IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
IAT 2026 is scheduled on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
IAT 2026 will be conducted as a computer-based test in various centres across India.
IAT will consist of 60 questions, 15 questions each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Total duration of the test will be 180 minutes. Questions will be of multiple choice type. Each question will have only one correct answer.
- Each correct answer will be awarded 4 marks.
- Each incorrect answer will lead to the deduction of 1 mark.
- Unanswered questions will be awarded 0 mark.
- Therefore, maximum marks in IAT will be 240.
The total marks obtained by a candidate out of 240 will be considered for preparing the Rank List.
Not every candidate appearing in IAT 2026 will be awarded a rank. The rank cut-off will be announced at an appropriate time. Further, getting a rank does not guarantee offer/admission to an IISER.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be Indian nationals, OCI/PIO/Foreign Nationals to apply for IAT 2026.
Candidates must have passed the Class XII (or equivalent) examination either in 2024 or 2025 or appearing in 2026 from any board recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) in India. Foreign Nationals need to upload an equivalence certificate issued by the Association of Indian Universities unless they have passed the Class XII or equivalent level examination in 2024 or 2025 or appearing in 2026 with science stream from any board recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) in India. The equivalence certificate must be uploaded while submitting the IAT 2026 Application Form under "Please upload copy of document supporting your claim of Foreign National (You'll need to produce original when necessary)".
Candidates must have taken at least three subjects among Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics during their Class XII (or equivalent) examination.
For admissions to the following programs, candidates must have Mathematics during their Class XII (or equivalent): 5-year BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences program at IISER Kolkata, 4-year B. Tech. program at IISER Bhopal, 4-year BS in Economic Sciences program at IISER Bhopal and 4-year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences program at IISER Tirupati.
Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD are required to score a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in their Class XII (or equivalent) examination. Candidates belonging to other categories are required to score a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in their Class XII (or equivalent) examination. Note that, the percentage needs to be calculated using aggregate marks, that is, considering ALL the subjects taken in Class XII (or equivalent) level.
Reservation Policy
- Reservation policies as mandated by the Govt. of India will apply
- Scheduled Caste (SC) - 15% of seats
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) - 7.5% of seats
- Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) - 27% of seats
- Persons with Disability (PwD) with at least 40% impairment - 5% of seats (horizontal, within the same category)
- Kashmiri Migrants/Kashmiri Pandit/Kashmiri Hindu Families (Non-Migrants) - 3 seats per IISER (supernumerary)
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS) - up to 10% (as per Government of India rules)
- Note that the EWS/OBC-NCL certificate should be issued on or after April 01, 2026
Application Fee
The application fee is to be paid by the applicant during the submission of the application form. The application portal shall open on March 05, 2026.
- Rs. 2,000/- for candidates applying under General, EWS, OBC, and OBC-NCL categories.
- Rs. 1,000/- for candidates applying under persons with disabilities (PwD), persons registered as Kashmiri Migrants/Kashmiri Pandits/Kashmiri Hindu Families (Non-Migrant) and SC/ST category.
- Rs. 12,000/- for candidates applying under Foreign National category.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
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