How Many Students Qualify for IIT Madras BS Data Science Every Year?
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has redefined access to quality higher education with its online degree programme. This has opened doors for learners across age groups, academic backgrounds and career stages, making IIT-level learning possible without the barriers of competitive entrance exams like JEE.
This Story also Contains
- Applications and Qualifiers
- Term-wise Qualifiers
- Is It Hard to Qualify?
- Job Outcomes
- Active Students Today
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications was launched in 2021 as the first IIT's online degree in undergraduate. Within just four years, it has emerged as the largest IIT programme in terms of enrolment, reflecting its wide acceptance and impact. The format combines flexibility with academic rigour, attracting school graduates, college students and professionals alike.
What sets the programme apart is its design. With open entry, flexible exit points and direct career relevance, IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications represents one of the most inclusive and ambitious programmes in Indian higher education.
Applications and Qualifiers
- Between January 2021 and January 2025, the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme received 168,740 first-time applications.
- With reapplications included, the total number of applications reached 198,245.
- This strong demand highlights the growing appeal of data science as a career choice.
- Out of all applicants, 63,143 students qualified for admission to the Foundation level.
- From those qualified, 52,144 learners actually started the programme.
- This shows that 82.5 per cent of qualified learners joined the programme, which is a very high conversion rate compared to traditional higher education courses.
Also Read: IIT Madras BS in Data Science Completion vs Dropout Trends: What Numbers Tell?
Term-wise Qualifiers
Every admission cycle shows strong participation and qualifying numbers. The following table presents term-wise data:
Term | Applicants | Qualified | Started |
|---|---|---|---|
January 2021 | 30,276 | 8,164 | 7,116 |
May 2021 | 10,419 | 2,524 | 2,384 |
September 2021 | 13,870 | 2,824 | 2,476 |
January 2022 | 7,610 | 2,381 | 2,246 |
May 2022 | 7,978 | 2,077 | 1,741 |
September 2022 | 16,236 | 4,941 | 4,251 |
January 2023 | 7,892 | 2,788 | 2,537 |
May 2023 | 17,382 | 9,275 | 7,019 |
September 2023 | 8,821 | 4,482 | 3,749 |
January 2024 | 6,103 | 2,730 | 2,308 |
May 2024 | 24,901 | 13,008 | 10,309 |
September 2024 | 11,796 | 5,655 | 4,627 |
January 2025 | 5,456 | 2,294 | 1,381 |
Total | 168,740 | 63,143 | 52,144 |
The data shows that every year between 6,000 and 13,000 students qualify. This makes it the single largest pathway into an IIT, far exceeding the intake capacity of traditional JEE-based undergraduate routes.
Is It Hard to Qualify?
The high qualification numbers come from the open admission model of the IIT Madras BS Data Science programme. Unlike other IIT degrees, students do not need to clear JEE to apply. The minimum eligibility is completion of Class 12 with English and Mathematics. Once eligible, learners can appear for the qualifying process conducted by IIT Madras.
Pathway to Join the Programme
Admission begins with an application to the Qualifier Process. Students take four online courses in subjects such as mathematics, statistics, English and computational thinking. These are delivered online with proctored exams at designated centres. Learners who secure the required grades in the qualifier are offered admission to the Foundation level.
This process allows school graduates, college students, working professionals and even senior citizens to join. With online delivery and modular structure, learners can balance study with work or personal commitments. This open yet structured pathway is the key reason why so many learners are able to qualify for the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications.
Explore How Difficult is IIT Madras BS Data Science? - Exam Pattern, Passing Marks, Study Plan
Job Outcomes
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme has been designed to improve employability.
Internships
3,233 internships were self-secured, with a monthly stipend of Rs 10k and going up to Rs 1,00,000 per month.
118 internships were secured through the institute’s Industry Interaction Cell (IIC), involving 143 companies. The highest stipend offered Rs 60,000 per month, with an average stipend of Rs 27,705 per month.
Jobs
1,396 jobs were secured independently, within the Rs 5-20 LPA salary range.
16 placements came through IIC, with the highest salary package of Rs 15 LPA and an average salary of Rs 8,09,230.
Active Students Today
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme currently has 38,534 active learners. These students are spread across different levels Foundation, Diploma, BSc and BS. The multiple exit points ensure that even if a learner does not continue till the end, they still leave with a valuable IIT Madras credential.
This approach reduces dropout-related pressure while ensuring every learner has a recognised milestone. It also helps sustain engagement and keeps the number of active students high year after year.
Also Read: IIT Madras BS in Data Science: Salaries, Career Growth for 2024 & 2025 Job Outcomes
On average, 6,000 to 13,000 students qualify for the IIT Madras BS in Data Science every year. Since its launch in 2021, more than 63,000 students have qualified and over 52,000 learners have started the programme. With more than 38,500 active students today, the IIT Madras BS in Data Science is not only the preferred IIT programme but also the most inclusive, reshaping the future of higher education in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since 2021, over 72,000 students have qualified and 56,000+ have started the IIT Madras Data Science programme.
Yes, the programme holds immense value with the IIT brand, flexible design and career outcomes. Graduates secure roles across industries.
Any student who has completed Class 12 with English and Mathematics is eligible. JEE is not required, making the course widely accessible.
197 students completed the BS degree. Many have exited with Foundation, Diploma or BSc credentials.
Learners can exit with an IIT Madras credential at Foundation, Diploma, and BSc level or continue to the full BS degree depending on their goals.
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