IISc Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IPDF) 2026

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, is accepting applications year-round for its Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IPDF) 2026. Selected fellows receive ₹80,000 per month plus applicable HRA and an annual research grant of ₹2 lakhs. The fellowship runs for one year, extendable for a second year upon evaluation. Applications are reviewed quarterly; the next review date is 30 June 2026. Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and foreign nationals are all eligible. There is no application fee.

If you hold a PhD in science or engineering and want to conduct high-quality research at India’s most prestigious research institution with a competitive stipend, a dedicated research grant, and access to world-class labs and faculty, the IISc IPDF is the most structured and financially substantial postdoctoral position available in India right now.

Table of Contents

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Fellowship	IISc Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IPDF)
Institution	Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
Monthly Stipend	₹80,000 + applicable HRA
Annual Research Grant	₹2,00,000 per year
Duration	1 year (extendable to 2 years)
Review Dates	31 March / 30 June / 30 September / 31 December
Next Deadline	30 June 2026
Open To	Indian nationals, OCI, and foreign nationals
Application Fee	None
Official Portal	iisc.ac.in/careers/post-doctoral-fellowship

What Does the Fellowship Cover?

Selected fellows receive ₹80,000 per month as a consolidated stipend, plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) applicable to Bengaluru. On top of this, IISc provides a dedicated annual research grant of ₹2,00,000 to cover fieldwork, equipment, materials, conference travel, and other research expenses. This combination makes it one of the highest-value postdoctoral packages in India.

Candidates who have submitted their PhD thesis but not yet defended receive ₹50,000 per month (no research grant) until the degree is formally conferred — at which point they are upgraded to the full ₹80,000 IPDF package.

Departments and Research Areas

IPDF is open across six broad divisions at IISc:

Biological Sciences — Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Microbiology, Developmental Biology, Ecological Sciences
Chemical Sciences — Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Research
Physical and Mathematical Sciences — Physics, Mathematics, High Energy Physics, Instrumentation
Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences — All major EECS disciplines
Mechanical Sciences — Aerospace, Civil, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Interdisciplinary Sciences — Bioengineering, Computational and Data Sciences, Nano Science, Management Studies

Eligibility

PhD with First Class (or equivalent) in the preceding degree
Strong academic record throughout
Preferably under 32 years of age at time of application
Candidates who have submitted their thesis (with proof) are eligible
OCI and foreign nationals are explicitly eligible

How to Apply — Step by Step

Step 1: Identify a faculty member at IISc whose research aligns with your work. Contact them directly — a consent letter or email from the faculty host is mandatory before submitting your application.

Step 2: Prepare your application package:

CV with full publication list
2–5 key publications
Proposed research plan (up to 500 words)
Consent letter/email from faculty host
PhD degree certificate or thesis submission proof

Step 3: Submit online through the official portal at iisc.ac.in/careers/post-doctoral-fellowship

Step 4: Applications received before each quarterly deadline are reviewed together. Decisions are communicated within 6 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreign nationals apply? Yes. OCI cardholders and foreign nationals are explicitly eligible to apply.

Is the deadline fixed? Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, and 31 December. Submit before 30 June 2026 for the next review cycle.

Is a faculty consent letter required? Yes, this is mandatory. You must identify and contact a host faculty member before applying.

Can I apply without a completed PhD? Yes, if your thesis is submitted. You receive ₹50,000/month until the degree is formally awarded.

Final Checklist

Contact a faculty host and obtain a consent letter
Prepare your CV, publications list, and 500-word research plan
Submit before 30 June 2026 for the next quarterly review
Apply at: Click Here

The IISc IPDF 2026 is the most competitive and well-resourced postdoctoral position at any Indian institution. If you have the research record and a faculty match, apply before the June 30 deadline.

Last updated: June 2026. Always verify stipend amounts and review dates on the official IISc careers page at iisc.ac.in before applying. Use Free Scholarship Calculator