The IISER IAT 2027 is the exam you need for a seat at any of the seven Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. As of 31 October 2026, no 2027 dates, fees or rules are out. So this guide uses the official IAT 2026 rules as your best reference. It is for Class 11 and 12 students in India and NRI and OCI families.
Key takeaways
- IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) is the only route into the 7 IISERs. In 2026 there were 2,343 seats.
- IAT 2027 dates are not out yet. In 2026, the website launched and the exam date was announced on 7 February.
- The 2026 paper had 60 MCQs, 15 each from Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, with +4/-1 marking, out of 240 in 180 minutes.
- You need at least three of Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics in Class 12, and 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD).
- OCI, PIO and foreign students can apply, but the exam is held in India only.
What is the IISER IAT 2027 and when will it be announced?
Quick answer: The IISER IAT 2027 is the IISER Aptitude Test for 2027 admissions. It is a computer-based test and the only way into the IISERs. Its dates are not announced yet. In 2026, the official site launched on 7 February and the brochure came on 4 March. Expect news early in 2027.
Every official page we checked on 31 October 2026 still shows IAT 2026. The organising IISER for 2027 is not named yet. In 2026, IISER Berhampur ran the exam through the Joint Admissions Committee (JAC).
Any 2027 dates you see before IISER announces them are not official. Watch the official IISER admission site and its notices page.
Which are the 7 IISERs and what programmes do they offer?
The seven IISERs are Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Tirupati. They are autonomous institutions under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
In 2026 the programmes were:
- 5-year BS-MS (dual degree): all seven IISERs
- 5-year BS-MS in Computational and Data Sciences (CDS): IISER Kolkata only
- 4-year BS in Economic Sciences: IISER Bhopal only
- 4-year BS in Economic and Statistical Sciences (ESS): IISER Tirupati only
- 4-year B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Data Science & Engineering (DSE), and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS): IISER Bhopal only
That makes 13 programmes, which you rank in a preference list. The BS-MS ends with a compulsory research project and a master's thesis. See our guide on how to become a scientist to see where this path can lead.
How many seats were there in IAT 2026?
There were 2,343 seats in 2026 (tentative, including supernumerary seats).
| Programme | Seats (2026) |
|---|---|
| BS-MS Berhampur | 300 |
| BS-MS Bhopal | 300 |
| BS-MS Kolkata | 280 |
| BS-MS CDS Kolkata | 30 |
| BS-MS Mohali | 275 |
| BS-MS Pune | 288 |
| BS-MS Thiruvananthapuram | 320 |
| BS-MS Tirupati | 250 |
| BS-MS total | 2,043 |
| B.Tech (3 branches) and BS Economics, Bhopal | 250 |
| BS ESS, Tirupati | 50 |
| BS/B.Tech total | 300 |
| Grand total | 2,343 |
The Bhopal 250 is B.Tech Chemical 40, DSE 80, EECS 75 and BS Economic Sciences 55.
Which other institutes accept the IAT score?
In 2026, five more institutes used the IAT:
| Institute | Programme |
|---|---|
| IISc Bengaluru | 4-year BS (Research) |
| IIT Madras | 4-year BS (2026: Medical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry) |
| IIT Guwahati | 4-year BS in Biomedical Science and Engineering |
| IACS Kolkata | Integrated BS-MS |
| IIEST Shibpur | 5-year BS-MS in Chemistry, Physics and Applied Geology |
You must apply twice: once for IAT, and once on each institute's own portal. Rules can differ. IISc BS (Research) admits through either JEE Advanced or IAT. Aiming for the IITs too? Read our JEE Advanced 2027 guide.
What is the IAT eligibility for 2027?
The 2027 rules are not published yet. These were the IAT 2026 rules:
| Rule | IAT 2026 |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Indian nationals, OCI/PIO card holders, foreign nationals |
| Class 12 year | Passed in 2024 or 2025, or passing in 2026 |
| Subjects (BS-MS) | At least 3 of Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics |
| Maths compulsory for | Kolkata CDS, Bhopal B.Tech, Bhopal Economics, Tirupati ESS |
| Minimum marks | 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Age limit | The brochure does not mention an age limit |
- The 60% covers all your Class 12 subjects, not just science.
- For grade-only boards: percentage = (CGPA × 100) ÷ maximum of the point scale, unless your board gives its own equivalent.
- Your passing year is the year you first passed. An improvement exam does not reset it.
If 2027 follows the same pattern, 2025, 2026 and 2027 Class 12 passers may be eligible. This is not confirmed yet.
Can NRI, OCI and foreign students apply for IAT?
Yes. OCI and PIO card holders and foreign nationals compete only for unreserved seats. They need an AIU equivalence certificate unless their board is COBSE-recognised. The exam is held only in cities across India, so students abroad must travel to India.
The five steps from Class 12 to an IISER seat.
Step 1: Class 12 with 3 of Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, and 60% marks. Step 2: Apply on the IISER admission portal. Step 3: Take the IAT in June. Step 4: Get your rank, then join the counselling rounds. Step 5: Take a seat at one of the 7 IISERs.
What is the IAT exam pattern?
The 2027 pattern is not announced. In 2026 it was:
IAT 2026 pattern at a glance.
Questions: 60 MCQs, 15 each in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. Marking: +4 right, -1 wrong, total 240. Time: 180 minutes. Mode: computer-based, in English or Hindi. Centres: India only. Fee: Rs 2,000, or Rs 1,000 for SC, ST and PwD.
A few more rules from 2026:
- Each question has one correct answer. A skipped question scores 0.
- An on-screen scientific calculator is given. You cannot bring your own.
- Report at 7:00 AM. Entry closes at 8:30 AM. The exam ran 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
- Eligible PwD candidates get one extra hour.
How is the IAT score calculated?
Your rank depends only on your total out of 240.
Work out your IAT score in four steps.
Say you attempt 50 questions: 40 right and 10 wrong. Right answers: 40 × 4 = 160 marks. Wrong answers: 10 × 1 = 10 marks lost. Score: 160 − 10 = 150 out of 240. A wrong guess costs 1 mark, so guess only when you are down to 2 options.
Everyone gets an overall rank, plus category ranks where relevant. A rank alone does not guarantee a seat.
What is the IAT syllabus?
The 2026 brochure has a detailed syllabus for each subject. Its topics follow the Class 11 and 12 science chapters, such as "Units and Measurements" and "Motion in a Plane". The brochure does not name any textbook, so download it and tick off each topic.
Start with core ideas like the mole concept in Chemistry and projectile motion in Physics. Mock tests are on the official website.
What are the IAT application fee and test cities?
The 2027 fee is not announced. The 2026 fee was non-refundable:
| Category | IAT 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, OBC, OBC-NCL | Rs 2,000 |
| PwD, Kashmiri Migrants, Kashmiri Pandit/Hindu families (non-migrant), SC, ST | Rs 1,000 |
| Foreign nationals | Rs 12,000 |
The test runs in "various cities across India". You choose 8 preferred centres, but JAC may give you a city outside your list. There are no centres abroad. See the official fees page.
What was the IAT 2026 timeline?
IAT 2026 dates, for reference only. 2027 dates are not out.
Applications: 5 March to 13 April 2026. Exam: 7 June 2026, 9 am to 12 pm. Result: 29 June 2026. Counselling registration: 2 to 9 July 2026. Seat rounds: 24 July to 11 September 2026.
Hall tickets came on 24 May and documents were due by 21 June. For 2027, follow the newest official notice. Your Class 12 marks count too, so plan your CBSE board exams 2027 prep alongside the IAT.
Book a free demo class with an Asymptode mentor to plan your IAT and board prep together.
How does IISER counselling work?
Counselling is fully online. You do not need to visit a campus.
- Fill the preference form after results. It is free.
- Get an offer. It depends on seats left, your rank, your preference order and your category.
- Pay the seat acceptance fee (SAF) by the deadline. If you miss it, or reject the offer, you leave all later rounds.
- Choose Freeze or Float. Freeze keeps your seat and ends counselling. Float (the default) keeps you in for a higher choice.
- Act in every round, even if you get the same offer again. You pay the SAF only once.
Inter-IISER transfer is not allowed. In 2026 there were 9 rounds.
What was the seat acceptance fee in 2026?
| Category | SAF 2026 |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, OBC, OBC-NCL, PwD, KM, Kashmiri Pandit | Rs 35,000 (Rs 25,000 + Rs 10,000 non-refundable) |
| SC/ST | Rs 17,500 (Rs 12,500 + Rs 5,000 non-refundable) |
The SAF is adjusted against your first-semester fee. Withdraw before the round's deadline and you get a full refund. After that, but before the final deadline, Rs 10,000 is cut (Rs 5,000 for SC/ST).
What were the IISER closing ranks in 2026?
Here are some Round 1 overall ranks for the unreserved list. Later rounds moved further, so treat them as 2026 context, not a 2027 forecast.
| Programme | Round 1 UR closing rank (2026) |
|---|---|
| Pune | 263 |
| Kolkata | 720 |
| Mohali | 1,225 |
| Bhopal | 1,482 |
| Berhampur | 2,474 |
The full list is on the closing ranks page.
What are the fees at IISERs, and are there scholarships?
Each IISER sets its own fees. For example, IISER Bhopal's 2026 BS-MS tuition was Rs 44,400 per semester, waived for SC/ST, with other charges on top.
The official FAQ says admitted students "will be eligible for a limited number of INSPIRE scholarships as per the norms of the Department of Science and Technology." An IAT rank is not listed as an INSPIRE-SHE route, so check DST's current rules.
IAT vs NEST: which exam should you take?
Many students take both. In 2026, NEST was on 6 June (2 PM to 5 PM) and IAT on 7 June.
| IAT 2026 | NEST 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Admits to | 7 IISERs, plus IISc, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IACS, IIEST | NISER Bhubaneswar (200 seats), UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai (57 seats) |
| Format | 60 MCQs, +4/-1, 240 marks, 180 min | 4 sections of 20 MCQs, +3/-1, best 3 sections count |
| Fee | Rs 2,000 / Rs 1,000 / Rs 12,000 | Rs 1,400 / Rs 700 |
JEE Advanced is not a route into the IISERs. If you enjoy Olympiad-style problems, read our NSE 2026 guide. See the NEST site for its updates.
How should you prepare for IISER IAT 2027?
- Download the 2026 brochure. Use its syllabus as your checklist for now.
- Cover all four subjects. Each has 15 questions, even the one you dropped in school.
- Finish Class 11 basics first. Many Class 12 topics build on them.
- Take the official mock tests to get used to the CBT screen and calculator.
- Explore research early. See our guide on research for high school students.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Forgetting separate applications for IISc, IIT Madras and others.
- Ignoring the 60% rule. It counts all Class 12 subjects.
- Picking the wrong category. It cannot be changed later.
- Missing a counselling step. One missed SAF or round response ends your counselling.
- Booking travel late (NRI students). The exam is only in India.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with IISER IAT prep
- One dedicated mentor, live online 1-on-1. Your Asymptode mentor follows your own board syllabus and your IAT and board exam dates.
- Method first. In Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, your mentor watches each step of your working, so you can fix small errors early.
- Personalised homework with feedback, plus short updates for parents.
- Every class is recorded. For forms and counselling, your mentor helps with planning and method. Start with a free demo class.
Facts checked against official sources on 31 October 2026.
FAQ
When will the IISER IAT 2027 dates be announced?
Not as of 31 October 2026. In 2026, the exam date was announced on 7 February. Watch the official IISER admission website.
Is IAT the only way to get into IISER?
Yes. The 2026 brochure says IAT is "the only channel of admission." JEE Advanced and KVPY are no longer IISER channels.
How many questions are in the IAT exam?
In 2026 there were 60 MCQs, 15 each from Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. A right answer gives +4 and a wrong one -1. The total is 240 marks in 180 minutes.
Can I take IAT without Biology or without Maths?
Yes, for the BS-MS, if you have three of the four science subjects. Maths is compulsory for Kolkata CDS, Bhopal B.Tech and Economics, and Tirupati ESS. The exam still tests all four.
Can OCI or foreign students write the IAT from abroad?
No. They can apply, but the exam is held only in India. They compete for unreserved seats. In 2026 the fee for foreign nationals was Rs 12,000.
Is there an age limit for IAT?
The IAT 2026 brochure does not mention an age limit. What matters is your Class 12 passing year. In 2026, you had to pass in 2024 or 2025, or be passing in 2026.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- IAT 2026 Information Brochure (IISER)
- IISER Admission: Important Dates
- IISER Admission: Notices
- IISER Admission: Eligibility
- IISER Admission: Fees
- IISER Admission: Seat Matrix
- IISER Admission: Closing Ranks
- IISER Admission: Other Institutes Using IAT
- IISER Admission: FAQ
- IISc BS (Research) Selection Process
- IISER Bhopal BS-MS Fee Structure
- NEST 2026 Brochure
- NEST official site
Sources
- IAT 2026 Information Brochure (IISER)
- IISER Admission: Important Dates
- IISER Admission: Notices
- IISER Admission: Eligibility
- IISER Admission: Fees
- IISER Admission: Seat Matrix
- IISER Admission: Closing Ranks
- IISER Admission: Other Institutes Using IAT
- IISER Admission: FAQ
- IISc BS (Research) Selection Process
- IISER Bhopal BS-MS Fee Structure
- NEST 2026 Brochure
- NEST official site