Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The B.Tech Lateral Entry in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI&ML) at Bengal College of Engineering and Technology (BCET), Durgapur is a 3-year (6-semester) undergraduate programme that enables diploma holders to gain direct admission into the 2nd year of the B.Tech programme. Affiliated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal, and approved by AICTE, the course covers subjects including artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and Python programming. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 3,36,900 for the full 3-year duration, with a seat intake of 30 for the lateral entry AI&ML stream. The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is one of the most sought-after lateral entry programmes at BCET, given the high demand for AI and ML professionals in the industry.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. Based on the 2025 cycle, JELET 2026 registration is expected in September 2026 and the exam is tentatively scheduled for October 2026, followed by WBJEEB-conducted centralised counselling. Candidates are advised to monitor the official WBJEEB website (wbjeeb.in) for the JELET 2026 notification. The 2025-26 admission cycle (JELET 2025) has been completed, with the exam held on 18 October 2025 and Round-2 counselling concluded by December 2025.

Key Points

Lateral entry students join directly in the 3rd semester (2nd year), completing the B.Tech degree in 3 years instead of 4.
The AI&ML programme at BCET is affiliated to MAKAUT and is AICTE-approved, with a curriculum focused on cutting-edge AI technologies.
The programme covers deep learning, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.
BCET's placement network includes IT companies like TCS, Cognizant, Capgemini, Publicis Sapient, and others that actively recruit AI/ML graduates.
The college is located in Durgapur, in close proximity to NIT Durgapur and IIT Kharagpur, providing a strong academic and research ecosystem.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
Cutoff
FAQs

BCET Durgapur Latest Updates and News

23 Apr, 2026 WB JELET 2026 exam will be held on Jun 13, 2026, for BE/ BTech/ BPharm lateral entry programs. The Admit card will be released on June 5, 2026.

BCET B.Tech Lateral AI&ML Fees

The B.Tech Lateral Entry (AI&ML) programme at BCET involves semester-wise fee payments. For the 2025 admission batch, the per-semester fee for AI&ML lateral entry students is Rs. 47,300 for the initial semesters (3rd and 4th), with fees adjusting in subsequent semesters. The total programme fee for 3 years (6 semesters) is approximately Rs. 3,36,900. Hostel accommodation is optional and charged separately.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Semester Fee - 3rd Sem (2025 batch)	47,300
Semester Fee - 4th Sem (2025 batch)	47,300
Semester Fee - 5th Sem (estimated)	65,700
Semester Fee - 6th Sem (estimated)	65,700
Semester Fee - 7th Sem (estimated)	55,450
Semester Fee - 8th Sem (estimated)	55,450
Total Programme Fee (6 semesters)	3,36,900
Hostel Fee (optional, per semester)	36,000 - 50,000

Fees are payable semester-wise through the college's online fee payment portal at www.bcetdgp.ac.in.
A late fine of Rs. 100 per day is applicable after the due date.
Hostel accommodation is optional.
Three hostel fee tiers are available: Rs. 36,000, Rs. 45,000, or Rs. 50,000 per semester depending on the type of accommodation chosen.
Demand drafts in favour of "Bengal College of Engineering and Technology" payable at Durgapur are also accepted.
Fee structure is subject to revision by the college management and MAKAUT regulations.
The 5th to 8th semester fees are estimated based on the fee pattern of the 2023 and 2024 lateral entry batches (IT/AIML/DS category) as per official fee notices.

BCET B.Tech Lateral AI&ML Admission 2026

Admissions to the B.Tech Lateral Entry (AI&ML) programme at BCET are conducted through the JELET (Joint Entrance for Lateral Entry Test) examination conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB), followed by centralised counselling. For the 2026-27 session, JELET 2026 is expected to follow a similar schedule as 2025, with registration in September 2026 and the exam in October 2026. The 2025-26 cycle has been completed.

College Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
JELET 2026 Online Registration Start	September 2026 (Tentative)
JELET 2026 Online Registration End	September 2026 (Tentative)
JELET 2026 Exam Date	October 2026 (Tentative)
JELET 2026 Result / Rank Card	November 2026 (Tentative)
WBJEEB Centralised Counselling	November - December 2026 (Tentative)
Seat Allotment & Admission at BCET	December 2026 (Tentative)
Class Commencement (3rd Semester)	January 2027 (Tentative)

JELET Exam Dates

Event	Date
JELET 2025 Online Registration	09 September 2025 - 17 September 2025
JELET 2025 Exam Date	18 October 2025 (Saturday)
JELET 2025 Answer Key Release	October 2025
JELET 2025 Rank Card	November 2025
JELET 2025 Counselling (Round 1 & 2)	December 2025

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a 3-year Diploma in Engineering/Technology in Computer Science, Information Technology, AI&ML, or allied branches from a recognised institution with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST candidates from West Bengal).
Candidates who have passed the first year of a 4-year B.Sc. degree with Physics and Mathematics as subjects from a recognised university with at least 45% marks are also eligible.
Candidates must be domiciled in West Bengal or satisfy the eligibility conditions as per WBJEEB norms.

Admission Process

Register and appear for JELET conducted by WBJEEB.
Obtain a valid JELET rank.
Participate in the centralised online counselling conducted by WBJEEB.
Choose BCET and the AI&ML branch during counselling based on rank and seat availability.
Report to BCET for document verification and fee payment to confirm admission.
Commencement of 3rd semester classes as per the academic calendar.

BCET B.Tech Lateral AI&ML Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to the B.Tech Lateral Entry (AI&ML) programme at BCET are eligible for several government and institutional scholarships. The West Bengal government's SVMCM scholarship is the most widely availed, offering up to Rs. 60,000 per year to eligible students. Additionally, central government schemes and merit-based institutional support are available.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Provider
Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM)	West Bengal domicile, minimum 60% in qualifying exam, family income below Rs. 2.5 LPA	Up to Rs. 60,000 per year	Government of West Bengal
Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC)	SC/ST/OBC category students, West Bengal domicile	As per government norms	Government of West Bengal / Central Government
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship	Top 20 percentile in Class 12, family income below Rs. 8 LPA	Rs. 10,000 per year (freshers)	Ministry of Education, Government of India
Merit-based Institutional Scholarship	Based on academic performance at BCET	Variable	BCET Management

SVMCM applications are submitted online through the West Bengal government's scholarship portal (wbmdfcscholarship.in).
SC/ST/OBC scholarship applications are processed through the respective state government portals.
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change as per government notifications.
Students must maintain a minimum attendance and academic performance to continue receiving scholarships.

BCET B.Tech Lateral AI&ML Placement 2026

Placement Companies

Companies
TCS
Cognizant
Capgemini
Publicis Sapient
Others

BCET B.Tech Lateral AI&ML FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML and CSE at BCET?

Ans. AI&ML is a specialised programme focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and NLP, while CSE is a broader programme covering all aspects of computer science. The fee for AI&ML lateral entry (Rs. 47,300 per semester initially) is lower than CSE (Rs. 57,000 per semester initially). Both are AICTE-approved and affiliated to MAKAUT.

Ques. What is the seat intake for B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML at BCET?

Ans. The approved intake for the B.Tech Lateral Entry (AI&ML) programme at BCET is 30 seats. These seats are filled through WBJEEB centralised counselling based on JELET rank.

Ques. What are the career prospects after B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML from BCET?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as AI engineers, ML engineers, data scientists, NLP engineers, and computer vision specialists. The demand for AI/ML professionals is among the highest in the tech industry. BCET's placement network includes companies like TCS, Cognizant, Capgemini, Publicis Sapient, and others that actively recruit AI/ML graduates.

Ques. Is a diploma in Computer Science sufficient to apply for B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML at BCET?

Ans. Yes, diploma holders in Computer Science, Information Technology, AI&ML, and allied branches are eligible to apply for B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML at BCET through JELET, subject to meeting the minimum 45% marks criterion.

Ques. Does BCET have dedicated AI&ML labs for lateral entry students?

Ans. BCET has computing infrastructure and labs to support the AI&ML curriculum. Lateral entry students have access to the same facilities as regular B.Tech students, including computer labs with relevant software tools for machine learning and data science.

Ques. Can I switch from B.Tech Lateral Entry AI&ML to CSE at BCET after admission?

Ans. Branch changes after admission are generally not permitted at BCET. Students are advised to carefully choose their preferred branch during JELET counselling. Any branch change requests would be subject to the college's internal policies and seat availability.

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BCET Durgapur B.Tech {Lateral} Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

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