Content Curator | Updated on - Jun 24, 2026

The Ph.D. in Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram is a full-time, campus-based doctoral programme offered under the Department of Chemistry. The programme typically spans 3 to 5 years and focuses on materials science and chemistry research aligned with space technology and societal needs. Research areas include High Temperature Materials, Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites, Electrochemical Energy Storage, Organic Functional Materials, Materials for Sustainable Applications, Chemical and Electrochemical Sensors, and Space Biology (Bioastronautics). The department currently has 54 active research scholars and is supported by IIST and ISRO-funded collaborative projects. The first semester fee is approximately Rs. 24,200, with subsequent semesters at Rs. 17,700; scholars receive a JRF of Rs. 37,000 per month (enhanced to Rs. 42,000 as SRF after two years). Admission is based on CSIR/UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences), GATE (Chemistry/Materials Science), or NBHM, followed by a screening test and/or interview at the IIST campus.

As of April 2026, the January 2026 batch has already commenced. The next admission cycle is expected to be for the July 2026 session. Based on the July 2025 cycle, the application window is expected to open around April 2026, with a closing date around early May 2026. Screening tests and interviews are typically held in June, with classes beginning in late July 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IIST admission portal at https://admission.iist.ac.in for the July 2026 notification.

Key Points

The Department of Chemistry at IIST has 54 active research scholars and is one of the most active research departments, with strong ties to ISRO for materials and space biology research.
Research areas are uniquely aligned with space programme requirements, including high-temperature materials for spacecraft, bioastronautics, and electrochemical energy storage for space applications.
Ph.D. scholars are funded through IIST fellowships, external fellowships (CSIR, UGC, DST), or project-funded positions under ISRO-sponsored research.
The department offers an M.Tech. in Materials Science and Technology, and Ph.D. scholars benefit from shared infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Travel grants are provided to scholars to attend national and international conferences.
Hostel accommodation is available on campus (subject to availability), with HRA provided to scholars staying outside campus.

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IIST Trivandrum Latest Updates & News

15 May, 2026 IIST Trivandrum PhD Fee Structure 2026 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 54,800 .

IIST Ph.D. Chemistry Fees

The Ph.D. Chemistry programme at IIST is financially accessible, with scholars receiving a monthly fellowship that more than covers the semester fee outgo. The tuition fee per semester is Rs. 2,500 (waived for SC/ST/PwD students), while other fees per semester amount to Rs. 4,950. A one-time admission fee of Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable) and a caution deposit of Rs. 5,000 (refundable) are charged at the time of joining. Hostel fees are Rs. 10,250 per semester. The first semester total (including one-time charges) is Rs. 24,200, and from the second semester onwards, the per-semester cost is Rs. 17,700.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	2,500*
Other Fees (per semester)	4,950
Total Semester Fee (A)	7,450
Hostel Fee (per semester)	10,250
Admission Fee (One-time, Non-Refundable)	1,500
Caution Deposit (One-time, Refundable)	5,000
Total One-time Charges (B)	16,750**
Grand Total - 1st Semester (A+B)	24,200
2nd Semester Onwards (A + Hostel)	17,700

SC/ST/PwD students are exempted from payment of Tuition Fees.
Caution Deposit of Rs. 5,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the institute.
A Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs. 4,950 must be remitted upon confirmation of seat within the stipulated time.
Mess/canteen charges of approximately Rs. 3,000 per month are collected separately by the Canteen office (6 months advance at the time of physical reporting).
Fees are liable to change at the discretion of the institute.
Additional fees: Supplementary Examination - Rs. 100 per paper; PhD Re-registration - Rs. 1,500; Thesis Submission - Rs. 1,000; Convocation - Rs. 2,000; Alumni Registration - Rs. 500.
Application fee: Rs. 700 for General/EWS/OBC candidates; Rs. 350 for SC/ST/PwD and Women applicants (non-refundable).
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory but is available on campus subject to availability. HRA is provided to scholars staying outside campus.

IIST Ph.D. Chemistry Admission 2026

IIST conducts Ph.D. admissions twice a year for January and July sessions through an open advertisement. For Chemistry, candidates are shortlisted based on CSIR/UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences), GATE (Chemistry/Materials Science/related disciplines), or NBHM scores for direct interview, or through a written screening test followed by an interview for others. The January 2026 batch admission process has been completed. The next cycle (July 2026) is expected to follow a similar timeline to July 2025, with applications opening around April 2026.

IIST Ph.D. Chemistry Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (July 2026)
Opening of online application portal	April 2026 (1st week)
Closing of online application portal	Early May 2026
Display of shortlisted candidates	Mid-May 2026
Screening Test (IIST Campus, Valiamala)	Mid-June 2026
Interview Dates (IIST Campus, Valiamala)	3rd week of June 2026
Display of provisionally selected candidates	Early July 2026
Fee payment / Seat acceptance	Early July 2026
Reporting date at the institution	Late July 2026
Classes begin	Late July 2026
Last date of admission	Mid-August 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
GATE 2026 (Chemistry - CY)	Registration Start	August 28, 2025
GATE 2026 (Chemistry - CY)	Registration End	October 13, 2025
GATE 2026 (Chemistry - CY)	Admit Card	January 13, 2026
GATE 2026 (Chemistry - CY)	Exam Date	February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026
GATE 2026 (Chemistry - CY)	Result	March 19, 2026
CSIR-NET (Chemical Sciences)	Registration Start	May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET (Chemical Sciences)	Registration End	May 21, 2026 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET (Chemical Sciences)	Admit Card	July 1, 2026 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET (Chemical Sciences)	Exam Date	July 25-27, 2026 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET (Chemical Sciences)	Result	September 4, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences) - Phase 2	Registration Start	April 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences) - Phase 2	Exam Date	June 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Sc./BS-MS in Chemistry (all branches) or equivalent, or M.Sc. in Materials Science, or M.Tech. in Materials Science/Nanoscience and Technology/Polymer Technology, with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for OBC/EWS/SC/ST/PwD). B.Tech./BS in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, or Chemical Engineering (4-year) with 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are also eligible.
Candidates must have qualified a national eligibility test: CSIR/UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences), GATE (Chemistry/Materials Science/related), or NBHM; the score/certificate must be valid at the time of application.
Applicants must be Indian citizens and below 35 years of age (age relaxation applicable as per Government rules).

Admission Process

Apply online at https://admission.iist.ac.in within the application window.
Upload relevant certificates (category, fellowship, qualifying degree, etc.) as required.
Shortlisted candidates (based on NET/GATE scores) are called for Direct Interview; others appear for a 1-hour Screening Test (objective type) followed by an Interview.
Candidates qualifying the screening test are called for the interview; final selection is based on interview performance (minimum 60% for UR; 55% for SC/ST/PwD/OBC/EWS).
Provisionally selected candidates must pay the Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs. 4,950 within the stipulated time to confirm admission.
Out-station candidates are reimbursed to-and-fro sleeper class train/bus fare for attending the screening test and/or interview.

IIST Ph.D. Chemistry Scholarships 2026

IIST provides generous financial support to Ph.D. scholars in Chemistry, making the programme financially self-sustaining for most students. All institute-funded scholars receive a monthly fellowship that covers living expenses, and additional support is available through external government funding agencies such as CSIR, UGC, and DST. The fellowship structure is aligned with national standards.

Fellowship Structure

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Duration	Eligibility
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) - IIST	Rs. 37,000 per month	Up to 2 years	All IIST-funded Ph.D. scholars
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) - IIST	Rs. 42,000 per month	Up to 3 additional years (max 5 years total)	After successful performance review at 2 years
CSIR-JRF / UGC-JRF	As per agency norms (Rs. 37,000/month)	As per agency rules	Scholars with valid CSIR/UGC-NET-JRF award
DST / State Govt. Science & Technology Scheme	As per agency norms	As per agency rules	Scholars with valid fellowship from respective agency
HRA (House Rent Allowance)	As per institute norms	Duration of programme	Scholars staying outside campus (hostel not availed)

Scholars receiving fellowship from external agencies (CSIR, UGC, DST, State Govt.) draw their fellowship directly from those organizations; IIST does not bear the fellowship in such cases.
If an external fellowship is discontinued by the funding agency for any reason, IIST will not bear the fellowship amount.
Travel grants are available for scholars to attend national and international conferences.
No separate scholarship application is required for IIST fellowship; it is automatically awarded upon admission to the institute-funded programme.

IIST Ph.D. Chemistry FAQs

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. Chemistry at IIST, and how are they connected to the space programme?

Ans. The Department of Chemistry at IIST offers research in High Temperature Materials (for spacecraft thermal protection), Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites, Electrochemical Energy Storage (for space power systems), Organic Functional Materials, Materials for Sustainable Applications, Chemical and Electrochemical Sensors, and Space Biology (Bioastronautics). These areas are directly aligned with ISRO's requirements, and faculty members collaborate with ISRO scientists on funded projects, giving scholars unique access to space-grade research problems.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. Chemistry at IIST with a B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering or Materials Science?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with a B.Tech./BS (4-year) in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines with 75% marks (70% for reserved categories) are eligible, provided they have a valid GATE score in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline, or have qualified CSIR/UGC-NET in Chemical Sciences.

Ques. Is GATE mandatory for Ph.D. Chemistry at IIST, or can I apply with only CSIR-NET?

Ans. GATE is not mandatory. Candidates with a valid CSIR/UGC-NET (Chemical Sciences) score are eligible for Direct Interview without appearing for GATE. Candidates without any national eligibility test score can also apply and appear for IIST's own Screening Test followed by an Interview.

Ques. How many research scholars are currently enrolled in Ph.D. Chemistry at IIST?

Ans. As per the official IIST website, the Department of Chemistry currently has 54 active research scholars. The number of new seats per admission cycle varies based on faculty availability and project funding, and is announced in the official notification for each session.

Ques. What is the fellowship amount for Ph.D. Chemistry scholars at IIST, and is it sufficient to cover living expenses in Thiruvananthapuram?

Ans. IIST-funded scholars receive a JRF of Rs. 37,000 per month, enhanced to Rs. 42,000 per month (SRF) after two years. Given that the total semester fee (including hostel) is approximately Rs. 17,700 per semester (about Rs. 3,000 per month), the fellowship is more than sufficient to cover fees and living expenses in Thiruvananthapuram, which is a relatively affordable city.

Ques. Does IIST Chemistry department have any industry or ISRO-funded projects that Ph.D. scholars can work on?

Ans. Yes. The Department of Chemistry at IIST actively collaborates with ISRO on high-priority research projects, particularly in areas such as high-temperature materials for spacecraft, energy storage for space applications, and bioastronautics. Ph.D. scholars working on externally funded (ISRO/DST) projects may be admitted under the External Project category and receive project-funded fellowships in addition to or instead of IIST fellowships.

IIST Trivandrum Ph.D Chemistry: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

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