IITM BS Convocation: Who Graduates and What It Is Like

IIT Madras holds a convocation for its BS programmes on its Chennai campus. The 2025 and 2026 ceremonies were both in June. The institute calls it a Convocation and Certificate Distribution Ceremony. In June 2025, 867 students graduated with a BSc or BS. That was the first batch to finish the 4-year BS. In June 2026, news reports quoting IIT Madras said 1,460 learners were eligible for degrees and diplomas.

The numbers so far

Other points from the same sources:

• 2025: the top graduate had a CGPA of 9.82 and was ranked 1 in the GATE Data Science and AI paper. Three BS students were in the top 10 of that GATE paper. These are top results, not typical ones.
• 2026: 173 students received Certificates of Academic Distinction and Merit. 221 of the graduates came from families earning less than Rs 1 lakh a year.

The 2026 figures come from Careers360 and NE India Broadcast, which reported the ceremony in June 2026. We could not find an IIT Madras press release for it.

Who is eligible to graduate

To get your original degree certificate, the handbooks set these conditions:

• Credits: you must finish the required credits, including all mandatory Degree level courses.
• Minimum time: at least 3 years (9 terms) for a BSc and 4 years (12 terms) for a BS, counted from your first term. Finishing credits early does not bring the certificate early. Electronic Systems has no BSc, so only the 4-year rule applies there.
• Exit form: you must fill the exit form in its window. You upload a professional photo with a white or blue background and your Class 10 or 12 certificate.
• Alumni card: BSc and BS graduates must register with the IIT Madras Alumni Association and pay its fee. The fee is Rs 6,000 plus GST, and the alumni section of the handbook gives it as Rs 7,080. Only then is the original certificate processed. See alumni status and the alumni card.
• Senate approval: the IIT Madras Senate must approve before any original certificate is made. It meets three to four times a year.

Students who exit with a diploma also receive awards, as the 2025 and 2026 numbers show. They do not get alumni status. Read what certificate you get at each level.

The certificate timeline

The DS handbook (updated 1 June 2026) gives this tentative schedule:

The ES handbook table is older and lists Senate dates up to 12 June 2026. ES students should check the current dates with support. The full steps are in how to exit and get your original certificate.

What the ceremony is like

The official sources say only a little about the day itself. What they confirm:

• It is held on the IIT Madras campus.
• Degrees and diplomas are awarded, along with merit and distinction certificates.
• The 2025 ceremony had a chief guest from industry. News reports of the 2026 ceremony quote the Director of IIT Madras.

Top students may also receive medals. The handbooks say a medal comes with each of three certificates. The Certificate of Merit is for a CGPA of 9.00 to 9.50. The Certificate of Academic Distinction is for 9.50 or more. The Certificate of Academic Excellence goes to the highest CGPA. See prizes and medals.

The handbooks do not say how invitations work, how many guests you can bring, or whether there is a dress code. Watch programme emails or ask support for them.

Common questions

Do I have to attend to get my certificate?

The handbooks do not say so. They say the original certificate and alumni card are sent by post or handed over. This depends on the delivery method you choose in the exit form.

Is there a convocation for diploma holders?

Diploma holders were counted among those receiving awards in both 2025 (365 diplomas) and 2026 (604 diplomas). The handbooks do not describe who is invited, so watch for the ceremony email.

Why do BSc and BS graduates pay an alumni fee before the certificate?

The handbooks make IIT Madras Alumni Association registration mandatory for BSc and BS exits. The original certificate is processed only after it is done. In return you get the alumni card and its benefits, such as campus entry.

I finished all credits in 3.5 years. Can I graduate with the BS?

Not yet. The BS certificate needs at least 12 terms from your first term, however fast you earn the credits. Your original certificate is processed only after you complete 12 terms.