Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) is a specialised institute set up by the Government of India through the Department of Space, which concentrates on education and research in the field of space science and technology.
For students who are interested in areas connected with the space sector, IIST offers an opportunity to study in a field closely aligned with India's space programme. Academic and research work carried out at IIST covers all the fields involved in the growth of space science, technology and engineering. Students from IIST also have the option to pursue further education and research in the space sector, including organisations under the Department of Space, based on eligibility and recruitment criteria.
This SciAstra blog provides essential information to help aspirants understand IIST and make informed decisions about pursuing their academic journey at the institute.
IIST Thiruvananthapuram Highlights
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Full Name | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) |
Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
Established | 2007 |
Type | Deemed-to-be University |
Institute Focus | Space Science, Aerospace Engineering, Avionics and related technologies |
Established By | Department of Space, Government of India |
Campus | Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram |
Academic Programmes | BTech, MTech, MS and PhD |
Major UG Disciplines | Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Mathematics & Computing |
Research Areas | Space Science, Astronomy, Earth & Space Sciences, Aerospace and related technologies |
Key Association | Department of Space and ISRO ecosystem |
Admission | Programme-specific admission criteria; BTech admissions are based on the institute's notified eligibility and selection process |
Career Opportunities | Aerospace, space technology, research, engineering, academia and related sectors |
Also Check- How to Join ISRO as Scientist
IIST Admission 2027 Important Dates
The IIST Admission 2027 schedule provides the timeline for the various stages of the admission process. Candidates should keep track of the prescribed dates and complete each stage within the specified deadlines.
Admission Activity | Date & Time |
|---|---|
Opening of Online Registration and Filling-in of Branch Preferences | Fourth week of May 2027 |
Closing of Online Registration | Second Week of June 2027 |
Publication of IIST Admission Rank List | Second Week of June 2027 |
Closing Date for Modification of Branch Preferences | Second week of June 2027 |
Seat Allotment/Acceptance Rounds | Third week of June 2027 to First week of July 2027 |
Spot Admissions (Online) Notification, if required (in case of vacancies) | First week of July 2027 |
Spot Admissions (Online) Registration, if required (Applicable only for remaining wait-listed candidates after last round of seat allotment) | First week of July 2027 to Second week of July 2027 |
Spot Admissions, if required (Online) (Applicable only for remaining wait-listed candidates after last round of seat allotment) | Second week of July 2027 to Third week of July 2027 |
Closing of Admission | Third week of July 2027 |
Joining IIST | Fourth Week of July 2027 |
Induction Programme | Fourth Week of July 2027 to Last week of July 2027 |
Commencement of Classes | First Week of August 2027 |
IIST Programmes Offered 2027
IIST offers a range of academic programmes designed to provide students with a strong foundation in their chosen fields while encouraging interdisciplinary learning and academic growth.
IIST UG Courses Offered 2027
The undergraduate programmes offered by IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology) give students a structured academic pathway in specialised technical fields. The programmes combine classroom learning with an approach that supports further academic and professional development. Check out the table below for more details.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Programme | BTech |
Duration | 4 years |
Programmes Offered | BTech in Aerospace Engineering |
Admission | JEE Advanced |
Focus Areas | Aerospace, avionics, electronics, computer science, data science and space technology |
IIST Dual Degree Programmes Offered 2027
The Dual Degree Programme at IIST offers an integrated academic pathway that combines undergraduate and postgraduate study within a single programme. It is structured to provide students with a broader academic experience and opportunities for advanced learning. Check out the table below for more details.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Programme | BTech + MS/MTech |
Duration | 5 years |
Undergraduate Degree | BTech in Engineering Physics |
Master’s Programmes | MS in Astronomy & Astrophysics |
Admission | JEE Advanced |
Programme Structure | Students pursue Engineering Physics at the undergraduate level and are allotted a postgraduate stream based on their preference and academic performance up to the sixth semester |
Focus | Engineering physics, astronomy and astrophysics, solid-state physics, earth system science and optical engineering |
IIST PG Courses Offered 2027
The postgraduate programmes offered by IIST provide students with an opportunity to pursue advanced academic study in specialised fields. These programmes are designed to build on prior academic knowledge and support further learning and professional development. Check out the table below for more details.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Programme | MTech and MS |
Duration | 2 years |
Specialisations | Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Chemistry, Earth & Space Sciences, Mathematics and related areas |
Programmes Include | MTech in Thermal & Propulsion, Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics, Structures & Design, Manufacturing Technology, RF & Microwave Engineering, Digital Signal Processing VLSI & Microsystems, Control Systems, Power Electronics, Materials Science & Technology, Earth System Science, Geoinformatics, Machine Learning & Computing, and MS in Astronomy & Astrophysics |
Admission | Primarily through GATE/JEST, depending on the programme and admission criteria |
IIST PhD Courses Offered 2027
The PhD programmes offered by IIST provide an opportunity for students to pursue advanced academic work and contribute to research in their chosen areas. The programmes encourage independent study and in-depth exploration. Check out the table below for more details.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Programme | PhD |
Research Areas | Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Earth System Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Humanities & Social Sciences, and other institute research areas |
Admission | Through IIST's prescribed selection process, including relevant national-level qualifications/examinations where applicable |
Programme Structure | Coursework followed by comprehensive examination and doctoral research under a supervisor |
Funding | Institute-funded and externally funded opportunities are available |
Focus | Advanced research in science, engineering, space technology and interdisciplinary areas |
IIST Post-Doctoral Programme Offered 2027
The Post-Doctoral Programme at IIST provides an opportunity for scholars to continue their academic and research work after completing their doctoral studies. It supports further exploration and contribution to specialised areas of study. The table below provides further details about the programme.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Programme | Research Associate (RA) / Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) |
Level | Postdoctoral research |
Research Areas | Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Management and other frontier research areas |
Nature of Programme | Research-based positions for candidates holding a doctoral degree |
IIST Eligibility Criteria 2027
Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by IIST to be considered for admission to its programmes.
Eligibility Criteria | Requirements |
|---|---|
Nationality | Indian citizens are eligible to apply for admission. OCI/PIO card holders can also apply for the UG programme based on JEE (Advanced) 2027 and are considered only under the General category. |
Age Limit | Candidates belonging to General, EWS and OBC-NCL categories must have been born on or after October 1, 2001. Candidates belonging to SC/ST and PwD categories must have been born on or after October 1, 1996. |
Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed Class XII (or equivalent) Board examination with the required subjects. |
Minimum Marks | Candidates must secure at least 75% aggregate marks in Class XII/equivalent. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum is 65%. |
Subjects Considered for Aggregate | The aggregate is calculated using Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, one language, and one other subject with the highest marks. |
JEE (Advanced) | Candidates seeking admission must meet the prescribed JEE (Advanced) 2027 eligibility and minimum marks requirements. |
OCI/PIO Candidates | OCI/PIO candidates must pay the full applicable fees. As only Indian citizens can be appointed to Government of India jobs, OCI/PIO graduates are not eligible for ISRO/DOS absorption. |
Class XII Performance | Where applicable, IIST considers the best performance in required subjects for candidates who appear for improvement or reappear in the Class XII examination. |
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IIST Admission Process 2027
Admissions to Undergraduate and Dual Degree Programmes in IIST will be based on merit based on marks obtained in JEE (Advanced), subject to the minimum marks requirement in Class XII and JEE (Advanced). Those who are interested in getting admission to these programmes need to apply to IIST through the online admission portal and follow the online admission and allotment process.
Step 1: IIST Online Registration 2027
Candidates need to register through the online admission portal of IIST and fill up the application form.
Candidates should go to the online admission portal and click on Undergraduate Admission.
They should read the eligibility criteria before filling up the online form.
They have to fill in all the required details and set up their password.
A system-generated IIST Registration Number is allotted to those who register successfully.
Candidates have to upload the same photograph that they uploaded in the JEE (Advanced) form.
Step 2: Payment of IIST Registration Fee 2027
Candidates have to make payment of non-refundable registration fees through the online admission portal.
The mode of payment can only be through e-payment.
Registration Fee for 2027 admissions:
General/EWS/OBC-NCL: Male candidates - INR 1,000
General/EWS/OBC-NCL: Female candidates - INR 500
All SC/ST/PwD - INR 500
Step 3: Publication of IIST Admission Rank List
IIST makes an Admission Rank List in categories for those candidates who have registered and paid the Registration Fee.
The rank list will be made based on the aggregate marks scored in JEE (Advanced).
Minimum marks should be scored as prescribed by IIST.
If there is any tie, then higher Mathematics marks will be considered.
In case of a further tie, Physics marks are taken into consideration.
If the tie continues, then the JEE (Main) rank will be considered.
Step 4: Filling in Branch Preferences
Those candidates whose names appear in the IIST Admission Rank List need to fill in their Branch Preference.
Branch Preference is required for the Undergraduate and Dual Degree Programmes.
The registration process is incomplete without entering the Branch Preference.
Candidates can change their preference until the deadline.
It is not necessary to fill up all three preferences.
Preference cannot be changed once the deadline passes.
Step 5: IIST Seat Allotment and Acceptance
Allotment of seats will take place through online seat-allotment and acceptance rounds based on merit, branch preference and vacancies.
Those candidates who are satisfied with the allotted seat can opt for the FREEZE option.
Candidates who are interested in the higher preferred branch can opt for the SLIDE option.
Through the SLIDE process, the branch will automatically slide up according to the preference of the candidate and availability of vacancies.
Candidates who opt for FREEZE/SLIDE should accept the allotted seat within the deadline.
Note: Those candidates who have been admitted to IIST through the reserved category and are eligible for the general category seat based on merit will be shifted to the general category in the subsequent rounds.
Step 6: Payment of First Semester Fee
Those candidates who have accepted their seats need to pay the First Semester Fee through the online admission portal.
For IIST Admission 2027, the fee prescribed for the first semester in the admission procedure is INR 20,700.
The remaining amount is paid on arrival at IIST.
Failure to pay the First Semester Fee within the specified deadline will lead to forfeiture of the allotted seat.
Candidates will not be considered for seat allotment in the subsequent rounds if the fee is not paid within the specified period.
Step 7: Document Upload & Verification
Candidates accepting a seat have to upload the necessary documents via the online admission portal. Here are some of the important documents to be uploaded.
Class X certificate, if the date of birth is mentioned, or Birth certificate
Class XII / equivalent examination mark sheet
Category certificate, if applicable
Transfer Certificate from the last attended institution
Aadhaar Card
Once the verification of the documents is completed, a provisional Admit Card will be issued, which can be downloaded from the admission portal.
Step 8: Withdrawal & Fee Refund
Those candidates who have accepted a seat but wish to withdraw will have to opt for WITHDRAWAL through the online admission portal.
Candidates will have to fill in the form and mention the bank details where the refund has to be transferred.
The refund procedure is based on the applicable guidelines of UGC.
Depending on the date of receipt of the withdrawal notice, the refund percentage varies.
The refund policy is dependent upon the guidelines of UGC at the time of admission.
Step 9: Special/Spot Admission
IIST may carry out special or spot admission online if there are vacant seats even after the online rounds of the seat allotment process.
All those candidates who are on the waiting list for IIST UG admission are eligible to apply.
Eligible candidates will have to register themselves for spot admission via the admission portal.
There will be no spot admission registration fee.
Candidates will have to register for spot admission to avail themselves of the vacant seats.
Step 10: Joining IIST
Candidates accepting their allotted seats will have to join IIST on the date specified by the institute.
Candidates have to complete the joining procedures within the stipulated time.
A Medical Examination Report will have to be submitted in the specified format by the specified date.
Candidates will have to show their Admit Card and other required documents while joining IIST.
IIST Scholarships
IIST offers scholarships and fee exemptions to eligible students in all the Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses offered by the university. The conditions and criteria for the same may vary according to the programme and year of admission. Check out the table below to know about scholarships available at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
S. No. | UG Scholarships | PG Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
1. | The top 5 students (UG/DD) admitted in 2027-28 who have secured AIR (All India Rank, in JEE Advanced Examination, 2027) up to 1000 would be entitled to a full fee waiver for the first year. However, they have to maintain a CGPA of 9.0 and above on a scale of 10 at the end of each year in order to obtain a full fee waiver for the subsequent year. | MTech students with a valid GATE score will receive scholarships through AICTE. |
2. | Students (UG/DD) admitted in 2027-2028 and securing a CGPA of 9.0 or higher (on a scale of 10) in a given semester would receive a 50 percent tuition fee waiver in the next semester. The number of waivers shall be limited to ten percent (10%) of the admitted students in each programme. | For students enrolled in the Master of Science programme, Scholarships will be paid by IIS. |
IIST Seat Matrix 2027
The IIST seat matrix specifies the approved intake and category-wise distribution of seats across the Undergraduate and Dual Degree programmes. The total approved intake is 140 seats, with 174 seats including EWS, Women and SSSJKL categories. Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the seat distribution across categories and programmes.
Branch | Approved Intake | EWS | Women | SSSJKL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospace Engineering | 50 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 63 |
Electronics and Communication Engineering (Avionics) | 50 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 63 |
Dual Degree (BTech in Engineering Physics + MTech/Master of Science) | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 24 |
Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science) | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 24 |
Total | 140 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 174 |
Conclusion
IIST offers a specialised academic environment for students interested in space science, technology, engineering and research. With its structured academic pathways, merit-based admission process and opportunities for advanced study, the institute provides students with options suited to different stages of their academic journey. Understanding the admission requirements, available opportunities, financial considerations and other important details can help aspirants make informed decisions and plan their journey.
