As of 4 October 2026, at least five IITs run online or hybrid undergraduate degrees: IIT Madras (Data Science and Applications; Management and Data Science), IIT Jodhpur (Management and Technology; Applied AI and Data Science), IIT Guwahati (Data Science and AI) and IIT Patna (Computer Science and Data Analytics; AI and Cybersecurity). They differ sharply on entry route, mode, fee model and subject requirements, and the published fees disagree across sources, so use the table below to shortlist and then confirm every number on the official page.
Disclosure: I'm Younus Fardeen. I have worked on Masai School's organic social growth (Instagram 26K to 117K, LinkedIn 50K to 200K), and Masai supports delivery of IIT Jodhpur's BS in Management and Technology, one of the programmes below. I have tried to give that programme no more or less attention than the others, and I make no placement or salary claims for any of them.
Key Takeaways
- Two groups: management-leaning (IIT Jodhpur, IIT Madras Management and Data Science) and technical (data science, AI, cybersecurity, computer science).
- Subject requirements differ: IIT Jodhpur's management BS accepts any stream; IIT Patna's programmes list a Science stream; IIT Jodhpur's Applied AI degree lists Mathematics as compulsory.
- Fee figures are not consistent across sources. I use official pages where I could open them and label secondary figures.
- Exams differ: IIT Madras uses in-person exams; IIT Guwahati uses a proctored online qualifier; IIT Jodhpur's management degree uses an entrance test.
- Multi-exit structures are common (certificate, diploma, degree), but the credentials are not identical to the full degree.
- Always verify recognition and admission details on each institute's own site.
The comparison table
Source key: O = official institute page I opened on 4 October 2026; C = Careers360 (secondary); check = confirm on the official page.
| Programme | Mode | Entry route | Subject/marks requirement | Fee (source) | Exits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Jodhpur BS Management & Technology | Online, optional campus immersion (O) | ₹999 entrance test, counselling (O) | Class 12 any stream, 60% (50% reserved) (O) | ₹5,60,000 total tuition (O) | Certificate, Diploma, BS 3-yr, BS 4-yr (O) |
| IIT Madras BS Management & Data Science | Online plus in-person exams (O) | Qualifier after 4-week course; JEE route (O) | Class 12 or equivalent with English (O) | Proportional to courses per term (O); total check | Foundation certificate; Diploma in Data Analytics for Business (O) |
| IIT Madras BS Data Science & Applications | Recorded + live, in-person quizzes (O) | Qualifier route (check) | No age limit (O); check subject rules | Waivers up to 75% for family income under ₹5 LPA (O); total check | Foundation, Diploma, BSc, BS (O) |
| IIT Guwahati BSc (Hons) Data Science & AI | Online on Coursera, optional campus visits (O) | JEE Advanced eligibility, or Maths Essentials course plus qualifier (O) | Class 12, 60% aggregate; official page says no stream restriction, C says Maths compulsory | ₹3,78,900 total (O) | Advanced Certificate (80 cr), Diploma (159), BSc (229), BSc Hons (299) (O) |
| IIT Jodhpur BSc/BS Applied AI & Data Science | Blended, optional campus immersion (O, C) | Qualifying test, no JEE (O, C) | 12th with 60%, Maths required (O) | ₹4,78,000 (C); official page says contact institution | Certification, Diploma, BSc, BS (O) |
| IIT Patna BS Computer Science & Data Analytics | Hybrid with campus immersion (C) | Entrance scores or IITP-SAT (C) | 10+2 Science, 60% (C) | ₹4,51,200 (C), ₹56,400 per semester | Foundation, Diploma, BSc (Hons), BS (C) |
| IIT Patna BS AI & Cybersecurity | Hybrid with campus immersion (C) | Entrance scores or IITP-SAT (C) | 10+2 Science, 60% (C) | ₹4,51,200 (C), ₹56,400 per semester | Foundation, Diploma, BSc (Hons), BS (C) |
Where my table disagrees with a figure you may have seen elsewhere, that is deliberate. For example, a widely repeated ₹3.88 lakh figure for IIT Patna and a ₹3.49 lakh figure for IIT Guwahati did not match what I found: Careers360's IIT Patna pages showed ₹4,51,200, and IIT Guwahati's own page listed ₹3,78,900 (application fee ₹1,000, qualifier ₹3,000, admission fee ₹50,000, tuition ₹1,100 per credit). Fees change by batch, so check official page.
Management-leaning options
IIT Jodhpur BS in Management and Technology
Four years, 141 credits, fixed annual fees, any-stream eligibility. See my full guide to its fees and admission and the official page.
IIT Madras BS in Management and Data Science
Hybrid, with a three-level structure (32, 60 and 50 credits) and a qualifier-based entry. Details on the official page. I compare the two management degrees in this post.
Data science and AI options
IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications
The official page lists pre-recorded and synchronous sessions, weekly online assignments and in-person quizzes, and says learners under ₹5 LPA family income can get up to 75% fee waivers. It reports 36,000+ enrolled students, a vendor claim I have not independently checked.
IIT Guwahati BSc (Hons) in Data Science and AI
The official page describes a trimester system (three 12-week terms a year), a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 years, Coursera delivery, and two admission pathways. For the January 2027 cohort the official page listed applications closing 31 October 2026 and classes beginning 4 January 2027. A Careers360 article listed a September 2026 application window and said Mathematics is compulsory in Class 12; the official page said no subject restrictions. Trust the official page but email them to confirm.
IIT Jodhpur BSc/BS in Applied AI and Data Science
The IIT Jodhpur executive programme page lists a 3-year BSc and optional 4-year BS, 60% in 12th with Mathematics, and no JEE or JAM. Careers360 reported ₹4,78,000 and on-campus semester exams. The official page also makes claims about master's pathways and recruiter access that I could not verify; treat them as marketing until you see written terms.
Cybersecurity and computer science options
IIT Patna BS in AI and Cybersecurity, and BS in Computer Science and Data Analytics
Registrations run through the IIT Patna continuing education portal, which would not load its content for me (JavaScript only), so the figures come from Careers360's pages for Computer Science and Data Analytics and AI and Cybersecurity: 48 months, hybrid, ₹4,51,200 (₹56,400 per semester), 10+2 Science with 60%, and entrance scores (JEE, NEET, CUET, BITSAT or state exams) or the IITP-SAT. These are secondary-source details; check official page before relying on them.
Entry routes decoded
- Entrance test only: IIT Jodhpur Management and Technology (60 MCQs).
- Qualifier after coursework: IIT Madras (four weeks of content, then exam) and IIT Guwahati (Mathematics Essentials course, then an 80-question, 2-hour online proctored qualifier).
- Own test or score-based: IIT Patna (IITP-SAT or recognised exam scores, per Careers360) and IIT Jodhpur Applied AI (qualifying test).
- JEE-linked shortcuts: IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati allow JEE-based entry for those eligible.
Which exam format fits your life
If you cannot travel on fixed dates, avoid in-person exam models or confirm centres near you. If you work full-time, favour flexible-pace structures (IIT Madras explicitly allows 5 to 8 years). If you want to see a fixed fee and timetable, an annual structure is simpler.
Choosing by goal
| Your goal | Programmes to shortlist | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Business analyst or operations role, any stream | IIT Jodhpur Management & Technology; IIT Madras Management & Data Science | Management plus quantitative content |
| Data scientist or analyst, strong maths | IIT Madras Data Science & Applications; IIT Guwahati Data Science & AI | Dedicated data science tracks |
| AI engineering with maths in school | IIT Jodhpur Applied AI & Data Science | Maths is a stated requirement |
| Security or CS, science stream | IIT Patna programmes | Science stream stated by secondary source |
| Cheapest pathway with waivers | IIT Madras (income waivers) | Official page mentions waivers; confirm eligibility |
What none of these guarantee
No official page I read guarantees a job, salary or admission to a master's programme. Be wary of any marketing page, mine included, that turns "career paths listed" into "outcomes". Ask each institute for written details on certificate wording, recognition, and how online or hybrid mode is described.
Checklist before you apply
- Open the official page and note the date you read it.
- Write down fee components separately: application, test, seat booking, tuition per term or credit.
- Confirm exam format and the nearest exam centre.
- Confirm subject requirements in writing if the sources disagree.
- Confirm your batch's start and application deadline.
- Ask for the credit-transfer policy for exits.
FAQ
Which IIT online degree is cheapest?
I could not establish a clean ranking. IIT Madras fees depend on courses taken and waivers exist; IIT Guwahati's page lists ₹3,78,900; IIT Jodhpur's management degree is ₹5,60,000; IIT Patna is ₹4,51,200 per Careers360. Check official page for current figures.
Do I need JEE for any of these?
Not for the main routes. IIT Jodhpur Management and Technology needs no JEE; IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna offer alternatives to JEE, though JEE-linked shortcuts exist at some.
Which degrees accept commerce students?
IIT Jodhpur's Management and Technology accepts any stream per its official page. IIT Guwahati's official page says no stream restriction while a secondary source says Mathematics is compulsory, so confirm. IIT Madras Management and Data Science requires Class 12 with English.
Are these degrees accepted for jobs and higher studies?
Each institute's page describes a degree awarded by that IIT, but acceptance depends on the employer or target university. Ask target institutions directly before committing.
Which has in-person exams?
IIT Madras requires in-person quizzes and exams at designated cities per its FAQ. IIT Jodhpur Applied AI reportedly has semester-end exams on campus (Careers360). IIT Guwahati's qualifier is online proctored.
Can I study while working?
IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati explicitly allow extended completion (up to 8 years for Guwahati). IIT Jodhpur offers live weekend sessions. Verify time commitments with current students.
Are multi-exit certificates equal to a degree?
No. Each exit is a distinct credential with fewer credits. Check how employers and future programmes treat them.
Is IIT Jodhpur's management degree "the Masai course"?
It is an IIT Jodhpur degree; Masai is the delivery partner for operations and learner support, per the official page. I have worked on Masai's organic growth, so weigh my views accordingly.
Where can I verify a programme's status?
Start with the institute's own page. For UGC's online-programme entitlement lists, the UGC Distance Education Bureau site provides an "Entitled HEIs for Online programs" link.
Work with me
If you run an education brand and want your comparison pages, program pages and social content to be accurate, specific and findable in both search and AI answers, I would be glad to help. I have 4+ years of marketing experience working with edtech and startup teams. See my work and reach me through the contact form at https://younusfardeen.in, or see Masai School for the programme I disclosed above.
Want organic growth work like this for your own edtech or education brand? Get in touch through the contact form.