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

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    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.

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    Questions related to IIT Madras (IITM)

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to IIT Madras (IITM) ?

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    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.

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    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.

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