Applying in 2027? Do not shift these qualifying years forward yourself. Use the 2027 notice when it is released. The criteria below are for 2026.
The core 2026 checks
| Check | 2026 requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian nationals, OCI/PIO card holders and foreign nationals may apply, subject to the relevant conditions. |
| Qualifying year | Class XII or equivalent in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026, under the official eligibility rules. |
| Science subjects | At least three among Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics in the qualifying examination. |
| Aggregate marks | 60% or equivalent grade for categories other than SC/ST/PwD; 55% for SC/ST/PwD. |
| How aggregate is counted | All subjects in Class XII or the equivalent examination—not just a selected science-subject total. |
When is Mathematics compulsory?
Mathematics in the qualifying examination is mandatory for these 2026 programmes:
| Programme | IISER |
|---|---|
| BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences | Kolkata |
| BS in Economic Sciences | Bhopal |
| BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences | Tirupati |
| B.Tech. programmes | Bhopal |
PCB students: the general three-science-subject condition may allow you to apply for the regular BS-MS route, if you meet all other requirements. The IAT paper still includes Mathematics.
Situations that need a closer look
My Class XII result is pending. Can I apply?
For 2026, candidates awaiting results could apply, but admission remained conditional on meeting the required eligibility and document deadlines.
What if I took an improvement examination?
For candidates who first appeared in Class XII in 2025 and reappeared in any subject in 2026, the better of the two performances is considered under the 2026 rule. This specific provision does not automatically reset a candidate’s first examination year.
What about diploma or other equivalent qualifications?
For a three-year diploma or an equivalent-duration qualification, only final-year marks are considered when the board reports an aggregate across all years. In a semester system, the final two semesters are considered. If Class XI and XII marks are combined, only Class XII marks are used. The qualification must also meet the examination-equivalence and subject conditions.
Are there special qualifying-year provisions?
JKBOSE candidates from Kashmir division, the winter-zone areas of Jammu division and the Union Territory of Ladakh who appeared in December 2023 may apply in 2026 if all other conditions are met. They must select 2024 as the passing year in the application. The 2026 rules also allow the specified Kashmiri Pandit/Hindu non-migrant families to apply under the Kashmiri Migrant category with a valid domicile certificate.
What should OCI/PIO and foreign applicants check?
OCI/PIO applicants compete for unreserved seats. OCI/PIO and foreign applicants need an Association of Indian Universities equivalence certificate unless their qualifying examination is from a COBSE-recognised Indian board. A foreign national is an applicant who is neither an Indian citizen nor an OCI/PIO card holder. Required equivalence evidence must be uploaded with the application.
What about disability accommodations?
Eligible candidates with visual impairment, severe dyslexia or specified upper-limb/hand impairments that prevent operation of the test platform may request a scribe during the application. The provision includes eligible candidates below 40% disability who have difficulty writing. Eligible candidates with at least 40% impairment, and the covered below-40% cases with writing difficulty, receive one hour of compensatory time. Category eligibility and documentation remain subject to the prescribed assessment.
Prepare the evidence, not just the answer.
Keep your qualifying mark sheet, board details and applicable category documents together. Check that names and dates agree across records. If your case does not fit the standard summary, ask the official admissions helpdesk before making assumptions.
Grades and percentage conversion
If a grade sheet gives letter grades without an equivalent percentage, obtain an equivalence certificate from the board before the mark-sheet submission deadline. If the board does not provide one, the stated calculation is: percentage = (CGPA or CPI × 100) ÷ maximum point-scale value.
Reservation: 2026 reference
| Category | Provision |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| EWS | Up to 10%, under the applicable rules |
| PwD with at least 40% impairment | 5% horizontal reservation within the relevant category |
| Specified Kashmiri categories | 3 supernumerary seats per IISER |
EWS and OBC-NCL certificates for the 2026 process must be issued on or after 1 April 2026. Reservation percentages do not predict an individual’s admission chances or closing rank.