Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology

Founded in 2007, IIST was envisioned by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to fulfill the human resource requirements of the Indian Space Program. The campus, located at Valiamala near Thiruvananthapuram, spans 100 acres at the foothills of the Sahyadri ranges. The institute is unique for its direct absorption policy into ISRO for eligible graduates. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in specialized fields like Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, and Space Sciences. For 2025, IIST is ranked #61 in the NIRF Engineering category, reflecting its rigorous academic standards and specialized research output.