(This webpage last updated on 06-03-2026. The IMSc Mathematics Admission Portal is now live.)
For 2026, all candidates for the IMSc Mathematics Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. programmes need to apply on the IMSc Mathematics Admission Portal. There are two entrance exams considered for screening to the interview stage.
1. The NBHM scholarship written test which was held on 24 January 2026.
2. The CSIR UGC NET exam of December 2024, July 2025 and December 2025 (if the results are published before 1 March 2026) - the top 30 ranks in Mathematics are eligible to apply.
IMSc offers two doctoral programmes in mathematics - the PhD and integrated PhD. This webpage describes the eligibility requirements and application procedures for admission to the programmes. For all other details of the programmes, please refer this webpage
Eligibility requirements
Applicants for the PhD programme should have completed a Masters degree in Mathematics or Statistics by the time they actually join the programme.
Applicants for the integrated PhD programme should have completed a Bachelors degree in Mathematics or Statistics by the time they actually join the programme. However, exceptional candidates with a Bachelors or Masters degree in other fields will also be considered for admission to the integrated PhD programme.
How to apply
Candidates aspiring for admission to the IMSc Ph.D/Integrated Ph.D programmes in Mathematics should apply on the IMSc Mathematics Admission Portal (The portal is now open).
They should also have written one of the following exams.
1. The NBHM Scholarship written test of January 2026. While applying for the test on the NBHM portal, the candidate may choose either the "Doctoral Scholarship" option or the “Master’s Scholarship” or “Both" option. IMSc will use the merit list based on the D-scores/M-scores of this test to shortlist candidates for its PhD and Integrated PhD programmes. Please refer to the advertisement and FAQ on the NBHM webpage for more information on D-scores and M-scores. Candidates must apply directly on the NBHM portal in order to write the Scholarship Written Test.
2. The CSIR UGC NET exam of December 2024, July 2025 and December 2025 (if the results are published before 1 March 2026) - the top 30 ranks in Mathematics are eligible to apply. Candidates must apply directly on the CSIR NET portal to write this exam.
To shortlist candidates for its Maths PhD and Integrated PhD programmes, IMSc will use the test performance scores from NBHM and from CSIR UGC NET. To encourage the participation of female candidates, at least 10 female candidates, or all those securing marks above the cutoff, whichever is higher, shall be called for the interview. The interview call letters will be sent to candidates who have passed the IMSc screening criteria and have applied on the IMSc Mathematics Admission portal. Interviews will be held in March. Final selection of candidates will be based mainly on their performance in the tests and the subsequent interview, but will also take into account their academic track record.
General Information about the Screening tests.
The NBHM Doctoral Scholarship Written Test is held around the third week of January each year. It is announced on the NBHM Scholarships webpage and is advertised in leading national newspapers. Question papers and answer keys from 2005-onwards are available on the NBHM Scholarships webpage.
The CSIR UGC NET examinations are typically held in June and December of each year (subject to change) and are advertised in leading national newspapers.