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IISER Thiruvananthapuram has officially released the PhD Admission 2026 notification for its Varsha 2026 semester. The institute invites applications from students who are highly motivated and want to do serious research. The notification covers multiple schools and one centre. Interested candidates must apply before the last date to avoid missing out the Deadline. Read this full article to know all the details about eligibility, dates, fees, and how to apply.
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026
IISER Thiruvananthapuram is located in Kerala and is known for excellent research work. Every year, it invites students from all over India to join its PhD programs. This year, the admission is for the Varsha 2026 semester, which means the session will start from August 2026. Students can apply in subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Data Sciences, Earth Sciences, and more. The online application portal is already open.
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026: Overview
Here is a quick overview of all the important details of the IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026 in one place. Each school has many research areas and faculty members who will guide the students.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institute Name | IISER Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) |
| Programme | PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) |
| Session | Varsha 2026 (August 2026) |
| Schools Offering PhD | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Data Sciences, EESS, CHPC |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 April 2026 |
| Application Fee (General/OBC) | ₹500 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwD) | ₹250 |
| Official Website | iisertvm.ac.in |
| Application Portal | phdadmission.iisertvm.ac.in |
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Seats
IISER TVM offers PhD seats across multiple schools and one centre. The exact number of seats in each school depends on the available supervisors and research areas. Each school has many research areas and faculty members who will guide the students. Here is a list of all the schools and the centre that are offering PhD admissions in 2026.
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Chemical Sciences
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Data Sciences
- School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (EESS)
- Centre for High-Performance Computing (CHPC)
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Important Dates
IISER Thiruvananthapuram has already opened the application portal and the last date is approaching soon. Make sure you apply well before the deadline so that you have enough time to fix any issues. Below is the full schedule of important dates for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Portal Opens | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 April 2026 |
| Interview – Physical Sciences | 07-08 May 2026 |
| Interview – EESS | 07-08 May 2026 |
| Interview – Mathematical Sciences | 13-15 May 2026 |
| Interview – Data Sciences | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Interview – Chemical Sciences | 19-21 May 2026 |
| Interview – CHPC | 21-22 May 2026 |
| Interview – Biology (Round 1, Online) | 1st week of June 2026 |
| Interview – Biology (Final Round, In-Person) | 1st week of July 2026 |
| Session Starts | August 2026 |
Apply Link for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026
The application process for IISER is completely online. There is no need to send any hard copy or documents by post. Below is the direct link to apply for the PhD Admission 2026.
Steps to Apply for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission 2026
Applying for IISER TVM PhD 2026 is a two-part process. You must complete both parts carefully. Once you pay the fee, your application will be automatically submitted. After submission, you will receive an email with your unique application number. Below are the step-by-step instructions to complete your application smoothly.
Part 1 – Create Your Account:
- Visit the application portal link.
- Click on “Apply Now” and fill the simple registration form.
- You will receive an activation email within 15 minutes.
- Check your spam folder if you do not receive it.
- Click the activation link in the email to activate your account.
- Log in with your registered email and password.
Part 2 – Fill the Application:
- Step 1 – Fill Application Form: Enter your personal details, qualifying degree, academic records, national exam details, referee details, and parents’ details. Click “Save and Proceed.”
- Step 2 – Upload Documents: Upload all required documents in JPEG/JPG format. Click “Save and Proceed.”
- Step 3 – Preview: Review your application carefully. Edit if anything is wrong. Click “Save App & Proceed for Payment.”
- Step 4 – Pay Fee: Pay the application fee online using UPI, Net Banking, Debit, or Credit Card.
- Step 5 – Final Submission: After successful payment, your application is automatically submitted. Download or print the application form and save your application number.
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Application Fee
The application fee for IISER TVM PhD 2026 is different for different categories. This is the processing fee for the application and it is paid online through the application portal itself. The fee is non-refundable. Below is the fee structure for different categories.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹250 |
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD admission depends on the school you are applying to. However, there is a general eligibility rule that applies to almost all schools. Below is a table showing the general eligibility rules for 2026.
| Criteria | General / OBC-NCL | SC / ST / PwD |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Marks in Master’s | 6.5 CGPA (10-point scale) or First Class | 5.5 CGPA or 50% marks |
| Required National Exam | CSIR-JRF / UGC-JRF / GATE or equivalent (valid as on 01 August 2026) | Same |
| Exemption from National Exam | BS-MS/MSc/Integrated MSc from IISERs/IITs/IISc with CGPA ≥ 8.0 | Same |
| BE/BTech Eligible | Only for select research areas in Physics, Data Sciences, and EESS | Same |
IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Selection Process
The selection process at IISER Thiruvananthapuram is different for each school. Generally, students are first shortlisted based on their academic marks and national exam scores. After shortlisting, they are called for an interview. Here is the selection process for each school in brief.
- Biology: SOP required + Two rounds of interview (Round 1 online, Final round in-person at IISER TVM campus).
- Chemistry: Shortlisting based on CSIR-JRF/UGC-JRF/GATE marks and ranks, followed by in-person interview.
- Physics: Shortlisting + hybrid interview (candidates choose Theoretical or Experimental during application)
- Mathematics: Shortlisting based on eligibility + offline interview at IISER Thiruvananthapuram.
- Data Sciences: Shortlisting based on research area choice + hybrid interview.
- EESS: Shortlisting based on marks + hybrid interview.
- CHPC: Shortlisting based on research area + hybrid interview.
Documents Required for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD Admission
Before you start filling your application, keep all these documents ready in digital format. All documents must be in JPEG or JPG format. Below is the full list of documents needed for IISER Thiruvananthapuram PhD 2026 application.
- Passport size photo (JPEG/JPG, max 500 KB)
- Scanned signature (JPEG/JPG, max 500 KB)
- Date of Birth proof (JPEG/JPG, max 2048 KB)
- Category certificate for OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS / PwD (JPEG/JPG, max 2048 KB): General candidates do not need this.
- Proof of passing Class 10 (Secondary level)
- Proof of passing Class 12 (Higher Secondary level)
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or marksheet
- Master’s degree certificate or marksheet (final year students can upload available semester marksheets)
- National level exam scorecard (CSIR-JRF / UGC-JRF / GATE / JEST etc.) if results not out, upload hall ticket or admit card.
- PwD certificate (only for PwD candidates).
- Statement of Purpose (for Biology applicants, entered in the form, not uploaded).




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