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Many JEE aspirants who are interested in space science hear about IIST only after results, and then discover it has its own registration, its own rank list and its own cut-offs. This post explains what IIST offers, who is eligible, how admission works and what the ISRO placement rules say, using the institute's 2026 documents. Rules can change each year, so treat this as a guide to what to check, and read the current brochure before you apply.
What does IIST offer undergraduates?
According to the IIST undergraduate admissions overview, there are four programmes:
4-year B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering.
4-year B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering (Avionics).
4-year B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science).
5-year dual degree: B.Tech in Engineering Physics plus an MS or M.Tech in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solid State Physics, Earth System Science or Optical Engineering. The stream is allotted at the end of the sixth semester, based on preference and academic performance.
The 2026-27 seat matrix lists an approved intake of 140 (50 each in Aerospace and Avionics, 20 each in the dual degree and Data Science), plus supernumerary seats for EWS candidates, women and a Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh scholarship scheme, for 174 in total.
How is admission decided?
The JEE (Advanced) 2026 brochure lists IIST among institutes outside the IITs that have used JEE (Advanced) ranks, and tells candidates to contact them directly. IIST's overview page says admission is "purely based on merit, determined by the marks secured" in JEE (Advanced). Its FAQ page is clear that admission is not through JoSAA: you must register on the IIST admission portal and pay a registration fee. IIST then publishes a category-wise rank list of registered candidates and runs online seat allotment. When offered a seat, you can Freeze it or Slide to be considered for a higher preference, and you accept a seat by paying the first semester fee by the stated date.
For 2026, the announcements page gave the opening of registration as 26 May 2026, later extended to 17 June. Expect different dates in your year.
Who is eligible?
The IIST UG 2026 information brochure (section 14) set these conditions for 2026:
Citizenship: only Indian citizens may apply. OCI and PIO card holders may apply in the General category, pay the full fee, and are not eligible for ISRO absorption.
Date of birth: on or after 1 October 2001 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL; on or after 1 October 1996 for SC, ST and PwD.
Class 12: at least 75% aggregate, or 65% for SC, ST and PwD, calculated over five subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, one language (the higher-scoring one if you took two) and the highest-scoring other subject.
JEE (Advanced): at least 20% aggregate and 5% in each subject for General; 18% and 4.5% for EWS and OBC-NCL; 10% and 2.5% for SC, ST and PwD. Table 15.2 then gave the 2026 cut-offs in marks: 72 aggregate and 6 per subject for General, 65 and 5 for EWS and OBC-NCL, 36 and 3 for SC, ST and PwD.
Worked example: the Class 12 aggregate
Take a General category student with these sample marks: Physics 82, Chemistry 76, Mathematics 88, English 79, Hindi 74, Computer Science 91.
Language: English 79 (higher than Hindi).
Other subject: Computer Science 91 (the highest remaining).
Aggregate = 82 + 76 + 88 + 79 + 91 = 416 out of 500 = 83.2%. Eligible, since 83.2 is at least 75.
If a board marks a subject out of something other than 100, the brochure scales it to 100. A subject scored 60 out of 80 counts as 75. A common mistake is to use the overall percentage printed on the marksheet, which may include different subjects.
What are the ISRO absorption rules?
The brochure's absorption policy is conditional. Based on vacancies ISRO notifies, students who have a CGPA of 7.0 or above at the end of the sixth semester (B.Tech) or eighth semester (dual degree) may sit a placement interview organised by ISRO Headquarters. An offer also needs a minimum CGPA at graduation, completion of the programme on time, and full medical fitness by ISRO norms. The brochure gives the graduation CGPA as 7.0; the FAQ page states 7.5, so confirm the current figure with IIST. The FAQ also says plainly that not all graduates are absorbed.
What does it cost?
The fee structure page lists a tuition fee of Rs 62,500 per semester for UR, EWS and OBC-NCL students with parental income above Rs 5 lakh a year, Rs 20,850 for incomes from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, and nil below Rs 1 lakh. SC, ST and PwD students pay no tuition fee. Hostel, mess and other charges are extra.
Mistakes to avoid
Assuming JoSAA registration covers IIST.
Missing the 75% Class 12 rule, which is stricter than many other institutes.
Choosing IIST only for an assured ISRO job, which the rules do not promise.
Ignoring the date of birth limit if you have taken gap years.
If you are still preparing for JEE Advanced, our comparison of JEE Main and JEE Advanced explains how the two exams differ, and Fermi's AI tutor can work out what you already know and build a plan for the session.
Download the current IIST brochure today and work out your own five-subject aggregate before results arrive.
