IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 Open (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process
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  • IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 Open (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process

IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 Open (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process

Vivek KumarUpdated on 18 Feb 2026, 11:15 AM IST

Applications for IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications for May 2026 batch are open. Interested candidates can apply for Qualifier Application Form from February 18 till May 30, 2026. IIT Madras Data Science admissions are open to all candidates who have passed 10+2 or equivalent irrespective of age or academic background.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIT Madras Data Science Admission (May 2026): Important Dates
  2. Who Can Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
  3. How to Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?
  4. Application Fee
IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 Open (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process
IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 (May Session): Eligibility, Fees, Requirements, Process

Admission to IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme is done through two paths: Regular entry and JEE based entry to the Foundation level. Through Regular entry, applicants undergo the Qualifier Process to join the Foundation Level. Candidates qualified to appear for current year's JEE Advanced can directly join the IIT Madras Online Data Science programme.

IIT Madras Data Science Admission (May 2026): Important Dates

Applications are open for IIT Madras Online BS Data Science and Applications programme for May 2026 batch.

EventsDates

Qualifier Application Form Opens

February 18, 2026

Qualifier Application Form Closes

May 30, 2026

Qualifier Phase Week 1 Starts

June 12, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1

July 19, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-1 : Results

July 23, 2026

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

July 23, 2026

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

July 26, 2026

Qualifier 1-2: Re-attempt Form Opens

July 23, 2026

Qualifier 1-2: Re-attempt Form Closes

July 26, 2026

Qualifier Exam 1-2 : Results

August 16, 2026

Results for Qualifier Exam 2-1; Qualifier Exam 1-2

August 19, 2026

Qualifier 2-2; Reattempt form Opens

August 20, 2026

Qualifier 2-2; Reattempt form Closes

August 21, 2026

Qualifier Exam 2-2: Reattempt

September 13, 2026

Qualifier Exam 2-2: Results

September 17, 2026

Registration Opens (if cleared re-attempt)

Course registration open in next term for those who passed Qualifier and have not registered for courses yet


Also Read: IIT Madras BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology Admission 2026: Last Date, Registration Link, Process

Who Can Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?

  • Anyone who has passed Class 12 or equivalent can apply for IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, irrespective of age or academic background. Those who qualify can join the program immediately.

  • School students who have appeared for their Class 11 final exams can also apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026 and can join the programme after passing Class 12.

  • Applicants must have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10.

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Accepted Class 12 equivalents

  • A Diploma recognised by AICTE or a state board of technical education of at least 3 year duration.

  • Any Public School / Board / University examination in India or in any foreign country recognised as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

  • Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defence Academy.

  • General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London / Cambridge / Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.

  • High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.

  • Higher Secondary Certificate vocational examination.

  • Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognised Board / University.

  • Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.

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Also Read: IIT Madras BS Data Science Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Minimum Marks, Age Limit

How to Apply for IIT Madras Data Science Admission 2026?

Application for the May 2026 batch is now open. Candidates applying for admission in the May 2026 batch must fill the qualifier application form. The last date to submit the application for IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications is May 30, 2026.

IIT Madras BS Data Science Application Process

  • Visit the official website - study.iitm.ac.in/ds

  • Navigate through the IIT Madras Data Science programme

  • Fulfill the eligibility criteria

  • Click on Apply Now tab; a new window will open

  • Sign-in using the Google account you registered with to access your application or course dashboard

  • Complete the application form

  • Pay the application fee

  • After payment, submit further details and upload required documents

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Note: Application is only considered only after payment. Applications without details and documents, even if paid, will not be considered valid.

Documents Required For IIT Madras Data Science May 2026 Admission

  • Passport size photograph (JPEG / JPG format) - 50KB-150KB

  • Signature (JPEG / JPEG format) - 4KB-150KB

  • Photo ID Card Scan - Aadhar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License / other Government ID with photo (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.

  • Category Certificate - SC / ST / OBC-NCL* / EWS (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.

  • PwD Certificate - only for applicants with 40% or more disability (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.

  • Proof of applicant having been permanently disabled OR parent having been permanently disabled / killed during war or peacetime operations while serving as a defence / paramilitary personnel. - if applicable (JPEG / JPG / PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.

  • Only for those applying to join via JEE-based entry: Scoresheet / admit card / registration receipt as proof of eligibility to write JEE Advanced (PDF format) - 50KB-2MB.

*Note that the BC / OBC certificate is not the same as OBC-NCL (Other Backward Caste - Non Creamy Layer) certificate. Only applicants belonging to OBC caste as listed in Central Government’s www.ncbc.nic.in website and also belonging to Non Creamy Layer may apply in the “OBC-NCL” category. Other BC / OBC applicants must apply in the “General” category.

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

Application Fee

Candidates applying for admission to IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme are required to pay the application fee which is as follows:

CategoryApplication Fee

General Category / OBC Applicant

Rs 4,000

SC / ST Category / PwD (>= 40% disability ) Applicant

Rs 2,000

SC / ST Category Applicant who is ALSO PwD (>= 40% disability )

Rs 1,000


Must Read: IIT Madras BS Data Science: A Comprehensive Analysis of Enrollment & Success Trends

With IIT Madras Data Science admissions open for the May 2026 batch, prospective students can apply before the deadline. They must meet the eligibility criteria, admission requirements, and proceed to the qualifier process to get admission to the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme.

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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