IIT Madras PhD, MS January 2027 Applications Close October 30 at 5 PM: Fee, Eligibility and Selection Details
Published 29 Oct 20264 min read
IIT Madras will close online applications for its PhD and MS (by Research) programmes for the January 2027 session on October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates who have not yet applied must complete their submission on the official research admission portal, research.iitm.ac.in, before the deadline. No hard-copy applications will be accepted .
The application window opened on April 10, 2026. The programmes are offered across engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and management, with admission categories including Regular-HTRA, national-level fellowship, project, external, staff, and QIP routes .
Key Dates: IIT Madras Research Admission 2027 (January Session)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application portal opened | April 10, 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application | October 30, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Written test and/or interview | To be announced by respective departments |
| Session begins | January 2027 (January–May 2027 semester) |
Source: IIT Madras research admission portal
Application Fee: Category-Wise
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL Male | ₹1,000 |
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL Transgender | ₹1,000 |
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL Female | ₹500 |
| SC / ST | ₹500 |
| PwD | ₹500 |
Candidates applying to multiple departments or programmes must register separate applications and pay the fee for each .
Eligibility: PhD vs MS (by Research)
Eligibility varies by department and programme. Broadly:
PhD programmes:
- Master's degree in a relevant discipline with a good academic record
- Valid GATE score, UGC-JRF/NET, CSIR-JRF, or equivalent national-level fellowship (for Regular-HTRA candidates)
- For Engineering: Master's in Engineering/Technology or equivalent
- For Sciences: Master's in Sciences with valid GATE/UGC-JRF/NET
- Direct PhD routes exist for exceptional 4-year bachelor's degree holders from CFTIs with CGPA ≥ 8.0 or valid GATE score
MS (by Research) programmes:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technology (4-year minimum) or equivalent
- Some departments accept 3-year bachelor's degrees with an additional master's degree
- A valid GATE score may be required depending on department and category
- Medical Sciences & Technology: MBBS/BDS candidates with a valid NEET PG qualifying score are eligible for PhD under the HTRA category .
- Candidates must check the specific department brochure on research.iitm.ac.in before applying, as departments may set higher criteria than the minimum eligibility .
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be called for a written test and/or interview as determined by the concerned department. Some departments may shortlist directly for interview without a written test. The date, time, and venue will be communicated via email to shortlisted applicants .
Candidates are advised to regularly monitor the websites of the departments they have applied to for updates on shortlisting, tests, and interviews.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit research.iitm.ac.in
- Open the research admission portal for January 2027
- Read the relevant department brochure and verify eligibility
- Complete the online application with required documents
- Pay the applicable fee online
- Submit before October 30, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Save the confirmation for your records
What to Check Before Submitting
- Department-specific eligibility criteria (varies significantly across departments)
- Correct category selection for fee payment
- Valid GATE/NET/NEET PG score details, if applicable
- OBC-NCL certificate issued after April 1, 2026 (for OBC-NCL candidates)
- Scanned documents as per portal specifications
- Correct email address for department communication
Official Link
Apply and check department brochures: https://research.iitm.ac.in/