IIT Guwahati online BSc in Data Science and AI: apply by October 31 for January 2027
By TUF News Desk · Published 25 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Six days are left to apply for an IIT degree that does not need a campus seat. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati is accepting applications for the January 2027 cohort of its online BSc (Hons) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence until October 31, 2026. Classes start on January 4, 2027.
The programme runs through the institute’s Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. It is fully online, which makes it an option for students and working professionals who cannot move to Guwahati for four years.
Who can apply
The bar is straightforward. Applicants must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with at least 60% aggregate marks. There is no stream restriction, so students from science, commerce and arts backgrounds can apply. Students who appeared for their Class 12 board examinations in 2026 are also eligible.
One detail is worth checking before relying on older pages. Some coverage from earlier in the year lists September 30 as the last date. The institute’s current admission portal and its Outreach Education and Skilling notice both list October 31, 2026, and that is the date applicants should work to.
Two routes in
Admission follows one of two routes, and which one applies depends on JEE (Advanced). Candidates who were eligible to appear for JEE (Advanced) and registered for it in any year get direct admission. They skip the qualifier entirely.
Everyone else takes a different path. They first complete an online Mathematics Essentials course, then sit a proctored qualifier test. The test runs for two hours and has 80 questions, each worth one mark, with no negative marking for wrong or unattempted answers. Final ranking for this route uses Class 10 marks, Class 12 marks and the qualifier test score together, and seats are offered in rank order.
What it costs
The application fee is Rs 1,000, paid with the form. Applicants who need the qualifier route pay an additional Rs 3,000 for the Mathematics Essentials course and test. Both fees are non-refundable.
After admission is confirmed, a Rs 50,000 admission fee applies. Tuition is charged at Rs 1,100 per credit, based on the credits a student picks each term. The institute’s current fee table adds up to Rs 3,78,900 for the full 299-credit honours degree, including the admission fee. The institute says that amount can change under its fee policy, so applicants should check the latest table before paying.
What to keep ready
The application asks for four documents, each with a size limit. Keep a Class 10 marksheet, a Class 12 admit card or marksheet, and a photo identity proof such as Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID or driving licence, each below 2 MB in JPG, PNG or PDF format. A recent passport-size photograph below 500 KB in JPG or PNG is also needed. Our admission documents checklist covers the same set of papers for most Indian university applications.
Applications go through the official admission portal. Register with an email address and mobile number, fill the form, upload the documents and pay the fee before the October 31 deadline.
How the degree works
The normal duration is four years, but students can take up to eight years to finish. The programme runs three terms a year and lets students pick a lighter credit load when they need to. The institute estimates about 18 to 20 hours of study a week.
Students can also leave early with a smaller qualification. After completing the required work, they can exit with an advanced certificate, a diploma or a plain BSc degree instead of continuing to the four-year honours degree. An optional four-week campus immersion at IIT Guwahati is also on offer for students who want time on campus.
For students weighing an online degree against a regular on-campus seat, our guide on how to choose a university in India lays out the trade-offs worth checking before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for IIT Guwahati’s online BSc in Data Science and AI?
October 31, 2026, for the January 2027 cohort. Classes begin on January 4, 2027.
Who can apply for the IIT Guwahati online BSc programme?
Anyone who has passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with at least 60% aggregate marks. There is no stream restriction, so science, commerce and arts students can all apply.
Is JEE (Advanced) compulsory for admission?
No. Candidates who registered for JEE (Advanced) in any year get direct admission. Others qualify through a Mathematics Essentials course and an online qualifier test.
What does the IIT Guwahati online BSc degree cost?
The application fee is Rs 1,000. The institute lists Rs 3,78,900 as the total for the 299-credit honours degree, including a Rs 50,000 admission fee, though the figure can change under its fee policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for IIT Guwahati's online BSc in Data Science and AI?
October 31, 2026, for the January 2027 cohort. Classes begin on January 4, 2027.
Who can apply for the IIT Guwahati online BSc programme?
Anyone who has passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with at least 60% aggregate marks. There is no stream restriction, so science, commerce and arts students can all apply.
Is JEE (Advanced) compulsory for admission?
No. Candidates who registered for JEE (Advanced) in any year get direct admission. Others qualify through a Mathematics Essentials course and an online qualifier test.
What does the IIT Guwahati online BSc degree cost?
The application fee is Rs 1,000. The institute lists Rs 3,78,900 as the total for the 299-credit honours degree, including a Rs 50,000 admission fee, though the figure can change under its fee policy.
Sources: IIT Guwahati, Zollege, Careers360