NewsIMTSAI and Data Science programmes at IITs have seen a major jump in demand among JEE Advanced rank holders in 2025. Students are now choosing these courses over traditional branches like electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering. While BTech Computer Science Engineering remains the top choice, AI courses at IIT Madras, Roorkee, Guwahati, and Hyderabad are increasingly preferred. From the 54,378 candidates who qualified JEE Advanced this year, many with ranks between 564 and 13039 opted for Data Science and AI at various IITs. IIT Ropar's BTech AI and Data Engineering saw enrollment increase from just 7 students in 2024 to 30 in 2025. The first AI choice was made by rank 102, while mechanical engineering wasn't chosen before rank 490. This trend shows AI and data science have now replaced core branches as the preferred alternative for candidates who don't secure CSE at top IITs. Until JEE Advanced 2026, this pattern is expected to continue with AI courses gaining more popularity. (Updated 15 Nov 2025, 12:22 IST; source: link)
AI Courses Gain Popularity Over Traditional Engineering
Students qualifying in JEE Advanced 2025 are increasingly choosing Artificial Intelligence and Data Science programmes at IITs over traditional engineering branches. While Computer Science Engineering remains the top choice, AI courses at IITs in Madras, Roorkee, Guwahati, and Hyderabad have seen a significant rise in preference. Many candidates with ranks between 564 and 13039 opted for these newer specializations instead of electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering. The first AI course selection came from a student ranked 102, while mechanical engineering wasn't chosen until rank 490, showing a clear shift in student priorities.
Rising Enrollment Numbers Signal a Trend for JEE 2026
The growing preference for AI courses is evident in enrollment statistics across IITs. For example, IIT Ropar's BTech in AI and Data Engineering saw student numbers jump from just 7 in 2024 to 30 in 2025. This pattern indicates that AI and data science programmes have now replaced core engineering branches as the preferred alternative for candidates who don't secure Computer Science Engineering at top IITs. Education experts predict this trend will continue through JEE Advanced 2026, with AI courses gaining even more popularity as students align their education with emerging technology fields and future job markets.
Key Points
- AI and Data Science programmes at IITs have seen a major jump in demand among JEE Advanced rank holders in 2025.
- From the 54,378 candidates who qualified JEE Advanced this year, many with ranks between 564 and 13039 opted for Data Science and AI at various IITs.
- IIT Ropar's BTech AI and Data Engineering saw enrollment increase from just 7 students in 2024 to 30 in 2025.
