Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Thiruvananthapuram Campus Life

About Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - [IISER] Trivandrum

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) is a premier science education and research institute established in 2008 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, with a mandate to integrate high-quality teaching and cutting-edge research in the basic sciences. IISER TVM functions as an institute of national importance with full academic autonomy.

IISER Thiruvananthapuram offers BS-MS (dual degree), MSc, Integrated PhD and PhD programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Data Science and Physics, anchored in a research-intensive ecosystem. The institute participates in the NIRF rankings and is part of the IISER network recognised globally for high-quality research output, including strong performance in the Nature Index 2024–2025 tables. Its scenic Vithura campus in the foothills of the Western Ghats regularly hosts major national and international conferences and symposia across disciplines.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

IISER Thiruvananthapuram offers multiple admission pathways including the 5-Year BS-MS programme through the national IAT (IISER Aptitude Test), postgraduate programmes through JEST, and PhD programmes with rolling admissions. The institute accepts qualified candidates through these entrance examinations for admission starting in different semesters.

Admission Process

IISER Thiruvananthapuram admits students to its BS-MS (Dual Degree), 2-year MSc, Integrated PhD and PhD programmes through national-level entrance routes. BS-MS admission is via the common IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), while MSc, Integrated PhD and PhD admissions use IISER TVM’s own online applications plus national tests and interviews.

BS-MS (Dual Degree) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register and fill the IAT 2025 application form on the IISER admission portal (iiseradmission.in).
2. Upload Class 10 and 12 documents, photo, signature and pay the IAT application fee.
3. Download the IAT admit card and appear for the computer-based test on the scheduled date.
4. Fill IISER choice preferences and participate in the common IISER counselling.
5. Accept the allotted seat in IISER Thiruvananthapuram, pay seat acceptance fee and report with documents for verification.

MSc (2-year) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the IISER Thiruvananthapuram admissions portal (admissions.iisertvm.ac.in) when the MSc notification is released.
2. Register, fill the online MSc application form and select subject (Biology/Chemistry/Mathematics/Physics).
3. Upload Bachelor’s marksheets, certificates and required documents; pay the application fee.
4. Appear for the IISER TVM online MSc Screening Test in the chosen subject.
5. Attend subject-wise interview if shortlisted and confirm admission by paying fees on selection.

Integrated PhD Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Open the Integrated PhD admission advertisement on the IISER TVM official website.
2. Apply online through the specified portal by selecting the desired school/discipline.
3. Upload academic records, national exam scores (JAM/JEST/other, if asked) and pay fee.
4. Appear for written test and/or interview conducted by the respective school.
5. On selection, upload/produce original documents and pay the first-semester fees to confirm the seat.

PhD Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Check the PhD admission notification (August/January cycle) on IISER TVM website.
2. Submit the online PhD application form for the relevant school/centre.
3. Enter valid national-level exam details (CSIR-UGC NET/GATE/JEST or as specified) and upload proof.
4. Attend written test/interview at IISER Thiruvananthapuram if shortlisted.
5. Complete document verification and fee payment after receiving the admission offer.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• All semester mark sheets and degree certificates for UG/PG (for MSc, Integrated PhD, PhD)
• IAT score card (for BS-MS) or IISER TVM test admit card/score (for MSc/Integrated PhD)
• National exam score card (JAM/JEST/CSIR-UGC NET/GATE etc., wherever applicable)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) in Government of India format
• PwD certificate for candidates claiming PwD reservation
• Photo identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving Licence/College ID)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Migration/Transfer certificate from last attended institution
• Medical fitness certificate (if specified in offer letter)
• OCI/PIO/Foreign nationality documents, if applicable

Cutoff 2025

IISER Thiruvananthapuram BS‑MS admissions in 2025 through the IISER Aptitude Test saw a substantial rise in closing ranks compared to 2024, indicating higher competition and deeper rounds of seat allotment. General category closing rank extended till 6506, with OBC, SC, ST and EWS also showing relatively relaxed but clearly defined closing positions across rounds.

Placements 2025

IISER Thiruvananthapuram functions primarily as a research‑oriented institute, with most BS‑MS and MSc graduates choosing higher studies in India and abroad. Verified 2025 placement data in terms of highest, average, and company‑wise offers is not published by the institute or in NIRF 2025; only median salary and counts of students placed/higher studies are .

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Infosys (from student/placement reports in recent years)

Consulting: —

Core: —

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) is ranked in the 151–200 band in the NIRF 2025 Overall category. It is also ranked 61st among Indian institutions in the CWUR 2025 World University Rankings.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: A+ Grade (Valid till 2028)

Scholarships & Financial Aid

IISER Thiruvananthapuram students receive merit-based, need-based and category-specific support through institute-funded waivers, DST INSPIRE, central NSP schemes, Kerala e‑Grantz and select external foundations. BS‑MS, Integrated PhD and PhD students also access substantial monthly fellowships and fee waivers that significantly reduce the effective cost of study.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• Man Shraman Foundation Equal Opportunity Scholarship: Up to ₹25,000 per semester (₹50,000 per year) for 1st–2nd year IISER Thiruvananthapuram undergraduates with annual family income below ₹2,50,000; renewable each semester, total support up to ₹3,00,000 (10 semesters).

Comparison

IISER Thiruvananthapuram, IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata are all centrally funded institutes focused on integrated BS-MS and PhD programmes in pure sciences with strong research output and similar national standing in NIRF rankings. Students commonly cross-compare these three for curriculum, research ecosystem and outcomes before choosing an IISER.

Key Strengths

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - [IISER] Thiruvananthapuram: Strong theoretical science training with early research immersion, good faculty–student ratio, and an increasingly active placement and higher-studies pipeline, especially in physics and chemistry.
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - [IISER] Pune: Best overall NIRF performance among IISERs, very strong research output and international collaborations, and relatively higher placements and funded PhD admit rates abroad.
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research - [IISER] Kolkata: Well-established BS-MS and PhD programmes with strong mathematics and biological sciences groups, good performance in national rankings and a solid record of graduates moving into premier global research institutes.

Campus & Infrastructure

IISER Thiruvananthapuram has a scenic, fully residential campus of about 200 acres in Vithura, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, around 40–50 km from Thiruvananthapuram city. The campus houses dedicated academic complexes for physical, chemical, biological and mathematical sciences, central research facilities, hostels, dining halls, sports infrastructure and a central library integrated within a compact hill-side layout.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: Extensive print and electronic resources in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Computer Science, Humanities and Earth Sciences; access to bibliographic databases, full-text databases, journals, archives, e-books and digital maps
• Labs: Full-fledged laboratories across Physical, Chemical, Biological Sciences and Mathematics buildings; Central Instrumentation Facility with shared research equipment; computer centre with Linux cluster of 120 nodes and computer laboratory with more than 50 workstations for UG teaching
• Classrooms: Virtual classrooms and lecture hall complex with technology-enabled teaching spaces

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Indoor stadium with multi-sport facilities and several outdoor courts (football ground, cricket practice nets, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, four badminton courts, tennis court, kabaddi and kho-kho areas; many floodlit)
• Two Central Dining Halls (CDH 1 and 2) as part of hostel complex, plus additional cafeterias and eateries
• Health Centre with medical facilities for students, faculty and staff
• Gymnasium with modern equipment
• Bank and ATM facilities on campus
• Regular shuttle transport within campus and KSRTC connectivity to Vithura and Thiruvananthapuram

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected IISER Aptitude Test cutoff for IISER Thiruvananthapuram in 2025 for General category?

The 2025 IAT cutoff for IISER Thiruvananthapuram BS-MS in the General AI category was 2381 closing rank in Round 1. For General category, securing a rank under 2500 gives a strong chance in early rounds.

What are the category-wise closing ranks for IISER Thiruvananthapuram BS-MS in 2025?

In 2025, Round 1 closing ranks for BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram were: General 2381, OBC 1563, SC 665, ST 338, EWS 576, and PwD 53859 under the AI quota.

Can I get into IISER Thiruvananthapuram with a JEE Advanced rank of 15000?

With a JEE Advanced rank of 15000, admission to IISER Thiruvananthapuram is unlikely through the JEE channel, as the institute typically admits candidates with ranks under 5000 in recent years.

What is the total annual fee for BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram including hostel and mess?

The tuition fee for BS-MS is ₹1,25,000 per year. Hostel rent is around ₹3,600 per semester, and mess charges are approximately ₹3,800 per month, making the total annual cost around ₹2.2–2.4 lakh.

Are there scholarships or fee waivers available for BS-MS students at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

BS-MS students receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 from the second year onwards. SC/ST students may also get additional financial support under government schemes.

What is the average and highest package for BS-MS students at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

The average placement package for BS-MS students is around ₹8–10 lakh per annum. The highest package in recent years has reached ₹22 lakh per annum in core research and analytics roles.

Which companies visit IISER Thiruvananthapuram for placements?

Top recruiters include TCS Research, Infosys, Wipro R&D, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Quant, and several research institutes like RRI, IGCAR, and CSIR labs for research and analytics roles.

How many seats are available for BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram in 2025?

IISER Thiruvananthapuram offers around 120–130 BS-MS seats in 2025, distributed across Biological, Chemical, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences under the national quota.

Is hostel accommodation mandatory for BS-MS students at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

Yes, IISER Thiruvananthapuram is a fully residential institute, and all BS-MS students are required to stay in the campus hostels for the entire duration of the program.

What type of rooms are provided in IISER Thiruvananthapuram hostels?

Hostel rooms are double or triple occupancy with two or three single beds, study tables, chairs, cupboards, and balconies. Washrooms are shared between 2–3 rooms per floor.

How is the food quality and variety in IISER Thiruvananthapuram mess?

The mess serves a mix of North and South Indian food with chicken twice a week and eggs three times a week. The menu is managed by a student mess committee to suit diverse regional preferences.

Is there a dress code for classes and labs at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

There is no formal dress code, but students are expected to wear decent, non-revealing clothes. Lab sessions require closed shoes and full-length clothing for safety.

What are the main research areas in the School of Biological Sciences at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

The School of Biological Sciences focuses on molecular biology, structural biology, microbiology, immunology, and environmental biology, with active projects in virology and microbial ecology.

How many faculty members are there in the School of Physical Sciences at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

The School of Physical Sciences has around 25–30 faculty members working in condensed matter physics, quantum materials, optics, and theoretical physics, with strong experimental and computational groups.

What is the minimum CGPA required for PhD admission at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

BS-MS/MSc students from IISERs, IITs, or IISc with a CGPA of 8.0 or above on a 10-point scale are exempt from national eligibility tests for PhD admission at IISER Thiruvananthapuram.

How far is IISER Thiruvananthapuram campus from the city center and railway station?

The campus is located about 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram city center and 18 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, with regular bus and auto services available.

Can students take part-time jobs or internships off-campus during the BS-MS program?

Students can take up internships during summer and winter breaks, but regular off-campus part-time jobs are not encouraged due to the demanding academic schedule and hostel rules.

Is a laptop mandatory for BS-MS students at IISER Thiruvananthapuram?

While not strictly mandatory, a laptop is highly recommended for coursework, programming, data analysis, and accessing online resources, as most assignments and projects are digital.

How does IISER Thiruvananthapuram compare with IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata in terms of research output?

IISER Thiruvananthapuram has strong research in biological and physical sciences, though IISER Pune and Kolkata have higher overall publication volume and slightly older, more established departments.

What is the NIRF ranking of IISER Thiruvananthapuram among research institutes in India?

In the NIRF India Rankings 2024 for research institutes, IISER Thiruvananthapuram is ranked in the 26–30 band, reflecting its strong research and academic performance.