What is IISER?

IISER is an institution established by the Government of India at Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Tirupati to integrate and promote interdisciplinary science education and research. Over the years IISERs have been successfully attracting talented young minds.

An overarching goal of the IISERs is to enable students to shape the nation by inventing and implementing sustainable solutions for societal problems through research in science. This is being achieved by our faculty of international repute together with bright students. In a short span of time IISERs have generated an incredible amount of intellectual property in the form of publications and patents.

What are the benefits of getting admission at IISER?

• Highly competent and motivated faculty with passion for teaching and pursuing research in frontier areas of science

• Integrated undergraduate teaching and cutting-edge research

• Exposure and access to world-class research facilities right from the start of the program

• Research internships and year-long research projects leading to MS thesis with opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

How can students get admission in IISER?

Candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent level exam with science stream in 2020 or 2021 from any board recognized by Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE) and have scored within the category-wise cut-off are eligible to apply for admissions to IISER only through the following three channels:

These channels will be referred to as KVPY, JEE, and SCB, respectively. Note: Visit the official website for details.

How many branches are there under IISER?

There are nine branches under IISER namely:

How many seats are available in different branch of the Institution?

The tentative total number of seats available for BS-MS program for each IISER (including supernumerary) is 1741 with each IISER having the following number of seats.

Name of the Institute and No. of Seats:-

IISER Berhampur: 256

IISER Bhopal: 252

IISER Kolkata: 240

IISER Mohali: 244

IISER Pune: 288

IISER Tirupati: 181

IISER Thiruvananthapuram: 280

What is KVPY?

The “Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana” (KVPY) is a program started in 1999 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to encourage students who are studying Basic Sciences to take up research career in Science. The aim of the program is to identify and encourage talented and motivated students to pursue career in research.

This program aims to assist the students to realize their potential and to ensure that the best scientific talent is groomed for research and development in the country. Generous fellowship and contingency grant are provided to the selected KVPY Fellows up to the pre Ph.D. level or 5 years whichever is earlier. In addition, summer camps for the KVPY Fellows are organized in prestigious research and educational institutions in the country.

The Department of Science and Technology, the nodal agency of the Government has entrusted the overall responsibility for organizing and running the KVPY Program to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and set up a Management Committee and a National Advisory Committee (NAC) for overseeing its implementation. A core committee looks after both the day-to-day and academic aspects of the KVPY Program.

Who can apply for KVPY?

The KVPY Fellowships are given to Indian Nationals  to Study in India (Students intending to pursue/pursing under graduate program under Distance Education scheme/correspondence course of any university are not eligible to apply).

• Stream SA: Students enrolled in XI Standard (Science Subjects) during the academic year 2020-21 and having secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects in the X Standard Board examination immediately in the preceding academic year are eligible to appear for Aptitude test.

The fellowship of the students selected under this stream will be activated only if they join an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.) in the academic year 2022-23 after having secured a minimum of  60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in Science subjects in the XII standard/(+2) Board Examination. During the interim period of one year they will be invited for the National  Science (Vijyoshi) Camp and their travel expenses and local hospitality will be met by KVPY.

• Stream SX: Students enrolled in XII Standard/ (+2) (Science subjects) during the academic year 2020–21 and aspiring to join undergraduate program in Basic Sciences namely Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics & Biology leading to  B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. for the session 2021–22 provided they have secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/ Biology) in the X Standard Board Examination during the academic year 2018-19 are eligible to appear for the Aptitude test.

The fellowship of the students selected under this stream will be activated only if  they join an undergraduate course in Basic sciences (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.) in the academic year 2020-21 after having secured a minimum of  60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the XII standard Board Examination during academic year 2020-21.

Students in their 2nd year of study in Cambridge International Examination Board and aspiring to join an UG program (viz. B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S.)in Basic Sciences namely Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in the Academic year 2020-21 are eligible to apply provided they have secured a minimum of 75% (65% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the X Standard Board Examination. They must secure 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) in the XII standard Board Examination before taking up the fellowship, if awarded.

• Stream SB: Students enrolled in the 1st year of undergraduate program in Basic Sciences namely Physics/Chemistry/Mathematics & Biology leading to B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. during the academic year 2020–21 and having secured a minimum of 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate in MATHEMATICS and SCIENCE subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Biology)  in the XII Standard Board Examination  are eligible to appear for the Aptitude test. In the 1st year final examination of B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. they must secure 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks before taking up the fellowship, if awarded.

What are the benefits under KVPY?

• BASIC SCIENCES
• Monthly Fellowship
• Annual Contingency Grant
• SA/SX/SB  – during 1st to 3rd years of – B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math. / Integrated M.Sc. /M.S.          
• Monthly Fellowship: Rs. 5000     Annual Contingency Grant: Rs. 20000
• SA/SX/SB  – during  M. Sc. / 4th to 5th  years of Integrated M.Sc. /M.S./M.Math./M.Stat.             
• Monthly Fellowship: Rs. 7000     Annual Contingency Grant: Rs. 28000
• Renewal/Continuation of fellowship

 The Fellow continues to study Basic Science courses in school/junior college/university, and maintains a minimum level of academic performance of first class or 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate or equivalent grade points and the students has to necessarily pass all the subjects prescribed for that particular academic year (two semesters in case of semester system) and should have obtained the above specified percentage of marks. 

In the course work, in each academic year, the marks/grades will have to be certified by the Dean or Head of the Institution.   The fellowship will be discontinued if the above marks/grade is not obtained.  However, if the fellow passes all the subjects and obtains greater than 60% ((50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in the subsequent years, the fellowship can be renewed only from that year onward, again with the condition that the fellow should obtain 60% (50% for SC/ST/PWD) marks in aggregate every year.  This is effective from 2012 awardees onward. The Student is eligible to receive the KVPY fellowship upto Pre-PhD level or 5 years whichever is earlier.

In addition to the above, participation and satisfactory performance in the Summer Camp in the first year and Summer project every year thereafter is required for renewal of the fellowship.

KVPY Fellows who opt out of the basic science (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S.) stream at any stage will forfeit the Fellowship and Contingency Grant forthwith.

The fellowship for the students selected under the stream SA/SX/SB will be started after the XII Standard/ (+2) / I year UG, only if they pursue an undergraduate course in Basic Sciences, that are, B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S. in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Ecology, Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Bioinformatics, Marine Biology, Geology, Human Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science or Geophysics.

Summer program

Participation and satisfactory performance in the summer programme/Project each year from the second year (B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S.) onwards in an academic Institution of National or International repute or a DSIR approved research labs (in case of private lab or institutions) is mandatory for renewal of the Fellowship. The report on the summer programme /project together with the assessment report from the mentor will have to be forwarded along with the course performance certificate etc. for renewal purpose from second year of B.Sc./B.S./B.Math./B.Stat /Integrated M.Sc./Integrated M.S. program.

Other Privileges

Each KVPY Fellow will be issued an Identity Card so as to have access to National Laboratories/ Universities who have agreed to extend special privileges like library, laboratory facilities, etc. to KVPY Fellows on production of the ID card.

How students can take admission through KVPY?

To be eligible to apply, you should clear the KVPY test. The test has two rounds:-

• The aptitude exam
• Interview

You will be invited for an interview if you clear the aptitude exam. The interview will be concept-based,i.e., they are not looking for the correct answer. They want to test how you approach a problem and how you apply your concepts.

Anyway, if you clear both the rounds, you can apply to the IISER Admission Portal in the KVPY section.

Ultimately, your rank ( and, of course, your priority list) will determine which IISER you get admitted to.

How can student prepare for KVPY?

Students can prepare for their KVPY fellowship through online coaching. There are various coaching Institution that offers guidance and preparation for KVPY. Lalan coaching centre is one of the best in the country with the best set of faculty that will guide and mend a student for any exam. Kindly visit the website for details.

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