Upgrading From IITM BS to the On-Campus MS Programme

By Editorial TeamLast reviewed 24 Sept 2026

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The MS upgrade lets you finish the last part of your IITM BS on the IIT Madras campus and then move into the on-campus MS. You need a CGPA of 8 or more. In Data Science (DS) you can apply after 106 credits. In Electronic Systems (ES) you apply after the foundation, the diploma and 4 core degree courses. Selection is by test or interview. You then study 28 credits on campus, and those credits go towards your BS degree.

DS and ES rules side by side

Rule	Data Science	Electronic Systems
When you can apply	After 106 credits	After foundation, diploma and 4 core degree courses (the handbook says 102 credits)
CGPA	8 or more	8.0 or more at the end of 102 credits
Application months	May or November, every year	April or October, every year
Selection	Test and/or interview	Test or interview, as the host department sets
Work on campus	16 credits of courses and 12 of project	20 credits of courses and 8 of project (apprenticeship), over 2 semesters
Entry to the MS	Assessed after the 28 credits and admitted if found suitable	CGPA 8.00 in campus courses and project, or a valid GATE score, plus a guide who accepts you

A note on the ES "102 credits"

The ES handbook asks for the foundation and diploma levels "(102 credits)" plus the 4 core degree courses. But the same handbook's prize rules count foundation plus diploma as 86 credits. So the 102 most likely includes the 4 core courses. Confirm this with the support team before you plan your application term.

How it works in Data Science

Reach 106 credits with a CGPA of 8 or more.
Apply in May or November through the form the programme team sends out. The handbook calls it the POD team.
Take the test, the interview or both.
If selected, do the BS level on campus, in person: 16 credits of coursework and 12 credits of project.
Once the 28 credits are done, you have met the BS degree requirements. You are then assessed, and if found suitable you are admitted to the MS.

The institute pays a stipend as per its norms. MS fees are listed on the institute website.

The DS version with the DSAI department

The DS handbook also describes an upgrade to an MS by research in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, at the Department of DSAI:

You need a CGPA of 8.0 or more after the degree level core courses (at least 106 credits).
The BS team collects applications and sends the eligible list to DSAI.
DSAI screens candidates through a written test, an interview or both.
If selected, you finish the 28 credit BS level at DSAI with courses and an 8 month research project. The project counts under the 12 credit apprenticeship.
If your CGPA in these campus courses and project is 8.0 or more, you continue into the MS by research.
If it is below 8.0, you are not upgraded. Your credits go back to the BS programme. You can still apply for the MS by clearing GATE.

How it works in Electronic Systems

Finish the foundation, the diploma and the 4 core degree courses, with a CGPA of 8.0 or more at that point.
Apply in April or October.
Go through the test or interview of the host department.
If selected, complete 28 credits on campus over 2 semesters (1 year): 20 credits of coursework and 8 credits of project work, counted as apprenticeship.
These credits are transferred to the BS programme, and you get the BS degree.
To enter the MS, you need a CGPA of 8.00 in the campus courses and project, or a valid GATE score. A guide must also accept you.

MS fees are as set by the institute. The ES section does not mention a stipend.

How the apprenticeship credits fit in

In both programmes the campus project is linked to the apprenticeship credits of the BS level. In DS it fills the 12 credit apprenticeship. In ES it is 8 credits of project work counted as apprenticeship. Read the IITM BS apprenticeship for the regular rules, and campus course credit transfer for how campus credits are counted.

Common questions

Do I still get the IITM BS degree if I take the upgrade?

Yes. In DS the 28 campus credits make up the BS level. In ES they are transferred to the programme for the award of the BS degree. One gap is not explained: the BS needs 142 credits, and 106 plus 28 (DS) or 102 plus 28 (ES) falls short of that. Ask the programme office how the remaining credits are completed.

What if my campus CGPA falls below 8?

In the DS version with DSAI, you are not upgraded, your credits return to the BS programme, and you can apply for the MS through GATE. In ES, a valid GATE score is an alternative to the campus CGPA of 8.00. See the GATE route.

Do I have to be on campus?

Yes. The upgrade means doing the BS level courses and project on the IIT Madras campus in person. The ES handbook gives this as 2 semesters (1 year). The DS handbook gives no length for the general upgrade, but its DSAI version includes an 8 month project.

How is this different from other MS routes?

The upgrade uses the BS level itself as your entry into the MS. Other routes, such as applying as a CFTI student or as project staff, are separate MS applications. All of them are compared in IITM BS to MS, MTech or PhD.