IIT Education Should Not Be Restricted To Those Who Clear JEE Advanced: IIT Madras Director
IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti announced that the institute’s new four‑year BS degree in Data Science aims to democratise IIT education beyond JEE Advanced qualifiers, targeting students from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities. The programme, which has already benefited over 50,000 learners, is open to anyone who has completed Class 12 and accepts applications until 27 September.
- ✓IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti announced that the institute’s new four‑year BS degree in Data Science aims to democratise IIT education beyond JEE Advanced qualifiers, targeting students from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities.
- ✓He emphasized that the programme seeks to reach students from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities who may lack the opportunity to attend a conventional IIT campus.
- ✓The programme, which has already benefited over 50,000 learners, is open to anyone who has completed Class 12 and accepts applications until 27 September.
IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti told NDTV India News that the institute’s Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Data Science and Applications is intended to broaden access to IIT‑level education, which has traditionally been limited to candidates who clear the JEE Advanced exam. He emphasized that the programme seeks to reach students from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities who may lack the opportunity to attend a conventional IIT campus.
The BS programme, a four‑year online degree with optional exit points at the foundation, diploma or degree level, has already enrolled more than 50,000 participants. Applications are being accepted until 27 September via the official site study.iitm.ac.in, with no age ceiling and eligibility limited to completion of Class 12. Proctored examinations are conducted across India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, and the curriculum focuses on fundamentals of data science in the context of rapid AI developments.
Historically, admission to IITs has been governed by the highly competitive JEE Advanced exam, which restricts entry to a small, often urban‑centric cohort. By offering an open‑access, fully online degree, IIT Madras aims to address this disparity, potentially expanding the pool of skilled programmers and data scientists in India’s emerging tech sector.
- •Aspirants and citizens are advised to monitor official notices and circulars issued by NDTV India News.
- •Verify all prescribed eligibility criteria, cutoff dates, and authenticated document requirements prior to formal submissions.
- •Track connected examination timetables, vacancy advisories, and administrative gazettes on SuchnaSetu.
| Issuing Authority | NDTV India News |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | EDUCATION |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 15 September 2026 |