New Delhi, 18 February 2026: In India, IITs, NITs, IIITs and other autonomous research institutes are known an Institutes of National Importance. These premier research and education institutes admit PhD scholars in two sessions. Now Admission for July of 2026 session has commenced.
As on 18 February 2026, there are three Institutes of National Importance (INIs) have announced PhD Admission for Semester I 2026-27. These institutes offer attractive fellowships, popularly known as Institute Fellowships.
List of Top Universities/ Institutes where PhD Admission Open:
IIT Gandhinagar- PhD admission – 25 March 2026
IIT Madras- 310 Seats for PhD & 131 Seats for MS Seats- 30 March 2026
IIT Bombay – Monash Research Academy- 27 February 2026
IISc Bangalore- UG, PG, PhD Programmes for AY 2026-27- 23 March 2026
IIT Gandhinagar Opens PhD Admission for Semester I 2026-27 with Fellowships
Gandhinagar, 15 February 2026: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, a National Institute of Importance, has announced PhD programme for the academic year 2026-27 (Semester I). Institute Fellowships are available. Regular (RR) Fulltime PhD Admission is available.
Key Dates:
The online application window has opened from 11 February 2026
The online application window will close on 25 March 2026 (5:00 PM)
Eligibility Criteria
Minimum of 55% marks (50% marks for SC/ST/PwD) or 5.5 CPI (5.0 CPI for SC/ST/PwD) in postgraduate degree programme or in 4-years bachelor degree programme in appropriate branches.
Above mentioned eligibility criteria is minimum at Institute level. The department-wise eligibility criteria can be found here. The departments may also use higher cut-off levels for shortlisting besides giving due consideration to the way questions are answered in the application form.HR management software
Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories would be eligible for relaxations, as per norms, in the selection criteria.
IISc Bangalore Announces Admission for UG, PG, PhD Programmes for AY 2026-27
Bangalore, 15 February 2026: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, India’s top ranked Research University, has announced Admission for UG / PG/ PhD Programmes for the Academic Year 2026-27. The session will start from August 2026.Career counseling services.
Key Dates:
Website opens for on-line submission of applications from 11 February 2026
Last date for online submission of applications (website closes at 23:59): 23 March 2026
IIT Bombay- Monash Research Academy is a partnership between IIT Bombay and Monash University, Melbourne (Australia). The Academy is under-pinned by a PhD Agreement between IIT Bombay and Monash University, students will receive a dual-badged PhD degree from IIT Bombay and Monash University.
Last date for applying to IITB Monash Research Academy December 2024 PhD intake is 27 February 2026.Skill development workshops
IIT Madras Opens PhD Admission July 2026: 310 Seats for PhD & 131 Seats for MS Seats
Chennai, 18 February 2026: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, an Institute of National Importance, has opened application window for PhD/Direct PhD/MS (by Research) Admission for July 2026 Semester. Scholars admitted to PhD and MS programmes under Regular scheme are eligible for the following Half-Time Research Assistantship (HTRA).Government job
Total Vacant Seats: The total number of vacant PhD seats with HTRA are 316 while MSC (by Research) seats are 131 for Jan-May 2026 session.
Key Dates: The last date of Receipt of Online Application is 30 March 2026.
Note: Candidates should refer the exact notification before applying any seats of any universities or institutes. On the basis of information available in the public domain, SkillOutlook has published this story.
