Science students checking an IISER counselling offer and seat acceptance payment online
The first IISER 2026 admission-offer window opens on July 24.

IISER Counselling 2026: Seat Acceptance Schedule

IISER 2026 counselling offers begin July 24. Check three round windows, Seat Acceptance Fee amounts and the Freeze or Float process.

Summary: IISER Admissions has published the tentative 2026 counselling-offer schedule. Round 1 offers will be available from July 24 to July 28, followed by Round 2 from August 1 to August 5 and Round 3 from August 10 to August 13. Offered candidates must accept the seat and pay the Seat Acceptance Fee within the applicable round window.

Key highlights

  • The current official page lists three tentative admission-offer rounds.
  • Students must log in during each relevant window to check whether an offer has been made.
  • Paying the Seat Acceptance Fee is required to accept an offer.
  • General, EWS, OBC, OBC-NCL, PwD and specified Kashmir categories pay Rs. 35,000.
  • SC and ST candidates pay Rs. 17,500.
  • Failure to pay within the deadline cancels the offer and removes the candidate from later allocation rounds.

Important dates

RoundOffer and action window
Round 1July 24, 5:00 PM to July 28, 2026, 5:00 PM IST
Round 2August 1, 5:00 PM to August 5, 2026, 5:00 PM IST
Round 3August 10, 5:00 PM to August 13, 2026, 5:00 PM IST

Who is affected?

This schedule affects candidates who completed IISER 2026 counselling registration and programme preference submission after qualifying through IAT 2026. An offer depends on rank, category, preferences and available seats.

Required student action

Check the official IISER dates page and your counselling account when each round opens. If offered a seat, read the institute and programme details, pay the Seat Acceptance Fee and select Freeze or Float as applicable before the round closes.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the official IISER admission portal and sign in with your registered credentials.
  2. Check the offer status after the relevant round opens at 5:00 PM.
  3. Read the allotted IISER, academic programme and fee instructions carefully.
  4. If accepting, pay the category-specific Seat Acceptance Fee before the displayed deadline.
  5. Download the payment receipt and provisional admission record.
  6. Choose Freeze if you want to retain the allotted programme without further upgrades.
  7. Choose Float if you want consideration for a higher preference in later rounds.
  8. Continue checking the dashboard and the allotted IISER’s reporting instructions.

What happens if the deadline is missed?

The official information brochure states that failure to deposit the Seat Acceptance Fee within the stipulated time cancels the offer. The candidate will also not be considered in subsequent IISER seat-allotment rounds for 2026.

FAQ

Is the published schedule final?

The IISER dates page labels it tentative. Candidates must recheck the official page and dashboard before acting.

What is the difference between Freeze and Float?

Freeze completes counselling with the accepted programme. Float keeps the accepted seat while allowing consideration for a higher preference when vacancies permit.

Official sources