Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science Admissions 2026-27 Dates, Appilcation Form, Process & Fee

The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, established in 1876 by Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar, is Asia’s oldest research institute dedicated to basic scientific research. Located in Jadavpur, Kolkata, IACS is an autonomous deemed-to-be university under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

The institute offers premier programs in science and technology, including the flagship 5-year Integrated Bachelor’s-Master’s (BS-MS) Program, Master’s / Integrated Master’s-Ph.D. Program, and the Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program.

Starting from the 2026 academic session, IACS has aligned its selection process with major national-level competitive examinations, streamlining admissions for applicants nationwide.

Admission Process

Admissions to all academic streams at IACS Kolkata are strictly merit-based and entrance-driven.

Integrated BS-MS Program

Candidates seeking admission to the 5-year Integrated BS-MS program must appear for the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). Along with registering for IAT, candidates are required to complete a separate online application on the official IACS web portal. Selection and seat allotment are finalized through online counselling based on the candidate’s performance in IAT.

Master’s / Integrated Master’s-Ph.D. Program

Admissions to the Master’s and Integrated Master’s-Ph.D. programs in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics are conducted through the IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters). For the Computer Science discipline, selection is conducted based on a valid GATE score or an independent screening process/interview conducted by the institute. Shortlisted candidates participate in online counselling/interviews before final admission lists are released.

Ph.D. Program

Candidates applying for the Autumn or Spring Ph.D. cycles must possess a valid national-level fellowship (CSIR-NET JRF, UGC-NET JRF, INSPIRE, GATE, JEST, or equivalent). Eligible applicants are shortlisted and called for an interview by the respective schools (Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Materials Sciences, Applied & Interdisciplinary Sciences, or Mathematical & Computational Sciences).

Eligibility Criteria

Integrated BS-MS Program

Applicants must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and/or Biology. A minimum aggregate score of 60% (55% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS categories) in the qualifying board exam is mandatory. A valid rank/score in the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is required.

Master’s / Integrated Master’s-Ph.D. Program

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant major discipline (B.Sc. or equivalent) from a recognized university with at least 60% marks or equivalent CGPA (55% for reserved categories). Candidates applying for Computer Science must hold a B.E./B.Tech or B.Sc./M.Sc. degree in Computer Science/Mathematics with adequate background in computing. A valid IIT JAM or GATE score is required as applicable.

Ph.D. Program

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (M.Sc., M.Tech., or equivalent) in a relevant subject from a recognized university with at least 55% aggregate marks or equivalent grade. Additionally, candidates must have qualified in a national fellowship or national-level research entrance examination (UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, JEST, or INSPIRE).

Important Dates (2026 Academic Session)

The schedule below reflects the key timeline for the 2026 Autumn Semester admissions at IACS Kolkata.

Application Fees

The application fee for applying to programs at IACS must be paid online through the portal using Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card:

• General / OBC / EWS Candidates: INR 1,200/- (per program)
• SC / ST / PwD Candidates: INR 600/- (per program)

Note: Application fees for national tests (IAT 2026 or IIT JAM 2026) are charged separately on their respective official examination portals.

Fee Structure Outline (Admitted Students)

• Admission Fee (One-time, Non-refundable): INR 10,000/-
• Caution Deposit (Refundable): INR 7,500/-
• Other Academic & Medical Charges: INR 7,000/- (Annual)
• BS-MS Program Tuition Fee: INR 13,500/- per semester

Required Documents

Candidates must keep scanned copies of the following original documents ready during the online application process and present them during physical verification:

• Class 10 Board Mark Sheet and Pass Certificate (Proof of Age)
• Class 12 Board Mark Sheet and Pass Certificate
• Graduation Mark Sheets and Degree Certificate (for Master's & Ph.D. applicants)
• National Entrance Exam Scorecard (IAT 2026 / IIT JAM 2026 / GATE scorecard, as applicable)
• National Fellowship Award Letter (CSIR-NET JRF, UGC-NET JRF, INSPIRE, GATE) for Ph.D. applicants
• Category / Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
• Persons with Disability (PwD) Certificate, if applicable
• Government Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card / Passport / Voter ID)
• Recent Passport-size Photographs and Digital Signature
• Migration Certificate / Transfer Certificate from the last attended institution

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I get admission to the BS-MS program without appearing for the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)?

No. From the 2026 academic year onwards, IACS has adopted the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) as the sole national entry exam for the Integrated BS-MS program. Appearing for IAT and registering on the IACS portal are both mandatory.

Q2: Do I need to fill out a separate application on the IACS portal if I have already registered for IIT JAM or IAT?

Yes. Registering for IAT 2026 or IIT JAM 2026 alone is not sufficient. You must fill out the online application form on the IACS official web portal (iacs.res.in) and enter your national exam registration details before the specified deadline.

Q3: Is there any financial assistance or fellowship available for students?

Yes. Students admitted to the Ph.D. and Integrated MS-Ph.D. programs receive monthly research fellowships as per DST/CSIR/UGC/INSPIRE norms. Eligible undergraduate BS-MS students can also apply for national scholarships such as DST-INSPIRE.

Q4: What is the intake capacity for the Master's and Integrated MS-Ph.D. programs?

The intake capacity varies across schools (Chemical, Physical, Biological, and Mathematical Sciences), but typically ranges around 30 students per stream, selected strictly on national rank merit.

Q5: Is there any management or NRI quota for admissions at IACS Kolkata?

No. IACS Kolkata is an autonomous central institution under the DST, Government of India. There are no management, NRI, or direct paid seats; all admissions follow government reservation policies and entrance merit.