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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.
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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.
The following table highlights the important dates for IIT Madras BS Data Science Qualifier Exam 1-1 (for January 2026).
| Event | Scheduled 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 |
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.
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
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.
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.
| Category | Minimum 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.
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.
| Category | Minimum Required Qualifier Exam Score per course | Minimum 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)
The IIT Madras BS Degree qualifier exam syllabus covers four subjects: Mathematics, English, Statistics, and Computational Thinking.
The minimum eligibility criteria for IIT Madras BS Data Science is 10+2. Applicants must have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10.
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.
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%).
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.
On Question asked by student community
Hello Dear Student,
Between
IIT Kanpur CSE
and
IIT Madras AI & Data Analytics (AIDA)
, I would generally place
IIT Kanpur CSE slightly ahead
for most students.
Why?
• Broader degree
Hello Dear Student,
For admission to IIITs, eligibility is determined primarily by your JEE Main rank, with reservation benefits applicable to SC candidates. While admission to the most competitive IIIT programs may be difficult, you could have opportunities in newer or developing IIITs, including sought-after branches such as Computer Science,
Hello Student,
As a B.Tech BME student, you can apply for an online BS Degree in Data Science and Application programme through the regular entry step, where no JEE is required.
There is a qualifier process for which preparation material will be given to you. You will have to submit
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
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