Established in 2008, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) is an autonomous body under the Department of Space (DOS). The institute has been declared as Deemed to be University and has been ranked 30 for Engineering by NIRF 2019. The campus of IIST is located in Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram, offering a wide range of courses at UG, PG and doctoral level.

UG Courses

The admission to undergraduate courses is done through counselling which is based upon merit and is strictly governed by the reservation policy laid down by the Government.

• Candidates must register themselves online through the IIST website
• IIST generates an admission list once the registrations are over
• Only registered candidates are considered eligible for the admission list

• The selection for BTech and BTech Dual (BTech+MS/ MTech) programme is done based on candidates’ valid score in JEE Advanced and counseling round

PG Courses

• Candidates holding BTech degree in the relevant discipline along with a GATE score are eligible to apply for MTech and MS course
• The selection is based on the marks obtained in written test and interview

PhD Course

• Candidates, who have completed BTech/ BE/ ME/ MTech/ MS pass candidates in the relevant stream are eligible to apply for PhD course

• Selection is based on the scores of the candidates in the written test followed by the interview
• It is mandatory to have a valid score in UGC NET/ CSIR NET/ JEST (or) GATE

Here are some important dates around IIST admission:

IIST BTech is a full-time programme of four-year duration offered in two specialisations as well as a dual degree programme at UG level. BTech has an intake of total 60 seats and the eligibility criteria for admission for both the courses is mentioned below:

• Candidates from General category, must have 20 per cent on average and a minimum of 5 per cent in each of the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
• Candidates from OBC must have 18 per cent on average and a minimum of 4.5 per cent in each of the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST)
• Candidates with PD category must have 10 per cent on average and a minimum of 2.5 per cent in each of the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

IIST MTech is a full-time programme of two-year duration, offered in 14 specialisations. The selection is based on a written test and interview. For admission to any of the MTech specialisations, candidates must have a valid GATE score as well as they need to meet the below-mentioned criteria:

The MS programme of IIST has just one specialisation, for which the eligibility criteria is mentioned below:

To apply for PhD programme, a candidate should be below 35 years and must have a UG degree in the respective field with the first-class division. They also must have a valid score in UGC NET/ CSIR NET/ JEST (or) GATE.

The application process for PG courses generally begins in April every year. Candidates can apply through IIST’s official website which is www.iist.ac.in. The category-wise fee for IIST application is tabulated below:

The steps to apply online are mentioned below:

1. Visit the official website of IIST
2. Fill in the application form online
3. Pay the application/ registration fee online
4. Submit the form and take a print out
5. Do carry the hard copy of the application form at the time of PI and entrance exam

Here is the course-wise annual fee of IIST:

The institute provides financial assistance to the students from BTech and dual degree programmes funded by the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India. The assistantship covers expenses such as tuition fees, hostel & establishment charges and medical expenses.

Also, an additional book allowance of Rs 3,000 is provided per semester.

The assistantship to the students, who belong to SC, ST and PD categories, will be continued beyond the first semester only if they secure a minimum GPA of 6.5 (on a scale of 10) in every semester.

There are total 140 seats in BTech Dual Degree, Aerospace Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering with specialisation in Avionics. Here is a breakup around these seats:

The institute follows a reservation policy while allotting seats to its students. Here is a detailed break-up of the same:

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Check students’ reviews around IIST 

Q. What is the selection process or criteria for IIST UG admission?

A. For UG courses, candidates must register themselves online, through the IIST website. After the registration process, the institute generates an admission list. The selection for BTech and BTech Dual (BTech+MS/ MTech) programme is done based on candidates’ valid scores in JEE Advanced and counseling round.

Q. Which entrance exam is mandatory for admission to the PG courses?

A. Candidates with BTech degree along with a GATE score are eligible to apply for the PG courses such as MTech and MS.

Q. Does IIST offer a PhD course?

A. Yes, IIST does offer a PhD programme and candidates holding BTech/ BE/ ME/ MTech/ MS degree in the relevant stream are eligible to apply for PhD course.

Q. When will the application forms be available for BTech and BTech Dual Degree programme?

A. The application forms for BTech/ Dual Degree (BTech+MS/ MTech) shall be available from Jun 2021.

Q. How many seats are there for the BTech course in IIST?

A. At IIST, the BTech programme has an intake of total 60 seats and the specialisations include Aerospace Engineering and Avionics.

Q. How many specialisations are available under MTech programme of IIST?

A. IIST MTech, a full-time programme of two-year duration, is offered in total 14 specialisations. Candidates are selected based on performance in the written test and interview. It is mandatory for candidates to have a valid GATE score to be eligible to apply for MTech.

Q. Is the application fee different for male and female candidates?

A. Yes, it’s different. For both UG and PG courses, female candidates from the General and OBC category, need to pay Rs 300. While for male candidates the application fee is Rs 600.

Q. Is this mandatory to carry the application form during the PI and exam?

A. Do carry the hard copy of the application form at the time of Personal Interview (PI) and entrance exam.

Q. How many seats are reserved for students from SC and ST category?

A. The institute follows a reservation policy while allotting seats to its students. The seats reserved for SC and ST categories are 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent, respectively.

Q. Is there any age limit to apply for IIST’s PhD programme?

A. Yes. To apply for PhD programme, candidates must be below 35 years.

Q. Can a BSc pass out student apply for MS in Astronomy and Astrophysics?

A. Candidates planning for an admission to MS in Astronomy and Astrophysics must have a BTech or MSc degree/ any other degree holding an equivalent value in the relevant field.

• In 2017 IIST was ranked 28th among all engineering institutes, 35th among all universities and 56th overall among all institutions by MHRD in its second NIRF ranking
• IIST has a number of international collaborations, both as MOU at the level of institute and faculty-to-faculty collaboration such as collaboration with California Institute of Technology
• IIST has Advanced Space technology Development Cell (ASTDC) to develop advanced technologies required by the various centers in ISRO for their current and future projects
• The university organizes more then 15 national, international conferences, workshops and seminars in various areas of space science, space technology, culture and humanities
• Research oriented University that focuses on interdisciplinary & collaborative work within the various departments, across the various centres of ISRO & international academic & research organizations