IIT Hyderabad Ph.D Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Automation: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Hyderabad, TelanganaAutonomous UniversityEstd 2008
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Jul 22, 2026

IIT Hyderabad’s Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence, ML, and Automation is a 3-to-6-year full-time research programme offered by India’s first dedicated Department of Artificial Intelligence. Candidates qualify through GATE in CS, EE, EC, or AI papers, or through UGC-NET/CSIR-NET. Full-time scholars receive INR 31,000 per month as research assistantship. Total programme fee is INR 4,08,000.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Class Commencement begins August 2026 (Tentative).


Key Points

  • Centre for Research and Innovation in AI funded by JICA and Honeywell on campus
  • NVIDIA DGX1 and DGX2 GPU supercomputers supporting 250 TFlops of AI compute capacity
  • First dedicated Department of Artificial Intelligence in India, launched 2019 at IITH

IITH PhD Artificial Intelligence Fees 2026

ComponentAmount (INR)
Tuition FeeINR 60,000
Other ChargesINR 3,42,000
Total FeesINR 4,08,000
  • Caution deposit of INR 6,000 is refundable on programme completion.
  • Full-time scholars receive INR 31,000 per month as JRF research assistantship.
  • SC/ST and PH candidates are exempt from tuition fee payment.

IITH PhD Artificial Intelligence Admission 2026

EventDate
GATE 2026 ExamFeb 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026
GATE 2026 ResultMar 19, 2026
PhD Application DeadlineApr 28, 2026
Shortlist NotificationMay 7, 2026
Written TestMay 14, 2026
Class CommencementAugust 2026
  • Applications were submitted through IITH’s online PhD portal at iith.ac.in/phdadmissions.
  • Both Regular and Direct PhD modes are available for eligible candidates.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • M.Tech/M.E./M.Sc. in CS, EE, EC, AI, or allied field with First Class (60% or 6.0 CGPA)
  • B.Tech/B.E. from Central Funded Institutes with CGPA 8.0 or above eligible for Direct PhD entry
  • Valid GATE score in CS, EE, EC, or AI paper required (except CFI graduates with 8.0+ CGPA)

Admission Process

  • Qualify GATE in CS, EE, EC, or AI, or secure UGC-NET/CSIR-NET in a relevant subject
  • Apply through IITH’s online PhD admissions portal at iith.ac.in/phdadmissions before the deadline
  • Receive shortlist notification from the Department of Artificial Intelligence via email
  • Appear for written test conducted by the AI department on the notified date
  • Attend interview with the departmental selection committee if cleared in the written test
  • Submit original documents and complete hostel registration before programme commencement

✓ Opt for this if

  • Want access to NVIDIA DGX supercomputers and JICA-Honeywell AI research centre
  • Seeking INR 31,000 per month fellowship while pursuing cutting-edge AI research
  • Targeting top-tier AI/ML publications at ICLR, NeurIPS, CVPR, or ICML
  • B.Tech from a CFI with 8+ CGPA and eligible for Direct PhD without a Master’s

✗ Skip if

  • Not committed to a 3-6 year full-time residential research programme
  • Looking for an industry-facing AI role rather than deep academic research
  • Do not hold a qualifying GATE score or CFI eligibility for Direct PhD

IITH PhD Artificial Intelligence Scholarships 2026

ScholarshipAmountEligibility
JRF/SRF Research AssistantshipINR 31,000 per monthFull-time PhD scholars throughout the programme
SC/ST ScholarshipFull tuition fee waiverSC/ST category students
Merit-cum-Means ScholarshipINR 1,000 per monthGen/OBC-NCL/EWS with parental income below INR 4.5 Lakhs
  • JRF stipend of INR 31,000 per month upgrades to SRF rate after two years based on performance.
  • Research contingency grant of INR 20,000 per year is provided for consumables and travel.
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Table of Contents

IITH PhD Artificial Intelligence FAQs

Ques. What is the total fee for PhD in AI at IIT Hyderabad?

Ans. The total programme fee for PhD at IITH is INR 4,08,000, covering tuition of INR 60,000 and other charges of INR 3,42,000 over the duration of the programme. A refundable caution deposit of INR 6,000 is collected at admission. SC/ST and PH candidates are exempt from tuition fees. The MoE research assistantship of INR 31,000 per month for full-time scholars means the effective financial burden is substantially reduced.

Ques. What is the GATE cutoff or eligibility for PhD in Artificial Intelligence at IITH?

Ans. There is no fixed GATE cutoff published for PhD admission. Candidates are shortlisted primarily based on academic background and then evaluated through a written test and interview. Applicants must hold M.Tech/M.Sc. in CS, EE, EC, or allied fields with First Class. B.Tech graduates from Central Funded Institutes with CGPA 8.0 or above may apply directly under the Direct PhD track without a Master’s degree.

Ques. What research areas does the AI department at IITH cover for PhD students?

Ans. The Department of Artificial Intelligence at IITH conducts research across Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Robotics and Industry 4.0, and AI Ethics. Applied research spans manufacturing, autonomous navigation, astrophysics, and communications. The department’s BRAIN Lab, LFOVIA Lab, and TiHAN Hub on campus support diverse PhD research projects funded by Intel, DRDO, and DST. The JICA-Honeywell funded Centre for Research and Innovation in AI houses GPU servers and deep learning workstations for large-scale model training.

Ques. How long does the PhD in AI at IIT Hyderabad take to complete?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years and the maximum is 6 years. The first year typically involves coursework, and subsequent semesters are dedicated to research and thesis work under a faculty supervisor. Most full-time candidates complete the programme in 4 to 5 years. The programme is full-time and residential. Candidates are required to be present on campus throughout the duration and submit an annual progress report evaluated by a doctoral committee.

Ques. What career outcomes can PhD AI graduates from IITH expect?

Ans. PhD graduates from IITH’s AI department go on to faculty positions at IITs, NITs, and international universities, as well as research scientist roles at Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and Qualcomm. Some graduates transition into AI product and strategy roles at technology companies. The department’s strong publication record at ICML, NeurIPS, and CVPR supports graduates in competitive academic and industry research job markets. IITH’s industry collaboration network with firms like Intel, Qualcomm, and Honeywell also provides avenues for applied research career opportunities.

IIT Hyderabad: 6 Answered Questions

Does IIT Hyderabad offer online courses?

Saketh ChandraIIT Hyderabad (2021 Batch)

Yes, IIT Hyderabad offers online MTech and MDes courses. These courses are designed for individuals seeking flexibility in their education due to work or any other commitments. Students benefit from IIT Hyderabad’s expert faculty while studying remotely. Some of the top online MTech/MDes programs at IIT Hyderabad are as follows:

Course Offering Department
Data Science Computer Science and Engineering
MDes by Practice Design
Communication and Signal Processing Electrical Engineering
Computational Mechanics Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Industrial Metallurgy Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering
EV Technology Centre for Interdisciplinary Programs

Additionally, IIT Hyderabad also provides online courses through the NPTEL portal @https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106106224. Faculties from various departments teach these courses.

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Does IIT Hyderabad offer a Data Science course?

RishabhStudies at IIT Hyderabad

Ans. Yes, IIT Hyderabad provides a data science course that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. Here is detailed information about the course:

Detail Information
Course Name M.Tech in Data Science
Duration 2 years (Full-time)
Eligibility B.Tech/B.E. in relevant field or M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics
Admission Process GATE Score + Interview
Fee structure INR 47,060 per year (Total Semester Fee for Regular PG students)
Scholarships GATE scholarships, Institute Scholarships

And if you are a working professional then IIT Hyderabad also provides a data science course for working professionals. Here are details about it:

Detail Information
Course Name M.Tech in Data Science (for industry professionals)
Duration 3-5 years (self-paced)
Eligibility B.Tech/BE in CS/EE/IT/ECE, MCA, MSc/MS/ME/M.Tech in CS/IT, with 70% marks or 7.0 CGPA
Fee structure Details available on the official website
Admission Process Online application, written test, and interview
Work Experience Minimum of 3 years in a relevant industry
Class Schedule Weekends or weekday mornings, online mode
Mode of Delivery Online classes, on-campus end-semester exams
Contact Information Email: cse_mds@iith.ac.in
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How is IIT Hyderabad’s MDes program?

RishabhStudies at IIT Hyderabad

IIT Hyderabad’s MDes program has various good points which you should know if you want to pursue your career in it. 

Firstly, they offer two kinds of master's courses, in which MDes by project is a course in which all learning and research are based on the projects. Also, the course curriculum is designed in such a way that it will nurture the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities of the students.

Secondly, they also offer MDes by Practise courses based on practical design skills. In this course, you’ll get to learn design skills based on the internships and other practical experiences.

Here is the fee structure for the MDes Course:

Duration Mode Fees (Regular PG students)
2 years full-time INR 47,060
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Which college should I choose between IIT, Hyderabad & IIIT, Hyderabad for a CSE course?

Divya SarafLives in Hyderabad

Had I been in your place, I would have chosen IIIT Hyderabad over IIT Hyderabad. While both colleges offer a good CS program, IIIT Hyderabad is the clear winner when it comes to CS. Consider the following points of comparison 

  • IIT Hyderabad is a new IIt, so choosing it just because of the IIt tag would be a blunder.
  • IIT Hyderabad is still in its development phase and its campus still needs a few more facilities to become full-fledged operating.
  • IIIT Hyderabad has a better religion and brand name among the IT giants and therefore its placement scenario is way better than IIT Hyderabad.
  • IIIT Hyderabad is well-known for its achievements in competitions like ACM ICPC and GSOC.

I have my cousins in both the institutes and from their discussions I have concluded that IIIT Hyderabad leads in CS opportunities.

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What is the admission procedure for "all course MTech" at IIT Hyderabad?

Rajesh SharmaM.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (2018)

To apply for the M.Tech program at IIT Hyderabad, you need to follow the admission procedure as dictated below

  • Attain a valid qualified GATE scorecard.
  • In case you are retaining your GATE score then fill up the form for the respective program.
  • Soon you will be called for the interview wherein a written exam will be conducted 
  • Those who clear the written exam will be summoned for the Viva-voce interview.

The results will be declared through the department website.

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What do you know about an all-course M.Tech at IIT Hyderabad?

Vinisha Vasudevan
Shruti AgarwalStudied at Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH)

My friend has completed All-course MTech at IIT Hyderabad and claims that it has zero recognition outside IIT Hyderabad with a dearth of job opportunities. The course is a one-year program that does not require you to write a thesis/research. All you need to do is study courses in the classrooms. This is a very poor choice for those targeting a Ph.D. as this program isn’t known even at other IITs. 

You will be given alien treatment and will end up wasting Lakhs on a useless degree. The majority of the IIT Hyderabad community is unaware of this course. The curriculum is poorly designed and very rigid. The world is intense, sparing you no time for extracurriculars. The majority of the first batch left the course within a few days.

The course is a complete waste of money and time so I am strongly against anyone joining it.

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