When Did the IITM BS Start? A Short History From 2020 to 2026

The IITM BS started on 30 June 2020. That day, the Union HRD Minister virtually launched IIT Madras's online BSc in Programming and Data Science, according to PIB. The first students began in the January 2021 term. A 4-year BS option was added in August 2022, Electronic Systems followed in March 2023, and two new BS programmes were launched in February 2026.

Timeline at a glance

2020: an online BSc, the first of its kind from an IIT

PIB called it the world's first online BSc in Programming and Data Science, and the first online degree by an IIT. The plan had three stages, Foundation, Diploma and Degree, with an exit at each one. Applicants paid Rs 3,000 for the qualifier. They studied 4 weeks of Mathematics, English, Statistics and Computational Thinking, then wrote an in-person exam.

One idea from launch day still holds. PIB contrasted it with normal IIT admission, which is limited by campus seats. Here, everyone who cleared the qualifier could register. That is why the programme has no fixed seat count today, as explained in how many seats IITM BS has.

2021 and 2022: first students, then a 4-year BS

The official Program Report counts 30,276 applications and 8,164 qualified candidates in the January 2021 term.

On 1 August 2022, PIB reported that the BSc now came with an option of a four-year BS Degree in Data Science and Applications. The BS level added an 8-month apprenticeship or project option. The release said more than 13,000 students were enrolled, with exams at 116 centres in 111 cities in India, plus centres in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Sri Lanka.

This is why you still see "BSc" in old articles. The BSc became the 3-year exit, and the BS became the full degree. See BS or BSc? the degree names explained.

2023: Electronic Systems

On 6 March 2023, the Union Education Minister launched the four-year BS in Electronic Systems. IIT Madras called it its second online BS, and said the Data Science BS then had more than 17,000 students. ES needs Physics and Maths in Class 12 and includes lab visits to the campus.

2024 and 2025: stricter rules and the first BS graduates

From May 2024, new DS students faced checkpoints at the Foundation and Diploma levels, with removal if they fall too far behind. Other changes followed, listed in every major rule change since 2024.

On 8 June 2025, IIT Madras held a convocation where 867 students graduated with a BSc or BS. The press release called it the first batch graduating with the 4-year BS, and said more than 38,000 students were studying in the programme.

The September 2025 Program Report, updated 31 October 2025, counted 47,319 active students in Data Science alone. Numbers differ by date and scope, as the official enrolment numbers explain.

2026: new fees and two new programmes

• January 2026: a revised fee structure for students joining Foundation from this term. The full DS BS now costs Rs 3,86,000 to Rs 4,50,000 before waivers.
• 9 February 2026: the BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology was launched, with no cap on enrolment.
• 21 February 2026: the BS in Management and Data Science was launched. The launch release said its first batch would begin in June 2026.

The latest update (September 2026)

Applications for the September 2026 cycle close on 27 September 2026. The ES, Aeronautics and Management pages list qualifier week 1 from 2 October 2026 and the qualifier exam on 15 November 2026. Where the programme may go next is covered in the future of the IITM BS degree.

Common questions

Is the IITM BS a new or untested degree?

It is about six years old. The first students started in January 2021, and IIT Madras held a convocation for BSc and BS graduates in June 2025.

Which is the newest IITM BS programme?

The BS in Management and Data Science, launched on 21 February 2026, with its first batch planned from June 2026. The BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology came a few days earlier, on 9 February 2026.

Was the degree renamed?

Partly. It launched as an online BSc in Programming and Data Science. Since August 2022, the full degree is the BS in Data Science and Applications, and the BSc remains as an earlier exit.

Was the qualifier always Rs 4,000?

No. At launch in 2020, PIB listed a qualifier fee of Rs 3,000. The DS admissions page now lists Rs 4,000 for general and OBC applicants.