Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram - Admission 2026, Fees, Courses, Placement, Ranking, Cutoff

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Thiruvananthapuram is a reputed deemed-to-be university established in 2007. Located in Kerala, the institute is known for its focus on space science, engineering, and advanced research. IIST is approved by UGC and AICTE and was ranked 61st in the NIRF Engineering Ranking 2025 with a NIRF score of 52.44.

IIST Thiruvananthapuram offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes. Popular courses include BTech, Dual Degree (BTech + MS/MTech), MTech, and PhD. The IIST fees for BTech and dual degree courses is ₹67,950/semester, while MTech costs ₹40,450 per semester and PhD courses cost ₹7,450 per semester, making IIST a cost-effective option for technical education.

Admissions at IIST are entrance-based. BTech admissions are conducted through JEE Advanced, while MTech admissions are based on GATE scores. Eligible candidates must register online, submit exam details, and participate in merit-based seat allotment rounds. Final admission is confirmed after seat acceptance, fee payment, and document verification.

IIST Thiruvananthapuram placements show strong career outcomes. In 2025, the highest package offered was ₹28 LPA for UG students and ₹21.5 LPA for PG students. Leading recruiters include Airbus, Mercedes Benz, Infosys, TCS, BOSCH, L&T, Adobe, and SKYROOT.

The expected IIST cutoff 2026 for BTech programmes is based on JEE Advanced scores, with closing cutoffs likely between 29% and 31% across popular branches. This reflects the competitive nature of admissions at the institute.

The IIST campus is spread across 100 acres and offers a fully residential environment. Facilities include well-maintained hostels, dining halls, sports and fitness infrastructure, a 24×7 medical centre, counselling services, and student activity centres.

IIST Thiruvananthapuram also provides merit-based scholarships. Top-performing UG and dual degree students can receive full or partial fee waivers, PG students are supported as per UGC norms, and PhD scholars receive monthly fellowships starting at ₹37,000, making IIST supportive of academic excellence and research growth.

The table below provides a quick overview of IIST Thiruvananthapuram covering establishment year, courses offered, entrance exams accepted, rankings and other important information:

IIST Thiruvananthapuram UG admission 2026 is based on JEE Advanced scores. Eligible candidates must register online, pay the fee, and submit JEE details. Seats are allotted through multiple rounds, and selected students must confirm their seat, pay the first semester fee, and upload documents. For IIST admission, JEE Main session 1 applications starts from 31st October to 27th November 2025, with exams from 21st to 30th January 2026 and the results will be expected on 12th February 2026.

IIST Thiruvananthapuram UG Admission Process 2026

IIST admission process for UG in 2026 is based on JEE Advanced scores. Eligible candidates need to register online, pay the non-refundable registration fee, and submit their JEE details. IIST releases a category-wise rank list, after which candidates choose their preferred branches. Seats are allotted in rounds, and selected candidates must confirm their seat, pay the first semester fee, and upload the required documents. Spot admissions are held for the remaining seats. Lastly the candidates need to report the IIST campus to complete the admission process:

Step 1: Appear for JEE Main and JEE Advanced

• Candidates must appear for JEE Main and qualify to write JEE Advanced. Admission in IIST is based only on JEE Advanced marks.

Step 2: Check Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria related to citizenship, age limit, Class 12th marks (in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics), and minimum JEE Advanced cutoff as prescribed by IIST.

Step 3: Complete Online Registration

• Visit the official IIST admission portal and complete the online registration for UG Admission.
• Enter JEE Advanced details, upload the required photograph, and create login credentials.

Step 4: Pay Registration Fee Online

• Pay the non-refundable registration fee online to complete the application process.

Step 5: Release of IIST Admission Rank List

• IIST publishes a category-wise admission rank list based on JEE Advanced aggregate marks.

Step 6: Fill Branch Preferences

• Select the preferred undergraduate programmes such as Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science), or Dual Degree, in order of priority.
• Preferences can be changed only within the given time limit.

Step 7: Seat Allotment Rounds

• Seats are allotted in multiple rounds based on merit, category reservation, seat availability, and branch preference.

Step 8: Accept the Allotted Seat

• Once a seat is allotted, candidate need to confirm the choice online. There are two options:
  • Freeze: Accept the seat as final and exit all further seat allotment rounds.
  • Slide: Accept the allotted seat for now but stay eligible for a higher-preference seat in the next rounds.

Step 9: Pay First Semester Fee and Upload Documents

• Pay the first semester admission fee online and upload required documents for verification.
• After verification, download the provisional admit card.

Step 10: Spot Admission (If Required)

• If seats remain vacant, IIST conducts online spot admission rounds for eligible waitlisted candidates.

Step 11: Report to IIST and Complete Admission

• Report to the IIST campus at Valiamala, Thiruvananthapuram on the specified date with original documents to complete the admission process.

IIST Thiruvananthapuram Admission Dates 2026

IIST Thiruvananthapuram JEE Mains dates for 2026 Session 1 have been announced. The application form opened from 31st October to 27th November 2025, with the last date for fee payment was 27th November. Examination cities will be announced by the first week of January 2026, and admit cards will be released in the same month. The entrance exam is scheduled between 21st and 30th January 2026, with the answer key will be available by the first week of February and results will be expected on 12th February 2026:

IIST Thiruvananthapuram offers merit-based scholarships to support deserving students across UG, PG, and PhD programmes. Undergraduate and dual degree students with a JEE Advanced AIR up to 1000 and a CGPA of 9.0 or above can receive a full first-year fee waiver, while high performers may get a 50% tuition fee waiver in the next semester. Postgraduate students receive scholarships as per UGC and MHRD norms. PhD scholars with NET or equivalent qualification are eligible for a monthly fellowship starting at ₹37,000, which may increase after review:

IIST Thiruvananthapuram stands out as a cost-effective engineering institute when compared with IIT Madras and VIT Vellore. With a BTech semester fee of ₹67,950, IIST offers quality technical education at a lower cost. The institute records an average placement package of ₹11–12 LPA and holds the 61st rank in the NIRF Engineering rankings, making it a strong choice for students seeking value-driven education: