IISER TVM awards admission to different PhD specializations dependent on the score of national-level placement tests. Applicants ready to look for affirmation need have a legitimate score in at any rate one of the National Eligibility Tests or Fellowships such as- CSIR-UGC-JRF/ DBT-JRF(Category-1)/ JGEEBILS/ ICMR JRF/ GATE.

Ph.D. is offered under the following schools of discipline- 

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Mathematics
• Physics

IISER Kerala Ph.D. Eligibility Criteria

• 7.5 CGPA in 10-point scale (or first class equivalent) or first class Master’s degree in relevant areas as declared by the respective University.
• The candidate must have qualified either of the following examinations: CSIR-UGC, UGC-NET-JRF and GATE with validity as of August 2020. Candidates with DST-INSPIRE fellowship or fellowship through any other national-level examinations as mentioned.

Note- BSMS Students from any of the IISERs with CGPA 8 or above on a 10 point scale are exempted from national level eligibility test

IISER Kerala Ph.D. Selection Criteria

National Level Eligibility Tests or Fellowships Acceptable for PhD Admission:

The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a written test/interview at IISER TVM. The final selection of the candidates will solely be based on the performance in the interview.

In the School of Biology, there will be two rounds of interviews. In case of a high turnout of candidates, an entrance exam will be conducted (based on Master’s-level Biology questions for 70% marks and 12th-level Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry questions for 30%) on the first day of interviews. be two rounds of interviews. In case of a high turnout of candidate

How to Apply for Ph.D. at IISER Kerala?

Applicants should complete the online application form at the official Ph.D. portal of IISER Kerala.

• Only applications complete in all respects would be considered. Do not forget to click the “Submit” button after completing your application.
• Applicants will also be prompted to upload all the supporting documents online.
• Applicants should provide Name/Affiliation/Contact number and Email addresses of two referees in the application form.
• Applicants belonging to GE/OBC and SC/ST/PH categories are required to make a payment of INR. 500/- and INR. 250/-, respectively.
• On submission of the online application form, the applicants will receive an acknowledgment email with a unique application number.

Note- Applicants are NOT required to post a hard copy of the application to IISER TVM. Mere fulfilment of the eligibility criteria does not entitle a candidate to be called for the written test and/or interview.

For the School of Biology, it is mandatory for all the candidates to submit a short research proposal of 300-400 words, which should clearly state a research problem you find interesting to address and how you approach solving this. While applying online, please upload this proposal under the section "Statement of Purpose". Please note the proposal does not need to be related to the research ongoing at the School of Biology, IISER TVM. The proposal will be used to evaluate your scientific aptitude and will be a major criterion for short-listing candidates for the interview.