Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 27, 2026

The B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering with Specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at IIIT Kottayam is a 4-year full-time on-campus undergraduate programme offered by an Institution of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The programme is designed to build a strong foundation in Computer Engineering with a specialisation in AI and Data Science, covering machine learning, deep learning, data warehousing, cloud computing, and applied predictive analytics. The total tuition fee for the programme is Rs. 11,61,600 for the entire duration, with a total cost including hostel and mess of approximately Rs. 19,93,000. The programme admits 72 students per year (59 gender-neutral + 13 female-only seats) through JEE Main followed by JoSAA/CSAB counselling. It is one of the most sought-after branches at IIIT Kottayam owing to the booming demand for AI and data science professionals across industries.

Admissions for the 2026 batch are upcoming. JoSAA 2026 counselling is tentatively expected to begin in June 2026 (after JEE Advanced 2026 results, expected post May 17, 2026). JEE Main 2026 Session 2 is currently ongoing (April 2-9, 2026), and Session 1 results have already been declared (February 16, 2026). Students who have appeared in JEE Main 2026 and meet the eligibility criteria should prepare for JoSAA registration, which is expected to open in the first week of June 2026.

Key Points

The programme follows the curriculum model of IIIT Hyderabad, one of the premier IIITs in India, ensuring industry-aligned and research-oriented education.
Students get exposure to specialised AI and Data Science electives from the 5th semester onwards, including Machine Learning, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Deep Learning, Applied Predictive Analytics, and MLOps.
The institute has active research groups in Data Science, Big Data and Machine Learning, and students can publish research papers under faculty guidance from as early as the 2nd year.
IIIT Kottayam has a strong coding culture with active participation in Google Summer of Code (GSoC), Smart India Hackathon, ACM-ICPC, and other national/international competitions.
The institute has international collaborations with TU Munich (Germany), University of Glasgow (UK), and other global universities, offering students opportunities for international internships and research.
Students are eligible for the B.Tech (Honours) degree by completing additional projects (186 credits) or a Dual Degree B.Tech-MS (218 credits) by pursuing research semesters.
The institute is included under the SBI Scholar Loan Scheme, making educational loans easily accessible.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
Ranking
FAQs

IIIT Kottayam Latest Updates and News

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28 Apr, 2026 JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Paper 2 results are expected soon for April Attempt. Candidates are advised to keep checking here for the latest updates. Read news!

IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science Fees

The total tuition fee for the B.Tech (AI and Data Science) programme at IIIT Kottayam is Rs. 11,61,600 for the entire 4-year duration, at Rs. 1,45,200 per semester. In addition to tuition, students are required to pay hostel and mess charges, which are mandatory for all students. The hostel fee increases progressively each year, starting at Rs. 34,000 per semester in Year 1 and going up to Rs. 45,500 per semester in Year 4. The total cost including hostel, mess, and all one-time charges comes to approximately Rs. 19,93,000 for the full programme. SC/ST and PwD students are eligible for a full tuition fee waiver.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	1,45,200
Tuition Fee (8 semesters total)	11,61,600
Hostel/Facility Maintenance Fee - Year 1 (per semester)	34,000
Hostel/Facility Maintenance Fee - Year 2 (per semester)	37,500
Hostel/Facility Maintenance Fee - Year 3 (per semester)	41,250
Hostel/Facility Maintenance Fee - Year 4 (per semester)	45,500
Hostel/Facility Maintenance Fee (4 years total)	3,16,500
Mess Advance - Year 1 (per semester)	30,750
Mess Advance - Year 2 (per semester)	33,825
Mess Advance - Year 3 (per semester)	37,250
Mess Advance - Year 4 (per semester)	40,975
Mess Advance (4 years total)	2,85,600
Medical Insurance (per year)	1,300
Medical Insurance (4 years total)	5,200
Mess Equipment Maintenance Fee (per year)	300
Sports Equipment Maintenance Fee (per year)	300
Club Activities (per year)	300
Annual Charges (4 years total)	3,600
Caution Deposit (One-time, Refundable)	13,000
Sports Fee (One-time)	1,100
Mess Fee (One-time)	1,100
Convocation Fee (One-time)	5,000
Total Fees (including hostel and mess)	19,92,700

The Caution Deposit of Rs. 13,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the institute.
SC/ST and PwD students are eligible for a full tuition fee waiver as per Government of India norms.
All students, including SC/ST/OBC, are required to pay hostel, mess, and other charges.
Students can apply for educational loans through SBI Scholar Scheme, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank, and Canara Bank.
The institute issues required documents upon written request.
No EMI option is officially mentioned; fees are payable semester-wise.
The mess is compulsory for all students residing in the hostel.
DASA (NRI/Foreign National) students pay a different fee structure: USD 4,000 per year tuition for CSE programmes.

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IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science Admission 2026

Admissions to the B.Tech (AI and Data Science) programme at IIIT Kottayam are conducted through JEE Main followed by JoSAA/CSAB counselling. The 2026 admission season is upcoming, with JoSAA counselling tentatively expected to begin in June 2026 after JEE Advanced 2026 results. JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exams are currently being conducted (April 2-9, 2026). Students who qualify JEE Main and meet the eligibility criteria should register on the JoSAA portal when it opens.

JoSAA Counselling Dates

Event	Tentative Date
JoSAA 2026 Registration and Choice Filling Opens	June 10-12, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Choice Locking	June 20, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment	June 23, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 2 Seat Allotment	June 28, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 3 Seat Allotment	July 4, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 4 Seat Allotment	July 9, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 5 Seat Allotment	July 14, 2026 (tentative)
JoSAA 2026 Round 6 Seat Allotment	July 19, 2026 (tentative)
Document Verification and Reporting to Institute	July - August 2026 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes	As per JoSAA/CSAB schedule (to be announced)

JEE Main Exam Dates

Event	Date
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Registration	October 31 - November 27, 2025
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam (Paper 1)	January 21-28, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Admit Card	January 17-19, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result	February 16, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration	February 1 - February 25, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Admit Card	March 25, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam (Paper 1)	April 2-9, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result	Expected April 20, 2026 (tentative)
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam	May 17, 2026

Note: JoSAA counselling is open to all JEE Main qualified candidates. JEE Advanced qualification is not required for admission to IIIT Kottayam.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Minimum aggregate marks of 75% in Class 12 for General/OBC/EWS category; 65% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
A valid JEE Main 2026 score/rank is mandatory for participation in JoSAA counselling.

Admission Process

Register and appear for JEE Main 2026 (Session 1 or Session 2 or both).
Register on the JoSAA portal (josaa.nic.in) when it opens in June 2026.
Fill and lock choices of institutes and branches in order of preference.
Participate in seat allotment rounds (up to 6 rounds expected).
Accept the allotted seat by paying the seat acceptance fee (Rs. 35,000 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 15,000 for SC/ST/PwD).
Complete online document verification.
Report to IIIT Kottayam campus for final admission formalities with original documents.
Pay the first semester fees at the time of reporting.

IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science Scholarships 2026

IIIT Kottayam does not offer direct institutional scholarships but actively facilitates students in availing government scholarships and educational loans. SC/ST students are eligible for a full tuition fee waiver under Government of India norms. Students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories can apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). The institute is registered on the NSP and forwards scholarship applications to the relevant authorities.

The institute is included under the SBI Scholar Loan Scheme, which offers preferential interest rates for students of premier institutions. Multiple banks including Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank, and Canara Bank have tie-ups with the institute for educational loans.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Tuition Fee Waiver (SC/ST/PwD)	SC/ST/PwD students admitted through JoSAA	Full tuition fee waiver (Rs. 1,45,200 per semester)
National Scholarship Portal - Post Matric Scholarship (SC)	SC students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Up to Rs. 3,000 per month (maintenance) + tuition fee reimbursement
National Scholarship Portal - Post Matric Scholarship (ST)	ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Up to Rs. 3,000 per month (maintenance) + tuition fee reimbursement
Top Class Education Scheme (SC)	SC students in notified institutions	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Top Class Education Scheme (ST)	ST students in notified institutions	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
OBC Post Matric Scholarship	OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance (as per state norms)
SBI Scholar Loan Scheme	All students of IIIT Kottayam	Educational loan at preferential interest rates
Central Sector Scheme (EWS/General)	Students with family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum	Rs. 10,000 per annum (for professional courses)

All scholarship applications must be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
The institute forwards and recommends scholarship applications; students must apply directly to the respective authorities.
DAAD Scholarship: IIIT Kottayam students have historically received DAAD scholarships (9 students in 2024) for research/study in Germany.
Students should apply for scholarships at the beginning of each academic year; deadlines vary by scheme.
Educational loan applications are supported by the institute through issuance of required documents upon written request.

IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science Placement 2026

IIIT Kottayam has demonstrated strong and improving placement outcomes over the years. The 2026-27 placement season recorded 219 total offers with 178 students placed, reflecting an overall placement rate of approximately 88%. The highest domestic package reached Rs. 50 LPA and the average package stood at Rs. 11.91 LPA. The AI and Data Science branch, being a relatively newer specialisation, shares the overall placement infrastructure with the CSE department. Top recruiters include Amazon, Nvidia, Bosch, IBM, Infosys, TCS, Deloitte, Cognizant, and others. Students from the AI and Data Science branch are well-positioned for roles in data engineering, machine learning, analytics, and software development given the curriculum's strong focus on these areas.

Placement Statistics

Placement Metric	2026-27 Statistics
Total Offers	219
Students Placed	178
Placement Rate	~88%
Highest Domestic Package	Rs. 50 LPA
Average Package	Rs. 11.91 LPA
Median Package	Rs. 10.50 LPA
Number of Recruiting Companies	88+
Highest International Package	Rs. 23 LPA

Placement data above is for the overall B.Tech programme at IIIT Kottayam.
Branch-specific data for AI and Data Science is not separately published by the institute.

IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#77 out of 500 in India 2025

#4th in Kerala

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IIIT Kottayam B.Tech Data Science FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between B.Tech (Data Science) and B.Tech (CSE) at IIIT Kottayam? Which one should I choose?

Ans. The B.Tech (CSE) at IIIT Kottayam is a broader computer science programme, while the B.Tech in CSE with Specialisation in AI and Data Science (listed as B.Tech Data Science) is specifically tailored for students interested in machine learning, data analytics, deep learning, and AI systems. From the 5th semester onwards, the AI and Data Science branch has dedicated electives like Machine Learning, Data Warehousing and Data Mining, Applied Predictive Analytics, MLOps, and Deep Learning, which are not as deeply covered in the general CSE programme. If you are specifically interested in AI/ML/Data Science roles, this branch gives you a more focused curriculum. However, the CSE branch has a higher seat intake (340 seats) and historically slightly better placement numbers due to its larger batch size and longer track record.

Ques. Is hostel compulsory at IIIT Kottayam? What are the hostel arrangements for first-year students?

Ans. Yes, the mess is compulsory for all hostel residents. For first-year boys, accommodation is provided in rented hostels outside the campus (within 3-8 km), and the institute provides free conveyance (to and fro). From the second year onwards, boys are accommodated inside the campus or in rented hostels within walkable distance. Girls are accommodated in a hostel within the campus. The hostel fee is mandatory and is included in the semester fee payment.

Ques. What is the JEE Main rank required to get admission into B.Tech AI and Data Science at IIIT Kottayam?

Ans. Based on JoSAA 2025 data, the closing rank for the Gender-Neutral category (Open/General) for B.Tech CSE with AI and Data Science at IIIT Kottayam was approximately 32,727 (JEE Main rank). For Female-Only seats, the closing rank was around 33,437. For reserved categories, the closing ranks are significantly higher (more relaxed). These ranks are indicative and may vary in 2026 depending on the number of applicants and competition.

Ques. Does IIIT Kottayam offer any research or higher study opportunities for B.Tech AI and Data Science students?

Ans. Yes. IIIT Kottayam has active research groups in Data Science, Big Data and Machine Learning, and IoT. Students can publish research papers under faculty guidance from as early as the 2nd year. The institute has over 40 research papers published by UG students. Additionally, students can opt for the B.Tech (Honours) programme (186 credits) or the Dual Degree B.Tech-MS (218 credits) by pursuing additional research projects and semesters. The institute also facilitates international research internships at universities like TU Munich, University of Glasgow, and Purdue University (through DAAD and other fellowships).

Ques. What kind of companies recruit from the AI and Data Science branch at IIIT Kottayam?

Ans. The AI and Data Science branch students are recruited by companies across software development, analytics, and AI/ML domains. Top recruiters visiting IIIT Kottayam include Amazon, Nvidia, Bosch, IBM, Infosys, TCS, Deloitte, Cognizant, and several product-based startups. Students with strong competitive programming and project portfolios have received offers from top-tier companies with packages ranging from Rs. 20-50 LPA. Internship stipends from companies like Amazon and Google have been as high as Rs. 1.25 lakh per month. The AI and Data Science curriculum, with its focus on machine learning and data analytics, makes graduates well-suited for data scientist, ML engineer, and data analyst roles.

Ques. Is IIIT Kottayam a good choice for students interested in AI and Data Science? How does it compare to other new IIITs?

Ans. IIIT Kottayam is considered one of the better new-generation IIITs, primarily because it has its own permanent campus (since 2019), follows the IIIT Hyderabad curriculum model, and has a strong coding culture. The AI and Data Science specialisation is a focused programme that prepares students well for industry roles and higher studies. Compared to other new IIITs, IIIT Kottayam has better infrastructure, more active research, and stronger placement outcomes. However, students should be aware that the campus is located in a semi-rural area (Valavoor, Pala, Kottayam), which some students find limiting in terms of city amenities. The institute compensates with a high-speed internet connection (6 Gbps), well-equipped labs, and a vibrant student community.