The IISER Joint Admission Committee (JAC) 2026, with IISER Berhampur as the organising institute, conducted the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 today, June 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple centres in India. This is a major national-level entrance examination for admission to the 5-year BS-MS Dual Degree, 4-year BS, and BTech programmes at India’s seven IISERs and four other premier science and technology institutions.
In a landmark expansion announced this year, IAT 2026 scores will now also be accepted for admission to select programmes at IIT Madras, IACS Kolkata, IIT Guwahati, and IIEST Shibpur — bringing the total number of participating institutions in IAT 2026 to 11 and the total available seats to approximately 2,363.
IISER IAT 2026 Key Exam Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | June 7, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| Reporting Time | 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM |
| PwD Candidates (40% Plus Disability) | Extra 1 Hour (Ends at 1:00 PM) |
| Total Questions | 60 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 180 (4 marks per correct, minus 1 for wrong) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | iiseradmission.in |
| Total Seats Across 11 Institutes | Approximately 2,363 |
Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 15 | 60 |
| Chemistry | 15 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 15 | 60 |
| Physics | 15 | 60 |
| Total | 60 | 240 |
All 11 Participating Institutions in IAT 2026
| Institution | Programme |
|---|---|
| IISER Pune | BS-MS Dual Degree |
| IISER Kolkata | BS-MS Dual Degree |
| IISER Mohali | BS-MS Dual Degree |
| IISER Bhopal | BS-MS, 4-year BS, BTech |
| IISER Thiruvananthapuram | BS-MS Dual Degree |
| IISER Tirupati | BS-MS, 4-year BS |
| IISER Berhampur | BS-MS Dual Degree |
| IIT Madras | BS (select programmes) |
| IACS Kolkata | Integrated MS (Chemistry) |
| IIT Guwahati | BS-MS (select programmes) |
| IIEST Shibpur | Specific undergraduate programmes |
What Happens Next
- Provisional Answer Key: Expected at iiseradmission.in within 3 to 4 days of the exam
- Objection Window: Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key online
- IAT 2026 Result: Expected approximately June 24, 2026 at iiseradmission.in
- IISER Counselling: Expected to begin in July 2026 with up to 8 to 9 seat allotment rounds
Eligibility for IISER IAT 2026
- Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or 2026
- Must have studied at least three subjects out of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics
- Minimum 60% marks in Class 12 (55% for SC, ST, PwD)
- Indian nationals, PIO, OCI holders, and foreign nationals with AIU equivalence certificate are eligible
IISER graduates receive a fully funded fellowship of approximately Rs 12,000 per month from KVPY (now PM-POSHAN scheme), making these institutions exceptionally attractive for students pursuing research careers in pure and applied sciences.
