New Delhi: The application process for the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026, the sole gateway for admission to undergraduate programmes at the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, has commenced, officials said.

The online application window opened on March 5 and will close on April 13, while the entrance test is scheduled to be held on June 7.

Admissions to all seven IISER campuses — including Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Tirupati — will be based exclusively on IAT scores, and not JEE scores.

The institutes offer research-oriented science education with a focus on interdisciplinary learning across fields such as biological, chemical, mathematical and physical sciences.

Candidates who have passed Class 12 or equivalent examinations between 2024 and 2026 with at least 60 per cent marks (55 per cent for reserved categories) in the science stream are eligible to apply.

According to officials, the correction window will be open from April 16 to 18, and hall tickets will be released on May 24.

IISERs, established by the Government of India, are known for their strong research ecosystem and global academic collaborations, offering students early exposure to scientific research and opportunities in higher studies and careers in academia and industry.