IITM BS Data Science: Checkpoints to Enter the Degree Level

To move from the diploma level to the degree level (BSc) in Data Science, you need two things. Your CGPA at the end of the diploma level must be 6.0 or more. And the CGPA of your diploma projects must be 7.0 or more. If you joined the programme from the May 2026 term onward, there is a third rule. You must finish the foundation and diploma levels together within 5 years (15 terms).

These rules apply to everyone entering the degree level from the May 2024 term. This post covers the Data Science programme.

The rules by batch

"Joined" here means the term you entered the programme, not the term you entered the diploma.

What counts in the project CGPA

The project CGPA is worked out only from standalone project courses. This matters for early students. In the September 2021 and January 2022 terms, some projects were part of theory courses. If you did 2 projects inside theory courses and 2 as standalone projects, only the 2 standalone project grades count toward the 7.0 average.

The 15 term rule for May 2026 entrants

If you joined from May 2026, the 15 terms are counted from the start of your foundation level. Skipped terms and RKA terms (registration keep alive) are included in this count. A break does not stop the clock.

If you cannot finish both levels within 15 terms:

• You can still use 2 more years to complete the diploma.
• But you cannot move to the degree level. You exit with the diploma.

This fits with the separate level limits: 9 terms for the foundation and 12 terms for the diploma. See the maximum duration for each level.

If your CGPA is below the cutoff

You can repeat courses and projects to improve your grades. For May 2026 entrants, this is allowed only while you are within the 15 term limit. If you reach your 15th term and your CGPA is still short, you must exit with the diploma.

Improvement has a level rule too. From the January 2026 term, you can improve grades of a level only while you are still at that level. Once you move up, the CGPA of the earlier level is frozen. More detail is in improving your grade.

How project improvement works

The handbook's FAQ on project courses answers the common doubts:

• You can take a project for improvement only after you finish all 12 diploma level courses and have not met the CGPA cutoff for the degree level.
• You can improve the same project more than once, if you still have terms left for diploma completion and for entering the degree level.
• You can take more than one project for improvement in the same term.
• If you get a U or I grade in the improvement attempt, your earlier pass grade stays.

So a bad improvement attempt does not lower your record. Read how projects are graded for the grade rules.

A simple way to plan

Check your project grades early. The project CGPA comes from only a few grades, so one low project grade moves it a lot. If a project grade is low, remember you can only improve it after your 12 diploma courses are done. Leave enough terms for that. Also keep the diploma level checkpoints in mind, since they run at the same time. Once you are in, the BSc degree level guide explains what comes next.

Common questions

My diploma CGPA is 6.5 but my project CGPA is 6.8. Can I enter the degree level?

No. Both conditions must be met. You would need to improve your project grades until the project CGPA reaches 7.0.

I joined in January 2025. Does the 15 term rule apply to me?

No. The handbook applies the 15 term rule only to students who entered from the May 2026 term onward. You still need the two CGPA conditions.

Can I improve a project before finishing all diploma courses?

No. The handbook says project improvement is allowed only after all 12 diploma level courses are completed and you have not met the cutoff.

If I fail to reach the cutoff, do I lose the diploma?

No. The handbook says students who do not meet the conditions exit with the diploma, as long as they complete it.