Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Executive Master of Technology [Ex.M.Tech] in Data Science at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kottayam is a self-paced, online postgraduate programme designed exclusively for working professionals seeking to upskill in the rapidly growing field of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Offered by an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the programme spans 2 to 4 years (60 credits) and is delivered entirely online on weekends (Friday evenings, and full-day Saturday and Sunday), making it ideal for professionals who cannot take a career break. The total programme fee is Rs 3 Lakhs, with no GATE score required for admission. The programme is highly popular among mid-career professionals in IT, analytics, and engineering roles due to its industry-aligned curriculum, research thesis component, and the credibility of an IIIT degree.

Admissions for the August 2026 batch are currently open. The registration portal opened on 16 March 2026, with the online application form release scheduled for 16 April 2026. Candidates are advised to complete their applications before the deadline to secure a seat in this competitive programme.

Key Points

Programme is delivered exclusively by IIIT Kottayam's full-time faculty with strong research credentials and industry engagement.
Self-paced structure allows completion in 2 to 4 years, offering flexibility to working professionals.
Online classes are held on Friday evenings and full-day weekends (Saturday and Sunday); end-semester exams and final project reviews are conducted in offline mode.
The integrated thesis component enables students to contribute to ongoing faculty research projects, with scope for extension to an integrated Ph.D. programme.
International placement assistance is offered through Global IT Talent partners such as Human Resocia Corporation.
The programme uses IIIT Kottayam's own in-house learning platform (OSOC-P) for live recording, submission, and internal assessment.
Course break is permitted for students who take up onsite job assignments.
Application fee is Rs 500 for General category candidates and Rs 250 for Women, SC, and ST candidates.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

IIIT Kottayam Latest Updates and News

01 Apr, 2026 CCMT 2026 Counselling is expected to begin in May 2026 for admission to MTech/ MArch/ MPlan courses at NITs and CFTIs.

IIIT Kottayam Ex.M.Tech Fees

The total programme fee for the Ex.M.Tech (Data Science) at IIIT Kottayam is Rs 3,00,000, payable semester-wise over the duration of the programme. The fee is structured on a per-credit basis, with coursework and project work charged at Rs 5,000 per credit. The semester-wise fee varies based on the number of credits registered in that semester. There are no hostel charges as the programme is fully online; however, students are required to travel to offline exam centres for end-semester assessments.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Total
Tuition Fee	Rs 70,000	Rs 60,000	Rs 1,00,000	Rs 70,000	Rs 3,00,000
Total Fees	Rs 70,000	Rs 60,000	Rs 1,00,000	Rs 70,000	Rs 3,00,000

Fee is charged at Rs 5,000 per credit for both coursework and project work.
Semester fee payment is made online via State Bank Collect (Net Banking / Debit / Credit Cards).
Late registration attracts a fine of Rs 1,000.
Education loans are available through SBI, PNB, Indian Bank, Union Bank, and Canara Bank.
The institute issues required documents upon written request.
No hostel fee is applicable as the programme is fully online.

IIIT Kottayam Ex.M.Tech Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ex.M.Tech (Data Science) programme at IIIT Kottayam are conducted once a year for the August batch. The selection is based on academic merit and a personal interview. No GATE score is required. The August 2026 admission cycle is currently active, with the registration portal open since 16 March 2026.

Admission Schedule

Event	Date
Registration Portal Opens	16 March 2026
Release of Online Application Form	16 April 2026
Last Date to Submit Online Application	To be announced
Batch Commencement	August 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must hold a B.Tech / BE / AMIE degree in any discipline, or an MCA, or an MSc / MS in CS / IT / Mathematics / Physics / Statistics, or a 4-year undergraduate degree (Hons. or Hons. with Research) in relevant subjects.
Minimum 60% aggregate in the qualifying examination is required.
The candidate must be currently employed; only employment acquired after the award of the qualifying degree will be considered.

Admission Process

Register on the official e-M.Tech admission portal at emtech.iiitkottayam.ac.in.
Fill and submit the online application form along with the application fee (Rs 500 for General; Rs 250 for Women, SC, ST).
Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview (conducted online).
Final merit list is prepared based on academic performance and interview.
Selected candidates complete fee payment and registration formalities to confirm admission.

IIIT Kottayam Ex.M.Tech Scholarships 2026

IIIT Kottayam facilitates access to government scholarships and educational loans for eligible students. While the e-M.Tech programme is primarily designed for working professionals, students may explore the following scholarship and financial aid options. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) offers merit-cum-means based scholarships for eligible PG students, and the institute is empanelled with multiple banks for education loans at concessional rates.

Scholarship Options

Scholarship / Financial Aid	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
NSP - PM-USP (Post Matric Scholarship)	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students with parental income up to Rs 2.5 Lakhs (SC/ST) or Rs 1 Lakh (others); 50% marks and 75% attendance	Up to Rs 82,000 per annum (varies by category)
National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC)	First-time PG students under 30 years in UGC-recognized full-time programmes	Rs 10,000 per year or Rs 15,000 per month (varies by scheme)
SBI Scholar Loan Scheme	Students admitted to IIIT Kottayam	Concessional education loan; institute is on SBI's premier institutions list
Education Loans (PNB, Indian Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank)	Students admitted to IIIT Kottayam	Loans available at concessional rates; institute issues demand letters

Scholarship eligibility for the e-M.Tech programme under NSP schemes may vary; students are advised to verify applicability on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
The institute issues fee demand letters to facilitate education loan processing.
Students availing education loans may pay fees via Demand Draft in favour of IIT Kottayam payable at SBI Valavoor (IFSC: SBIN0070539).

IIIT Kottayam Ex.M.Tech Data Science Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#77 out of 500 in India 2025

#4th in Kerala

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ? Report Here

IIIT Kottayam Ex.M.Tech FAQs

Ques. Is GATE required for admission to the Ex.M.Tech (Data Science) programme at IIIT Kottayam?

Ans. No, GATE is not required for the e-M.Tech / Ex.M.Tech programme at IIIT Kottayam. The programme is specifically designed for working professionals and admission is based on academic merit and a personal interview.

Ques. Can I pursue this programme while working full-time? How are the classes scheduled?

Ans. Yes, the programme is designed for working professionals. Classes are held online on Friday evenings and full-day weekends (Saturday and Sunday). End-semester exams and final project reviews are conducted in offline mode at designated exam centres. A course break is also permitted if you take up an onsite job assignment.

Ques. What are the offline exam centres for end-semester assessments?

Ans. The offline exam centres include the IIIT Kottayam campus (Pala, Kerala) and off-campus centres in Trivandrum, Bangalore, Pune, and Allahabad/Delhi, subject to availability of sufficient candidates at each centre.

Ques. How long does it take to complete the e-M.Tech programme and what is the total fee?

Ans. The programme is of 60 credits and can be completed in 2 to 4 years depending on the pace of the student. The total fee is Rs 3,00,000, payable semester-wise. The fee is charged at Rs 5,000 per credit.

Ques. Is there a scope for a Ph.D. after completing the e-M.Tech at IIIT Kottayam?

Ans. Yes. Students who are actively engaged in R&D activities during the programme can extend it to an integrated Ph.D. programme at IIIT Kottayam. The thesis component in the final two semesters is specifically designed to facilitate this transition.

Ques. What is the difference between the e-M.Tech and the M.Tech for Working Professionals (Executive M.Tech) at IIIT Kottayam?

Ans. The e-M.Tech is the newer, more flexible version launched in 2025, offering a 2-to-4-year self-paced structure with online classes on weekends. The earlier M.Tech for Working Professionals (mtech.iiitkottayam.ac.in) had a 3-to-5-year structure. Both programmes are equivalent to a full-time M.Tech degree from IIIT Kottayam. The e-M.Tech is the currently active programme accepting admissions for the August 2026 batch.