IIT Guwahati opens applications for online BSc (Honours) in Data Science, AI with exit feature

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has invited applications for its online Bachelors of Science (BSc Honours) in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the academic year 2025-26. Eligible candidates can apply for the undergraduate (UG) programme through the official website at iitg.ac.in.

The four-year BSc course is designed for learners, including high school graduates from both science and non-science backgrounds, working professionals and entrepreneurs, as per the official statement.

The technology institute commenced the registrations for its BSc course on April 14 and candidates will be able to apply for the programme by May 30. IIT Guwahati will start the classes from September 1, 2025.

As part of the course, IIT Guwahati’s Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, will provide candidates with cutting-edge skills in AI and data science, industry-aligned learning, global exposure, and flexible exit options.

Hemant B Kaushik, dean, online education and skilling, IIT Guwahati, said: “The application portal for the 2025 batch of our Online BSc (Hons) in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence is now open. This program is a gateway to the future, designed to equip students with the most in-demand skills in the rapidly evolving fields of Data Science and AI.”

“Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a professional looking to upskill, this program offers an opportunity to learn from renowned IIT faculty and industry experts without geographical constraints. The program is designed to be highly affordable, with a very low fee structure, ensuring quality education from IIT Guwahati is accessible to all aspiring students,” he added.

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IIT Guwahati’s BSc (Hons) Programme: Exit feature

IIT Guwahati will provide multiple entry and exit options for the programme at different stages with recognised certifications.

Students, who will exit the course after 1st year, will gain an advanced certificate in data science and AI and those leaving the programme after 2nd year will get a diploma. Students exiting after 3rd year, will be conferred with a BSc Honours degree. For students, completing the full course, on the other hand, will be provided with BSc (Honours) degree.

Notably, students, who will exit at certificate, diploma, or BSc degree stage will be able to rejoin after a one-year gap to continue their education.

Eligibility, admission process

Candidates with class 12 or equivalent with minimum 60% marks (aggregate) from a recognised board or university with Mathematics as a compulsory subject in class 12 or equivalent, are eligible to apply for the BSc course.

Candidates, eligible to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced in any year will be provided direct admission. Whereas, other candidates must pass an online qualifier test (a preparatory online course is available to help students prepare) to be eligible to apply for the programme.

“Graduates of this program can pursue roles such as data Scientist, machine learning engineer, AI researcher, data analyst, business intelligence analyst, big data engineer, and AI consultant, among others,” the institute said.

In addition, after completing the BSc (Honours) degree course, students will be eligible to appear for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and other competitive exams.

As part of its online internship and placement cell, IIT Guwahati will organise a career readiness program, featuring curated courses, interactive workshops with industry veterans, and exclusive networking opportunities. “This program equips students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to accelerate their careers in today’s competitive job market,” it added.

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IIT Guwahati BSc in Data Science and AI: Course details

The degree course will have a trimester system with three terms per year. The key features of the BSc (Honours) in Data Science and AI programme are:

• Comprehensive Curriculum: It includes advanced topics, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on training.
• Industry-Relevant Learning: It involves internships, term projects, and a final-year capstone project to ensure practical exposure.
• Engaging Course Structure: Each 12-week course features interactive video lectures, real-world case studies, and live sessions by IIT Guwahati faculty and industry experts.
• Global Student Community: More than 1,700 students from 21 countries, including the USA, Canada, China, UAE, Singapore, UK, Bangladesh, and Japan, are already enrolled.
• Recorded Lectures & Live Sessions: Live doubt sessions with recorded online classes by IIT Guwahati faculty and industry experts for flexible learning will be hosted.
• Hands-on Industry Tools: Access to tools like Jupyter Notebook, RStudio, and VS Code via Coursera labs, eliminating the need for additional setup.
• Supercomputer Access: Leverage PARAM Kamrupa & PARAM Ishan, India’s most powerful supercomputers, for computational tasks during the capstone projects.
• Optional IIT Guwahati Campus Visit: A four-week on-campus immersion (spread over four slots) for in-person training and networking is also available.
• Annual IITG AI Confluence: Attend the annual AI confluence at IITG campus, an event designed for IITG students, showcasing diverse academic and professional activities in data science and artificial intelligence.