Scholarships and Fee-Free Seats for IITM BS Students

IITM BS students can get help with fees in two official ways. The first is the IIT Madras fee waiver of 50% or 75%, based on your category and family income. The second is a merit-cum-means scholarship funded by companies (through CSR), individual donors and alumni, which can cover more of the fee. IIT Madras said in June 2025 that 4,825 students were studying free of any fees because of CSR support.

The two kinds of support

The DS academics page explains how the two fit together. The programme tries to raise CSR and alumni donations to cover the full fees of students from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. Until such donations come in, IIT Madras itself pays part of the fee. That part is the 50% or 75% fee waiver.

Official counts, and why they differ

These numbers count different things at different times. The press release lists them under statistics for the Data Science programme. The website figures carry no date. Treat them as rough signs of scale, not as a current total.

The IIT Madras fee waiver

• 75% off if family income is Rs 1 lakh a year or less.
• 50% off if it is above Rs 1 lakh and up to Rs 5 lakh.
• SC, ST and PwD students get at least 50% at any income, and SC or ST students who are also PwD get 75%.
• It does not apply to students outside India.

You claim it by uploading your category certificate (EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST or PwD) and a family income certificate in the set formats. From January 2026, diploma and degree students claiming an income-based waiver must also submit ITR or Form 26AS. Full rules are in the fee waiver guide, and general category students should read the general category waiver rules.

CSR merit-cum-means scholarships

The DS partnerships page lists 20 donors, mostly companies. It sets these conditions.

Who can apply:

• Students less than 25 years old.
• Parents' annual income not above Rs 5,00,000.
• At the foundation level: at least 4 foundation courses done, with a CGPA of 6 or more.
• At the diploma level: at least 3 courses and 1 project done, with a CGPA of 6 or more.
• Support depends on funds being available. Donors may add their own conditions, such as level, age, gender or income.

What you agree to:

• No breaks or skipped terms at the supported level.
• Keep your CGPA above 6.0.
• Upload valid family income and category certificates at each term registration.
• Submit your PAN and ITR or Form 26AS in a form opened for this.
• Courses paid from the CSR scholarship wallet cannot be dropped and must be passed.
• After one diploma, you are expected to take an internship and pay for the degree level yourself.

Preference goes to students with a better CGPA and more courses cleared. To apply, fill the request form linked on the partnerships page. It opens for 15 days after each term's registration closes.

So you cannot get CSR support in your very first term. You need at least 4 foundation courses done first.

Is there a 100% fee waiver for women?

We found no such rule on any official page. The waiver table has no gender column. The CSR page says donors may set conditions that include gender, so a particular donor's scholarship might be meant for a certain group. That is not a general waiver for women. If someone tells you about one, ask for the official notice.

The partnerships page also lists a prize, which is not a fee scholarship. The Kewalram Chanrai Group Award gives Rs 50,000 and a gold medal to two students who complete the Diploma in Data Science: the top female and the top male student by CGPA. See IITM BS prizes and medals.

What the FAQ still says

The DS FAQ still has a question, "Will I get a scholarship or loan?" Its answer says the programme is trying to see if this is possible, and asks you to watch for announcements. That answer does not mention the fee waiver or the CSR scholarships described on other pages of the same website, so rely on those pages. For loans, see education loans for IITM BS.

Common questions

Can I get the fee waiver and a CSR scholarship together?

The official pages do not say how the two combine. The academics page describes the waiver as IIT Madras paying part of the fee until donor money is found. Ask support how your fees will be split if you are selected.

Does the CSR scholarship cover the qualifier fee?

No. You can only apply after finishing some courses at a level. At the application stage, only SC, ST and PwD candidates pay a lower qualifier fee.

I am 26. Can I apply for the CSR scholarship?

The listed condition is less than 25 years old. You can still get the IIT Madras fee waiver, which has no age condition in the handbook.

What happens if I fail a course paid from the CSR wallet?

The page says such courses must be passed, but it does not say what happens if you fail one. Ask support before you register, so you know the risk.