Previously asked questions

We’ve already answered hundreds of questions submitted by aspirants like you. Read the answers to a few here:

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Are there convenience stores inside campus? Do students need to go out of the institute to buy what they need?

There are many shops to buy groceries, stationery, items of daily use, and even multiple restaurants. IITM is a city within a city!

How big are the hostel rooms? Do we have to share rooms? Do the rooms have attached restrooms?

First year UG students stay in a comfortable double occupancy rooms. Restrooms are common and shared by around 8 rooms.

Do we need to buy our own fan and mattress?

Fans are already provided but you will need your own mattress. This can be bought from our general store for a subsidised price.

What kind of food is served at the mess? Is Jain food available?

There is SO much variety, including North Indian, South Indian, Jain and global cuisines in the many messes, canteens, and restaurants!

How far is IITM from the city?

It's in the heart of the city, close to the airport, railway stations and metro stations. It's also well connected by public transport.

Is it difficult to be at IIT Madras if you're not fluent in Tamil?

Not at all. If you speak English or Hindi, navigating life in IITM & Chennai is simple. English learning facilities are also available.

Will North Indian students face difficulties in adapting to life at IIT Madras?

Not at all. From language to food to culture, life at IITM and Chennai is cosmopolitan & multicultural. North Indians will fit in well!

What's the city of Chennai like?

Large, beautiful and cosmopolitan! The food, culture and sights are noteworthy, and exploring the city will be a wonderful experience.

What is the climate of Chennai like?

Hot and humid, like other coastal cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. But IITM itself is lush green, providing a respite from the heat.

Is Chennai safe for women students?

Yes, it has the lowest crime rate against women as compared to 19 other metro cities in India. This extends to the IITM campus too.

Between CS, Electrical, Mechanical - Which branch is always safe for guaranteed placement and longstanding job security?

Currently CS has a higher placement percentage. But others are not far behind.

Can students from other colleges attend IITM placements?

Placements are IIT Madras are open only to IIT Madras students.

What are the placements like at IIT Madras?

Pretty impressive. The 2021-22 placement season saw 1491 offers from 480+ companies including Microsoft, Qualcomm and Goldman Sachs.

What are some of the successful startups incubated in IIT Madras?

More than 200 have been incubated here, including 11 unicorns! This includes Ather Energy, DocsApp and Cygni.

How is IIT Madras ranked nationally and internationally?

Pick a ranking and you'll find IITM right on top. #1 in NIRF. #1 in the ARIIA rankings. #17 as per the QS BRICS rankings.

I've heard that IIT Madras is a centre for EV excellence. Is that true? What does that mean?

It's true! IITM is leading the EV revolution with its EV master's program and the Centre of Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles.

What is the IITM Centre For Innovation? What does it do? Can students join?

It's India's largest student-run innovation lab. It has many technical clubs under it and hosts many renowned competitions.

What is the IIT Madras Research Park?

It's a hotbed of innovation for IITM and the industry. It has incubated ~200 startups with its infrastructure, faculty and resources.

What are the UG programs unique to IIT Madras?

This includes Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Design, Naval Architecture, Engineering Physics, Electric Vehicles and Energy Systems.

How many people are accommodated in one room of hostel? What are the facilities?

It varies from year to year and hostel to hostel - you could be allotted a single, double or triple room.

What are the IITM hostels like?

Comfortable, clean, and full of camaraderie. The hostels at IITM have all the facilities you need.

What measures does IITM take to safeguard the mental health of its students?

IITM has counsellors and well-being bodies to help students. These include the SAATHI platform, the MITR body and the Wellness Centre.

Are there any restrictions against going outside campus?

There are no restrictions unless enforced by the administration for health or safety reasons. But you should always carry your ID card!

Is there a curfew?

There may be an evening curfew for freshers for a short while but apart from that there is none.

Where can I go to pray within campus?

IITM is a secular space, with temples, Chapels and Islamic Prayer halls all within easy reach of students, faculty and staff.

What are some scenic localities around the campus?

The whole campus is gorgeous but some student favourites are Bonn Avenue, NAC rooftop and the campus lake (in the middle of a forest!)

If I want to play sports on campus, are there any facilities available?

IITM's sporting culture is strong with facilities like swimming pools, weightlifting arenas, athletics stadiums, & even skating rinks.

What is the Open Air Theatre used for?

It's used for Saturday night movie screenings and many pro-shows during our tech and cultural fests for live music performances.

What are the different festivals organized by IIT Madras?

Our Cultural fest is Saarang and Technical fest is Shaastra, but there are also many many departmental fests in various fields.

What are the different cultural and technical clubs on the campus? How many can we join? What kinds of activities are conducted by them?

So many options! From drama, music, comedy, media, design, to 3D printing, Electronics and Aero... read on for more details.

What is the IIT Madras library like?

Large, comprehensive, and fully stocked with all sorts of resources, including over 2 million books spread over 5 storeys!

Are there any courses similar to MIT OCW to learn all courses from IITM

Yes! The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, or NPTEL, includes a catalogue of more than 2400 video courses!

Will there be minor online courses for cyber security like there is for in data management (B Sc)?

IITM offers several semester courses in the broad area of cyber security as well as a 14-week online course - Certified Cyber Warrior

How many percentile/AIR to get CSE department of IITM?

The closing ranks for every year are publicly available.

I aspire to be in DRDO in future. But right now I don't think there is any stream in "Defence Technology" in the institute. Is this correct?

No, but IITM offers many elective courses that are necessary for a career in defence technology.

Does IITM offer Biotechnology UG courses? What is the scope for it?

IIT Madras offers Biological Engineering and Biological Sciences

Are there any online courses provided by IITM to other university students for a short period of time with a certification of completion?

Yes - BS in Data Science and application and Diploma in Data Science and Programming.

Did IIT Madras offer PG Diploma courses?

IITM offers 2 diploma courses - programming and data science.

I'm currently pursuing BS in Data Science and Application from IITM and I want to know about the opportunities that you get in this field. Does bachelors from IITM give any extra edge to the students? What packages should I expect in this field?

There is a huge demand for well trained programmers and data scientists, and this program aims to prepare students for that demand.

Does IIT-M provide opportunity to students to pursue BS in data science offline ie. on campus mode?

As of 30 August 2022, IIT Madras is yet to release details.

Will I be able to handle another college along with IIT-M BSc Data Science or will it be difficult? Moreover if I complete BS after 4 years I this can I do MS in IITM in offline?

You should be able to do the IIT-M BSc Data Science program with another college course.

What is the online BSc program in Data Science? What are the benefits? What are the job prospects?

IITM offers an online BSc program in Programming and Data Science. It is an unique program that is open to students from all streams.

Should I do BSc in Programming and Data Science from IITM without any other offline college degree or not ... is it worth it?

It is worth it. If you can manage another degree program - then do both!

I want to join IITM's BS degree program - please share details on fees, scholarship and placement for the same

The fees depend on the number of courses the student signs up for

Previously asked questions

Search or select a category

I want to join IITM's BS degree program - please share details on fees, scholarship and placement for the same

Is branch change facility available in IIT Madras?

Did IIT Madras offer PG Diploma courses?

Are there any online courses provided by IITM to other university students for a short period of time with a certification of completion?

Should I do BSc in Programming and Data Science from IITM without any other offline college degree or not ... is it worth it?

Does IITM offer Biotechnology UG courses? What is the scope for it?

I aspire to be in DRDO in future. But right now I don't think there is any stream in "Defence Technology" in the institute. Is this correct?

Do students in IITM have to stay in the college hostel or can stay at home?

Between CS, Electrical, Mechanical - Which branch is always safe for guaranteed placement and longstanding job security?

How many percentile/AIR to get CSE department of IITM?

Will there be minor online courses for cyber security like there is for in data management (B Sc)?

Does IIT Madras have B.Tech AI?

What is the online BSc program in Data Science? What are the benefits? What are the job prospects?

How many people are accommodated in one room of hostel? What are the facilities?

Will I be able to handle another college along with IIT-M BSc Data Science or will it be difficult? Moreover if I complete BS after 4 years I this can I do MS in IITM in offline?

Does IIT-M provide opportunity to students to pursue BS in data science offline ie. on campus mode?

I'm currently pursuing BS in Data Science and Application from IITM and I want to know about the opportunities that you get in this field. Does bachelors from IITM give any extra edge to the students? What packages should I expect in this field?

Are there any courses similar to MIT OCW to learn all courses from IITM

Can students from other colleges attend IITM placements?

What are some of the successful startups incubated in IIT Madras?

Are there convenience stores inside campus? Do students need to go out of the institute to buy what they need?

How big are the hostel rooms? Do we have to share rooms? Do the rooms have attached restrooms?

What are the placements like at IIT Madras?

How much is the total fee for a UG course at IIT Madras?

What are the IITM hostels like?

How is IIT Madras ranked nationally and internationally?

I've heard that IIT Madras is a centre for EV excellence. Is that true? What does that mean?

What measures does IITM take to safeguard the mental health of its students?

Are there any restrictions against going outside campus?

Is there a curfew?

Do we need to buy our own fan and mattress?

Where can I go to pray within campus?

What is the IITM Centre For Innovation? What does it do? Can students join?

What is the IIT Madras Research Park?

What are some scenic localities around the campus?

If I want to play sports on campus, are there any facilities available?

What is the Open Air Theatre used for?

What are the different festivals organized by IIT Madras?

What are the different cultural and technical clubs on the campus? How many can we join? What kinds of activities are conducted by them?

What kind of food is served at the mess? Is Jain food available?

Does IIT Madras foster entrepreneurs?

How flexible is the curriculum?

How difficult is the IITM curriculum?

Do IIT Madras students get opportunities for global semester exchanges?

Does IITM offer minor programs and how useful is it?

What are the IDDD programs offered?

What are the UG programs unique to IIT Madras?

What is the Engineering Design course offered?

What does the Engineering Physics course offer?

What is the Dual Degree upgrade option offered?

What is the IIT Madras library like?

How far is IITM from the city?

Are there any scholarships available for students at IIT Madras?

Is it difficult to be at IIT Madras if you're not fluent in Tamil?

Will North Indian students face difficulties in adapting to life at IIT Madras?

What's the city of Chennai like?

What is the climate of Chennai like?

Is Chennai safe for women students?

Does IITM offer minor programs and how useful is it?

Is Chennai safe for women students?

What is the Dual Degree upgrade option offered?

Is there a curfew?

What are the IITM hostels like?

Are there any scholarships available for students at IIT Madras?

How far is IITM from the city?

What is the Open Air Theatre used for?

Do we need to buy our own fan and mattress?

What measures does IITM take to safeguard the mental health of its students?

How is IIT Madras ranked nationally and internationally?

What is the climate of Chennai like?

Is branch change facility available in IIT Madras?

How much is the total fee for a UG course at IIT Madras?

Does IIT Madras foster entrepreneurs?

How flexible is the curriculum?

How difficult is the IITM curriculum?

Do IIT Madras students get opportunities for global semester exchanges?

Does IITM offer minor programs and how useful is it?

What are the IDDD programs offered?