Reality of IIT Madras Online BS Data Science Program 2026

Program Overview

BSc in Programming and Data Science is the first-ever online course that was launched in 2021 by IIT Madras. Although the admission in the online BSc program in Data Science at IIT Madras has an open application process and does not require the JEE Main or JEE Advanced scores, the admission process is not so easy to get into.

This distance learning program offered by IIT Madras is not just about sitting at home and getting a degree; the admission process is extremely hard, and completing the online graduation course is not as easy as it looks because of the rigorous evaluation standards.

This BS online degree in Data Science offers the opportunity to label yourself as an IIT graduate and become an IIT Madras alumnus, particularly for those candidates who show academic resilience.

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Non-Campus Undergraduate Programs Offered by IIT Madras

Earlier, IIT Madras introduced online courses in BS in Programming and Data Science, but now other online BS programs and diploma programs have also been added to the list. The following are the distance learning programs offered by IIT Madras. Check out the list:

B.Sc Programs:

1. B.Sc Programming and Data Science

B.S Programs:

1. BS in Data Science and Applications

2. BS in Electronic Systems

3. BS in Management and Data Science

4. BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology

Diploma Programs:

1. Diploma in Data Science

2. Diploma in Programming

What are the Benefits of IIT Madras Programs?

• Admission without JEE.

• Online Learning with In-Person Exams.

• Can be pursued along with a regular Degree.

• Anyone who has passed Class 12 or equivalent can apply irrespective of age or academic background.

• Multiple Exit Points: Students have the flexibility to exit the program at various levels

• Structured Learning Path: The BS programs are structured in three levels that must be completed in sequence:

• Foundational Level (8 courses)

• Diploma Level (6 Programming courses + 6 Data Science courses)

• Degree Level (11 courses)

Who should do it?

Program Advice: Join a physical college for Year 1. Continue standalone only if CGPA > 8.0

• Online degree or diploma courses from IIT Madras are only meant for candidates who are top academic achievers and highly self-motivated.

• Candidates who are artists and are unable to attend the physical college can also opt for the online program at IIT Madras, as it enables them to study while pursuing their passion.

• Working students who want to earn income while getting a degree, the online courses available at IIT Madras are a suitable option for them.

• Online degree courses at IIT Madras are not meant for those candidates who mislead their parents, waste time, and show no academic progress. Such candidates are eventually removed from the program after three years for not completing the foundation.

Students failing these milestones are removed - thousands per term (90% had already given up)

• Students who are unable to complete the four courses in four terms for Foundation M1 are removed from the program.

• Students who are unable to complete the six courses in six terms for Foundation M2 are removed from the program.

• Even after achieving the Foundation M1 and M2 milestone, students who are unable to complete the eight courses in nine terms for Foundation M3 are removed from the program.

• Students who choose distance learning for Diploma in Data Science and Diploma in Programming from IIT Madras are also removed from the program if they show steady progression in diploma courses.

So, the entry to an online program at IIT Madras is easy but getting the degree is not (extremely hard to get the degree as students have to match the IIT Madras alumni set standards).

Out of 1000 applicants for the online program at IIT Madras only 300 students registered for the program (300/1000 can actually start the program). 90 students qualified for the program (achieved the three foundational levels) and 45 students completed all the foundation levels for the online diploma. Out of 90 students only 15 students get the BS Degree, meaning only 15 students completed the graduation. The degree completion rate is very less to those who have applied. This indicates the extreme difficulty level of completing the online course from IIT Madras.

Students have the flexibility to exit at any level. After finishing 32 credits, students can exit with the foundation course certificate from IIT Madras. After finishing 54 credits, students can exit with a diploma in programming and a diploma in data science. After finishing an additional 28 credits, students can exit with a BSc degree in Programming and Data Science and get an apprenticeship option. After another 28 credits, students can exit with a BS degree in data science and applications.

Important Dates

For May 2026, the Qualifier Application Form has already opened on 18th February 2026, and the form will be closing soon on 31st May 2026. So, fill the form now. Refer to the above table for more important dates related to IIT Madras online programs.

Eligibility to appear for the qualifier exam (Regular entry):

In each course, the average of the best 2 out of the first 3 assignment scores will be calculated. Only those who get the minimum required average assignment scores in all four courses (as given below) will be allowed to appear for the Qualifier Exam.

Note: Relaxations in pass criteria indicated for various categories of learners are applicable ONLY for the qualifier process. There will be no relaxations in terms of grades/pass criteria once registered in the program.

Qualifier Exam and Passing Criteria (regular entry):

• Only learners who are eligible to appear for the qualifier exam will receive the hall ticket for it.

• The in-person Qualifier Exam at the end of four weeks of coursework is of four hours duration and covers all 4 courses.

• To pass the Qualifier Exam, the learner has to get a minimum Average Qualifier Exam Score and a minimum Qualifier Exam Score in each course individually. Refer table:

Note: Relaxations in pass criteria indicated for various categories of learners are applicable ONLY for the qualifier process. There will be no relaxations in terms of grades/pass criteria once registered in the program.

Year-wise Enrollment, Progression, and Degree Completion Summary (2021–2025)

In the year 2021, there were 54,565 applicants, of which only 11,976 students registered (11,976 students can actually start the program). Out of 11,976 students, 1,519 students completed the foundation level, 460 students completed the BSc degree, and 192 students completed the BS degree. The success rate is very low, around a 1.1 percent completion rate for registered students.

IITM’s BS in Data Science and Applications Program Report - Jan 2026

Term-wise data - Number of applicants and Number who qualified and started the program

Notes:

• These are the first applications. Including reapply, it is 258294.

• Number of students who are currently active: 45585 (83% of students who started the program).

• Qualifier to Foundation registered as of Jan 2026 is not included.

In Jan 2021, there were 30,288 students who applied for the BS in Data Science and Applications program, of which 8,154 students were qualified for admission to the foundation level, and only 7,114 students actually started the program. From the term Jan 2021 to 2026, a total of 258,294 students applied for the program at IIT Madras and only 69,820 students actually qualified for the program.

Term wise completion of levels

In Jan 2021, around 7114 students started the program of which 156 students completed the BSc Degree in Jan 2024 (three-year program), and 28 students completed the BS Degree in Jan 2024 (four-year program). Check out the above table to analyse the term-wise completion of levels.

IITM’s BS in Data Science and Applications Placement Report- Jan 2026

Self-secured Internship and Jobs - As reported by the students

This table shows the internships and jobs secured by the students of IIT Madras. There are no direct internships and placement opportunities offered by IIT Madras. Although IIT Madras has a separate cell for the placements, the institute enables opportunities but does not provide direct internships and placements. The data is reported by the IIT Madras students, and all the internships and jobs are self-secured by the students.

Students Who Took Up Internships (Stipend per Month)

Refer to this table for the stipend received by the students in internships.

Students Who Took Up New Jobs (Salary per Annum)

• Those with much higher salaries are primarily working professionals with several years of experience.

Look at the above table for the annual salary received by the students in jobs. This data is for the IIT Madras students with an online degree in BS in Data Science and Applications.

Fee Structure 2026

The revised fee structure for the students joining the Foundation level in January 2026 in the BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras is mentioned below:

For BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras, the fees is in the range of Rs. 3,86,000 to Rs. 4,50,000.

Scholarships

* Fee Waiver does not apply to students outside India.

Follow this table for the scholarship schemes available and documents required to avail scholarships at IIT Madras based on the family income.

Do not just consider the online course at IIT Madras because it is an easy way to get admission in IIT rather choose the IIT Madras Online BS in Data Science program only if you are a dedicated, disciplined, and self-motivated student. Remember, the evaluation standard is extremely high, and the completion rate of the course is extremely low, about 1.1 per cent. So, decide before enrolling for the online course at IIT Madras.

Instead of choosing this online program as a full-time education, it is advised to opt for this online program if you are already working as a professional or pursuing some other education simultaneously.