The MS program is designed for students who want to work on research or industry-sponsored projects at IIT Kanpur and earn an MS (by Research) degree at the same time.

Please note that the applicant should satisfy both institute and department eligibility requirements to be shortlisted for the admission process.

There are two modes of pursuing MS (by Research) institute-funded and project-funded, as explained below:

Institute funded

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  • Institute minimum eligibility requirements click here.
  • GATE score in CS; or DA/MA/EE/EC
  • GATE score is waived off for the candidates with a BTech/BS (Four Year) degree in CS; or DA/MA/EE/EC from IITs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and a minimum CPI of 8.0 in the last two years in a BTech/BS (Four Year)


Shortlisting Process

The shortlisting for admission written test and a programming test to the MS (by Research) program is currently prepared based only on GATE scores.

  • Shortlisting cutoff for different GATE papers (CS/DA/MA/EE/EC) may be different.


Selection Process

The merit list for admission to the MS (by Research) program is currently prepared based on:



IIT Kanpur Project funded (Sponsored/Part-Time)

This program is meant for those students who wish to pursue an MS degree while working on a project in the Institute.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  • Institute minimum eligibility requirements click here.
  • Eligibility requirements for Sponsored candidate click here.
  • Eligibility requirements for Part-Time candidate click here.
  • The project must have at least one year (preferably three years) of funding available. (undertaking from the supervisor is required)


Shortlisting Process

The shortlisting for admission written test and a programming test to the MS (by Research) program is currently prepared based on eligibility requirements.

  • Shortlisting on the basis of minimum eligibility requirements


Selection Process

  • Aspiring candidates will need to appear for an on-campus written test and a programming test.
  • Candidates shortlisted based on these tests will need to then appear for an interview.


Sponsored/Part-Time

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

  • Institute minimum eligibility requirements click here.
  • Eligibility requirements for Sponsored candidate click here.


Shortlisting Process

The shortlisting for admission written test and a programming test to the MS (by Research) program is currently prepared based on eligibility requirements.

  • Shortlisting on the basis of minimum eligibility requirements


Selection Process

  • Aspiring candidates will need to appear for an on-campus written test and a programming test.
  • Candidates shortlisted based on these tests will need to then appear for an interview.



Foreign National

  • Foreign nationals who have done their undergraduate study in India must have a GATE score in CSE/DA/EE/EC/Maths to apply for a foreign national PhD at IIT Kanpur.
  • Foreign nationals who have done their undergraduate study abroad will be handled on a case-by-case basis.


⮚ Please refer to the departmental MS Program page for more information.

⮚ Please refer to PG Manual Click here for more information.