IIST Thiruvananthapuram B.Tech., Dual Degree Programs – Eligibility, Fees, Admission Process
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala offers B.Tech. programs in space sciences and technology that provide you with a wonderful opportunity to take up a career in these fields. This article details the programs, including a unique Dual Degree program combining a B.Tech. with an M.Tech. specialization. Learn about each program's curriculum and fee structure, and the online registration process.
Students keen to lay the foundation of a career in aerospace engineering and avionics could do well to enroll for an undergraduate program at the renowned Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. There is the benefit of bagging a possible internship or even an opportunity to work at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and IIST has a Placement Cell to facilitate campus placements with top national and international companies.
Brief profile: This Deemed to be University under the aegis of the Dept. of Space, Govt. of India is known for its academic excellence, superb infrastructure and research facilities, and collaborations with globally reputed eminent national and international institutes. The UG, PG, Doctoral, and post-doctoral programs offered by IIST, Thiruvananthapuram focus on the niche areas of space sciences, space technology and space applications. 
[Image source: print advt. in the Hindustan Times, 1st June 2024]
Quick synopsis: IIST UG admissions are based on the JEE Advanced Score. Online registrations for the upcoming academic year will begin on 3rd June 2024 at 10 a.m. In addition to seats reserved for students of OBC (NCL)/ SC/ ST categories, there are seats reserved for students of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), for Jammu & Kashmir students under the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) [but not for the Dual degree program], and for women candidates.
IIST UG and Dual Degree Programs
B. Tech in Aerospace Engineering: This 4-year program not only has learning modules associated with aerospace engineering but also some that are related to mechanical engineering such as Mechanical Design, Manufacturing Science, etc. It will subsequently allow you to specialize in Aerodynamics, Manufacturing Science, Thermal and Propulsion, etc.
Number of Seats: 75.
B. Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering (Avionics): This 4-year program encompasses a range of fields associated with Electrical, Electronics, Communication Engineering and Computer Science. You can then pursue further studies in niche fields like Microelectronics, Robotics, AI, etc.
Number of Seats: 75.
Dual Degree program: This program is a 5-year (10 semesters) program, on the completion of which you will be awarded a B. Tech. degree in Engineering Physics and a Master of Science/M.Tech. Degree in the stream you opted for, in the fourth year of the program.
Number of Seats: 24.
The curriculum of the Dual Degree program combines the components of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering. In the first year, the curriculum includes the basic courses in science and engineering which is common for all UG programs. The second and third years will have foundation courses in Physics and Engineering. At the end of the sixth semester, you will be allotted the postgraduate stream that you will pursue in the fourth year of the dual degree program. This stream will be allotted based on your preference and academic performance up to the sixth semester. The postgraduate specialization streams are-
Note- Although you cannot exit after the B.Tech. in Engineering Physics and are required to continue in the Dual Degree program, the exit option may be available due to unsatisfactory academic performance and as per specified norms of the Department and IIST's Academic Council and Board of Management.IIST B.Tech. Eligibility requirements
Nationality: Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for admission to IIST.
An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)/Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holder can also apply for the IIST UG programs and may be considered for admission, based on the scores obtained in the JEE (Advanced) 2024 exam. These candidates should apply in the General category only and must pay the full amount of all fees. They will not be eligible for employment opportunities in ISRO/DOS.
Age criterion: If you are applying in the General, EWS and OBC-NCL categories, you should have been born on or after 1st October 1999. If you are applying in the SC/ ST and PD categories, you should have been born on or after October 1, 1994. The date of birth should be the same as recorded in the certificate of the high school/first Board/or its equivalent. In case the certificate does not mention the date of birth, you must submit an authenticated document from a competent authority indicating the same at the time of accepting the seat.
Educational Qualification: You should have scored a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 Board exam (or equivalent exam – refer to page 25 of the official brochure to know the list of equivalent qualifying exams). For SC, ST, and PD candidates, the aggregate marks should be at least 65%. The marks scored in these 5 subjects will be considered for calculating the aggregate marks- Physics, Chemistry, Maths, one language (if the candidate has taken more than one language, then the language with the higher marks will be considered), and any subject other than these four (the subject with the highest marks will be considered).
JEE (Advanced) 2024 Exam: It is mandatory to have appeared for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main)-2024 to qualify to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) - 2024 conducted by IITs and secure the minimum prescribed marks. The JEE Advanced 2024 Exam qualifying marks for IIST Admission are shown in the Table below-
[Table source: IIST 2024 UG Programs official brochure]IIST UG and Dual Degree Programs Fee Structure
There is a one-time fee of Rs.500/- towards admission (this is non-refundable). Other one-time fees include a campus development fee, and the institute and library deposit (this is refundable), the alumni fee, and the Convocation-cum-Degree Fee. These last two fees will be collected along with the final semester fee. The semester fee includes the Tuition fee, library fee, computer fee, exam fee, etc. The fees for IIST hostel accommodation are additional and include the hostel rent, mess, etc.
The detailed fee structure is shown in the Table below-
[Table source: IIST 2024 UG Programs official brochure]
Relevant notes: As soon as a seat is allotted to you, the first semester fee should be paid online while the subsequent semester fees should be paid at the start of each semester by the notified date. While the tuition fee as stated in the Table will not change, other fees may be revised, in which case you will be informed well in advance. Check out the official brochure to learn about merit scholarships that will provide a full/part waiver in the tuition fee on fulfilling the required criteria (page 23 of the brochure).
The amount to be paid at the time of admission:
For GEN/OBC/EWS: Rs 20700/-.
For SC/ST/PD: Rs. 20700/-.
The rest of the amount should be paid while joining IIST.IIST UG and Dual Degree Programs Admission Process
You have to register online with an email and mobile number through the 'Undergraduate Admission 2024' link given at the IIST Admissions Portal
You must fill in the choice of the branch in order of preference for the Undergraduate and Dual Degree programs during the registration process, otherwise, the process will not be considered complete. You can make a change in the choice of preference before the due date (16th June 2024 at 11.59 p.m.), and subsequently, the preference will be locked and you will not be able to make any request for a change. You need not fill in all three choices, and it is best to choose only the branch as per your interest.
On completing the registration process, you will receive a system-generated IIST Registration Number.
The next step is to pay the Registration Fee online through the link provided for it, and once you pay the fee, the receipt of payment will be confirmed through the registered E-mail and mobile number. The IIST 2024 UG and Dual Degree program registration fee is as follows-
For Male candidates in General/ EWS/ OBC-NCL: Rs. 1000/-.
For Female candidates in General/ EWS/ OBC-NCL: Rs. 500/-.
For all SC/ ST/ PD candidates: Rs. 500/-.
Seat allotment: Go through the official brochure for instructions on the seat allotment/acceptance rounds (page 14 of the brochure).
Post-allotment of seats: You can accept the seat by paying the first-semester fee online (refer to the section on fees mentioned earlier in this article). You must upload the following documents before the specified date/time which will be displayed on the official website-
On successful verification of documents, a provisional Admit Card will be generated. You can download it from the online admission website and bring it at the time of joining IIST.
Refund of fee: In case you have paid the first-semester fee and then decide to forfeit the seat, you can get a refund, but an amount will be deducted from it towards processing charges. Refer to the official brochure to know the refund policies (refer page 31 in the brochure).Important dates
Registration schedule-
The JEE Advanced Result will be declared on 9th June 2024. In the meantime, you can start the registration process and fill in the Branch Preferences on 3rd June 2024, 10 a.m. onward.
Online registrations will close on 14th June 2024 at 11.59 p.m.
Ranking list and seat allotment schedule-
The IIST Admission Rank List will be displayed on the official website on 15th June 2024 at 5 p.m.
The closing date for modification of Branch Preferences is 16th June 2024 at 11.59 p.m.
The Seat Allotment/Acceptance rounds are scheduled to begin from 17th June 2024 to 8th July 2024 (tentative date).
The joining date for IIST UG programs is 22nd July 2024 (10 a.m. is the reporting time).
Spot Admissions Schedule-
In case of vacant seats, an Online Spot Admissions Notification will be released on 9th July 2024 at 2 p.m.
The Online Spot Admissions Registration, if required (this applies only for the remaining wait-listed candidates after the last round of seat allotment) is from 10th July 2024, 9 a.m. to 12th July 2024, 1.59 p.m.
The Online Spot Admissions, if required, is from 12th July 2024 to 14th July 2024.
Final admission and academic schedule-
The final date of closing of Admissions is 15th July 2024.
The Induction Program will be held from 22nd July 2024 to 26th July 2024.
Classes for IIST UG programs will begin on 29th July 2024.
Note- Students are advised to check the official IIST website regularly for changes, if any, of the above schedule.Contact information
Chairperson, UG Admissions
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
Valiamala (P.O.), Thiruvananthapuram - 695547
Kerala, India.
IIST official website: https://www.iist.ac.in/
For assistance-
All queries should be sent only by email to ugadmission@iist.ac.in
Helpdesk Contact numbers strictly for the online admission process only: 0471-2568477, 478, 618, 418 (Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) / Fax: 0471-2568556.
Quick references-
UG admissions portal: https://admission.iist.ac.in/ug//index1.php
FAQs: https://admission.iist.ac.in/ug/template/default/downloads/faq2024.pdf
Detailed curriculum and syllabus of each program: https://www.iist.ac.in/academics/curricula
After completing the IIST UG program, you can pursue higher studies with an M.Tech. or Master of Science Program.
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The students in this institute will have the advantage of working closely with the scientists from ISRO, in Trivandrum. The students can obtain permission and visit VSSC labs and understand the subject well. Scientists from VSSC will visit this institute and work closely with the faculty here. That will be an added advantage for the students. As mentioned by the author students will have the facility of doing internships and projects in ISRO and chances of getting appointed in ISRO are higher.
A very nice elaborate article from the author about the admission process in the prestigious university which is on par with the best IITs in the country.