The Bachelor of Science (Research) programme at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a unique four-year undergraduate programme designed for students with a strong curiosity for science and discovery. It combines rigorous training in fundamental sciences with early and sustained exposure to research in a world-class academic environment.
Students receive a broad foundation in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, and Humanities during the first three semesters, followed by specialization in one of five Major disciplines—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Earth & Environmental Science. Interdisciplinary learning is a core strength of the programme, with students encouraged to take courses across disciplines
The details of the UG program can be found here. Frequently asked question about UG program can be accessed here. Student Handbook can be accessed 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.examination (i.e., 10+2 or equivalent)
2. Candidates who have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination in 2024,2025 OR those who are expecting to complete their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination in 2026.
Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the respective national entrance exam conducted in the year of admission
The candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects in their qualifying exam along with any other subjects.
The candidates must have secured a first- class or 60% or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2 or equivalent)
Note: The marksheet submitted by the candidates for their Class XII (or equivalent) examination must be issued by a single examination Board
► Selection:
A. Indian Nationals / OCI/PIO (I) Candidates
Admission shall be based on merit in any one of the following national-level examinations, as applicable to the programme:
1. JEE Advanced 2026
2. IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026
Note: The exam result must be valid as on 01 August 2026.
B. Foreign National / OCI (F) Candidates
Admission of Foreign National / OCI (F) candidates shall be through the following modes, subject to the conditions specified below:
Mode 1: SAT / ACT
1. SAT (2025 or 2026)
2. ACT (2025 or 2026)
Candidates shall be shortlisted based on SAT/ACT scores, and the final selection shall be made on the basis of performance in an interview.
Mode 2: IAT / JEE (Advanced)
3. IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026
4. JEE (Advanced) 2026
For admission through IAT or JEE (Advanced), selection shall be based on the respective ranks obtained by the candidates. The cutoff rank for Foreign National / OCI (F) candidates shall be the same as or better than the cutoff prescribed for General (GN) / Unreserved (UR) category candidates in the corresponding mode of entry.
Tentative date of opening and closing of admissions portal:
Opening of the Admissions portal: To be decided based on the MoE exams application closing date
Closing of the Admissions portal: To be decided based on the MoE exam result declaration dates
► 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/ 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.
► List of Selected BSc. Research students for AY 2025-26
List of Selected UG Students AY 2025-26.xlsx
For any queries, refer to the FAQ below or please contact: admission.oir@iisc.ac.in
► Fee Structure
Click here to know the Fee structure for the Foreign National / OCI (F) candidates. Please follow the General Category Fees.
► Student’s Council
The Students’ Council of IISc consists of elected representatives (from the students) who promote and protect the interest of the students at the Institute. Please find their details here.
► 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?
Five Major disciplines—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Earth & Environmental Science. 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 interview for Mode 1.
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 can be submitted at https://admissions.iisc.ac.in/
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 as Mode 1. The exam result must be valid by 01 August 2026.
8. What is the Previous year cut-off score for SAT/ACT to get the admissions in BSc. Research Program at IISc?
AY 2023-24: 650 as the minimum cutoff for both Evidence-Based Reading and writing and mathematics for the SAT Exam while for ACT minimum score was 8.
AY 2024-25 was : 600 as the minimum cutoff for Evidence-Based Reading and 650 as the minimum cutoff for writing and mathematics for the SAT Exam while for ACT minimum score was 8.
AY 2025-26: SAT minimum cut off (1470) or above and ACT is 31.
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 Evidence-Based Reading and writing and mathematics scores for the SAT Exam are required. However 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 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. 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. 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. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. What is the scholarship offerd for the B.Sc. Research Program.
Explore here for more information on Fellowships.
24. While applying on Admission portal, what informations needs to be provided in MoE tab if the result for JEE-ADV and IAT is not declared.
When the result for the examination through which candidate is applying is not declared. Follow the steps given below:
1. Select national entrance exam from drop down through which you want to apply. 2. Choose option as “ No” for the question” Examination result declared ? 3. click on save Button. 4. Repeat same steps for other national entrance exams also.
Note: Applicant are required to provide information related to national entrance exam like Applicantion no/Roll no(as per the instruction given at admission portal), Rank, uploading of result card within three days after declaration of result, by using the option of Update National Entrance Exam Result tab provided at applicant interface.