Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), an Autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission, Post Bag 4, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Campus, Ganesh Khind, Pune – 411007, has invited applications for the IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT)- 2026.

INAT-2026 is being conducted to select candidates to pursue a PhD degree in the areas of Astronomy/ Astrophysics and Physics, with a scholarship at IUCAA and for admission to the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) programme. The selection to the PhD programme will be based on the Witten score of INAT-2026, followed by two rounds of interviews at IUCAA, Pune. The written component of the Test will be used to select eligible candidates into the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) programme.

The details of the PhD Program and those of the Joint MSc Program can be seen at https://www.iucaa.in/ (Education Link)

INAT-2026 will be held in various cities across the country on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Eligibility: Applicants should have completed or should be expecting to complete by July 2026, M.Sc./Integrated M.Sc. degree (in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Electronics, or Astronomy) or B.E./ B.Tech./ M.E./ M.Tech. Degree (in any branch), with 55% marks.

Those completing a B. Sc. degree in Physics (with Mathematics up to 2nd year) or a B.E. / B. Tech. A Degree in any branch of engineering, with a minimum of 55% marks, may apply to be selected to the SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) programme.

In addition, talented final-year B.Sc., 1st year M.Sc., 3rd/4th year Integrated M.Sc. and 2nd/ 3rd year B.E./ B.Tech. Students may also apply to be pre-selected for the PhD programme at IUCAA.

SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ EWS/PwBD category applicants need only 50% marks in the qualifying examination.

Selection: Applicants should be highly motivated students with a consistently good academic record. While students from engineering backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply, IUCAA expects those who are interested in carrying out doctoral research or post-graduate studies in Physics, or Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prospective candidates are expected to have a good understanding of basic Physics. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required.

Based on the applications and referee assessments, applicants will be short-listed and invited to take the written test, to be held in various cities across the country on Sunday, January 18, 2026. All candidates should report at the assigned test centre with the necessary documents for verification (Passport-size Photo, one of the Photo IDs (in original) like Aadhaar/ PAN/ Voter ID/ Driving License/ College ID/ Passport and the Admit letter). Registration for the test will begin at 8 a.m. and will end at 9.45 a.m. A seat in the test is not guaranteed unless registration is completed by the candidate during this period.

Nature of the Written Test: The test will be of 2 hours’ duration. The question paper will be in English. The questions will be from basic Physics, Mathematics, Electronics/ Engineering to advanced areas of the same subjects in three parts: Part - A: Basic Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering, Part - B: Both basic and advanced areas of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering, Part - C: Advanced Physics, Mathematics and Engineering. Part A and Part C will have 16 objective-type questions each, and Part D will have 8 integer-type answer questions where all answers are in integers of 3 digits. Each question will carry 3 marks. There will be one negative mark for each incorrect answer in case of objective-type questions. There is no negative mark for integer-type answer questions. Details related to the Test are given on the website.

The final selection for PhD admission will be based on the results of the written test and two interviews. Dates of interviews will be communicated to shortlisted candidates via registered email ID.

Selection to the PhD programme at IUCAA through INAT is in addition to the selection through the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), while selection to the SPPU-IUCAA M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) Programme is only through the INAT written test.

Application can be submitted online at https://inat.iucaa.in/INAT2026/ by 11:59 p.m. on November 24, 2025. Applicants will have to propose 2 referees. A referee is a member of the academic community who can provide a fair assessment of an applicant’s academic career. The best referees are typically supervisors on previous research projects, teachers at the applicant’s academic institution, and faculty members with whom the applicant has discussed science issues. Referee report is to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

The admission to those appearing for the final qualifying examination is subject to the completion of the qualifying degree by July 2026 and the successful verification of documents.