IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 Open (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process
Applications for IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications for May 2026 batch are open. Interested candidates can apply for Qualifier Application Form from February 18 till May 30, 2026. IIT Madras Data Science admissions are open to all candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent irrespective of age or academic background.
This Story also Contains
- IIT Madras Data Science Admission (May 2026): Important Dates
- Who Can Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
- How to Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
- Application Fee
Admission to IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme is done through two paths: Regular entry and JEE based entry to the Foundation level. Through Regular entry, applicants undergo the Qualifier Process to join the Foundation Level. Candidates qualified to appear for current year's JEE Advanced can directly join the IIT Madras Online Data Science programme.
IIT Madras Data Science Admission (May 2026): Important Dates
Applications are open for IIT Madras Online BS Data Science and Applications programme for May 2026 batch.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
Qualifier Application Form Opens | February 18, 2026 |
Qualifier Application Form Closes | May 30, 2026 |
Qualifier Phase Week 1 Starts | June 12, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 1-1 | July 19, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 1-1 : Results | July 23, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 1-1, if passed, Course registration opens | July 23, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 1-1, if passed, Course registration closes | July 26, 2026 |
Qualifier 1-2: Re-attempt Form Opens | July 23, 2026 |
Qualifier 1-2: Re-attempt Form Closes | July 26, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 1-2 : Results | August 16, 2026 |
Results for Qualifier Exam 2-1; Qualifier Exam 1-2 | August 19, 2026 |
Qualifier 2-2; Reattempt form Opens | August 20, 2026 |
Qualifier 2-2; Reattempt form Closes | August 21, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 2-2: Reattempt | September 13, 2026 |
Qualifier Exam 2-2: Results | September 17, 2026 |
Registration Opens (if cleared re-attempt) | Course registration open in next term for those who passed Qualifier and have not registered for courses yet |
Who Can Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
Anyone who has passed Class 12 or equivalent can apply for IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, irrespective of age or academic background. Those who qualify can join the program immediately.
School students who have appeared for their Class 11 final exams can also apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 and can join the programme after passing Class 12.
Applicants must have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10.
Accepted Class 12 equivalents
A Diploma recognised by AICTE or a state board of technical education of at least 3 year duration.
Any Public School / Board / University examination in India or in any foreign country recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.
General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London / Cambridge / Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.
High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.
Higher Secondary Certificate vocational examination.
Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognised Board / University.
Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.
Also Read: IIT Madras BS Data Science Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Minimum Marks, Age Limit
How to Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
Application for the May 2026 batch is now open. Candidates applying for admission in the May 2026 batch must fill the qualifier application form. The last date to submit the application for IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is May 30, 2026.
IIT Madras BS Data Science Application Process
Visit the official website - study.iitm.ac.in/ds
Navigate through the IIT Madras Data Science programme
Fulfill the eligibility criteria
Click on Apply Now tab; a new window will open
Sign-in using the Google account you registered with to access your application or course dashboard
Complete the application form
Pay the application fee
After payment, submit further details and upload required documents
Note: Application is only considered only after payment. Applications without details and documents, even if paid, will not be considered valid.
Documents Required For IIT Madras Data Science May 2026 Admission
Passport size photograph (JPEG / JPG format) - 50KB-150KB
Signature (JPEG / JPEG format) - 4KB-150KB
Photo ID Card Scan - Aadhar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License / other Government ID with photo (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.
Category Certificate - SC / ST / OBC-NCL* / EWS (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.
PwD Certificate - only for applicants with 40% or more disability (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.
Proof of applicant having been permanently disabled OR parent having been permanently disabled / killed during war or peacetime operations while serving as a defence / paramilitary personnel. - if applicable (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.
Only for those applying to join via JEE-based entry: Scoresheet / admit card / registration receipt as proof of eligibility to write JEE Advanced (PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.
*Note that the BC / OBC certificate is not the same as OBC-NCL (Other Backward Caste - Non Creamy Layer) certificate. Only applicants belonging to OBC caste as listed in Central Government’s www.ncbc.nic.in website and also belonging to Non Creamy Layer may apply in the “OBC-NCL” category. Other BC / OBC applicants must apply in the “General” category.
Application Fee
Candidates applying for admission to IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme are required to pay the application fee which is as follows:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
General Category / OBC Applicant | Rs 4,000 |
SC / ST Category / PwD (>= 40% disability ) Applicant | Rs 2,000 |
SC / ST Category Applicant who is ALSO PwD (>= 40% disability ) | Rs 1,000 |
Must Read: IIT Madras BS Data Science: A Comprehensive Analysis of Enrollment & Success Trends
With IIT Madras Data Science admissions open for the May 2026 batch, prospective students can apply before the deadline. They must meet the eligibility criteria, admission requirements, and proceed to the qualifier process to get admission to the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is a four-year online degree programme. This undergraduate programme comes with options to exit earlier in the foundation, diploma or BSc degree level.
Anyone, from Class 12 passed out students to working professionals, can enrol in the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme.
The minimum qualification required for IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme is 10+2 or equivalent, irrespective of age or academic background. School students who have appeared for their Class 11 final exams can also apply and those who qualify can join the programme after passing Class 12.
Candidates have to pass the qualifier exam conducted by IIT Madras if they apply through regular entry. If candidates have appeared for IIT JEE Advanced exam in the most recent year can directly join the online BS Data Science and Applications at IIT Madras.
To apply for IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications, interested candidates have to submit an application form, sit for and pass the qualifier exam, get the admission offer letter, and join the programme.
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