Accepted entrance exams
About Master of Statistics [M.Stat.]
Master of Statistics [M.Stat.] at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), New Delhi, is a prestigious 2-year full-time postgraduate program at one of India's premier research institutions, recognized as an Institute of National Importance. The program provides rigorous training in statistical theory, probability, statistical inference, multivariate analysis, time series, and applied statistics, preparing students for careers in research, academia, data science, and industry. The total fees for the M.Stat. program are Rs. 40,000 for the complete 2-year duration, making it one of the most affordable and prestigious PG programs in India. Admission is through the ISI Admission Test, and the program has a seat intake of approximately 20-25 students per year. The M.Stat. from ISI is widely regarded as the gold standard for statistics education in India.
Admissions for M.Stat. 2026-27 at ISI New Delhi are currently open. The ISI Admission Test 2026 registration was open from February 12 to March 13, 2026. The exam is scheduled for May 10, 2026, with results expected by June 1, 2026. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted after the written test.
Key Points:
- ISI is an Institute of National Importance, and the M.Stat. program is considered the most prestigious statistics PG program in India.
- The total fees for the 2-year program are just Rs. 40,000, making it extremely affordable for a program of this caliber.
- M.Stat. students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000 per month as per ISI policy.
- The program has a strong focus on both theoretical and applied statistics, with exposure to real-world data analysis.
- M.Stat. graduates from ISI are highly sought after by top companies, research institutions, and universities worldwide.
ISI M.Stat. Fees
The M.Stat. program at ISI New Delhi is one of the most affordable PG programs in India, with a total fee of just Rs. 40,000 for the complete 2-year duration. Students also receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000. The program is government-funded, making it highly accessible.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (per year) | 20,000 |
| Other Charges (Library, Medical, etc.) | 4,500 per year (approx.) |
| Total Fees (2 years, tuition only) | 40,000 |
| Monthly Stipend | 5,000 per month |
| Hostel Fees (optional, per month) | 11,000 (approx.) |
- The total tuition fee for the 2-year M.Stat. program is Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 20,000 per year).
- Students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000 as per ISI policy.
- Library fee (Rs. 1,500/year) and medical fee (Rs. 3,000/year) are additional charges.
- Hostel accommodation is available at approximately Rs. 11,000 per month (includes meals).
- Fee waiver is available for students from economically weaker sections based on family income.
ISI M.Stat. Admission 2026
Admissions to M.Stat. at ISI New Delhi are through the ISI Admission Test (written test) followed by an interview. The process is highly competitive, with hundreds of applicants for approximately 20-25 seats. The 2026-27 admission process is currently underway.
ISI M.Stat. Admission Dates
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| ISI Admission Test Registration (M.Stat.) | Feb 12 - Mar 13, 2026 |
| ISI Admission Test Admit Card | May 1, 2026 |
| ISI Admission Test (Written) | May 10, 2026 |
| Result/Shortlist for Interview (Tentative) | Jun 1, 2026 |
| Interview for M.Stat. Candidates (Tentative) | Jun - Jul 2026 |
| Commencement of M.Stat. Program (Tentative) | Aug/Sep 2026 |
Entrance Exam Details
| Exam | Conducting Body | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| ISI Admission Test (PMS - M.Stat.) | Indian Statistical Institute | Primary exam for M.Stat. admission at ISI |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field from a recognized university.
- BE/B.Tech graduates with strong mathematical backgrounds may also be eligible.
- Qualifying in the ISI Admission Test (written) and subsequent interview is mandatory.
Admission Process:
- Register for the ISI Admission Test 2026 at isical.ac.in (registration closed March 13, 2026).
- Appear for the ISI Admission Test (written) on May 10, 2026.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview at ISI New Delhi.
- Final selection is based on combined performance in the written test and interview.
- Selected candidates are offered admission with monthly stipend.
ISI M.Stat. Scholarships 2026
M.Stat. students at ISI New Delhi receive a monthly stipend and may also be eligible for fee waivers. The program is government-funded, making it highly affordable.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship/Support | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ISI Monthly Stipend | All M.Stat. students | Rs. 5,000 per month |
| Fee Waiver | Students from economically weaker sections (family income criteria) | Partial/full tuition fee waiver |
| CSIR-JRF (for Ph.D. continuation) | Students qualifying CSIR-NET JRF after M.Stat. | Rs. 37,000 per month |
- The monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000 is provided to all M.Stat. students as per ISI policy.
- Fee waiver is available based on family income; students should apply at the time of admission.
- M.Stat. graduates who qualify CSIR-NET JRF can directly pursue Ph.D. at ISI with full fellowship.
ISI M.Stat. FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between M.Stat. at ISI Delhi and ISI Kolkata?
Ans. The M.Stat. program is offered at both ISI Delhi and ISI Kolkata. The curriculum is similar, but ISI Kolkata is the main campus with a larger faculty and more research groups. ISI Delhi has a stronger focus on economics and social statistics due to its location in the national capital. The admission process is common (same ISI Admission Test), and students can choose their preferred campus during the application process.
Ques. What is the fee for M.Stat. at ISI New Delhi? Is it really just Rs. 40,000 for 2 years?
Ans. Yes, the total tuition fee for the 2-year M.Stat. program at ISI New Delhi is just Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 20,000 per year). This is because ISI is a government-funded Institute of National Importance. Students also receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000. Additional charges include library fee (Rs. 1,500/year) and medical fee (Rs. 3,000/year). Hostel accommodation is available at approximately Rs. 11,000 per month.
Ques. What are the career options after M.Stat. from ISI New Delhi?
Ans. M.Stat. graduates from ISI New Delhi are highly sought after by top companies (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey), research institutions (CSIR, ISRO, RBI), and universities. Common job roles include data scientist, statistician, quantitative analyst, and research scientist. Many graduates also pursue Ph.D. at ISI or top international universities. The average starting salary for M.Stat. graduates is Rs. 15-25 LPA.
Ques. How difficult is the ISI Admission Test for M.Stat.?
Ans. The ISI Admission Test for M.Stat. is considered one of the most challenging entrance exams in India. It tests deep knowledge of probability, statistics, real analysis, and linear algebra. The exam has two papers: Paper I (objective) and Paper II (subjective). Students should study from standard textbooks like Hogg-McKean-Craig (Introduction to Mathematical Statistics) and Casella-Berger (Statistical Inference). Previous year question papers are available on the ISI website.
Ques. Can engineering graduates apply for M.Stat. at ISI New Delhi?
Ans. Yes, BE/B.Tech graduates with strong mathematical backgrounds are eligible to apply for M.Stat. at ISI New Delhi. The ISI Admission Test is the primary filter, and engineering graduates who can demonstrate strong knowledge of probability, statistics, and mathematics are eligible for consideration. Many engineering graduates from IITs and NITs have successfully cleared the ISI Admission Test and joined the M.Stat. program.
Ques. Is there a hostel facility at ISI New Delhi for M.Stat. students?
Ans. Yes, ISI New Delhi provides hostel accommodation for M.Stat. students. The hostel fee is approximately Rs. 11,000 per month, which includes meals. The hostel is located on the ISI campus, providing a safe and conducive environment for studies. Students should apply for hostel accommodation at the time of admission, as seats are limited.