The UG (Bachelor of Science (Research)) Program admissions for international students has been approved by academic senate of IISc in January 2019. The details of the UG program can be found here. Frequently asked question about UG program can be accessed here. The candidates might be eligible for scholarship as per the institute norms and fees will be similar to general candidates (details about fees can be found here).
► Eligibility:
- All International Candidates who are foreign Nationals holding a foreign passport, are eligible to apply. OCI/PIO candidates are divided into three categories:
- OCI/PIO (I): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 and choose to be treated at par with Indian nationals will be considered under the unreserved (open) category.
- OCI/PIO (F): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 but choose to apply as foreign nationals will also be considered under the foreign national category.
- OCI/PIO (F): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card after 04.03.2021 will be considered as foreign nationals and can only apply for foreign national supernumerary seats.
2. The candidates should have appeared for the class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2023,2024 or 2025, where Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are compulsory subjects in the first appearance. In addition, they must satisfy at least one of the following;
Must be within the category-wise top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective Class XII (or equivalent) board examination.
The marks scored in the following five subjects will be considered for calculating the aggregate and cut-off marks for fulfilling the top 20 percentile criterion.
i. Physics
ii. Chemistry
iii. Mathematics
iv. A language (if the candidate has taken more than one language, then
the language with the higher marks will be considered)
v. Any subject other than the above four (the subject with the highest marks will be considered).
► Selection:
Shortlisting of the OCI/PIO (I) candidates desirous of applying to the Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme must take at least one of the below national examinations:
1. JEE Advanced -2025
2. IISER Aptitude test 2025
Note: Candidate must be qualified in any one of the exams mentioned above, and the exam result must be valid as on 01 August 2025.
For International and OCI/PIO (F) candidatesmust take at least one of the below examinations:
- SAT – 2025
- ACT – 2025
► Procedure for Applying:
- Application Form (available only online): The online application may be prepared and submitted by accessing the link below: https://admissions.iisc.ac.in/international/web/SelectUGPG.aspx h from 01 May 2025 to 06 June 2025. There is no application fees.
- You are required to have the following scanned/digital copies for completing the application form
- Scanned copy of Passport size Photograph (size less than 2 MB in an image format)
- Clear Scanned copy of photograph page of passport with details like passport number and nationality clearly spelled out (PDF or image), size less than 10 MB.
- OCI card clearly mentioning the acquiring date, if applicable
- You will also require the details of entrance exam (as given in above section) either appeared or appearing.
- The Instructions guide to fill the online application can be accessed here.
► List of Selected BSc. Research students 2024
List of offered students 2024_UG.xlsx
For any queries, refer to the FAQ below or please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in
► FAQ’s: UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
1. What are the eligibility requirements for admission into the Bachelor of Science’ Program at IISc?
Please refer to the Eligibility section above
2. What are the major disciplines offered?
Six major disciplines are being offered: (1) Biology (2) Chemistry (3) Earth & Environmental Science (4) Materials (5) Mathematics (6) Physics. The major discipline chosen will appear in the degree certificate of each graduate.
3. What are the unique features of this Bachelor of Science (Research) Program ?
The uniqueness of this programme lies in its interdisciplinary approach, strong flavour of engineering, exposure to disciplines in the social sciences, and a one-year research project. The graduates of this programme will obtain a Bachelor of Science (Research) degree in a specialization. Though this programme is designed to offer specialization in a science stream, the knowledge imparted carries a strong flavour of engineering and an exposure to social sciences. The students specializing in a particular discipline are encouraged to take courses from other disciplines, thus maintaining strong interdisciplinary links. One full year of participation in a research project identifies the programme as unique and innovative. This research based interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme is well suited to meet the present vocational and post graduate demands of a highly technological world.
The Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme is embedded in a mature and highly sophisticated research culture which has a strong base in both science and engineering. This research culture has evolved over the last hundred years, engendered primarily by a highly distinguished faculty and brilliant graduate students and post doctoral fellows. The academic environment is open, free, pedagogic and non-hierarchical.
4. How are the students selected for Bachelor of Science (Research) Program?
The selection will be based on the performance of the applied candidates in any one of the national examinations listed above followed by personal interviews.
5. Which subject groups are mandatory at the II PUC/12th STD level for admission to the UG program at IISc?
The Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme is open to students of PUC/12th standard whose main subjects include Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (all three). Students who have studied Biology, Economics, Electronics, Computer Science, Statistics, etc., should also have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
6. What are the different modes of applying to the programme?
Candidates must apply on-line. Online application may be prepared and submitted by accessing IISc-OIR website: http://oir.iisc.ac.in . Please refer to the Instruction manual for Application at this document.
7. Is SAT/ACT a qualifying exam for the entrance into undergraduate program for International students.
Yes, International OCI/PIO (F) students looking forward to apply for the Bachelor of Science (Research) Program can take SAT/ACT exam. The exam result must be valid 01 August 2025.
8. What is the cut-off score for SAT/ACT to get the admissions in UG Program at IISc?
There is no set cut offs. The cut off scores for various qualifying exam, at IISc varies every year depending upon various factors like availability of seats, reserve categories, number of candidates applied, etc.
The cut off lists are made available online (generally released after all qualifying exams declare their result) on IISc website.
9. What are the types of SAT exam one has to take up to qualify for the UG admissions?
Both SAT and SAT Subject Test scores are required for application; the essay part of SAT is not required.
10. Is there an application fee for applying?
There is no application fee for International Students.
11. Is there an NRI quota?
No, there is no NRI quota for admissions at IISc. For OCI card holder, kindly refer to the eligibility section.
12. Are OCI candidates considered as International students?
OCI/PIO candidates are divided into three categories:
- OCI/PIO (I): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 and choose to be treated at par with Indian nationals will be considered under the unreserved (open) category.
- OCI/PIO (F): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card before 04.03.2021 but choose to apply as foreign nationals will also be considered under the foreign national category.
- OCI/PIO (F): Candidates who obtained their OCI/PIO card after 04.03.2021 will be considered as foreign nationals and can only apply for foreign national supernumerary seats.
13. What are the admission Criteria for OCI/PIO (F) candidates ?
OCI/PIO (F) candidates are treated as foreign nationals and must meet the eligibility criteria for foreign applicants. They can apply only for foreign national supernumerary seats through the international student admission portal.
14. What are the admission Criteria for OCI/PIO (I) candidates ?
OCI/PIO (I) candidates are treated at par with Indian nationals. They must meet the eligibility criteria for Indian students and apply through the regular admission portal (for Indian applicants). However, they will be considered only under unreserved (open) category seats and are not eligible for reservations under EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, or ST categories.
15. Can an OCI/PIO candidate who obtained their OCI/PIO candidates’ cards before 04.03.2021 apply in both categories OCI/PIO (F) and OCI/PIO(I)?
No. OCI/PIO candidates who have obtained their OCI/PIO cards before 04.03.2021 have the option to apply EITHER as (a) foreign nationals OR (b) at par with Indian nationals. Candidates need to exercise this option carefully. In the event it is discovered that an OCI/PIO candidate has also applied as OCI/PIO (F) and OCI/PIO(I), then such cases shall be treated as a use of unfair means, and the
candidature shall be summarily cancelled.
16. How should OCI/PIO Card candidates apply?
OCI/PIO (F) candidates (foreign nationals) must apply through the international student admission portal.
OCI/PIO (I) candidates (treated as Indian nationals) must apply through the regular admission portal for Indian students.
17. I am having technical difficulties in filling up the application form, whom should I contact?
Please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in
18. I do not qualify for the International category, how do I contact the regular IISc admission cell?
You may contact the Dean, Undergraduate programme (office.ugdean@iisc.ac.in) or the Assistant Registrar (UG) here.
19. Is there any new exam IISC is planning as a replacement of KVPY?
Ans: KVPY Aptitude test will not be conducted from the year 2022 onwards and currently, we do not have any information on the replacement of KVPY exam.
20. As SAT subject examinations have been permanently discontinued from the College Board, which score will be valid to take admission?
Ans: In this case of SAT exam, the general exam scores will be considered.
21. Do you accept admission in BSc (Research) from ICCR Scholarship portal?
Ans: For now, we do not have UG program admissions through ICCR. It may be available in future years, which we will update here.
22. What is the number of seats available for BSc. Research Program for OCI/International Students?
Ans: Total no. of seats for international students (including OCI/PIO (F) card holders in B.Sc Research program is 5 as of now.
23. What are the different opportunities available to the graduate of the
BSc. Research Program ?
Academic Opportunities: The Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme graduates with their solid foundation and multidisciplinary training can either embark on a career of their choice or pursue advanced degrees such as PhD in their chosen discipline and allied interdisciplinary areas anywhere in the world. The extensive course curriculum, in conjunction with a strong laboratory module and exposure to modern instrumentation and research, will prove to be of immense value to students in either pursuit. The opportunity to engage in an intense two-semester research project in an inspiring environment will enable students to make intelligent career choices, especially pertaining to research.
Industry Opportunities: To meet the growing demand for a broad-based human resource pool with strong analytical skills, personnel who are competent enough to specialize quickly in specific fields of expertise are envisaged. Given this emerging industrial scenario, graduates of the Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme with their multidisciplinary training will be ideally suited for recruitment by modern industry.