Getting into an IIT and earning a degree has always been challenging yet rewarding. A degree from an IIT is also considered a gateway to a high earning career path. However, the digital transformation in education has enabled students to get into IITs without qualifying for JEE.
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IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme is an undergraduate degree that does not require JEE scores or rank. You just need to be a class 12th pass out from any stream. It is an easy entry course while passing the exam requires rigour, discipline and a committed study plan. Candidates need to clear the qualifier process to join the Foundation level of the programme.
As the programme has drawn a diverse group of students from various academic backgrounds, it is important to understand the career outcomes, salary expectations, and batch outcomes of the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme.
The 2024 batch of IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme consisted of 131 students. This batch is defined as the group of students who completed a BSc degree in 2023 and were tracked by December 2024.
Batch 2024
Level Completed | Dual Degree | Standalone | Total |
---|---|---|---|
BSc Completed | 26 | 6 | 32 |
BS Completed | 72 | 27 | 99 |
Grand Total | 98 | 33 | 131 |
The data reflects 131 students, where 98 students pursued a dual degree (BS and another degree) and 33 students took the standalone BS programme. Out of the total, 32 students completed a BSc or 114 credits, while 99 students finished the full BS programme.
Status of Graduates
Current Status | Total Students |
---|---|
Working | 91 |
Pursuing PG (Postgraduate studies) | 18 |
Currently looking for full-time jobs | 10 |
Doing an Internship | 5 |
Preparing for GATE/UPSC | 4 |
Pursuing UG/Planning for Masters | 3 |
As we can see, a large portion of the batch is already employed, with 91 students working in various domains. The number of students continuing their education by pursuing postgraduate programmes is 18, followed by 10 students who are currently looking for full-time jobs. 5 students are doing an internship, while 4 students are preparing for exams like GATE and UPSC and 3 students are planning for further undergraduate studies or master’s programmes.
The IIT Madras BS Data Science 2024 batch has diverse backgrounds of students, with majority of students pursuing this programme alongside another degree.
UG Degree | BSc Completed | BS Completed | Total |
---|---|---|---|
B.E / B.Tech | 17 | 41 | 58 |
BSc | 5 | 23 | 28 |
BA | 2 | 2 | 4 |
BBA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
BCA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
BCom | 0 | 1 | 1 |
BPharm | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Diploma | 1 | 0 | 1 |
MBBS | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 26 | 72 | 98 |
The table shows that out of 98 dual degree pursuant, 58 students held a B.E./B.Tech degree, followed by 28 students from a BSc background completing the both degree levels (BSc and BS). This indicates a strong interest in engineering fields among the students.
Income Level (INR) | BS Completed | BSc Completed | Total |
---|---|---|---|
<1 LPA | 9 | 3 | 12 |
1-5 LPA | 4 | 3 | 7 |
>5 LPA | 86 | 26 | 112 |
Total | 99 | 32 | 131 |
When doing the programme, students had varying levels of income. The majority of students already had an income of over Rs 5 LPA during the programme, indicating the growing demand for data science professionals, even during their academic training.
Age Group | Female | Male | Grand Total |
---|---|---|---|
20-25 | 23 | 71 | 94 |
26-30 | 25 | 25 | 50 |
31-35 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
36-40 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
41-45 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Grand Total | 25 | 106 | b |
The majority of students fall within the 20-25 age group, which reflects the programme’s popularity among young professionals or fresh graduates. The data further reveals 106 students are male and 25 students are female.
States | Total |
---|---|
Maharashtra | 21 |
Uttar Pradesh | 14 |
Tamil Nadu | 14 |
Telangana | 11 |
West Bengal | 10 |
Kerala | 10 |
Delhi | 9 |
Karnataka | 8 |
Madhya Pradesh | 6 |
Bihar | 5 |
Jharkhan | 4 |
Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana | 3 (each) |
Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Udisha | 2 (each) |
Meghalaya, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh | 1 (each) |
The table shows that most students are from Maharashtra (21), Uttar Pradesh (14), and Tamil Nadu (14), followed by other states. This demonstrates that the programme attracts a diverse background of students from different parts of India.
The students’ salary range after the IIT Madras Data Science programme indicates a healthy career progress, with a majority earning competitive salaries.
Salary Package Range | Number of Students |
---|---|
< 5 LPA | 12 |
Rs 5-10 LPA | 21 |
Rs 10-15 LPA | 14 |
Rs 15-25 LPA | 4 |
Rs 25-50 LPA | 5 |
Not Willing to Disclose | 27 |
Grand Total | 83 |
The salary distribution reflects that most students (21) fall within the Rs 5-10 LPA salary range. Most impressive data is that 5 students land careers within a Rs 25-50 LPA salary range, followed by 4 students within the Rs 15-25 LPA salary range.
After completing the BS Data Science from IIT Madras, many graduates chose to pursue postgraduate studies in India and abroad. This shows the programme’s effectiveness in the acceptance into top institutions in India and abroad and in preparing graduates for a dynamic career in data science.
Universities Chosen for PG admission | Total Students |
---|---|
Georgia Institute of Technology | 1 |
HEC Paris | 1 |
Ludwig-Maximilians-University | 1 |
University of Sydney | 1 |
Stony Brook University | 1 |
University of Massachusetts, Amherst | 1 |
University of North Carolina | 1 |
University of Southern California | 1 |
Total | 8 |
The data shows that 8 students of IIT Madras BS Data Science programme have opted for postgraduate programmes in foreign universities, such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, HEC Paris, University of Sydney, and University of North Carolina.
Universities Chosen for PG admission | Total Students |
---|---|
CMI /IIT Hyderabad /IIT Bombay /IIT Madras/ IIT Kanpur/ IIT Gandhinagar / IISc Bangalore/ IIT Indore | 8 |
NIELIT | 1 |
OP Jindal Global University | 1 |
Shiv Nadar University, Chennai | 1 |
XLRI Jamshedpur | 1 |
Total | 12 |
This means 12 students chose to pursue higher education within India. Of those, 8 students opted for institutions like CMI, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras itself. Four IIT Madras Data Science students went to universities, such as OP Jindal Global University, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai, and XLRI Jamshedpur.
Also Read: IIT Madras BS in Data Science Completion vs Dropout Trends: What Numbers Tell?
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme has created substantial career opportunities, both in terms of higher education and employment, for its students. The students have not only secured internships and jobs through the institute’s placement cell but also on their own.
Metric | Internships | Full-Time Jobs |
---|---|---|
Median Stipend / Salary | Rs 27,705 per month | Rs 8,09,230 per annum |
Highest Stipend / Salary | Rs 60,000 per month | Rs 15,00,000 per annum |
Lowest Stipend / Salary | Rs 10,000 per month | Rs 3,60,000 per annum |
Number of Offers (IIC facilitated) | 118 internships (across May–Sep 2024 & Jan 2025) | 16 jobs (across May–Sep 2024 & Jan 2025) |
Number of Companies (IIC facilitated) | Up to 60 in Sep ‘24 (48 in May ‘24; 35 in Jan ‘25) | Up to 15 in Jan ‘25 (12 in May ‘24; 14 in Sep ‘24) |
The stipend offered during internships fall within Rs 10-60K/month range. The salary package offered to BS in Data Science and Applications students ranges between Rs 3.6 LPA and Rs 15 LPA.
Note: The high salary packages were generally secured by working professionals with prior industry experience.
Term | No. of companies / positions advertised | No. of students applied to at least 1 internship | No. of students secured internship |
---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | 48 / 66 | 85 | 40 |
September 2024 | 60 / 196 | 88 | 49 |
January 2025 | 35 / 151 | 63 | 29 |
Total | 143 / 413 | 236 | 118 |
Across May-September 2024 and January 2025, 236 students applied for at least one internship, and 118 students secured internships through the IIT Madras’ Industry Interaction Cell (IIC).
Note: 50% students received internships, with an average stipend of Rs 27,705 per month.
Term | No. of companies / positions advertised | No. of students applied to at least 1 job | No. of students secured job |
---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | 12 / 29 | 16 | 5 |
September 2024 | 14 / 44 | 12 | 3 |
January 2025 | 15 / 47 | 11 | 8 |
Total | 41 / 120 | 39 | 16 |
The data shows a total of 41 companies advertised 120 positions for jobs across May-September 2024 and January 2025. The number of students applied to at least 1 job is 39, of those 16 students secured jobs.
Note: 41% students secured jobs, with the highest package of Rs 15 LPA and average package of Rs 8.09 LPA.
A large number of students have leveraged the knowledge acquired from the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme to secure internships and jobs on their own.
Level | May 2024 Internships / Jobs | Sep 2024 Internships / Jobs | Jan 2025 Internships / Jobs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Foundation | 299 | 105 | 380 | 134 | 313 | 108 |
Diploma | 653 | 205 | 701 | 353 | 462 | 303 |
Degree | 182 | 48 | 156 | 80 | 87 | 60 |
Total | 1134 | 358 | 1237 | 567 | 862 | 471 |
From May 2024 – January 2025, 3,233 students secured internships and 1,396 students received job offers through independent applications or networking. This indicates growing confidence and demand in students' abilities.
Stipend Range | May 2024 | Sep 2024 | Jan 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
< Rs 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rs 10,001 - Rs 30,000 | 390 | 373 | 187 |
Rs 30,001 - Rs 50,000 | 78 | 102 | 50 |
Rs 1,00,000+ | 33 | 35 | 19 |
Total | 501 | 510 | 256 |
The number shows a majority of students earned Rs 10-30K/month, with some landing Rs 50-60K/month offers.
Salary Insights
Salary Range (LPA) | May 2024 | Sep 2024 | Jan 2025 |
---|---|---|---|
< Rs 5 LPA | 210 | 349 | 225 |
Rs 5 - Rs 10 LPA | 90 | 166 | 144 |
Rs 10 - Rs 20 LPA | 68 | 105 | 60 |
> Rs 20 LPA | 29 | 38 | 26 |
Total | 397 | 658 | 455 |
This means most students landed jobs within Rs 5 LPA - Rs 10 LPA salary range, with higher salaries (> Rs 20 LPA) basically secured by working professionals with prior experience.
Many IIT Madras BS Data Science students applied for masters and PhD programmes within and outside India.
Total Students Applied for Higher Education
Term | Admission Outside India | Admissions to IITs/IISERs/IIMs | Admissions to Other Indian universities |
---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | 117 | 121 | 353 |
Sep 2024 | 96 | 186 | 475 |
Jan 2025 | 471 | 135 | 359 |
Total | 684 | 442 | 1187 |
About 684 students applied for higher education such as Masters or PhD programmes abroad across all three terms (May-September 2024, and January 2025). 442 students went to IITs, IISERs and IIMs and 1,187 students received admissions to other Indian universities.
Note: This data highlights about 2,313 students opted for higher education after the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme, with significant interest in both domestic and international institutions.
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme opens the room for career development through its internships and job placements. Additionally, the programme prepares learners for competitive academic pursuits, whether they want to pursue masters or PhD programs abroad or in top Indian institutes like IITs, IISc, and IISERs, promising its high academic standing.
On Question asked by student community
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 trends from year-to-year:
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 for this program was approximately 6279. It’s always advisable to aim for a better rank to increase your chances of getting into this prestigious program. Keep an eye on the official JoSAA counselling schedule for updated cutoffs.
All the best for your preparation and future!
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 to join a good coaching or online classes if possible. Believe in yourself and stay consistent. You have a good chance!
Hope it helps !
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 sought-after IITs.
Preparatory Courses:
IITs offer preparatory courses for SC, ST, and PwD students who didn't qualify for regular IIT programs but have a qualifying rank in JEE Advanced.
Limited Seats:
The number of seats in preparatory courses is limited, and the competition for these seats can be high, especially for the most prestigious IITs.
Rank Significance:
A rank of 3935 within the preparatory category means you're among the lower-ranked candidates within that group, and IIT Madras is highly selective even within the preparatory program.
Factors Influencing Admission:
Besides rank, other factors like category, branch preferences, and the specific IIT's admission policies can influence seat allocation.
Alternative Options:
If you don't get a seat at IIT Madras, explore other IITs with more lenient admission criteria or consider NITs or other engineering colleges where you might have better chances.
Hello Aspirant,
If you get admitted into the B.S. program at IIT Madras this year and this year happens to be your first JEE Advanced attempt, then yes, you will remain eligible to take JEE Advanced again next year if you satisfy the other eligibility norms laid down by the conducting authorities of the exam. The important thing is that the candidate gets two chances at JEE Advanced at the most, and these chances have to come within two successive years from the year when they first appeared for the test. Since you are trying for the first time, you have one chance remaining for the next year.
But once you are admitted into an IIT undergraduate course, you cannot sit for JEE Advanced again to get into the same course. But if you are interested in a different course or a double degree (such as B.Tech + M.Tech), you may want to look up the particular rules from the JEE Advanced official website or the IITs.
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