Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.

About IIT Madras

According to Wikipedia, West Germany began providing technical assistance in 1956, the first Indo-German agreement was signed in Bonn in 1959, and the first batch of 120 students joined in July 1959. The IITs were declared institutes of national importance in 1961, and the campus covers 620 acres in Chennai.^[1] The institute’s website describes IIT Madras as a distinguished institute of national importance and an Institute of Eminence.^[4]

The 18 departments listed on the institute’s website are Aerospace Engineering; Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering; Biotechnology; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering; Data Science and Artificial Intelligence; Electrical Engineering; Engineering Design; Humanities and Social Sciences; Management Studies; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Medical Science and Technology; Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; Ocean Engineering; and Physics.^[4]

Wikipedia also reports a campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania, set up under a memorandum signed on 5 July 2023 with classes starting in October 2023, and an online BS degree in Data Science and Applications launched in 2020 for learners outside the campus.^[1] This page covers the campus in Chennai.

How is IIT Madras ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, IIT Madras is 170th in the world, up from 180th in the previous edition. It is the third-highest Indian institution, behind IIT Delhi (118th) and IIT Bombay (134th).^[2][7]

In India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of September 2025, IIT Madras is 1st overall and 1st in engineering.^[3][8] The difference between the QS and NIRF positions shows how much the result depends on the method used. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at IIT Madras?

The undergraduate fee circular for the 2025–26 admission year covers the B.Tech, the B.S. and dual degrees (B.Tech + M.Tech).^[5] The 2026–27 research brochure covers the M.S. and Ph.D. programmes, where foreign nationals can register only as full-time scholars.^[6]

For Indian applicants, Wikipedia lists JEE Advanced for the B.Tech and dual degrees, the IISER Aptitude Test for the BS in Chemistry and in Medical Sciences and Engineering, GATE for the M.Tech and MS, JAM for the M.Sc. and CAT for the MBA.^[1] Departments are listed under “About”.

How much does IIT Madras cost for international students?

The undergraduate figures come from the circular for the 2025 admission batch.^[5] We could not open the 2026 undergraduate circular, so check the Fees section of the institute for the current batch; the amounts may have changed. The institute reserves the right to revise fees in later semesters.^[5]

Research scholars (MS and PhD), 2026–27

For foreign nationals admitted in 2026–27 the research brochure lists a one-time fee of INR 50,000, semester fees of INR 88,000 (SAARC) or INR 163,000 (non-SAARC) for the July–November 2026 semester and a caution deposit of INR 5,000. The new-admission grand total is INR 143,000 for SAARC and INR 218,000 for non-SAARC countries.^[6] The table in the brochure still carries the label “2024-25” in one cell, so confirm the amounts with the institute.

Who pays the Indian rate?

Foreign nationals with a valid PIO/OCI card issued before 4 March 2021 pay the maximum fees applicable to Indian nationals; all others pay the foreign-national fees. Foreign nationals must have valid medical insurance for their whole stay.^[5]

For living costs in Chennai, see our India guide. Hostel fees are listed on the institute’s fees portal.^[6]

How do you apply to IIT Madras as an international student?

The route depends on the level of study.

• Undergraduate: the 2025 document-verification list asks all students for the JEE admit card and the JoSAA seat acceptance letter, and foreign nationals additionally for passport and visa.^[5] We could not confirm other undergraduate routes for foreign nationals, such as DASA, from the pages we read.
• MS and PhD: foreign nationals are people with a foreign passport, including PIO/OCI cardholders. Those with an eligible Indian degree are treated like Indian nationals for admission but pay the foreign-national fees. Foreign nationals with foreign degrees need the equivalent of an Indian bachelor’s or master’s degree in the relevant discipline, and applicants to Management Studies need a valid GMAT score.^[6] The brochure says applications of foreign nationals may be considered without a personal interview or test.^[6]
• M.Tech: Wikipedia lists GATE as the entrance route for Indian applicants.^[1] We could not read the foreign-national rules for the M.Tech.

We give no deadlines because they change every year; check the admissions portal of the institute before you start.

Which English level do you need?

For MS and PhD applicants, the brochure asks international candidates for IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 or TOEFL with an overall score of at least 80, if the medium of instruction of their qualifying degree was not English.^[6] We found no English-test rule for undergraduates in the documents we could read.

More about studying in India

• India: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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