class XII (or equivalent) examination.
• Candidates from Kashmiri Pandit/Kashmiri Hindu Families (Non-Migrants) may apply for the IAT-2024 as Kashmiri Migrants, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. These candidates must provide a valid domicile certificate in place of the "Kashmiri Migrant Certificate" while applying.
• Students from the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), Kashmir division/Winter Zone areas of Jammu division, and the U.T. of Ladakh who took their Class XII or equivalent level examination in December 2021 are also eligible to apply for the IAT 2024, as long as they meet all of the other eligibility requirements. During the application procedure, these candidates must specify 2022 as the year they will pass the class 12 exams.

Also Read: List of IISER Colleges in India 2024: Courses, Fee

Admission Process to Get into IISER

All admissions happen in one place. The IISERs use one form for applications, and everyone takes the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2024 for admission. So, you only need to fill out one form, and it works for all the IISERs. And in order to get an easy way into IISER, asppiring candidates can go through the below mentioned admission process. 

• IISER Admission Channels
• Steps to Fill IISER Application Form
• IISER Counselling Process

IISER Admission Channels

IISER Aptitude Test scores will now be used for admission beginning with this year's academic session. Previously seats were also filled through KVPY and JEE Advanced scores. The exam authority has posted the notification on its official website and in newspaper advertisements that admission will only take place through the State-Central Board Channel and the IAT exam.

KVPY, JEE Advanced Admission Channel, and scorecards will no longer be recognized for enrollment in the five-year BS-MS and BS dual degree programs provided by various IISERs around the country. All interested applicants who want to be admitted to IISER from the current academic session must fill out the IISER entrance exam registration form. 

The IAT exam is a computer-based test that comprises 240 marks and will last three hours. The exam type will be Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), with ‌60 questions (15 from each subject. The question is derived from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.

Steps to Fill IISER Application Form

After filling out the initial application information, candidates can follow the steps given below to apply through the SCB channel. While filling out the IISER 2024 application form, aspirants must upload scanned papers such as a class 12 mark sheet, signature, and photograph.

Step 1: Aside from the application details, select the 'IAT Channel' option and select  the 'Click Here to Fill the Application' icon.

Step 2: Enter personal information such as the application number, reference number, name, and date of birth.

Step 3: Fill out the city preferences for the IISER Aptitude Test.

Step 4: Select your preferred course in the specific IISER campus from top priority to low priority. Click the 'Submit' button to be sent to the payment gateway.

Step 5: Pay the application cost using RTGS/NEFT, net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. Enter the mobile number, email address, and payer's name Enter the mobile number, email address, and payer's name. After that, click the 'Generate Challan' icon to generate a challan.

Step 6: The application process is complete after the application fee has been paid.

Candidates in the general category must pay the IISER Application Fee 2024 of INR 2000, while those in the SC/ST/Kashmiri Migrant category must pay only INR 1000.

IISER Counselling Process

All qualified candidates are allowed to proceed with applying for the following phase of the counselling procedure. Admissions will be based on the merit list created by IISER. Exam administrators will disclose the seat allotment admittance method for each round.

The IISER counselling 2024 seat allotment process for rounds will begin when the results are announced. Candidates must obtain their offer letter from the candidate portal and confirm their seats before the deadline.

Step 1: Seat Allocation

Depending on merit, the total number of available seats at different IISERs, and candidates' choices, the seats will be allotted to the candidates.

Step 2: Locking of Seat

Float in IISER Counselling: The float option allows a candidate to either keep the seat given to them (if no) or change seats (if yes) based on the candidate's preferences stated in their application form and merit list.

Freeze in IISER Counselling: If the candidate selects Yes in the Float option, the seat allocation is finalized.

Step 3: Verification of Documents

Candidates must report to the allocated regional documentation center on the planned date and time to have all essential documents verified. Candidates must bring the original copy of the following documents along with two self-attested photocopies: 

• Class 12th mark sheet.
• Class 10th Mark sheet as evidence of Date of Birth 
• Admit Card of Aptitude Test
• Score Card of Aptitude Test
• Caste Certificate (If Any)
• PWD Certificate (if applicable)
• Two recent passport-sized pictures.

Step 4: Payment of IISER fee

After being allocated an IISER seat, candidates must pay a seat acceptance fee of INR 25,000 for General/OBC candidates and INR 12,500 for reserved category candidates.

Also Read: NISER vs IISER: Campuses, Courses, Fee, Admission

IISER Qualifying Cut-offs

IISER will post the IAT Cut-off 2024 on its official website, iiseradmission.in, following each round of counselling. The IISER IAT Cut off is announced in the form of the closing ranks required by candidates for admission to the seven IISER campuses. Students can find the previous year’s category-wise cut-off list in the table below.

IISER College	General	EWS	OBC-NCL	SC	ST
Pune	160-180	120-140	120-140	70-90	60-80
Kolkata	140-160	100-120	100-120	70-80	60-70
Mohali	110-130	80-90	80-90	65-70	50-60
Bhopal	110-130	80-90	80-90	65-70	50-60
TVM	110-120	80-85	80-85	55-65	40-50
Tirupati	100-110	75-85	75-85	50-60	30-40
Berhampur	100-110	75-85	75-85	50-60	30-40

Also Read: IISER Merit List 2024: Cutoff, Seat Matrix, Download PDF

Exam Preparation Tips to get into IISER

IISER administers the IAT Exam to candidates seeking admission to five-year BS-MS dual degree programs and BS degree programs (IISER Bhopal) at several institutes across India. 

Admissions are exclusively available via the IAT Channel. JEE Advanced and KVPY scores are no longer valid. 

This decision by exam officials would increase the competition level, as all interested candidates must take the IAT exam. The entrance exam is considered to be fairly difficult to pass, thus students must prepare extensively. Here are a few tips to prepare for the exam that will help you get into IISER.

• Understand the IISER exam pattern and marking scheme and collect all pertinent information. This contains exam dates, the number of papers, each paper's duration, and the curriculum.
• Gather all of the study materials you can to better prepare for the IISER Entrance Exam.
• Make a daily and weekly schedule outlining how much content you can study daily. Be realistic about how much you can study in one day. Stick to your schedule as much as possible.
• Try to solve as many question papers as possible, including sample papers, and administer mock tests to determine your strengths and shortcomings. 
• Reviewing your mock test results will help you identify areas where you need to improve your knowledge or understanding.
• Focus your studies on the most crucial topics, this will help in increasing your chances of passing the actual exam.

Also Read: IISER Kolkata develops a compound that will be useful in treating oil spills