Program Details and Eligibility
Dual Degree Structure
When you join IIITH through LEEE, you join as a second-year B.Tech student. The structure is:
- Year 1 at IIITH (2nd year B.Tech): Bridge courses + core courses. You repeat the 2nd year experience in a research-intensive environment.
- Year 2 at IIITH (3rd year B.Tech): Advanced courses in your chosen track.
- Year 3 at IIITH (4th year B.Tech + MS start): Final B.Tech courses + beginning of MS research.
- Year 4 at IIITH (MS by Research): Full-time research toward your MS thesis.
At the end, you graduate with both a B.Tech (Hons) degree and an MS by Research degree from IIIT Hyderabad. The official degree title is “B.Tech (Hons) and MS by Research.”
Note on regular dual degree: For IIITH’s regular (non-LEEE) students, the dual degree programme has a normal duration of five years. Students enroll for extra courses at the end of their third year and complete the first-year equivalent of the MS by Research while still in their final undergraduate year. LEEE students join this same programme at the second year, completing it in 4 years at IIITH.
Official Programme Overview
From the official IIITH Lateral Entry page:
IIIT Hyderabad invites applications for Lateral Entry into the Dual Degree Programme from eligible students of B.E./B.Tech programmes.
Programme Highlights:
- Official degree awarded: B.Tech (Hons) and MS by Research (by successfully defending MS thesis)
- 4-year programme at IIITH (students join as 2nd year)
- Strong research component from 2nd year onwards
- Access to all IIITH research labs, facilities, and faculty
- Programme page: IIITH 2026 Lateral Entry page
Selection Process:
- Written Examination: Tests aptitude and subject knowledge at GATE level
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview at IIITH campus
- Final Selection: Based on performance in interview.
Important (official IIITH statement): “The decision on final offer of admission is solely based on the interview performance.” The written exam is used only to shortlist candidates; once shortlisted, the written score plays no further role.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have completed 4 semesters (2 years) of B.E./B.Tech by the time of joining
- No active backlogs at the time of the exam (all backlogs must be cleared before joining)
- Branch eligibility (official lists):
- CSD track (2025): CSE / IT/ AI & ML / Data Science / Software Engineering / Computer Engineering
- CSD track (2026 addition): + Maths & Computing (added from 2026 cycle)
- ECD track: ECE / ETE / EIE / EEE / IoT / Instrumentation and Control Engineering / Electronics and Computer Engineering / Electronics Engineering
- CGPA: 8.0 strongly encouraged but not a hard cutoff
Key eligibility details from the Ranker’s Vision video:
- Diploma students are generally not eligible (must be a regular B.Tech/B.E. program)
- The exam tests GATE-level knowledge but is slightly easier than GATE
- CGPA 8.0 is the recommended benchmark but is not a strict cutoff, candidates below 8.0 have received offers; exam and interview performance matter more
- Exam center preference can be chosen based on your city/college location at the time of application
Fees and Financial Information
Please note that the below information is subject to change at the time of your application.
Application Fee:
- Paid at time of application submission - INR 3,000 (2025) and INR 3,100 (2026) (non-refundable)
Seat Acceptance Payment (on receiving offer):
- Admissions fee (non-refundable): INR 10,000
- Tuition fee for first semester: INR 2,25,000 (2025) and INR 2,50,000 (2026)
- Total to be paid online to confirm seat: INR 2,35,000 (2025) and INR 2,60,000 (2026)
Ongoing Fee Structure:
- Tuition Fee: INR 5,00,000 per year (INR 2,50,000 per semester)
- Hostel + Mess: Approximately INR 50,000 per semester (combined; on par with other IIITH students - hostel charges (approx INR 6000/- per month) and mess charges (approx INR 5000/- per month))
- Total estimated cost per year (tuition + hostel/mess): approximately INR 6,00,000
Financial Assistance:
IIITH strongly believes that financial constraints should not be an impediment to accessing quality education. Hence, the Institute strives to provide financial assistance to every admitted student who needs it. The avenues for such assistance are listed below.
SBI Scholar Loan: State Bank of India (IIIT branch) guarantees a SBI Scholar student loan to anyone who secures admission at IIITH for up to 40 lakhs (without the need for any security). This can be availed even if the applicant’s family has other existing loans.
- For SBI Scholar Loan details: SBI Loan 2026 PDF
- For loan scheme interest details: SBI Education Loan Scheme
Alumni-Funded Pay-It-Forward Support: The alumni of IIITH have set up a fund to support successfully admitted students based on need. The assistance is provided on a pay-it-forward basis (the student agrees to pay the tuition fees of another student after graduating and starting to earn).
- Financial support is available to students whose family income is below 8 lakhs per annum, from the 2nd semester onwards, subject to availability and meeting stipulated criteria.
- Students above the income threshold can also apply and may be awarded tuition support if their case is found by a committee to merit the same.
Seat Cancellation / Refund Policy (2025):
| Cancel by | Refund amount |
|---|---|
| 24th June 2025, 5:00 PM IST | INR 2,25,000 |
| 7th July 2025, 5:00 PM IST | INR 1,68,750 |
| 19th July 2025, 5:00 PM IST | INR 10,000 |
| After 19th July 2025 | Nil |
Note: The INR 10,000 admissions fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.
UG Admissions Office Contact:
- Email: ugadmissions@iiit.ac.in
- Phone: +91 (40) 6653 1250 / +91 (40) 6653 1337
- Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (IST)
- Address: UG Admissions, IIIT Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad - 500 032