What If Two IITM BS Exams Clash on the Same Day?

If your IITM BS exam clashes with an exam from another IITM programme, IITM will not fix it for you. The handbook says the exam dates for IITM's non-campus BS programmes, its web-enabled MTech programmes and some NPTEL courses fall on the same day. It is your job to check for clashes before you register for any extra course or programme. The IITM CODE Office will not make special arrangements.

This rule is the same in the Data Science (DS) and Electronic Systems (ES) handbooks. It was last updated on 18 July 2025.

Which exams can clash

The handbook names three groups whose exams land on the same day:

• IITM's non-campus BS programmes, such as the BS in Data Science and the BS in Electronic Systems
• IITM's web-enabled MTech programmes
• Some NPTEL courses

So the risk is real if you study in more than one of these at once. For example, you may be in the BS and also doing an NPTEL course. See our post on NPTEL credit transfer if you take NPTEL courses for credit.

What the rule means for you

• Checking is your job. Look at the exam dates of every programme before you register for extra courses.
• No rescheduling. The CODE Office will not move an exam or set up a special sitting because of a clash.
• You choose. If two exams fall on the same day and time, you may have to pick one.

Within one BS programme, the handbook plans end terms for Sundays, with up to 4 courses covered in 2 sessions of 3 hours each. Quizzes are one session for all your courses. So this clash rule is about exams in a second programme.

What happens if you miss an exam because of a clash

The handbook has no special case for clashes. The normal rules apply:

The make-up fee is Rs 1,000 per foundation course and Rs 2,000 per diploma or degree course. Details are in our make-up exam guide and our post on the end term exam.

How to check before you register

1. Note the quiz and end term dates for your BS term. Our exam dates for 2026 to 2030 lists them.
2. Find the exam dates of the other programme or NPTEL course you plan to take.
3. If any date matches, decide which one matters more before you pay.

Common questions

Will IITM move my BS exam if it clashes with an NPTEL exam?

No. The handbook says the CODE Office will not make special arrangements for such clashes. You are expected to avoid them when you register.

Can I get a make-up quiz if a quiz clashes with another exam?

No. The handbook says no make-up quiz is given. The missed quiz counts as 0. If you attend the other quiz and meet the assignment rule, you can still write the end term.

Does this rule apply to ES students too?

Yes. The same clash rule appears in both the DS and ES handbooks, with the same date of 18 July 2025.