About

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, is an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It was established under the Nano Mission of the Government of India to promote research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The institute started its activities on 3 January 2013 from its transit campus in Mohali.

The institute is located at Knowledge City, Sector-81, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Punjab – 140306. In December 2020, INST shifted to its present state-of-the-art campus spread over approximately 35 acres in Knowledge City, Sector-81, adjacent to the IISER Mohali campus.

INST is primarily a research and higher-education institution rather than a conventional undergraduate college. Its major activities focus on advanced research, doctoral education, postdoctoral research, internships, scientific training, technology development, and interdisciplinary collaboration in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The institute currently advertises admissions to its INST-IISER Ph.D. programme, including the January 2027 session.

The institute brings together researchers from diverse scientific and engineering backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering. Its research programmes cover interdisciplinary areas where nanoscience can contribute to healthcare, energy, environment, agriculture, advanced materials, and other national priorities.

INST has major research thrust areas including agricultural nanotechnology, nanomedicine, energy and environmental science, quantum materials and device physics, nanoelectronics, microfluidics-based technologies, and nanobiotechnology. These areas support research into new materials, processes, devices, and technologies with potential scientific and societal applications.

The institute provides a research-intensive environment with state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced scientific instruments, specialised research facilities, and interdisciplinary research infrastructure. The Director's current message describes the 35-acre campus as having well-equipped laboratories and facilities supporting research in sustainable energy, healthcare, environment, advanced materials, and related fields.

Research at INST is oriented towards developing processes, technologies, devices, and products that address national and societal needs. The institute's work has applications in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, defence, energy, water, environmental protection, and advanced technology.

The institute also encourages industry interaction, collaborative research, scientific seminars, workshops, internships, and technology transfer. Its history records collaborations with other scientific institutions and the development of research projects, patents, and industry-oriented activities.

INST provides opportunities for students and researchers through Ph.D. programmes, postdoctoral positions, research internships, project-based research positions, and scientific training programmes. The institute's current announcements include research fellowship and internship opportunities under projects supported by agencies such as ANRF, CSIR, and the Ministry of Textiles.

Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, therefore provides a specialised environment for advanced research and higher education in nanoscience and nanotechnology. With its DST, Government of India status, 35-acre Knowledge City campus, interdisciplinary research programmes, advanced laboratories, doctoral education, internships, scientific collaborations, and technology-development activities, INST provides opportunities for students and researchers pursuing careers in nanotechnology, materials science, biotechnology, physics, chemistry, healthcare, energy, environmental science, and related research fields.

Strategic Location

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) is located at Sector-81, Knowledge City, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab – 140306. The institute is situated in Knowledge City, Mohali, in proximity to major academic and research institutions. Its location provides connectivity with Chandigarh, Mohali and the surrounding region, while the Knowledge City setting supports collaboration among scientific and higher-education institutions.

Affiliation & Recognition

INST is an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It was established under the Government of India's Nano Mission to promote research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. As a research institute rather than a conventional affiliated college, its academic and research programmes operate within its institutional and government framework.

Establishment & Background

The Institute of Nano Science and Technology was established as a specialised centre for research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Government of India approved its establishment in 2008, and the institute was registered as a society in 2009. INST started its activities in January 2013 from its transit campus in Mohali before moving to its state-of-the-art campus in Knowledge City in 2020.

Modern Infrastructure

INST has a 35-acre campus equipped with state-of-the-art research laboratories, an incubation and innovation centre, library, auditoriums, hostels and other facilities. The campus includes a 230-seat main auditorium, a 90-seat mini auditorium, sports facilities, guest house, utility centre and residential facilities for research scholars and staff.

Research-Oriented Curriculum

The institute focuses strongly on interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Research activities cover areas including physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and engineering, with applications in energy, environment, healthcare, agriculture, quantum materials, nano-devices and chemical biology. INST also conducts Ph.D. programmes and provides opportunities for internships and research training.

Experienced Scientists and Faculty

The institute brings together scientists and researchers from different scientific and engineering disciplines, including biologists, chemists, physicists, materials scientists and engineers. Their research activities support interdisciplinary projects, scientific publications, technology development and mentoring of research scholars. The institute's research environment encourages collaboration across different areas of nanoscience and technology.

Research Opportunities and Financial Support

Research scholars and students may have access to fellowships, project-based research opportunities and other forms of financial support according to applicable government and institutional rules. INST regularly advertises opportunities for Junior Research Fellows, project staff and research internships. Current eligibility, fellowship amounts and application procedures depend on the particular programme or funded project.

Holistic Research Development

INST encourages students and research scholars to develop scientific knowledge alongside research, innovation and communication skills. Seminars, workshops, conferences, scientific lectures, internships and outreach activities provide opportunities for researchers to interact with the wider scientific community. The institute also promotes scientific awareness among students through outreach programmes.

Campus Environment

The institute provides a research-focused campus environment at Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali. Research laboratories, incubation and innovation facilities, library resources, hostels, auditoriums, sports facilities and residential amenities support the academic and research activities of scholars and scientists. The campus is also positioned close to other research and higher-education institutions in the Knowledge City region.

Research & Career Support

INST provides opportunities for students and researchers to develop careers in nanoscience, materials science, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, engineering and related interdisciplinary fields. Research projects, Ph.D. programmes, internships, publications, conferences and collaborations provide exposure to academic and research environments. The institute also works towards developing technologies and devices with applications in healthcare, agriculture, energy, environment and strategic sectors.

Vision
To emerge as globally competitive India's foremost research institution in Nano Science and Technology and to contribute to the society through application of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the field of agriculture, medicine, energy and environment.
Mission
⁠To be a world class research institution by carrying out cutting-edge research through outstanding scientists from different branches of science and engineering, encouraging them to carry out their individual scientific research to be published in the best journals alongwith their mandate to jointly work on interdisciplinary projects to develop devices/technologies based on nano science and technology.
⁠To encourage all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology with major thrust on the following areas: agricultural nanotechnology, sensors, medical nanotechnology, nanotechnology-based solutions for energy and environment.
⁠The ultimate goal is to make a difference to society through nanoscience and technology

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali is an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It began activities in 2013 and shifted to its 35-acre state-of-the-art campus at Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, in 2020. Its research covers nanoscience and nanotechnology across physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and interdisciplinary areas.

Admission Criteria

Ph.D.

Admission Process

• Candidates must possess the required postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Applicants must submit the prescribed application form along with educational and supporting documents.
• Candidates are shortlisted according to the eligibility and screening criteria specified in the admission advertisement.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview.
• Final selection is made after the interview according to INST admission rules and applicable reservation provisions.
• Selected candidates complete the required joining and admission formalities.

Eligibility

• Candidates should generally hold an M.Sc., M.Pharm., M.Tech. or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Basic Sciences, Applied Sciences, Engineering or a related field.
• Candidates appearing in the final year/semester may be eligible, provided the qualifying degree is obtained before joining.
• Candidates must satisfy the fellowship or national-level examination requirements specified in the current admission notification.
• Relevant areas include physical sciences, chemical sciences, biological sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural sciences and related fields.
• Candidates must fulfil the age, reservation and other conditions prescribed in the applicable admission notification.

As a research-focused institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, INST provides opportunities for doctoral research, internships and research fellowships through applicable programmes and funding schemes. Current admission information includes the INST-IISER Ph.D. programme, while project-based JRF/SRF and research positions are also announced periodically. Students and research scholars should check individual programme advertisements for fellowship, stipend, eligibility and financial-support details. The institute also provides a facility for financial support for conferences for eligible Ph.D. scholars under its academic procedures.

INST is primarily a research institute specialising in nanoscience and nanotechnology, rather than a conventional undergraduate engineering or management college. Its academic environment is centred on doctoral research, postdoctoral work, internships and scientific projects. Students and research scholars gain exposure to interdisciplinary research involving physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and engineering, with research areas including energy, environment, quantum materials, nano-devices and chemical biology. Research internships, project positions and collaborations can provide experience relevant to careers in scientific research, higher education, R&D and technology development.

INST has a 35-acre state-of-the-art campus at Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali, developed to support advanced research and interdisciplinary scientific activities. The campus provides specialised research infrastructure together with residential, recreational and common-use facilities for students, research scholars and staff. The Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali provides modern research, academic and student-support facilities to promote advanced studies in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The institute has a research-oriented infrastructure that supports postgraduate students, doctoral scholars, scientists and faculty members. Its facilities are designed to encourage interdisciplinary research, experimentation, innovation and collaboration across different scientific and technological fields.

INST provides residential facilities for its research scholars and students. The campus includes boys' and girls' hostels, a married scholar hostel, staff quarters, officer housing and a guest house. The institute also maintains formal hostel rules and accommodation procedures. Hostel facilities provide students and research scholars with convenient access to laboratories, academic facilities and other campus amenities. Accommodation availability is subject to the institute's applicable rules and allotment procedures.

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali is located at Sector-81, Knowledge City, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab. The institute has road connectivity with Mohali, Chandigarh and nearby areas. Students, research scholars and staff can use buses, taxis and private vehicles for commuting. The official institute directions state that Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport is about 9 km away, while Mohali Railway Station is about 5 km and Chandigarh Railway Station about 13 km from the institute.