The Truth About IIT Madras BS Data Science - Placements, Salaries & Future Prospects

Career Progression After BS Data Science Programme

The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme saw students securing unparalleled opportunities not only through its placement cell but also on their own.

Career Opportunities: Internships and Job Placements

The data shows 3,233 students received internships and 1,396 students secured job offers on their own across May-September 2024 and January 2025. On the other hand, 118 students secured internships and 16 students received job offers through IIT Madras’ Industry Interaction Cell (IIC). This reflects that a majority of students gained opportunities on their own through personal networks or independent applications.

Stipend Insights

From May 2024 – January 2025, 1,267 students received internships within the Rs 10-50K+/month stipend range. Most students earned Rs 10-30K/month, while 87 students landed Rs 50K to Rs 60K/month offers.

IIC-facilitated Internships: Stipend Insights

The internships facilitated by the IIT Madras placement cell (IIC) provide students with a valuable opportunity, with a median stipend of Rs 27,705 per month. Some students managed to secure internships at Rs 60,000 per month. This highlights companies value skills and potential of IIT Madras BS Data Science students, which help them gain a competitive advantage in the job market.

Full Time Jobs: Salary Insights

This shows students earned promising salaries on their own. A majority of students secured jobs with salaries ranging between Rs 5 LPA and Rs 10 LPA. Additionally, there are some high-performers, basically working professionals with prior experience, securing job offers above Rs 20 LPA.

IIC-facilitated Jobs: Salary Insights

The full-time job placements through IIC for IIT Madras BS Data Science students reflect the high demand for data science skills across industries. While the median package crossed over Rs 8 LPA, the highest salary reached Rs 15 LPA.

Before vs After: Salary Insights

When doing the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme, most students’ income level was around Rs 5 LPA, with some falling below Rs 1 LPA and within the Rs 1-5 LPA salary range.

Income Level when Doing the Programme (2024)

This means a significant portion of students (112) were earning above Rs 5 LPA while completing the degree. Additionally, 7 students were earning between Rs 1 and Rs 5 LPA.

Salary Package After the Programme (2024)

The salary after the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme shows a considerable rise. While most students fell within the Rs 5-15 LPA salary range, some have secured higher package jobs within the Rs 25-50 LPA salary range.

The data was collected from the Batch of 2024, which is the group of students who completed a BSc degree of the full BS degree in 2023 and were tracked by December 2024.

Note: The post-graduation salary package demonstrates the significant salary growth, with the highest salary reaching Rs 50 LPA, when compared to the income level of students during the programme, with mostly earning Rs >5 LPA.

Future Prospects of IIT Madras BS Data Science

After completing the BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras, many students applied for admissions to Indian and foreign universities for higher studies such as masters and PhD programmes.

Students Applied for Admissions Abroad

The data shows a strong interest of IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications students in pursuing higher education outside India. In May 2024, a total of 117 students applied for admissions abroad. In September 2024, the total number of students applied was 96.

By January 2025, there was a significant rise in the number of students, with 471 students from across the levels applying for further education at international institutions.

Students Applied for Admissions to IITs /IISERs /IIMs

Apart from admissions abroad, many IIT Madras BS Data Science students applied for admissions to premier Indian institutions such as IITs, IISERs, and IIMs. In May 2024, 27 students from the Foundation level, 86 from the Diploma level, and 8 from the Degree level, totaling 121 students, applied for these institutions.

By September 2024, applications increased, reaching the total to 186 students, and in January 2025, the total number of students applied was 135.

Students Applied for Admissions to Other Indian Universities

A significant number of IIT Madras BS Data Science students (1,187) have applied for admissions to other Indian universities. Across May–September 2024 and January 2025, 425 Foundation students, 718 Diploma students, and 44 Degree students applied for admissions to other Indian universities for higher studies.

Note: The data on higher education opportunities highlights that 684 students opted for higher studies abroad, while 1,629 students applied for admission to Indian institutions.

The Programme Advantage

Students have benefited from the IIT Madras BS Data Science and Applications programme not only in employment and higher education but also in competitive exams such as GATE. In GATE 2025, three students have secured top ranks (1, 7, and 10) in the Data Science and AI paper.

GATE Performance (2024 & 2025)

The GATE performance of IIT Madras BS Data Science students in 2024 and 2025 demonstrates their strong technical foundation in data science and AI. In GATE 2024, students secured impressive ranks, including 8, 11, and 15. However, in GATE 2025, students achieved top ranks, including 1, 7, and 10.

Note: These results in GATE exam highlight the programme’s ability to prepare students for one of India’s most competitive exams. The exam opens doors to master’s programmes in institutes like the IITs, NITs, and IISc.

Final Thought

With emphasis on real-world applications, industry connections, and a comprehensive academic framework, the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications programme paves the way for a variety of careers in diverse domains. From top ranks in GATE exam to higher education opportunities and strong job placements, the programme also ensures that students leave IIT Madras with a competitive edge in their careers.