Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

St. Mary's Engineering College (SMEC), located at Dhulapally, Kompally, Hyderabad, Telangana, offers a 4-year full-time B.Tech program in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AI & DS), affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH). The course is designed to equip students with skills in machine learning, deep learning, data analytics, big data technologies, natural language processing, computer vision, statistical modelling, and AI-driven business intelligence. With a seat intake of 180 seats, the total tuition fee for the entire course is Rs. 2 Lakhs (Rs. 50,000 per year), making it one of the most affordable AI & DS programs in Telangana. Admission is primarily through TG EAPCET (formerly TS EAMCET), the state-level engineering entrance exam. The program is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is highly popular among students seeking careers at the intersection of artificial intelligence and data-driven decision making.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are upcoming. TG EAPCET 2026 registration is currently open (started February 19, 2026) with the last date to apply without a late fee being April 4, 2026. The engineering exam is scheduled for May 9-11, 2026, and counselling is expected in July 2026. Students who have already appeared or are appearing for TG EAPCET 2026 can register for counselling after results are declared.

Key Points

B.Tech AI & DS at SMEC is a JNTUH-affiliated, AICTE-approved program with 180 seats.
The curriculum integrates AI engineering with data science, covering Python, TensorFlow, Spark, NLP, Computer Vision, Business Intelligence, and Cloud AI platforms.
SMEC has a dedicated software hub called "Deep Thoughts" where students can access internship opportunities from the first semester itself.
AI & Data Science professionals are among the most sought-after globally, with applications in tech, BFSI, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
The college has a tie-up with Central Bank of India for easy education loan access.
The college provides pre-placement training covering soft skills, aptitude, and domain-specific modules.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
Cutoff
Ranking
FAQs

SMEC Latest Updates and News

06 Apr, 2026 TS EAPCET 2026 registration has been extended till Apr 10 (with a late fee). The correction window is open till April 8. The exams will be held on May 4 & 5, 2026, for Agriculture & Pharmacy and May 9 to 11, 2026 for Engineering stream.

SMEC B.Tech AI & DS Fees

The B.Tech AI & DS program at SMEC is highly affordable, with a total tuition fee of Rs. 2,00,000 for the entire 4-year course, payable at Rs. 50,000 per year. The fee has remained consistent, making it accessible for middle-class families. Students admitted through TG EAPCET counselling (government quota) may be eligible for fee reimbursement, significantly reducing their effective cost.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per year)	50,000
Tuition Fee (4 years total)	2,00,000
Exam / University Fee (per semester)	1,500 (approx.)
Total Academic Fees (4 years)	2,12,000 (approx.)
Hostel Fees (per year)	40,000 (optional)
Total Fees (without hostel)	2,12,000 (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is available on campus and is optional.
Hostel fees are approximately Rs. 40,000 per year.
Fees are refundable as per JNTUH and AICTE norms in case of withdrawal before the academic year begins.
Students admitted through TG EAPCET counselling (government/convener quota) are eligible for Telangana government fee reimbursement scheme for eligible categories (SC, ST, BC, EWS).
Education loans are available through Central Bank of India with whom SMEC has a tie-up.
No donation or capitation fee is charged.

SMEC B.Tech AI & DS Admission 2026

Admissions to B.Tech AI & DS at SMEC are conducted through TG EAPCET (Telangana Engineering, Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test), the state-level entrance exam for engineering courses in Telangana. The 2026-27 admission cycle is currently in progress with TG EAPCET registration open. Counselling and seat allotment are expected to be conducted in July-August 2026 through the centralized web counselling process by TGCHE. Management quota seats are also available for students who do not qualify through counselling.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date
TG EAPCET 2026 Application Start	February 19, 2026
TG EAPCET 2026 Application Last Date (without late fee)	April 4, 2026
TG EAPCET 2026 Admit Card Release	April 27, 2026
TG EAPCET 2026 Engineering Exam	May 9-11, 2026
TG EAPCET 2026 Result Declaration	May 2026 (tentative)
TG EAPCET Counselling - Round 1 Online Application	June 28 - July 7, 2026 (tentative)
Certificate Verification - Round 1	July 1-8, 2026 (tentative)
Option Entry - Round 1	July 6-10, 2026 (tentative)
Fee Payment and Self-Reporting - Round 1	July 18-22, 2026 (tentative)
Round 2 Online Application	July 25, 2026 (tentative)
Fee Payment and Self-Reporting - Round 2	July 30 - August 1, 2026 (tentative)
Final Round (Spot Admissions)	August 5, 2026 (tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
Registration Start	February 19, 2026
Registration End (without late fee)	April 4, 2026
Admit Card Release	April 27, 2026
Engineering Exam Dates	May 9, 10, and 11, 2026
Result Declaration	May 2026 (tentative)
Counselling Begins	July 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (Intermediate) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects.
Minimum aggregate of 45% marks in PCM at 10+2 level (40% for reserved categories).
A valid TG EAPCET rank is mandatory for admission through the government/convener quota.

Admission Process

Appear and qualify in TG EAPCET 2026 (Engineering stream).
Register for TG EAPCET web counselling on the official portal tgeapcet.nic.in.
Complete certificate verification at designated help centres.
Enter college and branch preferences (option entry) during the counselling window.
Seat allotment is done based on TG EAPCET rank, category, and preferences entered.
Pay the tuition fee online and report to the allotted college (SMEC) within the stipulated date.
Management quota admissions are done directly at the college level based on merit and availability.

SMEC B.Tech AI & DS Scholarships 2026

SMEC facilitates government scholarship schemes for eligible students. The Telangana Government Fee Reimbursement Scheme is the most significant benefit, covering tuition fees for students from SC, ST, BC, EWS, and other eligible categories admitted through TG EAPCET counselling. The college also has a tie-up with Central Bank of India for education loans.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Telangana Fee Reimbursement Scheme	SC, ST, BC, EWS students admitted via TG EAPCET counselling; family income criteria apply	Up to Rs. 35,000 per year (tuition fee reimbursement)
Post-Matric Scholarship (Government of Telangana)	SC/ST students	As per government norms
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Class 12, AICTE recognized UG program, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Rs. 82,000 per annum
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS)	Top 20 percentile in Class 12 board exams; family income below Rs. 8 LPA	Rs. 10,000 per year for first 3 years; Rs. 20,000 in 4th year
Education Loan (Central Bank of India)	All students; tie-up with SMEC	As per bank norms; covers tuition and hostel fees

Fee reimbursement is credited directly to the college account after verification of eligibility documents.
Students must apply for government scholarships through the official Telangana scholarship portal (telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in).
Management quota students are generally not eligible for fee reimbursement.
Scholarship application deadlines are typically announced at the start of each academic year.

SMEC B.Tech AI & DS Placement 2026

SMEC has an active Placement and Training Centre that provides pre-placement training in soft skills, aptitude, and domain-specific modules. AI & DS graduates are in high demand across IT, analytics, BFSI, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors. The 2025 placement report shows 624 students placed (ongoing), with top recruiters including Capgemini, TCS, Cognizant, Wipro, HCL, and Accenture. Note: Course-specific placement data for B.Tech AI & DS is not separately published; the figures below represent overall college-level B.Tech placement data.

Placement Statistics

Placement Statistic	Details (2024-25)
Highest Package	INR 48 LPA
Lowest Package	INR 3 LPA
Average Package	INR 3-5 LPA (approx.)
Students Placed (2024-25)	624 (ongoing)
Students Placed (2023-24)	895
Placement Rate	~90% of students appearing for placements
Top Recruiters	Capgemini, TCS, Cognizant, Wipro, HCL, Accenture, 24X7

SMEC B.Tech Artificial Intelligence & Data Science Ranking

TOI Ranking

#114 out of 147 in India 2019

#18th in Hyderabad

#18 in Telangana

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SMEC B.Tech AI & DS FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between B.Tech AI & DS and B.Tech AI & ML at SMEC? Which is better?

Ans. B.Tech AI & Data Science (AI & DS) focuses on the combination of AI techniques with data science workflows - covering data engineering, big data analytics, statistical modelling, business intelligence, and AI application development. B.Tech AI & ML focuses more deeply on machine learning algorithms, neural network architectures, and AI model development. AI & DS is better suited for students interested in data-driven decision making and analytics roles, while AI & ML is better for those targeting ML engineering and AI research roles. Both are equally valued in the job market and have similar fees at SMEC.

Ques. What are the career options after B.Tech AI & DS from SMEC?

Ans. Graduates can pursue roles such as Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Engineer, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, and AI Product Manager. Key hiring sectors include IT services, product companies, BFSI, healthcare analytics, e-commerce, and consulting. Starting salaries for AI & DS roles typically range from Rs. 4-10 LPA for freshers, with strong growth potential. Certifications in TensorFlow, AWS ML, Google AI, or Tableau significantly enhance employability.

Ques. Does SMEC have any industry tie-ups specifically for AI & DS students?

Ans. SMEC has a software hub called "Deep Thoughts" that provides internship opportunities from the first semester. The college facilitates industry-relevant training through its Placement and Training Centre. However, specific MoUs or industry tie-ups exclusively for AI & DS are not separately published. Students are encouraged to pursue additional certifications from NPTEL, Coursera, Google, or AWS to supplement their degree and build an industry-relevant portfolio.

Ques. Is B.Tech AI & DS at SMEC suitable for students who want to pursue research or PhD later?

Ans. Yes, a B.Tech degree from SMEC (JNTUH-affiliated) is recognized for research admissions. Students interested in research can pursue M.Tech in AI, Data Science, or Computer Science through GATE/PGECET, followed by PhD programs. However, for research-oriented careers, students should focus on maintaining a high CGPA (above 8.5), publishing papers, participating in hackathons, and building a strong project portfolio during their B.Tech. SMEC's research infrastructure is limited compared to premier institutions, so self-driven learning is important.

Ques. How is B.Tech AI & DS different from B.Tech CSE (AI & ML) at SMEC? Are they the same?

Ans. These are distinct programs. B.Tech AI & DS (course_id 22838) is a standalone specialization focused on the AI and data science domain. B.Tech CSE (AI & ML) is a CSE program with an AI & ML specialization track, which has a broader computer science foundation. AI & DS has a stronger emphasis on data engineering, analytics, and business intelligence, while CSE (AI & ML) balances core CS subjects with AI/ML electives. Both are JNTUH-affiliated and lead to a B.Tech degree, but the degree title and specialization differ.

Ques. What is the scope of AI & Data Science in India over the next 5-10 years?

Ans. AI and Data Science is one of the fastest-growing fields in India. According to industry reports, India will need over 1 million data science professionals by 2026. Key growth drivers include digital transformation across industries, government initiatives like Digital India and AI for All, and the rapid adoption of AI in BFSI, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. Hyderabad, where SMEC is located, is one of India's top IT hubs with a strong AI & DS ecosystem, providing excellent local job opportunities for graduates.