About IUCAA The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune (an autonomous institution set up by the University Grants Commission), is a leading centre of research in a wide range of areas in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Physics. IUCAA is a participant in major national and international mega-science projects such as the currently operating 10-m Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the multi-wavelength AstroSat mission, the Aditya-L1 mission; the next-generation optical observatory - the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT); the planned advanced gravitational-wave observatory - the LIGO-India; the Vera Rubin Observatory (Rubin LSST). IUCAA has a high-performance computational facility and an excellent library. IUCAA is located in the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus. IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT-2027) The IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT-2027) is being conducted to select candidates for the following academic programmes at IUCAA: Ph.D. in the areas of Astronomy / Astrophysics and Physics, selection to which will be through the INAT-2027 written test followed by two rounds of interviews at IUCAA, Pune SPPU-IUCAA Joint M.Sc. (Physics with Astrophysics) programme, selection to which will be based solely on the score of the INAT-2027 written test Ph.D. Admission Routes The intake of students into IUCAA's Ph.D. Programme is through IUCAA National Admission Test (INAT) INAT is conducted by the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune. This test will be conducted on the third Sunday of January in various cities across the country in addition to Pune. The list of candidates shortlisted for two rounds of in-person interviews to be conducted at IUCAA, Pune will be published in the website tentatively after 15-20 working days of the written test. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) JEST written test is conducted in February-March every year at more than 30 centres across the country. For more details about JEST, test syllabus, sample question papers, etc. Please visit http://www.jest.org.in/ CSIR-UGC NET for JRF (Physics) Only those who have qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the previous two years are eligible to apply. Those who have qualified for only Lecturership are NOT ELIGIBLE. Eligibility Criteria The academic year at IUCAA begins in August every year. Students who expect to complete their M.Sc. degree (in Physics, Applied Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Electronics, or Astronomy) or B.E./ B.Tech./ M.E./ M.Tech. degree (in any branch) with 55% marks or more by July are eligible to apply. In addition, talented final year B.Sc., 1st year M.Sc. (in Physics / Applied Physics / Electronics / Astronomy / Applied Mathematics), 2nd / 3rd year Integrated M.Sc. and 2nd / 3rd year B.E. / B.Tech. (any branch) students can also apply to be PRE-SELECTED for a research scholarship (to do a PhD) at IUCAA. A relaxation of 5% in the qualifying marks, from 55% to 50%, is applicable for candidates belonging to SC/ ST/ OBC-NCL/ EWS or Person with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category. Highly motivated students with a consistently good academic record are encouraged to apply. Students who have already completed the above degrees can also apply. Selection for the research scholarship is through a written test and interviews. Research Areas Cosmic Magnetic Fields Cosmology and Large-scale Structure Computational Astrophysics Extragalactic Astronomy Gravitational Lensing (Strong, Weak and Micro) Gravitational Waves High Energy Astrophysics Instrumentation for Astronomy Mega Science Quantum Metrology and Sensing Solar and Stellar Physics Online Application Form Visit https://inat.iucaa.in/INAT2027/ApplyOnline.jsp to apply online. Application and Admission Process INAT: The application procedure is completely online. Offline applications are not accepted. No fee is charged for applying. Screening committees involving IUCAA faculty members evaluate the applications and shortlist students for the written test to be conducted in various cities across the country. Candidates who qualify in the written test are invited via email to appear for two rounds of interviews at IUCAA, Pune. The dates of interviews will be communicated to the shortlisted candidates via registered email IDs. JEST: The application procedure is completely online. Offline applications are not accepted. An application fee is charged, details of which are available at https://www.jest.org.in/ This test is conducted at various cities throughout India. After the declaration of JEST results, students are required to apply online. Screening committees involving IUCAA faculty members evaluate the applications and shortlist students for interviews. All such shortlisted students are informed by email. Interviews are conducted either during May or June every year. CSIR-UGC NET for JRF (Physics): Students are required to apply online. Screening committees involving IUCAA faculty members evaluate the applications and shortlist students for interviews. All such shortlisted students are informed by email. Interviews are conducted either during May or June every year. Please note that the student has to produce a letter from the CSIR-UGC informing qualification as JRF at the time of the interview. Important Dates Last date to apply online Monday, November 30, 2026, 23:59 HRS The admission (written) test will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. Venue Various cities across the country as listed in the application form.The exact details of the assigned test centres will be available in the Admit Letter Short-listed candidates will be interviewed on To be announced Contact Details Alok Mishra, Coordinator, Core Academic Programmes Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and AstrophysicsSavitribai Phule Pune University Campus, GaneshkhindPune 411 007, Maharashtra, IndiaE-mail: inat@iucaa.in Phone no.: 020-2560 4100 Students are advised to visit the official website for further information and updates. Source: IUCAA PhD Programme