Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, is Asia's first space university and an autonomous institution under the Department of Space, Government of India. The Dual Degree program is a 5-year (10-semester) full-time on-campus program that awards two degrees upon successful completion: a B.Tech in Engineering Physics and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The total seat intake for the Dual Degree program (all specializations combined) is 24 seats. The per-semester fee is Rs. 67,950, with a total academic fee of approximately Rs. 6.89 Lakhs (excluding hostel) over 5 years. Admission is exclusively through JEE Advanced scores via the IIST Online Admission Portal. The program is ideal for students passionate about space science, astrophysics, and research, offering a unique combination of engineering and science education under one roof.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are upcoming. JEE Advanced 2026 is scheduled for May 17, 2026, with results on June 1, 2026. IIST online registration for admission is expected from May 27 to June 9, 2026 (tentative, based on 2025 schedule), followed by seat acceptance rounds in June-July 2026 and joining in July 2026.

Key Points

Asia's first space university, established under the Department of Space, Government of India.
The Dual Degree program awards both a B.Tech in Engineering Physics and an M.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics upon completion of 10 semesters.
Students are allotted their postgraduate stream (Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solid State Physics, Earth System Science, or Optical Engineering) at the end of the 6th semester based on preference and academic performance.
There is no exit option with a standalone B.Tech in Engineering Physics; students must complete the full 5-year program.
Admission is NOT through JoSAA; candidates must separately register on the IIST Online Admission Portal (admission.iist.ac.in) after qualifying JEE Advanced.
Graduates with CGPA of 7.5 or above are eligible for ISRO recruitment as Scientist/Engineer-SC, subject to vacancies and interview.
The program is particularly suited for students interested in research careers in astronomy, astrophysics, and space science.
No Management Quota seats; all admissions are purely merit-based through JEE Advanced.
NIRF Ranking 2025: #61 in Engineering (India); #2 in Kerala.

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IIST Trivandrum Latest Updates and News

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16 Apr, 2026 IIST Trivandrum B.Tech + M.S Astronomy & Astrophysics Admission 2026 will begin from May 26, 2026. The last date to apply is June 10, 2026.

IIST Trivandrum Important Events

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IIST B.Tech + M.S. Fees

The Dual Degree program at IIST carries the same per-semester fee structure as the B.Tech programs, heavily subsidized by the Government of India. The per-semester tuition fee is Rs. 62,500, with additional charges for computer, internet, examination, registration, and other facilities. Since the program spans 10 semesters (5 years), the total academic fee is higher than the 4-year B.Tech programs. Hostel accommodation is mandatory and costs Rs. 23,750 per semester.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee	Rs. 62,500 per semester
Computer Fee	Rs. 750 per semester
Internet Fee	Rs. 1,000 per semester
Examination Fee	Rs. 500 per semester
Registration and Enrollment Fee	Rs. 200 per semester
Association and Cultural Fee	Rs. 500 per semester
Sports Facilitation Fee	Rs. 200 per semester
Medical and Insurance Fee	Rs. 2,000 per semester
Total Semester Fee	Rs. 67,950 per semester
One-Time Fees (Admission + Campus Dev + Alumni + Convocation)	Rs. 4,000 (non-refundable)
Institute and Library Deposit (Refundable)	Rs. 5,000
Total Academic Fee (10 Semesters, excl. hostel)	Rs. 6,88,500
Hostel Establishment + Rent + Electricity + Mess (per semester)	Rs. 23,750 per semester
Total Hostel Fee (10 Semesters)	Rs. 2,37,500
Total Course Fee (Academic + Hostel, 5 Years)	Rs. 9,26,000

Institute and Library Deposit of Rs. 5,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the institute.
Alumni Fee (Rs. 500) and Convocation cum Degree Fee (Rs. 2,000) are collected with the final semester fee.
Tuition fee waivers are available based on parental annual income: NIL for income below Rs. 1 Lakh p.a.; Rs. 20,850 for income between Rs. 1-5 Lakhs p.a. (UR/EWS/OBC-NCL); NIL for SC/ST/PD candidates.
Hostel accommodation is mandatory for all students; vacation mess charges (Rs. 3,000/month) are optional.
Education loan facility is available; the institute cooperates fully with the loan process.

IIST B.Tech + M.S. Admission 2026

Admissions to the Dual Degree program at IIST are conducted through a separate IIST-specific process, independent of JoSAA. Candidates must qualify JEE Advanced and then separately register on the IIST Online Admission Portal. IIST prepares a category-wise Admission Rank List of eligible registered candidates, followed by multiple rounds of seat allocation. The specific postgraduate stream (Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solid State Physics, Earth System Science, or Optical Engineering) is allotted at the end of the 6th semester based on student preference and academic performance. The 2026 admission process is expected to follow the same timeline as 2025.

IIST Dual Degree Admission Dates

Event	Dates (Tentative)
IIST Online Registration for Admission	May 27, 2026 - June 9, 2026
IIST Rank List Publication	Mid-June 2026
Seat Acceptance Rounds (Multiple Rounds)	June 13, 2026 - July 3, 2026
Joining IIST (Reporting Date)	July 21, 2026
PG Stream Allotment (Astronomy and Astrophysics / others)	End of 6th Semester (3rd Year)

JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Dates
JEE Advanced 2026 Registration	April 23, 2026 - May 2, 2026
Last Date for Fee Payment (Registered Candidates)	May 4, 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 Admit Card	May 11, 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam	May 17, 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 Answer Key	May 25 - May 26, 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 Result	June 1, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks (65% for SC/ST/PD candidates).
Must have a valid JEE Advanced 2026 score.
Candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 qualifiers in JEE Main 2026 to be eligible for JEE Advanced.
Age limit: Born on or after October 1, 2001 (general); October 1, 1996 (SC/ST/PD).

Admission Process:

Qualify JEE Main 2026 (Session 1 or Session 2) to become eligible for JEE Advanced.
Register and appear for JEE Advanced 2026 (May 17, 2026).
After JEE Advanced result (June 1, 2026), separately register on the IIST Online Admission Portal (admission.iist.ac.in) - this is mandatory and independent of JoSAA.
Pay the IIST registration fee online to complete registration.
Fill in program preference (Dual Degree, Aerospace Engineering, or Avionics Engineering).
IIST publishes category-wise Rank List; participate in seat allocation rounds.
Accept the allotted seat by paying the first semester fee within the specified dates.
Report to IIST campus on the joining date with all original documents.
Certificate verification is done online; at least one parent must be present (online or in person) during joining.
PG stream (Astronomy and Astrophysics or others) is allotted at the end of the 6th semester based on preference and CGPA.

IIST Trivandrum: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 2 Reviews

To gain admission to the institute, applicants must take the JEE (Advanced) exam and be ranked on the institute's list based on their scores. The registration period usually starts in late May and ends by mid-June. The institute prides itself on having a strong academic staff, with all 98 faculty members holding PhDs, and many have contributed to projects with ISRO and the Department of Space (DoS). The faculty comes from 19 different states, reflecting a diverse teaching environment.

Students maintaining a GPA above 7.5 each semester are eligible for an assistantship; those who don't qualify must pay a semester fee of 48,500 INR. There are partial fee relaxations for reserved category students. Placement opportunities are available in organizations like ISRO, DRDO, Airbus, Philips, and Wipro for students with a CGPA above 7.5, with a placement rate of about 70-80%. BTech students can gain hands-on experience through internships and projects at ISRO and DoS centers, with additional international opportunities, including free internships at an Australian university.

Top-performing students have the chance to intern abroad. Students not placed often take ISRO exams or pursue further studies such as MTech. The institute offers a scholarship program where students with a GPA above 7.5 receive a full semester fee refund. For SC/ST students, those with a GPA above 6.5 receive a full refund, while a GPA above 5.5 qualifies them for a 50% fee refund, effectively making the semester free for those who qualify.

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IIST B.Tech + M.S. Scholarships 2026

IIST offers a comprehensive scholarship and fee waiver system, making the program accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. Income-based tuition fee waivers are the primary form of financial assistance, supplemented by merit-based scholarships for high-performing students. SC/ST/PD students pay no tuition fee regardless of income. Additionally, national scholarships from the government are available on top of institutional scholarships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fee Waiver	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit
Income-Based Tuition Fee Waiver (UR/EWS/OBC-NCL, income below Rs. 1 Lakh p.a.)	Parental annual income below Rs. 1 Lakh	Full tuition fee waiver (NIL tuition)
Income-Based Tuition Fee Waiver (UR/EWS/OBC-NCL, income Rs. 1-5 Lakhs p.a.)	Parental annual income Rs. 1-5 Lakhs	Tuition fee reduced to Rs. 20,850 per semester
SC/ST/PD Tuition Fee Waiver	SC/ST/PD category students	Full tuition fee waiver (NIL tuition)
Merit-Based Scholarship (CGPA above 7.5)	Students maintaining CGPA above 7.5	50% waiver on tuition fee
National Scholarship Portal Scholarships	As per government eligibility criteria	As per respective scheme
Book Stipend	Students with high GPA	Rs. 3,000 per semester (as reported by students)

Income-based waivers are applied after verification of parental annual income documents.
Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic performance each semester.
Students can benefit from both income-based and merit-based scholarships simultaneously.
For the latest scholarship details, visit the official IIST website (iist.ac.in).

IIST B.Tech + M.S. Placement 2026

IIST Dual Degree graduates have strong career prospects in research, academia, and ISRO. Students with a CGPA of 7.5 or above at the end of the 8th semester are eligible for ISRO recruitment interviews as Scientist/Engineer-SC. The dual degree qualification also makes graduates highly competitive for PhD programs at top institutions globally, including IISc, TIFR, IIAs, and international universities. Private sector placements are also available in IT, data science, and consulting.

Placement Statistics

Placement Statistic	Data
Highest Package (overall IIST)	Rs. 15 LPA
Median Package (overall IIST)	Rs. 8 LPA
ISRO Absorption (approx.)	60-70 students per batch across all programs (subject to vacancies)
Top Recruiters	ISRO, TIFR, IISc, TCS, Space Startups, Research Institutes
Sectors	Space Research, Academia, IT, Data Science, Consulting

IIST Trivandrum B.Tech + M.S Astronomy & Astrophysics Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#60 out of 500 in India 2025

#3rd in Kerala

NIRF Ranking

#61 out of 300 in India 2025

#2nd in Kerala

IIRF Ranking

#14 out of 160 in Top Public Colleges in India 2025

#1st in Kerala

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IIST B.Tech + M.S. FAQs

Ques. What is the Dual Degree program at IIST? Do I get two separate degrees?

Ans. Yes, the Dual Degree program at IIST is a 5-year (10-semester) program that awards two degrees upon successful completion: a B.Tech in Engineering Physics and an M.S. (or M.Tech) in a specialized field. For the Astronomy and Astrophysics stream, you receive a B.Tech in Engineering Physics and an M.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Both degrees are awarded together at the end of the 5th year.

Ques. Can I choose Astronomy and Astrophysics as my PG stream from the beginning?

Ans. No. All Dual Degree students start with a common B.Tech in Engineering Physics curriculum for the first 3 years (6 semesters). At the end of the 6th semester, students are allotted their PG stream (Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solid State Physics, Earth System Science, or Optical Engineering) based on their preference and academic performance (CGPA).

Ques. Can I exit the Dual Degree program with just a B.Tech after 4 years?

Ans. No, there is no standard exit option with a B.Tech in Engineering Physics. Students must complete the full 5-year program. However, in exceptional cases of unsatisfactory academic performance, the Director of IIST has the discretion to allow a student to exit with a B.Tech degree, subject to specified norms approved by the Academic Council and Board of Management.

Ques. What are the career options after completing the Dual Degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from IIST?

Ans. Graduates can pursue PhD programs at top institutions like IISc, TIFR, IIA (Indian Institute of Astrophysics), and international universities. They are also eligible for ISRO recruitment as Scientist/Engineer-SC (subject to CGPA and vacancies). Private sector options include data science, IT, and consulting roles. The M.S. degree also opens doors to research fellowships and postdoctoral positions globally.

Ques. Is the Dual Degree program harder to get into compared to B.Tech Aerospace or Avionics at IIST?

Ans. The Dual Degree program has only 24 total seats (compared to 75 each for Aerospace and Avionics), making it more competitive in terms of seat availability. However, since it is a science-oriented program, the JEE Advanced rank requirement may differ from the engineering branches. Students interested in research and science typically prefer the Dual Degree, while those interested in engineering careers prefer Aerospace or Avionics.

Ques. Is IIST Dual Degree recognized for PhD admissions at IITs and IISc?

Ans. Yes, the M.S. degree from IIST is recognized by IITs, IISc, and other premier institutions for PhD admissions. IIST is an autonomous institution under the Department of Space, Government of India, and its degrees are well-regarded in the academic and research community. Many IIST Dual Degree graduates have successfully pursued PhD programs at top institutions in India and abroad.

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Rohit verma

4.6

B.Tech + M.S, Astronomy & Astrophysics

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2021(Enrolled 2020)

Indise iist

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees structure in this college is very simple if you want to get a scholarship then you have to get at least 7.5 cgpa and your all semester fees will be refunded and for sc st students if they get more than 6 .5 they get 100% fees back and if the cross 5.5 cgpa then they get 50 % scholarship

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Shakti

4.2Helpful

B.Tech + M.S, Astronomy & Astrophysics

Reviewed on Apr 20, 2020

College review

Fees and Financial Aid:

As mentioned before the DoS offers an assitanceship to all the students securing a GPA above 7.5 on a per semester basis making the semester effectively free.

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