IITM BS Electronic Systems Fees: Full Breakdown

The IITM BS in Electronic Systems costs Rs 5,80,000 in course fees for a general category student who joins from the January 2026 term and finishes the full BS degree. The foundation level costs Rs 82,000, the diploma Rs 1,62,000 and the BS level Rs 3,36,000. If you joined in the September 2025 term or earlier, the old total of Rs 5,74,000 applies. The lab kit is not part of these fees. You buy it separately.

ES fees at each level

These are the new fees, for students who join the foundation level from January 2026. They are general category fees, before any waiver.

The foundation and diploma rows each show two rates. The handbook does not say which courses are charged at which rate. The official fee document gives the credits at each rate:

• Foundation: 35 credits at Rs 2,000 and 8 credits at Rs 1,500, so 43 credits.
• Diploma: 39 credits at Rs 4,000 and 4 credits at Rs 1,500, so 43 credits.
• BS: 56 credits at Rs 6,000.

That adds up to 142 credits, the number you need for the ES degree. See how the 142 credits are split for the course and lab count at each level.

Old ES fees vs new ES fees

ES fees were revised from the January 2026 term. The ES important documents page has an official fee document for each structure.

Only one rate changed. The 8 foundation credits and 4 diploma credits that cost Rs 1,000 each now cost Rs 1,500 each. That adds Rs 6,000 in total.

• Old fees: for students who joined the programme in the September 2025 term or earlier.
• New fees: for students who join the foundation level from the January 2026 term onwards.

Is the total Rs 5,80,000 or Rs 5,82,000?

The handbook's last row says the total consolidated fee is Rs 5,82,000. But the three level totals add up to Rs 5,80,000:

• Rs 82,000 + Rs 1,62,000 + Rs 3,36,000 = Rs 5,80,000

The ES academics page and the revised fee document also give Rs 5,80,000. The handbook does not explain its Rs 2,000 gap. Plan with Rs 5,80,000, and ask the support team if your fees do not match.

What you pay if you stop early

You pay level by level. So if you leave after a level, you have only paid up to that point.

Qualifier fee: Rs 4,000 or Rs 6,000

Before the foundation level, you pay the qualifier application fee. The ES handbook is not consistent here. The fee section, the eligibility section and the fee table all say Rs 4,000 for general category. But the regular entry section says Rs 6,000. The fee table gives these amounts:

Check the application page on the official ES website before you pay. The fee is not refunded. More details are in the qualifier application fee guide.

The lab kit is extra

ES has lab courses, and you need a lab kit to do the experiments at home. Here is what the handbook says about it:

• You buy the kit separately from IIT Madras.
• Its cost is not covered by the course fees.
• The cost will be finalised and shared with students who register.
• It is a USB powered instrument that works as a function generator and an oscilloscope.
• You use it over several terms, mainly in hardware courses with a lab part, such as Digital Systems and Electrical and Electronic Circuits.
• It is expected to support Windows and Linux.

Lab courses also need in-person visits to IIT Madras. The handbook does not list travel costs, so plan for them yourself. Read more about the ES lab kit and ES campus visits.

Fee waivers and scholarships

The fees above are for general category students. The handbook says extra fee scholarships from IITM are available for SC, ST and PwD students and for students with family income below Rs 5 lakh a year. The waiver is 50% or 75%, depending on category and income. See the IITM BS fee waiver table.

From the January 2026 term, diploma and degree level students who claim an income-based waiver must also pass an income document check. They submit ITR and/or Form 26AS. The ES handbook says a Rs 1,000 fee is collected for this check and it is not refunded, whatever the result.

Other costs to plan for

• Exams outside India: a facilitation fee applies on top. Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 cost Rs 2,000 each. The end term costs Rs 2,000 for one course and Rs 4,000 for more than one. With 4 courses, that is Rs 8,000 in a term. The fee can vary by country.
• Education loan: the handbook describes an SBI loan with interest starting from 8.10%, no collateral, and simple interest until the course ends. One parent joins as co-borrower.

Common questions

Do I pay the full Rs 5.8 lakh at the start?

No. You register for courses each term and pay only for the credits you sign up for. The money is spread over the years you study.

How much does the lab kit cost?

The handbook does not give a price. It says the cost will be finalised and announced to registered students. It is not included in the course fees.

Does ES have a BSc exit like Data Science?

No. The ES handbook lists three exits: the foundation certificate, the Diploma in Electronic Systems and the BS in Electronic Systems. There is no separate BSc level in the fee table.

I joined ES before 2026. Do these fees apply to me?

No, if you joined in the September 2025 term or earlier. You pay the old rates: Rs 78,000 for foundation, Rs 1,60,000 for the diploma and Rs 3,36,000 for the BS level. The ES handbook shows only the new table, so check the old fee document on the ES important documents page. If your case is unusual, ask support which rates apply to you.