FAQ


1. General

1.1. Should I pursue a post-graduate degree in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur?

ABSOLUTELY YES. There are several compelling reasons why you should. Please see the following links to know more about the department.

1.2.How to apply?

You should apply through the Online PG Admissions portal. The link is active once registration starts for an admissions session.

1.3. I am a foreign national. How do I apply?

Please refer to International Students Admission page to know more about the procedure for foreign nationals. Please note that the deadlines are different for foreign nationals. The admission process should be completed well before the beginning of the semesters.

1.4. I would like to do an MTech/PhD as a sponsored candidate. What do I need?

The requirements are as follows.

  1. At least 2 years of experience with the current employer.
  2. A written letter from your employer agreeing to relieve you for the duration of your stay at IIT Kanpur.
  3. You need a written letter from your employer agreeing to sponsor you by providing you full salary during your period of study. This is important, we will not consider applications without this.

Shortlisted candidates will have to still pass the tests/interviews at IITK. The GATE requirement is waived for sponsored candidates.

Please check the Sponsored Candidates page on DoAA website for more details.

1.5. When are the PG admission tests and interviews?

MTech.

The admission tests and interviews are usually held in the beginning-mid of May for the Autumn semester.

MS(R).

MS(R) selections generally happen twice a year, once in May and once in December.

PhD.

PhD selections generally happen twice a year, once in May and once in December.

We also conduct walk-in interviews all through the year for exceptional PhD candidates. You have to apply for walk-in interviews.

The MS(R) and PhD intake depend on the department requirements. Please follow the Upcoming Admissions page for updates.

1.6. When will I know the results of the admission tests?

We release the results typically within a week of the interview. The selected candidates will be listed on our website. We will also mail the candidates individually.

Please follow the Upcoming Admissions page for updates.

1.7. How do I reach IIT Kanpur?

See the How to Reach IIT Kanpur page for information.

1.8. Where do I stay at Kanpur during admissions?

Accommodation will have to be arranged by the candidates

1.9. Do I need to bring anything with me other than the certificates?

For admissions held during winter, consider bringing warm clothes and blankets. Kanpur can get quite cold during the months of December and January.


2 MTech Admissions

2.1. Should I have a valid GATE score for MTech admission?

There are two aspects where GATE score is considered - Admissions and Financial Assistantship.

Admissions: The requirement of GATE score is waived off for BTech graduates from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in BTech.

Financial Assistantship: The requirement of a GATE score is waived for MTech applicants who are BTech graduates from IITs with a minimum CPI of 8.0.

GATE requirement is also waived if you are a sponsored or part-time student.

2.2. What is the syllabus for the entrance test/interview at IITK?

We will not have an entrance test for MTech candidates for the Semester 2021-22-I.

2.3. Can I do a part-time MTech?

We rarely select part-time MTech students. We do not run special evening classes since we feel it will be difficult for such candidates to succeed in our program.

2.4. Is an MCA eligible to apply for MTech?

Yes. The same qualification criteria as BTech students apply.

2.5. I am working as a teacher. How do I apply for an MTech?

Please apply through the QIP program. The eligibility criteria is mentioned there.


3. MS(R) Admissions

3.1. Should I have a valid GATE score for MS admissions?

The department recruits MS(R) students during the regular admission sessions (twice a year, before the Autumn and the Spring semesters) based on their GATE performance. A valid GATE score is required for regular applicants.

The department also admits sponsored MS(R) students through projects. If the candidate does not have a valid GATE score, then the candidate will have to work for at least two years on the project before she can apply for the MS(R) program.

3.2. What is the syllabus for the entrance test/interview at IITK?

The syllabus for the interview is similar to GATE and involves basics in Computer Science and Engineering. The candidate may also be interviewed on specific topics she is comfortable with, her prior project and research experience, and on her research areas of interest for the MS(R) program.

3.3. Is there a fixed number of candidates who will be selected?

There is no fixed number, we select all able candidates based on their performance during the admissions process. What we are looking for are competent, motivated students who are likely to succeed in the MS(R) program.

3.4. How long does an MS take?

The duration of the program is usually five-six semesters. The duration depends on the progress of the student on the project and research work that she is working on, and on the evaluation of the advisor.


4. PhD Admissions

4.1. Should I have a valid GATE score for a PhD?

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Sciences (4 year program) from CFTIs:
  • Admissions
  • The requirement of GATE score is waived for candidates with bachelor's degree in engineering from the centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs).
  • Financial Assistantship
  • In the case of PhD students, GATE requirement is waived for those with bachelor’s degree in engineering from CFTIs.
For MTech/ME students:

If you have an MTech/ME degree in any discipline with minimum requirements from a recognized university, there is no need for a GATE score. This includes dual degrees (BTech-MTech dual) from universities which offer this, like BITS Pilani. If you have doubts about whether your postgraduate degree is recognized, please contact admissions[AT]cse.iitk.ac.in. The minimum requirements are given in Section 2 of the PG Manual.

For BTech, MCA, and MSc Computer Science students (general):

The requirement of GATE score is waived for candidates with Bachelor's degree in engineering from the centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs).

We provide scholarship to PhD students for providing teaching assistance in the courses offered by the department. A GATE score is necessary to obtain such a teaching assistantship from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India. Note that this is technically not an admission requirement, but is practically relevant. Unlike MTech admission, PhD admission has no cutoff for GATE score. We will select candidates based on their performance in our admission tests and interviews. The exact requirements are given in Section 2 of the PG manual.

4.2. What is the syllabus and format for the written test, programming test, and interviews for PhD candidates?

The syllabus for the interview is similar to GATE and involves basics in Computer Science and Engineering. The candidate may also be interviewed on specific topics she is comfortable with, her prior project and research experience, and on her research areas of interest for the PhD program.

4.3. Is there a fixed number of candidates who will be selected?

There is no fixed number, we select all able candidates based on their performance during the admissions process. What we are looking for are competent, motivated students who are likely to succeed in the PhD program.

4.4. Can I do a part-time PhD?

There is a provision for a part-time PhD. You can go through the Guidelines for Admission to Part-Time Program and Section 2.9 of the PG manual.

Please keep the following requirements in mind if you are interested in a part-time PhD. There are 3 components for a PhD: coursework for the first ~2 years, a qualifying exam, and thesis work. During the time you take coursework and the qualifier, you have to attend classes during normal hours. There are no evening classes or weekend classes for part-time students. This means that you will have to be on campus during these 2 years.

Afterwards, during the thesis requirements, the institute specifies that the students be "local". This is vague, and we will liberally interpret it — you can make a satisfactory arrangement with your PhD guide about this.

4.5. Can I do an external PhD?

Yes. You need to be working at your current institution for more than 2 years. You also need a written consent from your employer, relieving you from duties. Moreover, you need a person who can supervise you at your location outside IITK campus. If you do not know someone who can guide you, then you can opt for a part-time PhD.

External PhD students are selected through our departmental admissions process, and they need not have a GATE score. Please go through the Guidelines for Admission to External Registration Program for further details.

4.6. What is the difference between external and part-time PhD?

External PhD was designed to be able to do a PhD from another academic, scientific, or research institution. In effect, it means that you should be working at a location where at least one person is willing and is able to supervise your PhD work.

Part-time PhD can be done by a person who is currently working in a setting where she need not have a PhD guide - for example, in the industry.

4.7. Is an MCA eligible to apply for PhD?

Yes. An applicant needs to meet all the following criteria:

  • Minimum of 65 percent marks/6.5 CPI in the Master's degree
  • First division in bachelor's degree
  • JRF/95 percentile or higher in GATE score
Please check the Eligibility Criteria page for more details.

4.8. How long does a PhD take?

A PhD program does not have a fixed duration. The average duration to complete a PhD program is around 5 years, but there are several instances where students have graduated before five years or have taken longer to complete. Note that you have need time to finish the coursework and qualifiers, which usually takes about 2 years. A PhD student is expected to show a willingness to explore, do high-quality research, and be productive throughout the duration of her program.