IISER Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates aspiring for IISER admission in 2026 must meet a comprehensive set of eligibility criteria that ensures only the most qualified science students compete for seats at these renowned institutes. The IISER 2026 serves as the exclusive channel for admission to various integrated science programs. The following is an article summarizing key aspects of the IISER 2026 eligibility criteria, for all participating candidates.

Nationality Requirements

• Candidates must be Indian nationals,
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), or foreign nationals can apply for IISER admission via the IISER Aptitude Test.

Academic Qualifications

• Applicants should have passed Class XII (or equivalent) in 2023, 2024, or 2025, with a science stream from any board recognized by the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) in India.
• Foreign nationals who completed equivalent qualifications must submit a certificate of equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities.

Subject Requirements

Candidates must have studied at least three subjects among Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Class XII (or equivalent).

For select IISER programs, Mathematics is mandatory in Class XII:

• 5-year BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences at IISER Kolkata
• 4-year B. Tech. at IISER Bhopal
• 4-year BS in Economic Sciences at IISER Bhopal
• 4-year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences at IISER

Minimum Marks Criteria

• General, EWS, and OBC-NCL category candidates must score at least 60% aggregate marks in Class XII (all subjects considered).
• SC, ST, and PwD category candidates must secure a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
• Aggregate must be calculated over all subjects studied in Class XII (not only sciences).

Age Limit

• For IISER 2026, candidates from General and OBC categories should be born on or after October 1, 2000.

Special Eligibility Cases for IISER 2026

• Students from Jammu & Kashmir Board (JKBOSE) who appeared in December 2022 and from winter zone areas or Ladakh are eligible, provided other criteria are met, and they choose "2023" as their passing year during application.
• Kashmiri Pandit/Hindu families (Non-Migrants) may apply as Kashmiri Migrants by uploading a valid domicile certificate.
• International board students and NRIs/OCI/PIO may apply, although there is no dedicated quota for NRIs.

Reservation Policy

Reservation in admission follows the Government of India norms

• SC - 15%
• ST - 7.5%
• OBC-NCL - 27%
• EWS - up to 10%
• PwD - 5% (horizontal, within category)
• Kashmiri Migrants - 3 supernumerary seats per IISER.

Performance and Document Requirements

• If Class XII results are not declared by the IISER 2026 application time, candidates can still apply, but admission is provisional as it is subject to result verification.
• Boards awarding only letter grades must provide equivalence certificates; failing that, conversion is as per prescribed formula.

Click Here For IISER 2026 Application Form

FAQs

Q1: Who can apply for IISER Aptitude Test 2026?

Ans. Indian nationals, OCI/PIO card holders, and foreign nationals who have passed Class XII (or equivalent) in 2023, 2024, or 2025 with a science stream can apply for IISER admission through the Aptitude Test.

Q2: What subjects must be studied in Class XII for IISER eligibility?

Ans. Candidates must have taken at least three out of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Class XII (or equivalent). Certain programs specifically require Mathematics as a compulsory subject.

Q3: What are the minimum marks required for IISER eligibility?

Ans. General, EWS, and OBC-NCL candidates must have secured at least 60% aggregate marks, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates need a minimum of 55% in their Class XII exams, calculated across all subjects.

Q4: Can international board students or NRIs apply?

Ans. Yes, international board students, NRIs, OCI, and PIO candidates can apply. However, foreign nationals must submit an equivalence certificate during application. There is no separate quota for NRIs.

Q5: Are special provisions available for Jammu & Kashmir and Kashmiri Migrants?

Ans. Students from JKBOSE (Kashmir division/Winter Zone areas/Ladakh) who took their exams in December 2022 can apply in 2026 if all other criteria are met. Kashmiri Pandits/Hindu Families (Non-Migrants) may apply as Kashmiri Migrants with a valid domicile certificate.