Research Admissions at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology

Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), a Deemed to be University, Thiruvananthapuram-695547, has invited applications from highly motivated candidates for admission to the Ph.D. Programme starting in January 2025.

PhD admissions are offered in the departments of (i) Aerospace Engineering (ii) Avionics (iii) Chemistry (iv) Earth and Space Sciences (v) Humanities and Social Sciences (vi) Mathematics (vii) Physics

Eligibility: Applicant should be an Indian citizen, below 35 years as on 31st October, 2024. Age relaxation is applicable as per Government Rules. 

Minimum Qualifications: Applicant should have one among the following: (a) ME/M.Tech or Master of Science in Engineering or equivalent from leading foreign Universities (b) BE/B.Tech with a valid GATE score with exemption from requirement of GATE score for those with (i) BE/B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) /Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) (ii) Dual degree (Bachelors in Engineering and Masters in Science from IITs and Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology) (iii) Qualified UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF/LS or NBHM/JEST in the relevant disciplines with validity for score/certificate at the time of application. Applicants with JEST should have valid JEST rank. Those coming under (i) and (ii) categories need to qualify the screening test conducted by IIST (c) Master’s Degree in Science/ Humanities/ Management/ Social Sciences need Master’s in the relevant area and must have qualified a National Eligibility Test, such as UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF/LS or NBHM/JEST/GATE in the relevant discipline. The score/certificate should be valid at the time of application. Applicants with JEST should have valid JEST rank  (d) Bachelor’s Degree (4 years’ duration) who have cleared a National Eligibility Test, such as UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF/LS or NBHM/JEST/GATE score in the relevant discipline. The score/certificate should be valid at the time of application. Applicants with JEST should have valid JEST rank. Applicants should have the marks/its equivalent grade in the qualifying degree as specified in the detailed Notification.  Ph.D scholars with Bachelor’s degree as their highest qualification need to undergo additional course work, as prescribed by the institute. The Research Areas and eligibility requirements for each are given in the Notification at https://www.iist.ac.in/spotlight 

Selection: Selection will be through (i) Direct Interview or (ii) Online Screening Test + Interview based on the following conditions.

Selection of those with a valid UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF /LS/ NBHM / JEST Rank/GATE score (2022, 2023, 2024) will be through Direct Interview. For all others, selection will be through Online Screening Test + Interview. Those participating in screening test will be shortlisted if they secure a minimum of 50 % combined for Section A (Section A comprises questions based on Aptitude and class 12 Mathematics) and Section B (the research area) (45% for SC/ST/PD and OBC / EWS candidates). There will be a 70 % weightage for the PhD screening test and 30 % weightage for the interview. Candidates securing less than 10 marks out of 30 marks in the interview will not be selected irrespective of category and irrespective of the performance in the screening test. The combined mark for the PhD screening test and interview for a UR candidate should be 60 % and above to be selected and for the SC/ST/PD and OBC / EWS candidates, the combined mark should be 55 % and above.

Research Fellowship: All scholars selected to the PhD programme shall receive a fellowship of Rs. 37,000/- per month. The fellowship will be enhanced to Rs. 42,000/- per month based on a performance review after two years of the programme. Research Scholars selected with UGC/CSIR/NET-JRF/NBHM and State Government Science and Technology Scheme etc., shall draw fellowship from the concerned organizations. For all research scholars with external fellowship, the concerned rules and regulations of the funding agency apply. The scholars will be required to assist the Departments in tutorials, practical training in labs or similar academic activities normally limited to 6 hours per week.

Application: Applications can be submitted online at https://admission.iist.ac.in latest by 23 59 hrs on 31.10.2024. One can  apply up to maximum four broad research areas only, including research areas across different departments, if eligible.  

List of shortlisted candidates for Online Screening Test & Direct Interview will be released at 1600 hrs on 13 November, 2024 (Wednesday). Online screening test will be on 23 November, 2024 (Saturday).  

For more details, the Notification may be seen.