The Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata (IISER Kolkata), located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, supports talented students with a range of scholarships based on merit, need, and through various central government and external fellowships. These primarily include substantial fee waivers, monthly stipends, and support schemes such as INSPIRE, KVPY, and category-based tuition exemptions for eligible students. Opportunities also exist for project-based summer research programs providing valuable academic experience, though not always with monetary benefits.
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Scholarships Overview
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Eligibility
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Required Documents
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Application Process
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Scholarship Details
- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Additional Notes
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Scholarships Overview
Scholarships at IISER Kolkata aim to reward academic excellence, support students from underprivileged backgrounds, and enable access to quality science education regardless of financial status. The most significant programs are:
Merit-based waivers (board/CUET/entrance scores)
Need/EWS-based support (income thresholds)
Category-based (domicile, single girl child, sports, defense wards, alumni)
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Eligibility
IISER Kolkata scholarship eligibility is fundamentally driven by national entrance exam ranks, previous academic performance, and financial status. Students must typically meet minimum marks or percentile thresholds in relevant entrance examinations or board exams (often within the top 1–2% for INSPIRE, or under 10,000 ranks for KVPY/JEE Advanced). Income cut-offs apply for schemes such as the North-East special schemes (usually, annual parental income not exceeding INR 4.5 lakh). Many scholarships and stipends require students to maintain a minimum CGPA/academic performance during their course of study to remain eligible for renewal each year.
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Required Documents
Candidates applying for scholarships at IISER Kolkata are generally required to submit the following documents:
Mark sheets of qualifying exams
Entrance exam rank/scorecard (e.g., JEE, KVPY, etc.)
Proof of income (if applying for means-based support)
Caste/PwD certificate (if applicable)
Domicile/Nationality certificate as relevant
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Application Process
The application window for most scholarships opens around the start of the academic session or during designated admission periods. Applications are usually submitted online via the IISER Kolkata portal or relevant national portals (for INSPIRE/KVPY/NSP). Candidates must complete their submissions within the announced deadlines and ensure that all required documents are accurately uploaded. It is essential to keep track of notification dates for schemes like the Summer Research Program, which has its own application and selection timeline.
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Scholarship Details
The table below summarizes key scholarship programs available to students at IISER Kolkata. Awards are contingent on verification, eligibility, and, where applicable, on seat-type availability or external funding agency rules.
Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Notes (if any) |
INSPIRE Scholarship (DST, Govt. of India) | Top 1% in 12th Board; pursuing Natural/Basic Sciences B.Sc./BS-MS; continued CGPA ≥ 7.0/10 | INR 5,000/month + INR 20,000/year contingency | Requires annual renewal & academic progress |
KVPY Fellowship | Qualified KVPY exam; admitted to B.S./BS-MS; continued good academic standing | INR 5,000–7,000/month + annual contingency up to INR 28,000 | Renewable, higher for years 4–5 |
SC/ST Tuition Fee Waiver | Belonging to SC/ST category (Govt. reservation norms) | Full tuition fee waiver | Excludes minimal institutional charges |
Ishan Uday (NER Scholarship, UGC) | Domicile of North-East Region; parental income ≤ INR 4.5 lakh/year; 1st-year admission | INR 5,400/month | Must maintain satisfactory progress |
Summer Research Program Certificate | B.Sc., M.Sc., B.E., B.Tech., B.S., M.S. students selected by merit | Completion certificate (no stipend/fellowship) | Usually 2-month duration |
Best Thesis Award | Top undergraduate/postgraduate thesis at IISER Kolkata | Certificate/Award | Institute selection; non-monetary |
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Kolkata Additional Notes
Scholarships and fellowships at IISER Kolkata generally require students to maintain a minimum CGPA (usually ≥ 7.0/10) and satisfactory progress in their academic program for renewal. Combined benefit from multiple central schemes is usually not permitted; students must choose, and awards are subject to annual verification by the institute. Merit certificates such as the Summer Research Program and Best Thesis Award offer recognition but may not provide financial benefits. Tuition waivers for reserved categories apply per government rules, and all awards depend on availability and continued compliance with eligibility and conduct requirements.