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The University Guide

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

PublicChennai, Tamil Nadu₹3.3 L/yrEst. 1959Reviewed April 2026

Details sourced from official institutional pages.

Type Public
Location Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Accreditation NAAC A++ (2028), NIRF 1 in Overall (2024), NIRF 1 in Engineering (2024)
Entrance exams JEE Advanced, JEE Main, GATE, IIT JAM

Academic Programs

Undergraduate

Program Level Duration
BTech UG 4 years
BS UG 4 years
BTech + MTech Dual Degree UG 5 years

Postgraduate

Program Level Duration
MTech PG 2 years
MSc PG 2 years
MA PG 2 years
MBA PG 2 years
PhD PHD 4-6 years

What IIT Madras is

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is a public Institute of National Importance established in 1959 on a 617-acre campus in Adyar, Chennai. It has held the top position in the NIRF Overall Rankings for six consecutive years (2019–2024) and in the Engineering category for nine consecutive years (2016–2024). It received a NAAC A++ grade, the highest possible.

The campus is notable for being embedded within a forest reserve, housing deer, peacocks, and other wildlife alongside 600+ acres of green infrastructure. IIT Madras is among the highest-funded research institutions in India, receiving significant external R&D grants annually.

Who it’s for

IIT Madras is India’s premier engineering institution by ranking and is the top choice for JEE Advanced qualifiers across the country who cannot access IIT Bombay’s CS branch. Its Aerospace Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Chemical Engineering departments are among the strongest in the country.

The institute has established a strong reputation in emerging areas: its Centre for Innovation (CFI) supports student-led technology projects, and its Research Park hosts over 50 companies including Caterpillar, Mahindra, and Honeywell conducting R&D in collaboration with the institute. IIT Madras Online Degree Programme, a BSc in Data Science and Programming, is among India’s largest online higher education programmes with 25,000+ enrolled students.

Programs offered

Undergraduate (via JEE Advanced):

  • BTech in 16 disciplines including Aerospace Engineering, CS, Electrical, Mechanical, Ocean Engineering, and Chemical Engineering
  • BS (4-year) in Mathematics, Physics, and other sciences
  • BTech + MTech Dual Degree (5-year)

Postgraduate:

Online:

  • BSc in Programming and Data Science (no entrance; online; open to all 10+2 holders)
  • MSc Data Science (online)

Campus and infrastructure

The 617-acre Adyar campus is India’s largest among old IITs. The campus contains a forest ecosystem (Guindy National Park borders it) and is 100% residential for UG students. Academic infrastructure includes the Central Workshop, Electrical Sciences Block, and the Research Park, a dedicated space for industry-academia collaboration. The Institute of Eminence (IoE) status has brought additional government funding for research infrastructure.

Things to verify before applying

  • Online BSc degree: The IIT Madras BSc in Data Science (online) is a separate programme from the regular BTech. It is legitimate and UGC-recognised but operates on a different admissions model (qualifier exam, no NIRF ranking benefit for students).
  • GATE cutoffs for MTech: IIT Madras MTech cutoffs vary significantly by department. CSE MTech typically requires GATE scores in the 800+ range.
  • Placement data by branch: IIT Madras releases branch-wise placement data. CSE far outperforms the average. Verify the most recent placement report on the official portal.
  • Fee waivers: Same tiered structure as other IITs, SC/ST/PwD and low-income students receive full or partial tuition waivers.

Where to go next on this site

Sources Used

Fees — 2025-26

Program Fees

ProgramLevelAnnual FeeTotal FeeSource
BTech/BS (General/OBC-NCL/EWS - family income above Rs. 5 lakh) UG INR 3,25,000 official-website
BTech/BS (family income Rs. 1–5 lakh) UG INR 1,25,000 official-website
BTech/BS (SC/ST/All PwD) UG INR 45,402 official-website
MTech (General/OBC-NCL/EWS - Regular) PG INR 71,000 official-website
MSc (2-year, General/OBC-NCL/EWS) PG INR 81,000 official-website
MBA (DoMS) PG INR 4,50,000 unverified

Scholarships

Free Studentship (SC/ST/PwD)

Eligibility: SC, ST, and all PwD students

Amount: 100% tuition fee waiver; pay only other charges

Free Studentship (family income < Rs. 1 lakh)

Eligibility: Annual family income below Rs. 1 lakh

Amount: 100% tuition fee waiver

Partial Waiver (family income Rs. 1–5 lakh)

Eligibility: Annual family income between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh

Amount: Tuition fee reduced to approximately 1/3 of full fee

MTech Teaching/Research Assistantship (HTRA)

Eligibility: Regular (non-sponsored) MTech students

Amount: Rs. 12,400 per month stipend

Institute Merit Scholarship

Eligibility: Top academic performers in UG programmes

Amount: Variable annual cash award

Fee figures are indicative. Verify the complete fee structure on the institution's official website.

Admissions — 2025-26

Entrance Exams

JEE Advanced JEE Main GATE IIT JAM

Eligibility

BTech / BS

Minimum: 75% in 10+2 with PCM (65% for SC/ST/PwD)

Valid JEE Advanced rank; seat allotted through JoSAA counselling

MTech

Minimum: 60% in BE/BTech or equivalent (55% for SC/ST/PwD)

Valid GATE score; written test and/or interview at department level

MSc

Minimum: 55% in BSc or equivalent

Valid IIT JAM score in relevant subject

MA

Minimum: 55% in any bachelor's degree

IIT JAM or department-level admission test

PhD

Minimum: 60% in MTech/MSc or equivalent

GATE/NET/UGC-CSIR or equivalent; written test and interview

Important Dates

EventDate
JEE Main Session 1January–February 2026 (approximate)
JEE Advanced 2026May 2026 (approximate)
JoSAA CounsellingJune–July 2026 (approximate)
GATE 2026February 2026 (approximate)
IIT JAM 2026February 2026 (approximate)

Selection Process

  1. Qualify JEE Main (qualifying exam for JEE Advanced eligibility)
  2. Appear in JEE Advanced and obtain a valid rank
  3. Register on JoSAA portal and fill institute + branch preferences
  4. Seat allotted based on JEE Advanced rank, category, and preferences
  5. Pay seat acceptance fee and report to IIT Madras with required documents

Apply online ↗

Placements — 2023-24

Average package Not publicly disclosed at institutional level
Highest package Not publicly disclosed
Placement rate Not officially published as a single figure; branch-wise data available

Top Recruiters

GoogleMicrosoftAppleAmazonGoldman SachsQualcommTexas InstrumentsSamsungHoneywellMcKinsey & CompanyBCGDE Shaw

Placement data is sourced from institutional records. Verify current data on the institution's official website.

This profile is maintained for informational purposes. Details are sourced as of the date shown and may have changed. Always verify with the institution's official website.