The institute initiated the integrated PhD program during 2012-2013. It is meant for students who have completed an undergraduate degree from other Institutions and wish to pursue the joint Master's and PhD program at IISER Mohali. This program identifies talented students at an early stage and brings them into the research fold. About 220 students have been admitted to this stream so far, and about 85 students are currently enrolled in the programme. More than 40 students have received joint master's and PhD degrees.
The integrated PhD program consists of two years of coursework and research projects, and a fellowship is paid during the coursework period. Qualifying students continue with their PhD at the institute under the guidance of a faculty member. Under normal circumstances, the integrated PhD program saves one year for the student as the coursework enables them to progress at a much faster pace than a student in a typical MSc/PhD program. The PhD fellowship would normally be available for four years from the date of successful completion of the coursework and comprehensive examination. The Senate has enabled the students who wish to exit the integrated MS-PhD programme to receive an MS degree after the completion of two years of coursework and one year of MS thesis work. More than 75 students have received MS degrees, viz. MS exit pathway.
Besides research, the scholars are involved in several activities, such as working as teaching assistants in theory courses and laboratory sessions. The Integrated PhD students contribute significantly to mentoring fifth-year MS students in research laboratories. The Integrated PhD students also participate actively in seminars, journal clubs, workshops, national and international conferences, etc. There are considerable intra- and inter-departmental interactions amongst students at different levels.
Admissions to the program are carried out once a year. Applications are invited in March each year through advertisements in newspapers and on the IISER Mohali web pages.
Doctoral graduates from IISER Mohali go for post-doctoral research in some of the finest research groups in the world. Several of them have become faculty/independent researchers in those institutions.