PROMYS India brought the PROMYS approach to mathematics to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, giving students across India six weeks of deep, proof-based math on a full scholarship. If you are hoping to apply for summer 2027, there is one important update to know first: the program did not run in India in 2026, and it has not yet confirmed a 2027 program.
This guide explains where PROMYS India stands, what the program offered, and how students in India can still apply to PROMYS for summer 2027.
Is PROMYS India Running in 2027?
Not confirmed yet. In its latest update, PROMYS said that for 2026 it would instead bring a select group of students and counselors from India to the Boston program, as it did in the program's early years. It added that it hopes to offer a program in India again in 2027.
Until PROMYS announces otherwise, students in India should plan to apply to PROMYS in Boston, which accepts students from around the world. You can sign up for PROMYS India updates to hear first if the India program returns.
What Is PROMYS India?
PROMYS India grew out of the Mehta Fellowship, which since 2015 has brought talented students to PROMYS in Boston. Building on that, PROMYS launched PROMYS India in May 2023 in partnership with IISc Bengaluru. It was a six-week residential program closely modeled on the Boston original and open to students in Standards IX to XII from across India.
The program ran three summers at IISc, from 2023 to 2025, under its founding director, Professor Ila Varma. Students attended daily Number Theory lectures and worked through challenging problem sets designed to help them discover ideas and write their own proofs. There were also advanced seminars, exploration labs, mentored research, and guest lectures.
One feature set PROMYS India apart: every accepted student received a full scholarship covering tuition, hostel accommodation, and meals. That made it unusually accessible for a program of its level, thanks to founding sponsors including the Nash family and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
What Happened in 2026
PROMYS and its sponsors, the Nash family, decided not to run the India program in 2026. Instead, it offered a select group of students and counselors the chance to attend PROMYS in Boston, returning to the model it used in the early years of the Mehta Fellowship. Eligible students in India were encouraged to apply directly to the Boston program.
Professor Varma, who led PROMYS India from the start, announced plans to launch her own summer mathematics program, independent of PROMYS. PROMYS has said it hopes to bring the program back to India in 2027, but no dates, host, or application details have been published.
How Students in India Can Apply to PROMYS in 2027
For now, the clearest route for students in India is PROMYS at Boston University. PROMYS 2027 runs from June 27 to August 7, 2027. The application opens in January, and the deadline is expected at the end of February, with decisions by the end of April.
To be eligible, you must be 14 to 18 years old and have completed 9th grade (Standard IX) by the start of the program, and not yet be enrolled full-time at university. The application has four parts: solutions to a challenging problem set, a letter of recommendation from a math teacher or mentor, your school transcript, and an online form with short-answer questions.
Cost is the biggest change from PROMYS India. The Boston program costs up to $8,000 in 2026, and financial aid for international students is considered case by case. PROMYS has not said whether it will again create places for a select group of students from India in 2027, so it is worth signing up for updates and contacting PROMYS directly if cost is a concern.
Two more things to keep in mind. You can apply to only one PROMYS program per summer, so if PROMYS India does reopen for 2027, you will need to choose. And PROMYS strictly prohibits AI tools on the application and may interview applicants about their solutions.
How to Prepare for the PROMYS Problem Set
Whichever PROMYS program you apply to, the problem set is the heart of the application. The problems need no more than a standard school math background, but they ask for far more creativity than a typical exam question.
The good news is that you do not need to solve every problem to be admitted. PROMYS says plainly that it does not expect complete solutions to all of them. It wants to see how you approach a hard problem. A careful partial solution that shows what you tried, what patterns you noticed, and where you got stuck can say more about you than a bare final answer.
Start as soon as the problems are released in January and give yourself weeks, not days. Try small cases, look for patterns, and test your guesses before you try to prove them. When you do have a proof, write it clearly enough that someone else can follow every step. Keep your scratch work too, so you can talk through your thinking if you are invited to interview.
To build your skills before January, practice with past PROMYS problem sets and work through proof-based problems in number theory. The PROMYS reading list is a good place to start.
Which PROMYS Programs Can Students in India Apply To?
PROMYS runs residential summer programs in four countries, but not all of them are open to students living in India.
Program | Location | Open to students in India? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
PROMYS | Boston University, USA | Yes, ages 14 to 18 | Up to $8,000 (2026), aid case by case for international students |
PROMYS Italia | University of Padova, Italy | Appears so (no residency rule listed), ages 15 and up | €3,500 (2026), need-based aid available |
University of Oxford, UK | No, Europe residents only | £4,500 (2027) | |
PROMYS India | IISc Bengaluru | Not running in 2026; 2027 unconfirmed | Previously free for all admitted students |
Remember that you can apply to only one PROMYS program in a given summer, so pick the one that best fits your age, budget, and plans.
Turning Mathematical Curiosity Into Research
Whether PROMYS India returns in 2027 or you set your sights on Boston, the skills PROMYS rewards are the same ones at the heart of mathematical research: exploring, conjecturing, and proving. You can keep building them all year by taking on a research project of your own and sharing it at a science fair.
At ScienceFair, our mentors are past science fair winners, including ISEF Grand Awardees, Regeneron STS Scholars, and alumni of MIT's Research Science Institute. They know what it takes to turn a good question into award-winning research.
If you would like to explore what that could look like for you, book a free call with one of our academic advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will PROMYS India Run in 2027?
PROMYS has said it hopes to offer a program in India in 2027, but it has not confirmed dates or opened applications. Sign up for updates on the PROMYS website to hear as soon as anything is announced.
Can Students From India Apply to PROMYS in Boston?
Yes. PROMYS in Boston accepts students from around the world who are 14 to 18 and have completed Standard IX. Financial aid for international students is considered case by case.
Was PROMYS India Free?
Yes. Every student admitted to PROMYS India received a full scholarship covering tuition, hostel accommodation, and meals.
Do I Need to Solve Every Problem on the Problem Set?
No. PROMYS does not expect complete solutions to every problem. It is looking for how you think, so thoughtful partial progress, clearly explained, is valuable.
Do I Need Olympiad Experience?
No. Olympiad practice can help you get comfortable with proofs, but PROMYS problems only need a standard school math background. Curiosity and persistence matter more than contest results.
Can I Apply to More Than One PROMYS Program?
No. You can apply to only one PROMYS program per summer.
