The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have officially released the comprehensive counselling schedule for admissions to their prestigious Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Science-Master of Science (BS-MS) dual degree programs for the 2026 academic year. This critical announcement confirms that the first round of admissions is slated to begin on July 24, a pivotal date for thousands of aspiring science students across India who have qualified through the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).

The release of the schedule follows the successful completion of the IISER Aptitude Test and the subsequent declaration of results. The detailed timetable is essential for all candidates who have met the eligibility criteria for counselling and are now preparing to secure a seat at one of the seven IISER campuses: Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati. These institutions are renowned for their integrated approach to science education and research, fostering interdisciplinary learning.

The counselling process is a centralized, merit-based system designed to allocate seats based on IAT ranks, candidate preferences for specific programs and institutes, and overall seat availability. It represents the final stage for candidates seeking admission into IISERs' diverse range of scientific disciplines, which include physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and earth sciences.

The newly published schedule delineates various stages of the counselling and admission process. Candidates are strongly advised to meticulously review the complete schedule available on the official IISER admissions portal to ensure adherence to all deadlines and procedural requirements.

Key details and phases outlined in the IISER 2026 counselling schedule include:

  • Online Application and Preference Submission: The window for eligible candidates to submit their program and institute preferences via the online portal has concluded, preceding the release of the seat allocation lists.
  • Round 1 Seat Allocation: The first list detailing allocated seats is scheduled to be released on July 24, officially initiating the admission process.
  • Acceptance and Fee Payment (Round 1): Candidates who are allocated a seat in Round 1 will have a specific timeframe, typically extending for several days from the allocation date (e.g., July 24 to July 27), to accept their offer and complete the online payment of the admission fee. This step is crucial for confirming their provisional admission.
  • Withdrawal Option (Round 1): The schedule also includes provisions for candidates to withdraw their acceptance if they choose, often with a partial refund, with a specified deadline, usually towards the end of July.
  • Subsequent Counselling Rounds: The schedule systematically outlines the dates for subsequent rounds of counselling, including Round 2 and Round 3, and potentially additional spot rounds. Each subsequent round will feature its own seat allocation, acceptance, and payment deadlines, typically occurring at regular intervals, such as weekly, with Round 2 allocations expected around late July or early August (e.g., July 31), and Round 3 around mid-August (e.g., August 7).
  • Document Verification: Physical verification of original academic and identity documents will take place at the respective allotted IISER campus either during the final admission process or upon commencement of the academic session, as per institutional guidelines.

Prospective students must remain vigilant and consistently monitor the official IISER admissions website for any further announcements, clarifications, or potential revisions to the schedule. Strict adherence to all stipulated deadlines is paramount to ensure a seamless admission process for the 2026 academic intake and the timely commencement of the academic session.