Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram is a full-time doctoral programme offered by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years (extendable up to 6 years), with research areas currently focused on Sociology and Social Work. IIST, a Deemed University under the Department of Space, Government of India, offers a highly competitive research environment with interdisciplinary collaboration across space science and technology domains. The total fee for the first semester (including hostel and mess) is Rs. 42,200, and from the second semester onwards it is Rs. 35,700 per semester. Admissions are conducted twice a year for January and July sessions, with selection through a national eligibility test (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/JEST) or an IIST screening test followed by an interview. The programme is popular among researchers interested in the social dimensions of space science, technology policy, and science-society interface.

Admission for the July 2026 session is expected to open tentatively in April 2026, based on the previous year's schedule (April 2025 for July 2025 session). The January 2026 session admission process has been completed with classes beginning on January 5, 2026. Candidates are advised to monitor the official IIST admissions portal (https://admission.iist.ac.in) for the July 2026 notification.

Key Points

IIST is a Deemed University under the Department of Space, Government of India, offering a unique research environment at the intersection of space science and humanities.
Ph.D. scholars receive a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) of Rs. 37,000 per month, enhanced to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) of Rs. 42,000 per month after 2 years.
The fellowship is available for up to 5 years, covering the entire normal duration of the programme.
Hostel accommodation is provided on campus subject to availability; HRA is provided to those staying off-campus.
Travel grants are available for attending national and international conferences after completion of coursework.
A book grant of Rs. 5,000 per year (up to Rs. 25,000 over 5 years) is provided to full-time scholars.
Outstation candidates are reimbursed sleeper class train/bus fare for attending the screening test and interview.
The institute admits PhD scholars twice a year (January and July sessions).
Research areas in Humanities and Social Sciences currently include Sociology and Social Work.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

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. (Humanities and Social Science) Fees

IIST charges a nominal fee for its Ph.D. programme, given that most scholars receive a monthly fellowship that effectively offsets the cost. The one-time admission fee is Rs. 1,500 (non-refundable) and a refundable caution deposit of Rs. 5,000 is collected at the time of joining. The per-semester academic fee (tuition + other charges) is Rs. 7,450, while hostel charges per semester are Rs. 10,250. SC/ST/PwD students are exempted from paying tuition fees of Rs. 2,500 per semester.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	2,500
Computer Fee (per semester)	750
Internet Fee (per semester)	250
Library Fee (per semester)	1,000
Examination Fee (per semester)	500
Registration and Enrollment Fee (per semester)	200
Sports Facilitation Fee (per semester)	250
Medical and Insurance Fee (per semester)	2,000
Total Semester Academic Fee (A)	7,450
Hostel Establishment Charges (per semester)	5,000
Hostel Rent (per semester)	4,500
Electricity and Water Charges (per semester)	750
Mess Advance (6 months)	18,000
Total Hostel + Mess Fee (per semester)	28,250
Admission Fee - One Time (Non-Refundable)	1,500
Caution Deposit - One Time (Refundable)	5,000
Total One-Time Fee (B)	6,500
Total Fees - 1st Semester (A + Hostel + B)	42,200
Total Fees - 2nd Semester Onwards	35,700

SC/ST/PwD students are exempted from Tuition Fee of Rs. 2,500 per semester.
Caution Deposit of Rs. 5,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the institute.
Admission Fee of Rs. 1,500 is non-refundable.
A Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs. 4,950 must be paid upon confirmation of seat.
Mess bill is approximately Rs. 3,000 per month; advance of 6 months (Rs. 18,000) is collected after physical reporting.
Additional fees: Supplementary Exam Fee - Rs. 100 per paper; PhD Re-registration Fee - Rs. 1,500; Thesis Submission Fee - Rs. 1,000; Convocation Fee - Rs. 2,000; Alumni Registration Fee - Rs. 500.
Convocation and Alumni Registration fees are collected with the final semester fee.
Hostel accommodation is subject to availability; HRA is provided to those staying off-campus.
Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the institute.
Fee refund policy: 90% refund if withdrawal is 15 days before last date of admission; 80% within 15 days after; 50% between 15-30 days after; 0% beyond 30 days.

IIST Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) Admission 2026

IIST conducts Ph.D. admissions twice a year for January and July sessions. Candidates with a valid national eligibility test score (UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/JEST) are directly called for an interview, while others must clear an IIST screening test before the interview. The January 2026 session has been completed; the next upcoming session is July 2026, for which applications are expected to open in April 2026 (tentative), based on the April 2025 schedule for the July 2025 session.

IIST PhD Admission Dates

Sl. No.	Event	Tentative Date (July 2026 Session)
1	Opening of IIST website for online applications	April 2026 (Tentative)
2	Closing of IIST website for online applications	May 2026 (Tentative)
3	Display of shortlisted candidates	May 2026 (Tentative)
4	Screening Test (IIST Campus, Valiamala)	June 2026 (Tentative)
5	Interview Dates (IIST Campus, Valiamala)	June 2026 (Tentative)
6	Display of provisionally selected candidates	July 2026 (Tentative)
7	Fee payment / Seat Acceptance	July 2026 (Tentative)
8	Reporting date at the Institution	July 2026 (Tentative)
9	Classes begin for Ph.D. Programme	July/August 2026 (Tentative)
10	Last date of Admission	August 2026 (Tentative)

Mandatory Exam Dates

Exam	Registration Dates	Exam Dates	Result Date
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Oct 7 - Nov 7, 2025	Dec 31, 2025 - Jan 7, 2026	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Apr 1 - May 1, 2026 (Tentative)	June 2026 (Tentative)	July 2026 (Tentative)
CSIR-NET	May 1 - May 21, 2026 (Tentative)	July 25-27, 2026 (Tentative)	September 2026 (Tentative)

Note: GATE and JEST scores are also accepted for eligible candidates. Candidates with a valid fellowship from CSIR/UGC/DST/NBHM/State Government Science and Technology Schemes are eligible to apply under the External Fellowship category.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Humanities/Social Sciences/Management or a 4-year Bachelor's degree in the relevant area with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for OBC/EWS/SC/ST/PwD).
Candidates must have qualified a national eligibility test such as UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/JEST in the relevant discipline, or must clear the IIST Screening Test.
Applicants must be Indian citizens and below 35 years of age as on the last date of application (age relaxation applicable as per Government of India norms).

Admission Process

Applications are submitted online only through https://admission.iist.ac.in.
Application fee: Rs. 700 for General/EWS/OBC candidates; Rs. 350 for SC/ST/PwD and Women candidates (non-refundable).
Candidates with valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/JEST scores are shortlisted for Direct Interview.
Candidates without a valid national test score appear for a 1-hour objective-type Screening Test at IIST campus, followed by an interview.
Final selection is based on interview performance; UR candidates must score 60% or above, SC/ST/PwD/OBC/EWS candidates must score 55% or above.
Provisionally selected candidates must pay the Seat Acceptance Fee of Rs. 4,950 and report to the institute on the specified date.
Candidates employed in Government/Semi-Government/PSUs must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of interview.
Outstation candidates are reimbursed sleeper class train/bus fare for attending the screening test and/or interview.

IIST Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) Scholarships 2026

IIST provides generous financial support to its Ph.D. scholars through institute fellowships and external fellowships. All full-time Ph.D. scholars admitted under the IIST Fellowship category receive a monthly stipend that covers their living expenses, making the programme financially accessible. External fellowship holders from agencies like CSIR, UGC, DST, and NBHM continue to receive their respective fellowships as per the norms of the funding agency.

Fellowship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Duration	Eligibility
IIST Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Rs. 37,000 per month	Up to 2 years (initial)	All full-time IIST-funded PhD scholars
IIST Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)	Rs. 42,000 per month	Up to 3 additional years (after JRF review)	JRF scholars who clear the comprehensive exam and performance review after 2 years
UGC-NET JRF Fellowship	As per UGC norms	As per UGC norms	Candidates with valid UGC-NET JRF score
CSIR-NET JRF Fellowship	As per CSIR norms	As per CSIR norms	Candidates with valid CSIR-NET JRF score
DST/NBHM/State Govt. Fellowships	As per respective agency norms	As per respective agency norms	Candidates with valid fellowship from respective agencies
Book Grant	Rs. 5,000 per year (max Rs. 25,000 over 5 years)	Up to 5 years	All full-time IIST-funded PhD scholars
Travel Grant (National Conferences)	Actual fare (sleeper class) + registration + accommodation as per IIST norms	After completion of coursework	Full-time IIST-funded PhD scholars
Travel Grant (International Conferences)	Registration + travel + living expenses (merit-based)	After comprehensive exam	Full-time IIST-funded PhD scholars

IIST fellowship is available for a maximum of 5 years (inclusive of coursework period).
Scholars receiving external fellowships (CSIR/UGC/DST etc.) draw their fellowship from the respective agency; IIST does not supplement it.
If an external fellowship is discontinued by the funding agency for any reason, IIST will not bear the fellowship.
HRA is provided to scholars who opt to stay off-campus, as per institute/funding agency rules.
Fellowship enhancement from JRF to SRF is based on a performance review by the Doctoral Committee with an external expert after 2 years.

IIST Ph.D. (Humanities and Social Science) FAQs

Ques. Does IIST offer PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences for candidates from non-science backgrounds?

Ans. Yes, IIST accepts candidates with a Master's degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Management for its PhD programme in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. The current research area is Sociology/Social Work. Candidates must have a valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE score or must clear the IIST Screening Test. A background in science is not mandatory for this department.

Ques. What is the research focus of the Humanities and Social Sciences department at IIST?

Ans. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIST currently focuses on Sociology and Social Work as its primary research area for PhD admissions. Given IIST's unique positioning as a space science institution, research in this department often intersects with themes such as science-society interface, technology policy, and the social dimensions of space exploration and technology development.

Ques. Is the IIST PhD fellowship sufficient to cover living expenses in Thiruvananthapuram?

Ans. The JRF fellowship of Rs. 37,000 per month (enhanced to Rs. 42,000 as SRF) is generally considered adequate for living in Thiruvananthapuram, which has a relatively moderate cost of living compared to metro cities. On-campus hostel accommodation is provided (subject to availability), which significantly reduces living costs. The total hostel and mess charges are approximately Rs. 28,250 per semester, which is deducted from the fellowship.

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences at IIST?

Ans. IIST typically offers a limited number of seats (approximately 1-2 per session) in the Humanities and Social Sciences department, as the intake is determined by faculty availability and research funding. The exact number of seats for each session is announced in the official admission notification. Candidates are advised to check the official IIST admission portal for the latest seat matrix.

Ques. Can working professionals apply for the IIST PhD programme in Humanities and Social Sciences?

Ans. Yes, IIST offers a Part-Time PhD programme for employees of IIST, ISRO/DoS centres, and industry partners (through MoU). However, the regular full-time PhD programme requires candidates to be present on campus. Working professionals from Government/Semi-Government/PSUs applying for the full-time programme must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer at the time of the interview.

Ques. What happens if I do not have a valid UGC-NET or CSIR-NET score? Can I still apply for IIST PhD?

Ans. Yes, candidates without a valid national eligibility test score can still apply for the IIST PhD programme. They will be required to appear for a 1-hour objective-type Screening Test conducted at the IIST campus, followed by an interview. The final selection is based on interview performance. However, having a valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/NBHM/JEST score exempts candidates from the screening test and directly qualifies them for the interview stage.

IIST Trivandrum Ph.D Humanities And Social Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents