NIT Surathkal M.Tech Master Data and Computational Sciences: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Surathkal, KarnatakaAutonomous UniversityEstd 1960
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - May 22, 2026

The M.Tech in Computational and Data Science (CDS) at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (MACS). Launched in 2019, the programme is one of the few interdisciplinary M.Tech offerings at a top NIT that bridges advanced mathematics, statistical modelling, machine learning, high-performance computing, and data engineering. The total fees for GATE-scholarship students (day scholar) amount to approximately Rs. 2,30,200 for the entire programme, while self-financed students pay approximately Rs. 8,90,200. The seat intake is 33 seats (CCMT/GATE category) plus 5 self-financed seats and 1 sponsored seat. Admission is primarily through GATE score via CCMT counselling, and the programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode at the NITK Surathkal campus.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are expected to open via CCMT 2026 in May 2026, following GATE 2026 results declared on March 19, 2026. CCMT 2026 registration is tentatively expected to begin in May 2026 based on the previous year's schedule. For sponsored and self-financed seats, NITK typically opens its own application portal in March-April 2026. The current admission season (2025-26) has concluded; the next cycle is for 2026-27.

Key Points

  • The CDS programme is one of the few M.Tech programmes in India that accepts candidates from all engineering branches as well as M.Sc. graduates in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, CS, IT, and MCA holders.
  • The MACS department is one of the few departments at NITK that allows 6-month and 1-year internships, giving students a significant edge in placements.
  • The curriculum strongly emphasises mathematical thinking alongside practical data science and ML skills, covering probability, statistics, stochastic processes, numerical methods, machine learning, deep learning, and computational methods.
  • GATE-qualified students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,400 for up to 24 months, subject to maintaining a CGPA of 6.0 and fulfilling 8-10 hours/week of teaching/research assistance.
  • SC/ST/PwD students are exempt from tuition fee payment under the regular (GATE scholarship) track.
  • Students from non-CS backgrounds who join CDS need to invest additional effort in core CS subjects (data structures, algorithms, programming) to be competitive in tech placements.
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NIT Surathkal Latest Updates and News

Key Updates1
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06 Jun, 2026 CCMT 2026 counselling is ongoing @ccmt.admissions.nic.in. Choice filling closes on Jun 8. Round 1 seat allotment on Jun 12, 2026. Check complete schedule!

NITK M.Tech CDS Fees

The M.Tech CDS programme at NITK Surathkal follows the same fee structure as all other M.Tech programmes at the institute. There are two fee tracks: the GATE scholarship track (regular admission via CCMT) with a tuition fee of Rs. 35,000 per semester, and the self-financed track with a tuition fee of Rs. 2,00,000 per semester. The most significant one-time charges are paid in Semester 1. Hostel accommodation is optional and costs Rs. 8,820 per semester (shared), with an additional mess fee of approximately Rs. 35,310 per semester.

Fee Table - GATE Scholarship (Regular) M.Tech Programme 2026-27 (Day Scholar)

Fee ComponentSem 1 (Rs.)Sem 2 (Rs.)Sem 3 (Rs.)Sem 4 (Rs.)Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee35,00035,00035,00035,0001,40,000
Institute Admission Fee (one-time)1,340---1,340
Development Fee2,6902,6902,6902,69010,760
Security Deposit (refundable)6,700---6,700
NITK Alma Mater Endowment Contribution (one-time)2,690---2,690
Convocation Fee (one-time)3,310---3,310
Library Resource Fee4,0304,0304,0304,03016,120
Career Development Fee (one-time)2,760---2,760
Health Care Facility (one-time)1,660---1,660
Student Activities Fee (one-time)6,620---6,620
Campus Amenities (one-time)1,660---1,660
Group Insurance Coverage510---510
Computing Resource Fee (one-time)4,410---4,410
Total Fees (Day Scholar)73,38041,72041,72073,3802,30,200
Hostel Rent (optional, shared)8,8208,8208,8208,82035,280
Total Fees (Hosteller, optional)82,20050,54050,54082,2002,65,480

Fee Table - Self-Financed M.Tech Programme 2026-27 (Day Scholar)

Fee ComponentSem 1 (Rs.)Sem 2 (Rs.)Sem 3 (Rs.)Sem 4 (Rs.)Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee2,00,0002,00,0002,00,0002,00,0008,00,000
Institute Admission Fee (one-time)1,340---1,340
Development Fee2,6902,6902,6902,69010,760
Security Deposit (refundable)6,700---6,700
NITK Alma Mater Endowment Contribution (one-time)2,690---2,690
Convocation Fee (one-time)3,310---3,310
Library Resource Fee4,0304,0304,0304,03016,120
Career Development Fee (one-time)2,760---2,760
Health Care Facility (one-time)1,660---1,660
Student Activities Fee (one-time)6,620---6,620
Campus Amenities (one-time)1,660---1,660
Group Insurance Coverage510---510
Computing Resource Fee (one-time)4,410---4,410
Total Fees (Day Scholar)2,38,3802,06,7202,06,7202,38,3808,90,200
Hostel Rent (optional, shared)8,8208,8208,8208,82035,280
Total Fees (Hosteller, optional)2,47,2002,15,5402,15,5402,47,2009,25,480
  • Security Deposit of Rs. 6,700 is refundable at the time of leaving the institute.
  • Part A fees (one-time charges) increase at 5% per year for each new batch.
  • Part B fees (Library, Computing, etc.) increase at 5% per year applicable to all students from 2024-25 batch onwards.
  • Group Insurance amount of Rs. 510 is provisional and subject to revision.
  • Mess fees are approximately Rs. 35,310 per semester (first semester; subject to revision) and are paid separately at the Hostel Office.
  • SC/ST/PwD students are exempt from tuition fee under the regular (GATE scholarship) track.
  • This exemption does not apply to QIP, DASA, ICCR, MEA, external registrants, or internal registrants.
  • GATE-qualified students receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,400 (up to 24 months), which significantly offsets the total programme cost.
  • No EMI options are officially offered; fees are paid semester-wise.

NITK M.Tech CDS Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Tech Computational and Data Science at NITK Surathkal are primarily conducted through CCMT (Centralized Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan) for GATE-qualified scholarship seats. For the 2026-27 session, GATE 2026 results were declared on March 19, 2026, and CCMT 2026 registration is expected to open in May 2026. NITK also conducts its own admission process for sponsored and self-financed seats, typically opening applications in March-April each year. The GATE 2024 closing score for CDS at NITK was 617 (General), 570 (OBC-NCL), 549 (EWS), 423 (SC), and 313 (ST), making it one of the more competitive M.Tech specialisations at NITK.

NITK Surathkal M.Tech CDS Admission Dates

EventTentative Date (2026)
GATE 2026 Result DeclarationMarch 19, 2026
CCMT 2026 Registration Opens (expected)May 2026
CCMT 2026 Last Date for Registration (expected)June 2026
CCMT 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment (expected)June 2026
NITK Application Portal Opens - Sponsored/Self-financed (expected)March-April 2026
Last Date for Online Application - Sponsored/Self-financed (expected)April 2026
Selection Test and/or Interview at NITK (Offline) (expected)May 2026
Publication of Provisional Merit List (expected)May-June 2026
Online Fee Payment for Selected Candidates (expected)June 2026
Classes Begin (expected)July 2026

GATE 2026 Exam Dates

EventDate
GATE 2026 Registration StartAugust 28, 2025
GATE 2026 Registration EndOctober 13, 2025
GATE 2026 Admit Card ReleaseJanuary 13, 2026
GATE 2026 Exam DatesFebruary 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026
GATE 2026 Answer Key ReleaseFebruary 19, 2026
GATE 2026 Result DeclarationMarch 19, 2026

Note: The qualifying GATE papers for M.Tech CDS at NITK are CS (Computer Science and Information Technology) or DA (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence). Candidates from all engineering branches with Mathematics as a subject, M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics/Physics/CS/IT/Electronics, and MCA holders are also eligible.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must hold a B.E./B.Tech in any branch, or a 4-year B.S./B.Sc. (Engineering/Research) with Mathematics as one of the subjects, or M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics/Physics/CS/IT/Information Science/Electronics, or MCA from a recognised university.
  • Minimum CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale (or 60% aggregate marks) in the qualifying degree. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum is CGPA 6.0 or 55% marks.
  • A valid GATE score in CS or DA paper is mandatory for scholarship seats (CCMT route). Self-financed and sponsored candidates must qualify a written test and technical interview conducted at NITK.

Admission Process

  • Step 1: Appear in GATE 2026 (CS or DA paper) and obtain a valid score.
  • Step 2: Register on the CCMT 2026 portal (ccmt.admissions.nic.in) for scholarship seats; seat allotment is based on GATE score.
  • Step 3: For sponsored/self-financed seats, apply separately through NITK's IRIS portal (iris.nitk.ac.in) with the prescribed application fee (Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PwD).
  • Step 4: Shortlisted candidates for sponsored/self-financed seats appear for a written test and technical interview at NITK campus (offline mode).
  • Step 5: Accept the seat offer and complete online fee payment within the stipulated dates.
  • Step 6: Report physically to NITK with original documents for verification and admission.

NITK M.Tech CDS Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to M.Tech CDS at NITK Surathkal can avail multiple scholarships, with the GATE stipend being the most impactful for GATE-qualified students. The MACS department's allowance for 1-year internships also means students can earn industry stipends during their programme. SC/ST students benefit from the NSP scholarship and NITK's financial assistance schemes. Several national and corporate scholarships are also available through NITK's scholarship portal.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityAmountApplication Deadline
GATE Stipend (MoE)GATE-qualified M.Tech students with CGPA >= 6.0Rs. 12,400 per month (up to 24 months)At time of admission
NSP Scholarship (SC/ST)SC students (family income up to Rs. 8 lakh); ST students (family income up to Rs. 6 lakh)Tuition fee + maintenance allowance as per NSP normsOctober 31 (annually)
Financial Assistance (SC/ST)SC/ST students at NITKAs per institute normsAnnounced annually
Reliance Foundation PG ScholarshipPG students with strong academic recordUp to Rs. 6 lakhAugust-September (annually)
PM YASASVI ScholarshipOBC/EBC/DNT studentsAs per scheme normsAnnounced by NTA
IndiaAI FellowshipUG/PG/PhD students in AI/tech fieldsAs per schemeAnnounced by IndiaAI
Boeing CSR Grant ScholarshipNITK students (merit-based)As per schemeAnnounced annually
Institute Merit/Merit-cum-Means ScholarshipStudents with high academic performance and financial needAs per institute normsAnnounced annually
TCS Research Scholar ProgrammePhD/PG students in tech fieldsRs. 91,000 per month (PhD)March annually
  • The GATE stipend is the primary financial support; it requires maintaining CGPA of 6.0 and 8-10 hours/week of teaching/research assistance.
  • GATE stipend is not available for self-financed, QIP, DASA, ICCR, or MEA category students.
  • Industry internship stipends (for 6-month or 1-year internships) can significantly supplement income during the programme.
  • Students must apply separately for external scholarships through respective portals.

NITK M.Tech CDS Placement 2026

The M.Tech CDS programme at NITK Surathkal has demonstrated strong placement outcomes since its first batch graduated in 2021. The programme benefits from being under the MACS department, which allows 6-month and 1-year internships, giving students a significant advantage in securing pre-placement offers. Most CS and IT companies that visit NITK for placements also allow CDS students to participate. The 2023 placement data shows 31 out of 36 participating students placed, a placement rate of 86.11%. The 2020-22 batch reported a maximum CTC of Rs. 32 LPA, average CTC of Rs. 14 LPA, and minimum CTC of Rs. 9 LPA. Top recruiters include Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, DELL, Oracle, Uber, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, and DE Shaw.

Placement Statistics

Placement MetricM.Tech CDS - NITK Surathkal
Placement Rate (2023 batch)86.11% (31 out of 36 participated)
Maximum CTC (2020-22 batch)Rs. 32 LPA
Average CTC (2020-22 batch)Rs. 14 LPA
Minimum CTC (2020-22 batch)Rs. 9 LPA
Typical RolesML Engineer, Data Scientist, AI Research Engineer, Software Engineer (Data), Quantitative Analyst
Top RecruitersGoogle, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, DELL, Oracle, Uber, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, DE Shaw, Arcesium

Note: Students from non-CS backgrounds who join CDS need to invest additional effort in core CS subjects (data structures, algorithms, programming) to be competitive in tech company placements. Proactive students who build strong project portfolios and secure internships in the first year consistently achieve better placement outcomes.

NITK M.Tech CDS FAQs

Ques. What GATE paper should I appear in for M.Tech CDS at NITK Surathkal?

Ans. The qualifying GATE papers for M.Tech Computational and Data Science at NITK are CS (Computer Science and Information Technology) and DA (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence). Candidates from all engineering branches with Mathematics as a subject, M.Sc. graduates in Mathematics/Statistics/Physics/CS/IT/Electronics, and MCA holders are also eligible. The GATE 2024 closing score for the General category was 617, making it one of the more competitive M.Tech specialisations at NITK.

Ques. Is M.Tech CDS at NITK only for CS/IT students, or can students from other branches apply?

Ans. One of the unique features of M.Tech CDS at NITK is that it accepts candidates from all engineering branches, provided they have Mathematics as a subject in their qualifying degree. M.Sc. graduates in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, CS, IT, and MCA holders are also eligible. However, students from non-CS backgrounds should be prepared to put in extra effort on core CS subjects like data structures, algorithms, and programming to be competitive during placements.

Ques. How are placements for M.Tech CDS at NITK compared to M.Tech CSE?

Ans. M.Tech CDS has a placement rate of 86.11% (2023 data), which is slightly lower than M.Tech CSE (94.59%) but still strong. Most companies that recruit from M.Tech CSE also allow CDS students to participate. The average CTC for the 2020-22 batch was Rs. 14 LPA with a maximum of Rs. 32 LPA. The key differentiator is that CDS students need to demonstrate strong programming and ML skills alongside their mathematical background to compete effectively with CSE students.

Ques. Does the MACS department really allow 1-year internships? How does that work?

Ans. Yes, the MACS department at NITK is one of the few departments that allows both 6-month and 1-year internships for M.Tech students. This is a significant advantage as it allows students to gain substantial industry experience and often leads to pre-placement offers. Students typically pursue internships after their first year of coursework. Companies like IBM and DELL have previously offered internships to CDS students. This internship flexibility is a major reason why CDS students often achieve competitive placement outcomes despite the programme's mathematical orientation.

Ques. What is the curriculum focus of M.Tech CDS at NITK - is it more mathematics or data science?

Ans. The M.Tech CDS curriculum at NITK strongly emphasises mathematical thinking as its foundation. Core subjects include Probability and Statistics, Stochastic Processes, Numerical Methods, Optimisation, and Computational Methods, alongside applied subjects like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Engineering, and High-Performance Computing. Students from a pure mathematics background find the theoretical aspects comfortable but need to build practical programming skills. Students from engineering backgrounds find the mathematical rigour challenging initially but benefit from the strong theoretical foundation in the long run.

Ques. What are the career options after M.Tech CDS from NITK beyond software companies?

Ans. Beyond software product companies, M.Tech CDS graduates pursue careers in: (1) Quantitative/algorithmic roles at finance firms like Goldman Sachs, DE Shaw, and Arcesium; (2) Research and development roles at organisations like ISRO, DRDO, and national labs; (3) Academia and PhD programmes at IITs, IISc, and international universities; (4) Data science and analytics roles at consulting firms; (5) Government sector roles in data-driven policy and planning. The strong mathematical foundation from CDS also makes graduates well-suited for quant finance roles, which typically offer higher compensation than standard software engineering positions.

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NIT Surathkal: 3 Answered Questions

What is the cutoff at NIT Surathkal for an MBA course?

Sayantani Barman
Arindam ChakrabortyStudied at National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal

NIT Surathkal offers candidates a full-time 2-year MBA program the total fee of which is INR 2.5 lakhs. To be eligible for this program, you must have completed your bachelor's with at least 50% marks or 5.5 CGPA from any recognized university. Additionally, you will have to appear for CAT, MAT, and XAT. The institute does not release the exact MBA cutoff but here is a vague idea for you

The minimum CAT percentile required to get admission in the MBA program of NIT Surathkal is 80 percentile. 

  • General Category: 80-85 percentile 
  • OBC category: 70+ percentile
  • SC and ST category: 65 percentile

However, I am strongly against you joining this institute as its MBA program has no value. Go to a full time-dedicated MBA B-school, and not a department of any Government college. It will help you save money and time.

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How good is the MCA course at NIT, Surathkal?

Shikha GhosalStudied BTech in Computer Science, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal (2019)

The MCA program at NIT Surathkal is decent but I feel NIT Allahabad will offer a better course and opportunity. This is because, at MNIT Allahabad, most companies allow MCA students to sit for placements with CSE and IT students. One of my distant cousins pursuing an MCA from MNNIT Allahabad cleared Google Mt.View. Moreover, CSE, IT, and MCA share a common department here and the computer Club classes are also held for all CSE, IT, and MCA combined.

Whereas In NIT Surathkal, the MCA program is inclined more toward Application Development and thereby focuses more on the latest programming language and tools to develop better and faster applications. Its primary aim is to provide a modern, industry-oriented education in applied computer science. 

In my opinion, you should choose MNNIT Allahabad for MCA as it has better placement opportunities.

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What are the total fees to be submitted per semester at NIT Surathkal, along with hostel and mess costs?

Asmita Khandelwal
Rita Sarkar SethStudied at National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal (2019)

The total fees for NIT Surathkal vary based on several factors, such as the program of study, category of the student, etc. Here are some approximate figures for the fees and costs for a general-category student in the B.Tech program:

  • Tuition fees: around Rs. 62,500 per semester
  • Hostel fees: around Rs. 10,000 per semester
  • Mess fees: around Rs. 15,000 per semester

The total fees per semester for a general category student at NIT Surathkal would be approximately Rs. 87,500.

These are approximate figures and may vary depending on the specific program and category of the student. It is recommended to check the official website of NIT Surathkal for the exact fee structure.

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