Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security (PGDCS) at IAER, Kolkata is a 1-year full-time programme affiliated with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), West Bengal, and recognised by UGC. The programme is designed to equip graduates with advanced knowledge of cyber security principles, network security, cryptography, cyber law, and emerging threats, preparing them for roles in the rapidly growing information security industry. The total programme fee is INR 1,48,000 for the online mode and INR 1,98,000 for the offline (regular on-campus) mode, making it one of the more affordable postgraduate diploma options in the cyber security domain. With a seat intake of 60 and a curriculum developed in consultation with industry experts, the PGDCS at IAER is a job-oriented programme popular among graduates looking to transition into or advance within the cyber security field.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. Applications are being accepted from December 2025 through May 2026, with the academic session commencing in July 2026. Students can opt for either the online or offline mode of study and examination based on their preference and circumstances.

Key Points

1-year full-time programme offered in both online and offline (regular on-campus) modes, providing flexibility to students.
Affiliated with MAKAUT (UGC-recognised under Section 2F and 12B), ensuring the diploma holds national academic credibility.
Seat intake of 60 students per batch, ensuring a focused and manageable learning environment.
Curriculum developed with industry inputs covering Cyber Security Techniques, Cryptography, Emerging Threats, Network Security, and Secure Coding.
Flexible examination mode: students can choose between online examinations (from any location) or offline examinations at the college campus.
0% interest EMI option available for fee payment, making the programme financially accessible.
Job placement assistance provided through IAER's network of leading IT and cyber security organisations including Genpact, HCL, IBM, Wipro, Accenture, Capgemini, and Cognizant.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

IAER PGDCS Fees

The PGDCS programme at IAER Kolkata is offered in two modes with different fee structures. The online mode costs INR 1,48,000 (inclusive of admission fee, university fee, and training fee), while the offline (regular on-campus) mode costs INR 1,98,000. Both fees are all-inclusive, covering admission, university, and training charges. The programme offers a 0% interest EMI option, and fee payment can be made via Internet Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or Standard EMI.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Online Mode (INR)	Offline Mode (INR)
Programme Fee (Admission + University + Training Fee)	1,48,000	1,98,000
University Exam Fee (per semester, paid separately)	1,200 per semester	1,200 per semester
Total Programme Fee	1,48,000	1,98,000

The programme fee is all-inclusive of admission fee, university fee, and training fee.
University exam fees of INR 1,200 per semester are payable separately.
All fees mentioned above are non-refundable.
0% interest EMI option is available for fee payment.
Fee payment can be made via Internet Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or Standard EMI.
Hostel facility is optional and not mandatory.
Monthly hostel charges (including food) range from INR 7,500 to INR 12,000 per month depending on room type and occupancy (for students opting for on-campus study).
A one-time refundable hostel security deposit equivalent to two months' rent is applicable.

IAER PGDCS Admission 2026

Admissions to the PGDCS programme at IAER Kolkata for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. The admission process is simple and can be completed entirely online or through a walk-in visit to the campus. The minimum eligibility is a graduation degree in any stream. There is no mandatory entrance exam requirement for this programme; admission is based on academic merit and a personal interview.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Start Date	1 December 2025
Application End Date	31 May 2026
Counselling / Interview Period	January - June 2026
Commencement of Academic Session	July 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (graduation) in any stream from a recognised university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; any graduate is eligible to apply.
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation may also apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Visit the IAER official website (iaer.ac.in) and click on "Apply Now" to access the Online Application Centre.
Create a login using a unique email ID and password.
Fill in the online application form and select the PGDCS programme.
Download and print the application PDF and note the Application Form Number for future reference.
Upload all required documents (graduation marksheets, certificates, Aadhaar card, photographs, etc.) in PDF or JPEG format.
The Admissions Cell will scrutinise the application and intimate selected candidates by email within two weeks.
Confirm admission by paying the required programme fee online or at the campus.
Alternatively, students can visit the campus directly for a walk-in admission with prior appointment.

IAER PGDCS Scholarships 2026

IAER Kolkata offers scholarship options for PGDCS students through both institute-level schemes and government-sponsored national scholarship programmes. Students from economically weaker sections and those with strong academic records can benefit from multiple scholarship avenues, significantly reducing the effective cost of the programme.

Scholarship Options

Scholarship	Applicable Programme	Amount	Eligibility / Criteria
IAER ICET Merit Scholarship	PG Diploma programmes	INR 50,000	Based on academic merit / entrance performance
NSP (PM-USP Yojana)	AICTE-recognised UG/PG programmes	INR 82,000 per annum	Parental income up to INR 4.5 lakhs; 50% marks and 75% attendance required
National Scholarship for PG Studies (UGC)	UGC-recognised full-time PG programmes	INR 10,000 per year or INR 15,000 per month	First-time PG students under 30 years of age
Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	All programmes (West Bengal domicile)	As per WB government norms	West Bengal domicile; income and merit criteria apply

Government scholarships (NSP, UGC, Swami Vivekananda) require separate applications through the respective portals.
Education loan assistance is available through tie-ups with leading banks; loans up to INR 4 lakhs are available without collateral.
The Student Credit Card Scheme (West Bengal government) is also available for eligible students.

IAER PGDCS Placement 2026

Placement Partners

Organisation
Genpact
HCL
IBM
Wipro
Accenture
Capgemini
Cognizant
Honeywell
Samsung
Amazon
Verizon
Gartner

IAER PGDCS FAQs

Ques. Is the PG Diploma in Cyber Security from IAER Kolkata a full-time or part-time programme, and can I study it online?

Ans. The PGDCS at IAER is offered as a 1-year programme in both full-time regular (offline/on-campus) and online modes. Students can choose their preferred mode at the time of admission. For the online mode, examinations can also be taken online from any location, provided the student has a laptop/desktop with a webcam, a smartphone, and good internet connectivity. The offline mode requires physical attendance at the IAER campus in Kolkata.

Ques. What is the difference in fees between the online and offline modes of the PGDCS at IAER?

Ans. The online mode costs INR 1,48,000 (all-inclusive), while the offline (regular on-campus) mode costs INR 1,98,000. The difference of INR 50,000 reflects the additional infrastructure and in-person training costs for the offline mode. Both fees are non-refundable and inclusive of admission, university, and training charges. University exam fees of INR 1,200 per semester are payable separately in both modes.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing the PG Diploma in Cyber Security from IAER?

Ans. Graduates of the PGDCS programme can pursue roles such as Cyber Security Analyst, Information Security Officer, Network Security Engineer, Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, Cyber Forensics Analyst, and Compliance and Risk Analyst. IAER provides job placement assistance through its network of leading IT companies including Genpact, HCL, IBM, Wipro, Accenture, Capgemini, Cognizant, Honeywell, Samsung, Amazon, Verizon, and Gartner.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam required for admission to the PGDCS programme at IAER Kolkata?

Ans. No specific entrance exam is required for admission to the PGDCS programme at IAER. Any graduate in any stream is eligible to apply. Admission is based on academic merit and a personal interview/counselling session. Students can apply online through the IAER website or visit the campus for a walk-in admission.

Ques. What subjects are covered in the PG Diploma in Cyber Security curriculum at IAER?

Ans. The PGDCS curriculum at IAER covers the following key subjects across two semesters: Semester 1 includes Principles of Cyber Security, Fundamentals of Computer Networks, and Cyber Security Techniques. Semester 2 covers Computational Number Theory and Cryptography, Emerging Threats and Defences, and Writing Secure Code. The curriculum also includes project work, industry visits, and continuous assessment through assignments and quizzes.

Ques. Can a student from a non-IT background apply for the PG Diploma in Cyber Security at IAER?

Ans. Yes, the eligibility criterion for the PGDCS at IAER is simply a graduation degree in any stream. Students from non-IT backgrounds such as commerce, arts, or science (non-computer) can also apply. The programme is designed to build foundational and advanced cyber security knowledge from the ground up, making it accessible to graduates from diverse academic backgrounds who wish to transition into the cyber security field.