IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (January 2026 Session): Dates, Pattern, Passing Criteria
  • Articles
  • IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (January 2026 Session): Dates, Pattern, Passing Criteria

IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (January 2026 Session): Dates, Pattern, Passing Criteria

Vivek KumarUpdated on 05 Feb 2026, 03:28 PM IST

IIT Madras has released the date for Qualifier Exam for January 2026 batch. Candidates seeking admission to the programme are required to clear the qualifier exam with a valid score. The IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam allows candidates, who have not appeared for the JEE exam, to get direct admission to the Foundation Level.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 Date for January 2026 Session
  2. Qualifier Exam Pattern & Preparation
  3. Eligibility To Appear For Qualifier Exam 2026
  4. Qualifier Exam Passing Criteria 2026
IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (January 2026 Session): Dates, Pattern, Passing Criteria
IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (January 2026 Session)

The IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 for January 2026 Session is scheduled for March 15, 2026. To appear in the qualifier exam, candidates have to prepare for four weeks of coursework based on lecture videos, assignments, and live sessions and at the end of the four weeks, a qualifier exam will be conducted.

IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 Date for January 2026 Session

The following table highlights the important dates for IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (for January 2026).

EventScheduled Date

Qualifier Application Form Closes

January 31, 2026

Qualifier Phase Week 1 Starts

February 6, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1

March 15, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1 : Results

March 19, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1, if passed, Course registration opens

March 19, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1, if passed, Course registration closes

March 20, 2026

Qualifier Exam Pattern & Preparation

Candidates applying for IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications through regular entry need to undergo the qualifier process to get admission to the Foundation Level.

Exam Pattern and Preparation

4 weeks of coursework based on lecture videos, assignments, and live sessions of the four foundational level courses:

  • English I

  • Mathematics for Data Science I

  • Statistics for Data Science I

  • Computational Thinking

BITSAT 2026

Institute of Eminence (IOE) by Govt. of India | Merit Based Scholarships | Ranked #11 by NIRF | Last Date to Apply: 16th Mar'26

NMIMS-CET 2026

Gateway to B.Tech, B.Tech + MBA Tech.,B.Pharma + MBA (Pharma Tech.) @ NMIMS (Deemed to be University)

Candidates have to submit an assignment every week for grading in each course. To pass in each course, students must focus on the lecture videos and graded assignments provided during the four-week phase.

Eligibility To Appear For Qualifier Exam 2026

To be eligible to appear for the IIT Madras BS Data Science qualifier exam, candidates have to get the minimum required average assignment scores in all four courses.

Qualifier Exam Eligibility Criteria

CategoryMinimum Average Assignment Score required in each course

General Learner

40%

SC / ST / PwD with 40% disability

30%

PwD with 40% disability & SC / ST

30%

OBC-NCL / EWS

35%


Note: Relaxations in pass criteria for various students’ categories is applicable only for the qualifier process.

Qualifier Exam Passing Criteria 2026

Only eligible students from the qualifier preparation process will sit for the IIT Madras BS Data Science qualifier exam 2026 and will receive the hall ticket. The exam will be conducted in-person across the cities in India at the end of 4 weeks of coursework and of 4 hours duration covering all 4 courses.

To pass the Qualifier Exam, students have to get a minimum average qualifier exam score and a minimum score in each course individually.

CategoryMinimum Required Qualifier Exam Score per courseMinimum Required Average Qualifier Exam Score

General Learner

40%

50%

SC / ST / PwD with 40% disability

30%

40%

PwD with 40% disability & SC / ST

30%

40%

OBC-NCL / EWS

35%

45%


The IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 for the January 2026 session is a primary step for aspirants seeking an IIT education. As the exam is scheduled for March 15, 2026, candidates must attend the qualifier preparation sessions which is going to start from February 6, 2026. This 4-week preparation covers four foundational level courses and every week you need to submit an assignment for grading in each course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the syllabus of the IIT Madras data science Qualifier exam?
A:

The IIT Madras BS Degree qualifier exam syllabus covers four subjects: Mathematics, English, Statistics, and Computational Thinking.

Q: What is the minimum eligibility criteria for IIT Madras BS data science?
A:

The minimum eligibility criteria for IIT Madras BS Data Science is 10+2. Applicants must have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for IIT Madras qualifier exam 2026?
A:

Students have to get the minimum required average assignment scores in all four courses: Mathematics, English, Statistics, and Computational Thinking, to appear for the IIT Madras Qualifier Exam 2026.

Q: What is the passing criteria for the IIT Madras Data Science qualifier exam 2026?
A:

To pass the IIT Madras Qualifier Exam, students have to get a minimum qualifier score (40%) in each course individually and a minimum average qualifier exam score (50%).

Q: What if I fail to clear the IIT Madras Data Science qualifier exam?
A:

If you fail to clear the qualifier exam, you can re-attempt the qualifier exam in the same term by paying a separate fee, without having to repeat the assignments.

Upcoming Engineering Exams
Ongoing Dates
HITSEEE Application Date

5 Nov'25 - 22 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SMIT Online Test Application Date

15 Nov'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
SNUSAT Application Date

19 Nov'25 - 31 Mar'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
B.Tech Engineering Technology
Via Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Post Graduate Diploma Program in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Via Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi
Computer Fundamentals
Via Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Programming Basics
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
C-Based VLSI Design
Via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to IIT Madras (IITM)

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to IIT Madras (IITM) ?

Hello,

In 2025, IIT Madras JEE Advanced, closing ranks are around 171 for CSE, 306 for AI & Data Analytics, 849 for Electrical, about 1300 for Computational Engineering, around 1440 for Engineering Physics, 2468 for Mechanical, and about 6112 for Civil.

To know more access below mentioned link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-advanced-cutoff-for-iit-madras

Hope

Hello Aspirant,

When applying to BS in Medical Sciences and Engineering at IIT Madras via the IAT (IISER Aptitude Test) for the OBC-NCL Female category, the suggested ranks and marks can differ every year depending on the level of difficulty or how many took the exam. However, based on the

Hello aspirant,

To get admission in the Dual Degree Aerospace Engineering (B.Tech + M.Tech) program at IIT Madras through JEE Advanced under the female quota, you should aim for a rank around 6000 to 6300 based on the previous year’s trends. In 2025, the closing rank for female supernumerary seats

Hello,

Yes, If you work hard and study regularly, you can definitely crack JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

IIT Madras is tough, but many students from state boards have made it with good preparation. Focus on understanding concepts well, practice lots of questions, and solve previous years’ papers.

Also, try

With a preparatory rank of 3935, your chances of getting a seat at IIT Madras are unlikely. While a preparatory rank can sometimes lead to admission in less competitive IITs or specific courses, 3935 is a high rank within the preparatory category, and IIT Madras is one of the most