Application for the next batch of the Diploma Program is now open.

Applications open now for next batch of the Diploma Program

Eligibility

completed any UG degree through any mode or
completed at least two years of any UG degree through any mode before January 2025.

Mandatory Requirements to Enroll and Learn

Access to good internet connection as well as a laptop/desktop device will be a key requirement to learn effectively from our courses. For a complete list of software and hardware requirements, please refer to this document - Mandatory System Specifications.
Learner should be able to travel to assigned exam centres for quizzes and exams each term. Check the exam cities section in the Academics page to see where our exam centres are currently located.

Application Process

Application form for the batch starting January 2025 is currently open. Click here to apply.

Anyone who is eligible may apply by filling in the application form, uploading required documents, and paying the application fee.

General Category / OBC Applicant ₹6000 application fee
SC / ST Category / PwD (>= 40% disablity ) Applicant ₹3000 application fee
SC / ST Category Applicant who is ALSO PwD (>= 40% disablity ) ₹1500 application fee

All applicants should attend the in-person Qualifier Exam and obtain the minimum required cutoff marks to join the program.

Within India: Exams are conducted in designated centres in 110+ cities in an invigilated manner that candidates have to attend in person.

Outside India: Applicants opting to write the Qualifier Exam outside India must pay an additional exam fee. In countries where we have exam centres, candidates will write exams in person at these centres, else they will appear for remote proctored online exams.

Qualifier Exam

Qualifier Exam for Diploma in Programming

Subjects: English, Aptitude, and Basic Mathematics

Duration: 3 hours

Click here to view detailed syllabus, reference videos and mock question papers.

Qualifier Exam for Diploma in Data Science

Subjects: English, Programming in Python, Mathematics, and Statistics

Duration: 4 hours

Click here to view detailed syllabus, reference videos and mock question papers.

Qualifying Criteria

To pass the Diploma Qualifier Exam, the learner has to get a minimum Total Qualifier Exam Score and a minimum Qualifier Exam Score in each subject individually.
Min. Req. Total Qualifier Exam Score Min. Req. Qualifier Exam Score in each subject
General Learner 50% 40%
SC /ST /PwD* 40% 30%
SC / ST + PwD* 40% 30%
OBC-NCL / EWS* 45% 35%

*Note: Relaxations in pass criteria indicated for various categories of learners, is applicable ONLY for the qualifier exam. There will be no relaxations in terms of grades / pass criteria once registered into the program.

Only those who pass the Qualifier Exam will be eligible to register for the respective Diploma Program.
Learners who pass the Diploma Qualifier Exam on 22 December, 2024 will be eligible to register and join the program in the January 2025 term only.

International Students

Are you a learner outside India interested to join this program?
Are you worried about the in-person assessments?

This program is open to learners from all around the globe. You can study from IIT Madras and earn a Diploma in programming or data science irrespective of the country you are from.

IIT Madras is setting up modalities to conduct in-person exams in as many countries as possible. Currently, we conduct in-person exams in the following cities outside India:
UAE - Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi
Sri Lanka - Colombo, Jaffna
Bahrain - Manama

Students residing in these countries must write exams in the designated exam centres. Students have to appear for in-person exams roughly once a month.

Learners residing in any other country, apart from those shown above, can also enroll for this program and appear for remote proctored exams. Please write to the following email id with any queries you might have - ge@onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in. Our team will get in touch with you and guide you on the next steps.

Outside India learners who have taken exams with us till date: 159
View detailed location of learners outside India