Last updated: 5 November 2026
Quick answer: IIT Madras offers a 4-year BS in Data Science and Applications that you can join without JEE. Anyone who has passed Class 12 (with Maths and English in Class 10) can apply, clear a 4-week online qualifier and a 4-hour in-person exam, and start the Foundation level. Applications for the January 2027 term are open until 29 January 2027.
Key highlights
- Programme: BS in Data Science and Applications, IIT Madras, with exits at Foundation, Diploma and BSc levels
- Next term: January 2027, last date to apply is 29 January 2027
- Eligibility: Class 12 pass (Class 11 students can apply early), no age limit; JEE Advanced-eligible candidates get direct entry
- Application fee: ₹4,000 for General/OBC, ₹2,000 for SC/ST/PwD, ₹1,000 for SC/ST who are also PwD
- Full BS degree fee: ₹3.86 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh (142 credits), paid term by term
- Fee waiver: Up to 75% for eligible students with family income up to ₹5 lakh a year
What is the IIT Madras BS in Data Science?
It is a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree run by IIT Madras, delivered mostly online through recorded lectures, live sessions and weekly assignments, with quizzes and end-term exams held in person at exam centres. IIT Madras says more than 36,000 students are currently enrolled, and over 20,000 of them are doing it alongside another degree.
The big attraction for students is flexibility. You can do it alongside a regular B.Com, B.Sc or B.Tech, or as your main degree. And because there are exit points at every level, you do not have to commit to all four years on day one.
Who is eligible to apply?
There are two entry routes:
- Regular entry: Anyone who has passed Class 12 or equivalent, from any stream and any age, can apply. You should have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10. Students who have appeared for their Class 11 final exams can also apply and join after passing Class 12.
- JEE entry: Candidates who were eligible to appear for the most recent JEE Advanced are admitted directly to the Foundation level after their JEE Advanced proof is verified. The admission fee for this route is ₹4,000.
How does the qualifier process work?
Regular-entry applicants go through a qualifier instead of an entrance exam. You get 4 weeks of online content in four courses: English I, Mathematics for Data Science I, Statistics for Data Science I and Computational Thinking. One assignment per course is due every week.
To be allowed into the qualifier exam, the average of your best 2 out of the first 3 assignment scores in each course must meet the minimum for your category. The qualifier exam itself is a 4-hour, in-person exam covering all four courses.
| Category | Assignment cut-off (to sit exam) | Exam: minimum per course | Exam: minimum average |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 40% | 40% | 50% |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | 35% | 35% | 45% |
| SC / ST / PwD | 30% | 30% | 40% |
Your qualifier score also decides how many courses you can take in your first term: up to 2 courses if your average is below 50%, up to 3 for 50% to below 70%, and up to 4 if you score 70% or more. A qualifier pass is valid for 3 terms (1 year) if you have appeared for or passed Class 12, and 6 terms (2 years) if you are yet to appear for Class 12. Cut-offs can change from term to term, so confirm the current rules on the official admissions page before you apply.
What are the levels and exit options?
| Level | Credits | What you study | If you exit here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 32 | 8 courses | Foundation Certificate |
| Diploma in Programming | 27 | 6 courses and 2 projects | Diploma in Programming |
| Diploma in Data Science | 27 | 6 courses and 2 projects | Diploma in Data Science |
| BSc Degree | 114 (cumulative) | Degree-level courses | BSc in Programming and Data Science |
| BS Degree | 142 (cumulative) | Degree-level courses including 5 core courses | BS in Data Science and Applications |
The course list covers Python, Java, C, PostgreSQL, Linux, full-stack app development, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, LLMs and big data, along with business-side courses like business analytics and market research. Students who complete the BS with a CGPA of 8.0 or above can continue to a PG Diploma and an MTech in AI and ML within the same programme.
How much does the IIT Madras BS cost?
You pay per term, only for the courses you register for. The figures below are the official totals for learners joining at Foundation level from the January 2026 term onwards.
| If you stop at | Credits | Total fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation only | 32 | ₹48,000 |
| Foundation + one Diploma | 59 | ₹1,29,000 |
| Foundation + two Diplomas | 86 | ₹2,10,000 |
| BSc Degree | 114 | ₹2,86,000 to ₹3,10,000 |
| BS Degree | 142 | ₹3,86,000 to ₹4,50,000 |
Fee waivers: General and OBC students get a 50% waiver if family income is above ₹1 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh a year, and 75% if it is ₹1 lakh or less. SC/ST and PwD students get at least 50% regardless of income, and 75% in the lowest income slab; SC/ST students who are also PwD get 75%. Diploma and degree students claiming a waiver must submit income proof such as ITR or Form 26AS. Waivers do not apply to students outside India.
How to apply for the January 2027 term
- Visit the official site, study.iitm.ac.in/ds, and open the Admissions section.
- Choose your route: Regular entry (qualifier) or JEE entry.
- Fill in the application form and upload the documents asked for.
- Pay the application fee for your category.
- Complete 4 weeks of qualifier coursework and weekly assignments.
- If you meet the assignment cut-off, take the 4-hour in-person qualifier exam.
- On clearing it, register for your first-term courses and pay the course fees.
Last date to apply for the January 2027 term: 29 January 2027. Check the official important dates section for the qualifier exam date and other deadlines.
Is this programme right for you?
- Good fit if: you like maths and coding, can study on your own with weekly deadlines, and want an IIT degree route without JEE coaching.
- Good fit as a second degree: if you are already in college and want serious data science and programming skills alongside your main course.
- Think twice if: you need a full-time campus life, hostel and in-person classes, or you struggle to stay consistent without a fixed timetable.
- Plan your time: each course has weekly assignments, two in-person quizzes and an end-term exam, so be realistic about how many courses you take per term.
Still deciding between data science and AI as a career? Read our comparison of Data Science vs Artificial Intelligence and our list of the best skills to learn in college.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need JEE to join the IIT Madras BS in Data Science?
No. Most students join through the regular-entry qualifier, which needs only a Class 12 pass. JEE is just an optional shortcut: candidates eligible for the latest JEE Advanced can skip the qualifier.
Can I do this along with my regular college degree?
Yes. IIT Madras says over 20,000 enrolled students are pursuing it alongside another degree. Classes are online, but quizzes and end-term exams are in person, so plan around your college exam calendar.
I am in Class 11. Can I apply now?
Yes, if you have appeared for your Class 11 final exams. You can take the qualifier early and join after passing Class 12. Your qualifier result stays valid for 6 terms (2 years) in this case.
Is there an age limit?
No. There is no age limit, and IIT Madras says its current learners range from 17 to 81 years of age.
What happens if I fail the qualifier exam?
You can re-attempt the exam in the same term without redoing assignments by paying a re-attempt fee (₹2,000 for General/OBC, ₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD, ₹500 for SC/ST who are also PwD). If you do not clear the re-attempt, you must apply again for a later term and repeat the full qualifier.
Where are the exams held?
Students in India must write quizzes and end-term exams at Indian exam centres, which are spread across many cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Check the official site for the current centre list.
Official links and sources
- IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications: official website
- Admissions, eligibility and qualifier process (official)
- Academics, levels, fees and fee waivers (official)
