IIT Madras MS and PhD 2026-27 — apply by 30 October, 5 pm

IIT Madras MS PhD admission 2026-27 is open on the research portal for the January–May 2027 window. Last date — 30 October 2026, 5:00 pm. Apply on research.iitm.ac.in. This is not GATE 2027. GATE is a separate test on gate2027.iitm.ac.in.

What IIT Madras actually does

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, admits students to research programmes as well as to B.Tech and M.Tech. This page is only the research admission: M.S. (by Research), Direct Ph.D., and Ph.D. (by Research), academic year 2026-27. The portal says the window for January–May 2027 closes on 30 October 2026 at 5:00 pm.

An M.S. by research is a research master’s. A PhD is a doctoral seat. Direct PhD is for applicants who meet the department’s higher bar without a master’s. Department rules sit in the ordinances and FAQs on the same portal.

What kind of seat this is

Research admission at the IIT Madras campus, Chennai. Written test and interview dates are to be announced by the concerned departments. Hard copy and email applications are not accepted. Only forms submitted on research.iitm.ac.in, with documents, count.

A stipend amount is not printed on the portal homepage. Do not copy a GATE stipend figure onto this form.

Who should apply — and who should skip

Apply if you want M.S., Direct Ph.D., or Ph.D. for January–May 2027 and your degree matches the department you pick. The portal links eligible-degree notes for Medical Sciences and Technology, and for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Other departments use their own lists in the ordinances.

Skip if you only needed GATE 2027. That registration is a different window. Skip if you plan to post a paper application. Also skip if you cannot pay a separate fee for each department or programme. The portal says multiple departments need the same login, separate applications, and separate fees.

Dates and fee

Available positions

No category-wise vacancy split is printed on the portal homepage. Reserved-category applicants must upload valid documents in the prescribed format at the time of applying.

Total vacancies — not printed. Age is not printed on the homepage.

Educational qualifications

Selection

1. Create an account with an email you actually read. That address is used for all later mail.
2. Fill the form, upload documents, and pay the slab for that application.
3. Departments announce written test and interview.
4. Quote the application number in any query about a submitted form.

How to prepare (free, official)

• Research admission portal
• FAQ and M.S. / Ph.D. ordinances linked on that portal

How to apply without getting played

1. Use only research.iitm.ac.in. First-time users create an account. Later applicants log in.
2. Pay the slab that matches your category and gender. The fee is non-refundable.
3. A second department means a second fee. Same login, separate form.
4. Do not courier a printout. The portal says hard copy and email will not be considered.
5. Save the application number. Check the email used at registration.

FAQs

What is the last date?
30 October 2026, 5:00 pm.

Who can apply?
Applicants for M.S. (by Research), Direct Ph.D., or Ph.D. (by Research) whose degree matches the department ordinance. Homepage does not print one national degree line.

How many vacancies?
Not printed.

Where do I apply?
research.iitm.ac.in.

What is the fee?
₹1,000 for Indian General/EWS/OBC-NCL male and transgender, and for OCI. ₹500 for Indian General/EWS/OBC-NCL female, SC/ST, and PwD. Non-refundable.

Can final-year students apply?
The homepage does not print a final-year rule. Check the department ordinance before you pay.

admissions · internships · jobs.