IIT Madras PhD, MS applications close October 30 for January 2027 session

By TUF News Desk · Published 28 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

The clock is short for research aspirants eyeing IIT Madras. Online applications for the institute’s PhD and MS by Research programmes for the January 2027 session close at 5 pm on Friday, October 30. Forms received after that time will not be considered for this intake.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras runs the admission through its official research admission portal. The process is online only. The institute does not accept printed or hard-copy forms, so an application counts only once it is submitted and paid for on the portal.

What is open

Three routes are on offer: PhD, Direct PhD and MS by Research. Departments across engineering, science, humanities and social sciences, and management are taking students. Research scholars can also work on sponsored research, industrial consultancy and collaborative projects, depending on their department and area of study.

Eligibility is not uniform. Each department sets its own academic requirements, so applicants need to read the brochure and the department page for the programme they want before filling the form.

Fee

The fee depends on category. Male candidates from the General, EWS and OBC-NCL categories pay Rs 1,000, and the same fee applies to transgender candidates in these categories. Female candidates in these categories pay Rs 500, as do SC, ST and PwD candidates. The fee is paid online and is not refunded.

Research scholars looking at funding options can also read our guide to scholarships for Indian university students before they apply.

How selection works

Shortlisted candidates will face the selection process their department prescribes. For most departments this means a written test followed by an interview. Some departments shortlist candidates directly for an interview. Dates, times and venues are sent to shortlisted applicants by email, and departments also post updates on their own websites.

That leaves applicants with a clear job after October 30: check the department website regularly, keep the printed application ready for the interview stage, and keep documents in order. Our admission documents checklist covers the papers applicants usually need at this stage.

Before you submit

A few checks are worth making before the deadline. Read the January 2027 research admission brochure in full, confirm the department’s eligibility rules, and make sure the fee payment has gone through. A form without a completed fee payment does not count as an application. Take a printout of the submitted form and keep it safe for the interview. More about the institute is published on the official IIT Madras website.

Frequently asked questions

When do IIT Madras PhD and MS applications close for January 2027?

Online applications close at 5 pm on October 30, 2026. Forms received after that time will not be considered for the January 2027 intake.

What is the application fee for IIT Madras PhD and MS programmes?

General, EWS and OBC-NCL male and transgender candidates pay Rs 1,000. Female candidates in these categories, and SC, ST and PwD candidates, pay Rs 500. The fee is non-refundable.

How are candidates selected for IIT Madras research programmes?

Shortlisted candidates appear for a written test followed by an interview, or for an interview alone, depending on the department. Shortlisting and schedule updates come from the department concerned.

Which programmes are open at IIT Madras for January 2027?

PhD, Direct PhD and MS by Research, across engineering, science, humanities and social sciences, and management.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Times Now, Jagran Josh, NDTV