IITM BS Fee Revision 2026: Old vs New Fees Compared

IITM BS Data Science fees went up for students who join the foundation level from the January 2026 term. The foundation level now costs Rs 48,000 instead of Rs 32,000. The full BS degree now costs Rs 3,86,000 to Rs 4,50,000, against Rs 3,25,000 to Rs 3,87,000 in the old handbook table. If you joined in the September 2025 term or earlier, you stay on the old fees.

All figures here are full fees, before any fee waiver.

Who pays the old fees and who pays the new fees

The official academics page and the handbook both tie the structure to the term you joined. Neither says that existing students move to the new rates when they reach a higher level.

One case is not covered. Both sources talk about students who join at the foundation level. Students who enter the diploma level directly are not mentioned. If that is you, ask support which table applies to your roll number.

Fee per credit: old and new

The biggest jump is on diploma projects, which went from Rs 1,250 to Rs 3,000 per credit. Foundation credits went up by half. Level 4 courses and NPTEL credits did not change. The new table groups Level 4 and Level 5 courses together at Rs 5,000.

One small leftover: the electives section of the DS handbook still says Level 3 courses cost Rs 2,500 per credit. That is the old rate. The fee section gives Rs 3,000 for the new structure.

Level by level: how much more you pay

The BS level range starts lower in the new table because it allows 8 cheap NPTEL credits at that level. But the handbook also caps NPTEL credits at 8 for the whole programme. Within that cap, its own rates give a lowest BS degree total of about Rs 3,94,000, not Rs 3,86,000. The 2026 Data Science fee breakdown explains this gap.

Running totals

On these handbook figures, a full BS degree costs Rs 61,000 to Rs 63,000 more under the new structure. The old table in full is in the fee guide for students who joined before 2026.

The two official old tables do not match

The handbook is not the only official record of the old fees. The DS academics page links to a separate document called "Existing Fee Structure till Sep 2025 Term". Its foundation and diploma totals match the handbook. Its degree totals are lower:

Neither source explains the gap. If you compare the new totals with the website document, the full BS goes up by Rs 71,000 to Rs 99,000 instead.

If you are on the old structure, you pay per course at your per-credit rates, so the totals are only a guide. Ask support to confirm your rates before you plan the BSc and BS levels.

What did not change

• Fee waivers: the handbook has one waiver table, with 50% or 75% off based on category and family income. It is not split by old and new fees. See who gets the fee waiver.
• Drop charges: Rs 2,000 per foundation course and Rs 4,000 per diploma or degree course. The handbook says these stay the same for the revised fees.
• Paying per term: you still pay only for the courses you register for each term.

One new rule started in the same term. From January 2026, diploma and degree students who claim an income-based waiver must also pass an ITR or Form 26AS check. If the documents are rejected, the waiver is withdrawn.

Electronic Systems fees changed too

The ES academics page says ES fees were also revised for students joining the foundation level from January 2026. The change is much smaller.

Only the credits charged at Rs 1,000 moved to Rs 1,500. That is 8 foundation credits and 4 diploma credits. The ES handbook states the new total as Rs 5,82,000, but its own level totals add up to Rs 5,80,000, which matches the website. More in the Electronic Systems fee breakdown.

Common questions

I joined in September 2025 and will start the diploma in 2026. Which rates apply?

By the official wording, the old structure covers students who joined up to the September 2025 term. Nothing says it switches when you move up a level. If your registration page shows different amounts, raise a ticket before you pay.

Why did IIT Madras raise the fees?

The fee pages and the handbook do not give a reason. They only show the new tables and who they apply to.

How much is the new foundation fee with a waiver?

With a 50% waiver it is Rs 24,000. With a 75% waiver it is Rs 12,000. On the old fees, the same waivers came to Rs 16,000 and Rs 8,000.

Did the qualifier fee change as well?

The DS handbook says the qualifier fee is Rs 4,000 for general category from the January 2026 term onwards. It does not say what it was before. The category-wise amounts are in the qualifier application fee guide.