Can You Do Two IITM BS Degrees at Once, Like DS and ES?

No, you cannot do the IITM BS in Data Science (DS) and the BS in Electronic Systems (ES) at the same time. The official ES FAQ says the ES exam dates line up with the DS exam dates, so doing both programmes together is not possible. If you want topics from the other programme, the practical route is a minor inside your own BS.

Why DS and ES cannot be combined

• Same exam days. Both handbooks list the same quiz and end term dates for DS and ES in every term from 2026 to 2030. For example, in the September 2026 term, Quiz 1 is on 15 November 2026, Quiz 2 on 5 December 2026 and the end term on 10 January 2027 in both.
• Clashes are your problem. Both handbooks say exams of IITM's non-campus BS programmes, web-enabled MTech programmes and some NPTEL courses can fall on the same day. Avoiding clashes is your job, and no special arrangements will be made.
• Missed exams hurt. A missed quiz counts as 0, with no make-up quiz. A missed end term means a make-up exam later or repeating the course.

More on this in what happens when two exams clash.

What about Aeronautics or Management?

The same rule applies to them. IIT Madras now also runs a BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology (AE) and a BS in Management and Data Science (MG). The official FAQs of both say you cannot take two of the four non-campus BS programmes at the same time. The AE FAQ gives the reason: the exam dates and assessment deadlines are common. You enrol in one of them only.

What these FAQs do allow is one IITM BS alongside a degree from another college, such as a regular on-campus course. The MG launch press release also says learners can take it alongside another academic programme or a job. If you are unsure about your own case, ask the support team in writing before you pay.

Getting ES topics inside DS: minors

A minor is a set of three courses. It counts inside the 142 credits of your BS, and IIT Madras gives a separate document when you finish it. Your transcript and degree certificate do not change. You can earn a minor only with the BS degree.

From 4 September 2026, the DS handbook lists three minors that come from ES:

The ES handbook works the other way too. ES students can take a minor in Application Development or in Machine Learning, both built from DS courses. The full lists are in IITM BS minors and ES minors.

Switching instead of doubling

The ES handbook has a process for some ES batches to switch to Aeronautics. See switching from ES to Aeronautics. We found no rule for switching between DS and ES.

Common questions

Can I finish DS first and then start ES?

The handbooks do not cover doing a second IITM BS after the first. Nothing we found forbids it, but nothing confirms it either. Ask support before you plan on it.

Can I do NPTEL courses alongside my IITM BS?

Yes. The handbook even lets you credit some NPTEL courses to the BS. But some NPTEL exams fall on the same day as BS exams, and avoiding that clash is your responsibility.

Does a minor count as a second degree?

No. You get a separate document saying you completed the minor. Your BS degree certificate and transcript stay the same.

Which programme should I pick if I like both?

Compare the courses, costs and lab visits first. Our DS vs ES comparison sets them side by side.