The IISER Aptitude Test 2026 is the sole entrance examination for admission to various undergraduate programs at the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). This exam enables candidates to enrol in 5-Year BS-MS Dual Degree, 4-Year BS, and B.Tech degree programs offered by IISERs across India. The examination and subsequent admission process are computer-based and conducted under the jurisdiction of IISER Berhampur. IISER Aptitude Test 2026 aims to select bright students passionate about interdisciplinary sciences and research.
Also read: Assam CEE 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Exam Pattern, and Key Dates
Courses Offered
| Program | Location | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Year BS-MS (Dual Degree) | All IISERs (except specific programs below) | 2043 total seats across IISERs |
| 5-Year BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences | IISER Kolkata | 30 |
| 4-Year BS in Economic Sciences | IISER Bhopal | 55 |
| 4-Year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences | IISER Tirupati | 50 |
| 4-Year B.Tech in Chemical Engineering | IISER Bhopal | 40 |
| 4-Year B.Tech in Data Science and Engineering | IISER Bhopal | 80 |
| 4-Year B.Tech in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science | IISER Bhopal | 75 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Criteria
- Candidates applying for the IISER Admission Test 2026 must be Indian nationals, OCI/PIO, or Foreign Nationals.
- Must have passed Class XII (or equivalent) examination in 2024, 2025, or 2026 or be appearing in 2026.
- Diploma holders of at least 3 years duration from AICTE or recognised State boards are eligible.
- Candidates who passed the Qualifying Examination in 2023 or earlier are not eligible.
- For the 5-Year BS-MS (Dual Degree) in science, candidates must have studied at least three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
- Candidates applying for programs in Computational and Data Sciences, B.Tech programs, Economic Sciences, and Economic and Statistical Sciences must have studied Mathematics in the qualifying examination.
- General category candidates require a minimum 60% aggregate marks; SC/ ST/ PwD candidates require 55% in aggregate.
IISER Aptitude Test 2026: Selection Process
- Admission is based entirely on the performance in the IISER Aptitude Test 2026 and subsequent online counselling rounds.
- Candidates receive admission offers depending on their IAT ranks, category, seat availability, and preferred academic programs. Candidates may accept or reject seat offers online.
- Payment of the Seat Acceptance Fee is mandatory to confirm admission.
- The IISER Aptitude Test 2026 process is fully online, and the final admission is confirmed after document verification at the allotted IISER.
Exam Pattern / Admission Test Details
- IISER Aptitude Test 2026 will be a computer-based test.
- Test duration: 180 minutes.
- Number of questions: 60 (15 each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics).
- Questions are multiple-choice with only one correct answer.
- Marking scheme: +4 marks for a correct answer, -1 mark for an incorrect answer, 0 for an unanswered question.
- Total marks: 240.
- Question paper languages: English and Hindi.
- Mock tests will be available soon on the official IISER admission website.
- IAT 2026 exam date: 7th June 2026, starting at 9:00 AM IST.
- Test centres are located across various cities in India; candidates must select their preferred cities during application, but may be allotted other centres based on availability.
Documents Required
- Class X Marksheet
- Class XII or Qualifying Examination Marksheet (or a signed declaration if the marksheet is not available)
- Category certificates, if applicable (SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ GEN-EWS)
- Persons with Disability (PwD) Certificate, if applicable
- Kashmiri Migrant/ Domicile certificate, if applicable
- OCI/ PIO/ Foreign National Citizenship supporting documents, if applicable
- Photograph and Signature (digital copy as per specifications)
Steps to Apply
- Apply online only through the official IISER admission portal from 5th March 2026 (Given Below)
- Fill in the application form with accurate details, including a valid email and mobile number.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents and certificates.
- Pay the prescribed application fee online based on the category.
- Submit the completed application before the closing date, 13th April 2026.
- Make corrections if needed during the correction window from 16th to 18th April 2026.
- Download and print the Hall Ticket once available on 24th May 2026.
- Appear for the IISER Aptitude Test 2026 on 7th June 2026.
Fee Structure or Application Fees
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, OBC, OBC-NCL | ₹2,000 |
| SC, ST, PwD, Kashmiri Migrants, Kashmiri Pandit/ Hindu Families (Non-Migrants) | ₹1,000 |
| Foreign Nationals | ₹12,000 |
Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) after admission offer:
- General/ EWS/ OBC/ OBC-NCL/ PwD/ KM/ Kashmiri Pandit/ Hindu Families: ₹35,000 (₹25,000 + ₹10,000 non-refundable administrative fee)
- SC/ ST categories: ₹17,500 (₹12,500 + ₹5,000 non-refundable administrative fee)
Note: The application fee for the IISER Aptitude Test 2026 is non-refundable. Timely payment of SAF is essential to confirm admission.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 5th March 2026 |
| Application Closing Date | 13th April 2026 |
| Correction Window | 16th April 2026 to 18th April 2026 |
| Hall Ticket Release | 24th May 2026 |
| IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) Date | 7th June 2026 |
| Answer Key Display | 7th June 2026 |
| Student Response Form Upload | 9th June 2026 |
| Objection Filing Opens | 9th June 2026 |
| Objection Filing Closes | 13th June 2026 |
| Document Upload Window | 13th June 2026 to 21st June 2026 |
| Last Date for Document Upload | 21st June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | To be announced on official website |
| Start of Counselling Process | To be announced on official website |
Important Links
| IISER Official Website |
| Official IIISER Aptitude Test 2026 Information Brochure |
| IISER Online Application Portal |
What is the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026?
The IAT 2026 is the computer-based entrance examination for admission to undergraduate science and engineering programs at IISERs.
Who is eligible to apply for the IISER Aptitude Test 2026?
Indian nationals, OCI/PIO card holders, and foreign nationals who have passed or are appearing in Class XII (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible, subject to conditions.
What programs does IISER offer through IAT 2026?
IISER offers the 5-Year BS-MS Dual Degree, 4-Year BS programs in Economic Sciences, and B.Tech degrees in select streams.
When will the IAT 2026 be conducted?
The IISER Aptitude Test will be held on 7th June 2026.
How do I apply for IAT 2026?
Candidates must apply online only at the official IISER admission website between 5th March 2026 and 13th April 2026.
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