Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram was established in 2008 by the Government of India's Ministry of Human Resource Development (renamed as Ministry of Education in 2020) to bridge the gap between basic sciences'​ research and teaching at the undergraduate level. Designated as an 'Institute of National Importance'​, IISER Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to scientific research and science education of international standards. IISER Thiruvanananthapuram is an autonomous institution awarding BS-MS dual degrees, and Ph.D degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and interdisciplinary areas. Traditionally, teaching had been segregated from research in undergraduate science curricula in India. IISERs were established to bridge this dichotomy. The institute aims to provide high-quality education in modern science, integrating it with outstanding research at the undergraduate level and develop a spirit of research cutting across disciplines. The faculty is engaged in research in the frontier areas of basic sciences, with a high degree of autonomy and creativity.The campus is located at Vithura, at the foothills of the Ponmudi hills, about 40km from Thiruvananthapuram. The site is blessed with rich greenery, three streams and a river running through it and a spectacular mountain backdrop. This serene and tranquil environment in the lap of the Western Ghats will be ideal for undertaking research and collegiate education.