IIT BTech AI Data Science 2026: In a significant development for JEE aspirants, 12 out of 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have now started offering BTech programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science. With the introduction of these new courses across multiple IITs, the total number of seats in IITs is expected to increase in 2026, making admissions relatively more accessible for candidates. In 2025, a total of 18,188 seats were allotted across all 23 IITs. Along with BTech, several IITs are also offering MTech and PhD programmes in AI and Data Science.
Which 12 IITs Are Offering BTech in AI & Data Science?
Out of 23 IITs in India, the following 12 IITs have launched dedicated BTech, MTech and PhD programmes in AI and Data Science. The remaining IITs are currently running short-term and elective-level AI courses within existing departments.
| IIT Name | AI / Data Science Courses Available |
|---|---|
| IIT Madras | BTech in AI & Data Analytics |
| IIT Guwahati | BTech & MTech in Data Science & AI |
| IIT Roorkee | BTech & MTech in Data Science & AI |
| IIT Gandhinagar | BTech in AI, MTech in AI, PhD in AI |
| IIT Hyderabad | BTech, MTech & PhD in AI |
| IIT Jodhpur | BTech in AI & Data Engineering |
| IIT Ropar | BTech in AI & Data Engineering |
| IIT Patna | BTech in AI & Data Science, BTech in AI & DS + MBA (Dual Degree) |
| IIT Palakkad | BTech & MTech in AI |
| IIT Bhilai | BTech in Data Science & AI, MTech, PhD |
Apart from these 12 IITs, several IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology) also offer dedicated AI and Data Science programmes at the BTech level. Computer Science Engineering (CSE) continues to remain the most preferred branch among IIT aspirants, and AI-related modules are now being integrated into CSE curricula across all IITs.
IIT Seats May Increase in 2026: What Students Should Know
In 2025, a total of 18,188 seats were allotted across all 23 IITs, including 14,524 male students and 3,664 female students. With the rapid expansion of AI, Data Science and other emerging technology courses across IITs, the total number of seats is likely to increase for the 2026 admission cycle.
If the seat count is increased, it will improve the chances of more JEE-qualified candidates securing admission to IITs. The official seat matrix for 2026 is expected to be released by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) after the JEE Advanced results.
JEE Advanced 2026: Category-Wise Candidate Breakup
As per the selection formula for JEE Advanced 2026, the top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualifiers will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. The category-wise breakup of eligible candidates is as follows:
| Category | Number of Candidates Eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 |
|---|---|
| Open (General) Category | 1,01,250 |
| General-EWS | 25,000 |
| OBC-NCL & OBC-NCL PwD | 67,500 |
| SC Category | 37,500 |
| ST Category | 18,750 |
| Total | 2,50,000 |
However, the actual number of eligible candidates may slightly exceed 2.5 lakh due to tie-breaking rules. In 2025, a total of 2,50,243 candidates were declared eligible, out of which 1.87 lakh registered, 1,80,422 appeared for the exam, and 54,378 qualified JEE Advanced.
JEE Advanced 2025: Which IITs Did Top 25 Rankers Choose?
The preference data from JEE Advanced 2025 reveals that IIT Delhi remained the top choice among highest-ranked candidates:
| IIT Preferred | Number of Top 25 Rankers Who Chose This IIT |
|---|---|
| IIT Delhi | 10 |
| IIT Bombay | 7 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 6 |
| IIT Kanpur | 1 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 1 |
The Rank 1 and Rank 2 holders chose IIT Delhi, while Rank 3 and 4 opted for IIT Bombay. The Rank 5 holder also selected IIT Delhi. This trend confirms that IIT Delhi’s CSE and AI-related programmes remain the most sought-after among top rankers.
IIT Vision for 2026: Three Key Focus Areas
As per the vision roadmap prepared for IITs, the institutes are now working on three key levels to strengthen their academic and global standing:
- Curriculum Modernisation: Adopting new-age technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Data Science and Cybersecurity into existing and new courses to keep the curriculum industry-relevant.
- Industry Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships and tie-ups with leading industries for research projects, internships and placement opportunities for students.
- Innovation & Global Recognition: Driving innovation-led research to improve global rankings and establish IITs as world-class centres of excellence in technology and science.
The expansion of BTech in AI and Data Science across 12 IITs is a positive signal for JEE 2026 aspirants. With the possibility of increased seats and new programme options, students preparing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026 should stay updated on the official seat matrix and counselling schedule released by JoSAA. The addition of AI-focused courses at premier IITs also opens up new career pathways in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data engineering and deep tech sectors.
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