IIT Madras Opens Applications for BS in Data Science and Applications for September 2026

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has officially opened the application window for its Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Data Science and Applications for the September 2026 term. The institute offers a flexible admission pathway that does not require candidates to have qualified for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), making the programme accessible to a broader range of students.

Prospective students interested in joining the Foundation Level of the programme must participate in a four-week qualifier process. This mandatory phase concludes with a qualifier examination, which serves as the primary gateway for admission under the regular entry route. Interested candidates have until September 27, 2026, to submit their applications for the upcoming term.

Eligibility and Admission Pathways

The programme is designed to be inclusive, welcoming applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. To be eligible for the regular qualifier route, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination. Notably, there is no age limit for applicants, and students who have appeared for their Class 11 final examinations are also permitted to apply, provided they clear Class 12 before joining the programme. While no specific stream is required, applicants are expected to have studied Mathematics and English at the Class 10 level.

For those who have qualified for the current year's JEE Advanced, IIT Madras provides an alternative entry route. These candidates are eligible to join the Foundation Level directly, bypassing the standard four-week qualifier process. This JEE-based entry serves as an optional pathway for eligible students, while the regular route remains open to all other qualified applicants.

The Qualifier Process and Application Details

Candidates opting for the regular entry route will engage in a four-week learning period. During this time, students access online materials, participate in live sessions, and complete assignments across four core Foundation Level courses: English I, Mathematics for Data Science I, Statistics for Data Science I, and Computational Thinking. Eligibility to sit for the final qualifier examination is determined by the average of the best two scores from the first three assignments in each of these courses.

The application process requires candidates to complete an online form, provide necessary personal details, upload required documentation, and pay the specified application fee. The fee structure is set at INR 4,000 for General and OBC candidates, INR 2,000 for SC/ST and PwD candidates, and INR 1,000 for those belonging to both SC/ST and PwD categories. Applicants are advised to have their government-issued photo ID, passport-size photograph, signature, and relevant category or disability certificates ready in the required file formats before beginning the registration process.