Chennai has two of India’s best-known institutes for mathematics, and they suit different students. The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) in Taramani is a research institute that takes students only for PhDs. The Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) at Siruseri teaches undergraduates too, and the entrance exam for its 2027-28 intake will be held on Saturday, 15 May 2027 at 2 pm, according to CMI’s admissions page.
IMSc was founded in 1962 by Alladi Ramakrishnan and is funded by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Government of Tamil Nadu, its about page says. CMI started in 1989 as part of the SPIC Science Foundation and became autonomous in 1996, per CMI. Here is how the two compare, how to get in and how the public can attend their events.
The two institutes side by side
| IMSc | CMI | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1962 | 1989 (autonomous 1996) |
| Location | CIT Campus, Taramani | SIPCOT IT Park, Siruseri, on OMR |
| Subjects | Mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science, computational biology | Mathematics, computer science, physics, data science |
| Students | PhD (integrated PhD for graduates) | B.S. (Hons.), M.Sc., PhD |
| Funding | Department of Atomic Energy and Tamil Nadu government | Private and government support |
IMSc: research and how to join
IMSc calls itself a national institute for research in the theoretical sciences. Its campus sits inside the CIT campus off IV Cross Road, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, phone 044-22543100.
Admission is to the doctoral programme only, as the doctoral programme page explains. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree join an integrated PhD. The first filter is a national screening test, and IMSc accepts different ones by subject:
- Mathematics: NBHM or CSIR-UGC.
- Theoretical physics: JEST, CSIR-UGC or GATE.
- Theoretical computer science: JEST.
- Computational biology: JEST, NBHM, GATE, NET, BINC or JGEEBILS.
Applications usually close in mid-February, with interviews from May to July. Every selected student gets a junior research fellowship of ₹25,000 to ₹28,000 a month, hostel or house rent allowance, medical cover and travel support, renewed yearly for up to five years. IMSc also runs summer research programmes for students.
CMI: degrees from B.S. to PhD
CMI offers four-year B.S. (Hons.) degrees in mathematics, mathematics and computer science, and mathematics and physics, each with an optional data science minor and an exit after three years with a B.Sc. Postgraduate options are M.Sc. degrees in mathematics, computer science and data science, and PhDs in mathematics, computer science and physics.
All B.S. applicants sit one entrance exam and choose their subject after admission. For 2027-28, applications are expected to open around 1 March 2027, with full details by February 2027. Last year’s centres included Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu, among more than 35 cities. Students who qualify at certain mathematics, physics and informatics olympiad camps can enter the B.S. directly. PhD applicants may be called for interview on NBHM, GATE, JEST or CSIR-UGC NET scores depending on subject. Fees and scholarships are in CMI’s information brochure; queries go to admissions@cmi.ac.in.
CMI moved to Siruseri in October 2005. Its campus page says it sits on about five acres donated by the Shriram Group, with a library block and hostel in use since January 2007.
Other ways in
Not everyone joins as a degree student. IMSc lists associateship, visiting scientist and visiting student programmes, a summer research programme and postdoctoral positions; in October 2026 its notice board showed postdoctoral openings in mathematics with a 31 October 2026 deadline. It also hosts workshops, such as Spins, Games and Networks III from 17 to 30 November 2026. CMI advertises internships and faculty positions on its home page, along with its Dr. F.C. Kohli Centre of Excellence. CMI’s founder-director was the mathematician C.S. Seshadri, to whom the institute has published a tribute.
Lectures and open days for the public
Both institutes hold talks that are open or semi-open, so keep an eye on their event pages:
- IMSc Open Day: in 2024 the institute set up more than 40 hands-on exhibits run by students and faculty, and invited government school students, according to its outreach newsletter. It held two Open Days within a few weeks.
- IMSc public lectures: the IMSc site lists the Nag Memorial Public Lecture and a “Cosmic Connections” series. Weekly seminars and colloquia are listed on its calendar.
- CMI events: the CMI site lists the CMI Arts Initiative’s online talks and readings, and conferences such as ISBIS StatFin 2026 (7 to 11 December) and Algebra and Geometry 2026 (16 to 22 December).
Quick answers
Does IMSc offer a B.Sc. or M.Sc.?
No. IMSc admits students only to PhD and integrated PhD programmes.
When is the CMI entrance exam?
For the 2027-28 intake, Saturday 15 May 2027 at 2 pm. Applications are expected to open around 1 March 2027.
Which test do I need for an IMSc maths PhD?
A valid NBHM or CSIR-UGC score, followed by IMSc’s own interview.
Can the public attend talks?
Yes, some. IMSc runs open days and named public lectures, and CMI hosts online talks; check each institute’s events page.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- About IMSc (The Institute of Mathematical Sciences)
- IMSc home page and notice board (IMSc)
- Doctoral programme (IMSc)
- Public outreach: IMSc Open Day (IMSc newsletter, November 2024)
- About CMI (Chennai Mathematical Institute)
- Admissions (Chennai Mathematical Institute)
- Campus (Chennai Mathematical Institute)
- CMI home page and news (Chennai Mathematical Institute)
