IIT Madras opens admissions for BS in data science and electronic systems; apply by May 20

IIT Madras admissions 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has officially opened admissions for its undergraduate BS programmes in data science and electronic systems. These innovative programmes are designed to offer access to students and working professionals who are interested in joining the institute without the need to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Applications for the programmes are now open, with the last date for submission set for May 20, 2025.
IIT Madras aims to provide an inclusive educational experience, opening up its doors to a diverse set of learners. The BS degrees are particularly tailored to individuals who wish to pursue these disciplines but may not have a traditional engineering background. The programmes are set to expand IIT Madras' educational offerings and empower students from various walks of life, including working professionals, those from non-engineering fields, and women who have often been underrepresented in technical education.
Eligibility criteria and admission process
The admissions process is designed to accommodate both JEE Main qualifiers and those who have not appeared for the exam. Students who have cleared JEE Main will be granted direct admission to the programmes. However, candidates who have not taken the exam will need to complete a four-week online preparatory module. Upon successful completion of the module, they must pass an in-person qualifying examination to secure their place in the programme.

This flexible admission model reflects IIT Madras' commitment to providing access to quality education for a wider range of candidates. The institution's decision to open up these programmes to a larger pool of applicants is a step towards greater inclusivity, offering opportunities for those who might not have had access to IITs in the past.

Diversity and demographic reach
Currently, around 38,000 students are enrolled in IIT Madras' online and distance education programmes. Of these, approximately 25% are women, and 20% of the total student body is aged over 30. The data science and electronic systems programmes have been designed to appeal to a wide variety of individuals, including those from non-engineering backgrounds and working women.
Institute's vision for the future
IIT Madras' director, V. Kamakoti, highlighted the institution’s vision to democratise access to IIT-quality education. He emphasised that the success of these new programmes is evidenced by the strong performance of BS data science students in recent examinations. Notably, three of the top 10 ranks in the GATE 2025 data science and AI paper were claimed by IIT Madras BS data science students, with one securing the top rank.
The BS data science programme is open to students from any academic background, provided they have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10. However, the electronics systems programme requires candidates to have studied Physics and Mathematics in Classes 11 and 12.