IIT Madras holds convocation for BS programme; confers degrees to 867 graduates

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras conducted the convocation and certificate distribution ceremony for its BS degree programmes. A total of 867 students graduated—some with the three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and others with the four-year BS degree.

The BS programmes in Data Science and Applications and in Electronic Systems are delivered online with in-person examinations at centres across India and abroad. The course structure allows multiple exit options, including a foundation certificate, a diploma, a BSc or BS degree, depending on the credits earned.

As per the institute, more than 38,000 students are currently enrolled in the BS programmes. Over half of them (52%) are simultaneously pursuing another undergraduate course. Around 8% of the learners are aged 30 and above. While 72% have a background in engineering or technology, about 22% come from arts, science, or commerce streams.

365 diploma holders graduate

Of the 867 graduating students, nearly 150 have a family income below Rs 1 lakh per annum, and another 100 below Rs 5 lakh. There are also 365 diploma holders in the graduating cohort.

Congratulating all the graduating students of the BS Degree Programme, Director of IIT Madras, of V Kamakoti, said, “‘IITM for All’ or ‘Annaivarakum IITM’ is the inspiration for us to launch the BS (Data Science and Applications) and BS (Electronic Systems) courses. Over 38,000 students are currently enrolled in the program. This is truly the democratisation of Education that is necessary for Viksit Bharat 2047, as envisaged by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”

He further informed that in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence paper, three of the top 10 ranks were secured by students from the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Data Science course. The top ranker was a medical graduate from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.

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Scholarships for low-income students

While highlighting the BS programmes, the press release stated that the content in BS programmes is delivered online, whereas the quizzes and exams are conducted in person at exam centres across India and abroad. A total of 10,037 students from families with an income less than Rs 1 lakh per annum are receiving a 75% scholarship under the programme. Another 4,825 are studying without paying any fee, supported by CSR funding.

Graduates from the programme have also secured admissions to higher education institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, Indian School of Business (ISB), University of Michigan, and Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University (Texas A&M).

Speaking on the occasion, Andrew Thangaraj, Coordinator, BS Program, IIT Madras, said, “This graduating batch is a testament to what is possible when high-quality education meets accessibility and determination. Our BS Program has empowered learners from remote villages, top metros, and even international cities to reimagine what’s possible for their futures at their own pace. We’re proud to be shaping a generation of data-literate problem solvers for India and the world.”