IISER Pune

The Career Development & Placement Cell (CDPC) invites companies, conducts pre-placement talks, and supports students in resume prep, screening, and interviews

In the 2023–24 cycle, 12 of ∼187 BS‑MS students got placed with a median package of ₹11.96 LPA, while many others opted for higher studies

Top recruiters include L’Oréal, HUL, BASF, Azim Premji Foundation, with research placements at elite universities like Harvard, Cambridge, Michigan, Princeton

Two nine‑storey hostels (separated by gender) with high-speed Wi‑Fi, 24/7 water, hot showers, power backup, fire systems, and hygienic messes

While IISER (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research) and JEE Main serve different purposes, many students consider the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) to be conceptually more challenging than JEE Main due to its emphasis on deep understanding of science subjects, especially Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Math. Unlike JEE Main, which is largely engineering-focused and objective-based, the IISER exam tests analytical thinking and scientific aptitude suited for research-oriented careers. However, JEE Main is more competitive in terms of the number of applicants. So, if you’re stronger in theoretical concepts and research interest, IISER might suit you better, but in terms of sheer competition and pressure, JEE Main is tougher due to its scale and role in securing engineering admissions.

The fees for IISER Pune are relatively affordable compared to many private institutions. For BS-MS dual degree students, the annual academic fee is approximately ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 for General and OBC categories, while SC/ST and PwD students receive significant fee waivers. Additionally, hostel fees, mess charges, and other expenses bring the total annual cost to around ₹70,000 to ₹90,000. It's important to note that students admitted through IISER Aptitude Test, KVPY, or JEE Advanced are eligible for scholarships like the INSPIRE or KVPY fellowship, which can help cover living and academic expenses. For the most accurate and updated IISER Pune fee structure, always refer to the official IISER Pune website.