The online application website opens	24 March 2026
Last date for submission of online applications	25 May 2026
Entrance test	14 June 2026
Announcement of Merit List	TBD
Fees payment window for shortlisted candidates	TBD
Announcement of Admission Status	TBD
Registration and document verification at the DAU campus for confirmed candidates (Tentative)	14 July 2026
Orientation Program	15-17 July 2026
Commencement of classes	20 July 2026

Data science integrates Mathematics, Statistics, and Machine Learning to comprehend and analyze real-world phenomena using data. It involves extracting meaningful insights from structured and unstructured organizational data through analytical study. In today's digital age, organizations handle vast amounts of data daily, and evolving technologies offer cost-effective data storage and analysis solutions. Proficiency in data analysis is essential for career advancement, spanning various domains such as banking, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and more. With nearly 100,000 data analytics job vacancies, India ranks as the second-largest data analytics jobs hub globally, indicating a rapidly increasing demand for data science skills.

The field of data science has experienced significant growth, particularly with the advent of the internet and social media. Initially focused on financial data analytics, the scope of data science now extends to analyzing multimedia data, including images, videos, and text from diverse domains. Data collection from sensors, social media posts, digital media, and e-commerce transactions has become ubiquitous, posing challenges in analyzing large multimodal datasets. Modern technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are crucial in extracting insights from such big data.

With advancements in data storage, cleaning, and computing technologies, data science has evolved beyond traditional mathematics and statistics, incorporating knowledge from computer science. The interdisciplinary nature of data science integrates skills from mathematics, statistics, computer science, and domain expertise to aid organizations in making critical decisions, reducing costs, and exploring new markets. Our Master's program in Data Science started in July 2020, is designed to equip students with foundational knowledge in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, along with domain-specific expertise in multimedia and business. The curriculum includes courses on data processing, database management, machine learning, programming in Python, and solution development to enhance technical and analytical skills. Value-added courses provide hands-on experience and industry-ready skills, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for careers in data science and analytics.

Detailed program structure can be found here.

Degree Name: MSc. in Data Science

Duration: 2 Years (Four Semesters)

Characterization of the Program: Intersection of Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning, Programming, and System Development

The uniqueness of the Program: Hands-on and Case Study-based Program

The program primarily aims to cater to the following audience:

• Traditional Science/ Economics/ Engineering Graduates with good mathematical aptitude, basic programming skills, and an inclination toward data science.
• Professionals in the workplace who wish to improve their skills for emerging jobs in data-science-related fields

The primary goal of the M.Sc. in Data Science program is to cultivate a competent workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of big data analytics. The program focuses on imparting skills in quantitative data analysis, data mining, modeling, prediction, storage, management, and big data processing. It also emphasizes expertise in data visualization, handling multimedia big data, programming, and communication. Additionally, the program incorporates value-added courses, practical case studies, and training sessions to enhance learner confidence and market readiness.

Placement Statistics for the Last Three Years - Postgraduate Programs:

Top Recruiters:

Intake: 60

• A Bachelor’s degree in Science from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 60% or its equivalent, as determined by the degree-granting institution, in disciplines such as Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Economics, Econometrics, and Operational Research; OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized University with a minimum aggregate of 60% or its equivalent, as determined by the degree-granting institution, in disciplines such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, Electronics and Communication, or Electrical Engineering.
• Candidates holding BCA, BSC (IT), BSC (AI/ML), and B.Sc. (Data Science) degrees with a minimum aggregate of 60% or its equivalent, as determined by the degree-granting institution, are also eligible to apply.
• Additionally, candidates must have passed the 12th standard with Mathematics as a main subject.

Candidates appearing in their final degree examination and expecting to complete it by July 2026 may also apply. However, their final admission will be subject to obtaining a minimum aggregate of 60% marks or its equivalent, as determined by the degree-granting institute/university. All admitted candidates must submit their degree certificates or proof of completion of the degree by 30 October 2026; failure to do so may result in cancellation of their admission.

Note:

The decision of the concerned authorities of DAU (Formerly DA-IICT) regarding the eligibility of any candidate shall be final.

Age: There is no age limit applicable to this program.

At the time of counselling an amount of Rs. 1,80,000/- (Rs. 1,50,000/- towards Tuition Fee for the First Semester, Rs. 5,000 for Value Added Courses, and Rs. 25,000/- towards a Caution Deposit) - The registration fee is payable at the time of registration and hostel rent on allotment of the hostel room.

Tuition fee	Rs. 1,50,000 per Semester
Value Added Courses	Rs. 5,000 per Semester
Registration Fee	Rs. 2,500 per Semester (including summer semester)
Caution Deposit	Rs. 25,000 (Refundable at the end of the program)
Hostel Rent	Rs. 37,800 per semester
Food	On actuals. There are multiple food options available in the campus (The expense will be approximately Rs. 5,500 per month)

Subject to revision every Academic Year from 8 to 10%.

Education Loan

The Institute will facilitate the students to avail educational loan from selected Banks. The bank officials will be present on campus at the time of registration of admitted students to enable the students to obtain details on procedures and terms and conditions of the loan. The students can also avail loan from banks of their choice, and in either case, the Institute will extend support in completing the loan documentation process.

Refund Policy

The refund policy for the withdrawing candidates will be in accordance with the UGC rules.

The selection of candidates will be based on an entrance test conducted at designated centers nationwide. The tentative list of centers includes DAU (Formerly DA-IICT) Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Patna, Jaipur, Kolkata, New Delhi, Pune, Rajkot, Surat, Udaipur, Bhavnagar, Bhilai, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Jammu, Kochi, Lucknow, Pant Nagar, Porbandar, Ranchi, and Vijayawada. Admission will be granted based on the aggregate score achieved in the entrance test, as reflected in the final merit list.

Note:

The decision of the Competent Authorities of DAU (Formerly DA-IICT) regarding the eligibility and selection of any candidate shall be final.

Entrance Test:

The test will evaluate the candidates' mathematical aptitude, logical reasoning, and basic programming.

Pattern:

Multiple choice questions (MCQ) from four sections: Mathematics, Statistics, Basic Computer Science (programming), and Quantitative Aptitude.

Exam Duration:

90 minutes

Weightage:

All questions will carry equal weightage.

Negative Marking:

The correct answers for each question will be awarded +4 marks, while each incorrect answer will incur a penalty of -1 mark. There will be no section-wise cutoffs.

Exam Syllabus:

The detailed syllabus can be found here (syllabus.pdf)

Sample Question Paper:

A sample question paper can be found here (pdf)

Tie breaker for Merit:

In case of a tie, the marks in the Mathematics and Statistics sections in the entrance test will be considered to break the tie. If the tie remains, then the Grade 12th and Grade 10th Examination marks will be deemed to break the tie.

Scholarships at DAU

Financial Support

The Institute provides financial support in the form of scholarships to eligible students. More details of it can be seen here.

• Candidates should submit their online applications by clicking on the provided link below. The non-refundable application fee is Rs. 1500/- plus GST at 18% (Total: Rs. 1770/-).
  Click here to Apply Online
• Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for their application to be considered for final admission.
• Eligible candidates are required to appear for the Entrance Test conducted at selected centers nationwide. The online application procedure will guide the steps for application fee payment, entrance test registration, and test center selection.
• Shortlisted candidates will be offered admission (confirmed/waitlisted) based on merit. Counseling will be conducted online. Applicants are advised to regularly check the website from the date of the announcement of the first merit list to learn about the subsequent steps required to proceed with the counseling process.
• Candidates who accept admission offers must complete registration, document verification, and fee payment. Following this, orientation sessions will be conducted for those granted confirmed admission.

What is the program Objective of M.Sc. (Data Science)?

The primary goal of the M.Sc. in Data Science program is to cultivate a competent workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of big data analytics. The program focuses on imparting skills in quantitative data analysis, data mining, modeling, prediction, storage, management, and big data processing. It also emphasizes expertise in data visualization, handling multimedia big data, programming, and communication. Additionally, the program incorporates value-added courses, practical case studies, and training sessions to enhance learner confidence and market readiness.

What is the selection Process for M.Sc. (DS)?

The selection of candidates will be based on an entrance test conducted at designated centers nationwide.

Is there any management quota in M.Sc.(DS) Program?

No. Admission to M.Sc. (DS) program is completely based on the merit list of entrance exam

What are the job prospects after completion of M.Sc.(DS) from DAU (Formerly DA-IICT)?

MSc. in Data Science program has been designed to provide students with a strong foundation in data management and analysis, and the necessary skills to succeed in data-analytics related job.

Is there any scholarship facility available to M.Sc. (DS) students?

The Institute will award a limited number of Merit and Merit-Cum-Means Scholarships to the admitted students as per the DAU (Formerly DA-IICT) norms. The Merit Scholarship will be based on purely academic performance and the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship,based on academic performance and annual income of the student’s parent(s).

My final year result is not declared. can I apply?

Such candidates appearing in their final year Degree examination and expecting to complete it by July 2026 may also apply. However, their final admission will be subject to the condition that they obtain an aggregate of 60% marks, or its equivalent as per the norms set by the degree granting institute/university.

All admitted candidates have to submit their degree certificates or proof of completion of Degree, before 30 October 2026 failing which their admission is liable to cancellation.

Is hostel compulsory for M.Sc. (DS)?

No, It is not compulsory for PG programs students.

Is the M.Sc. degree recognized by government institutes/organizations?

DA-IICT is recognized by UGC, hence all the degrees awarded by DA-IICT are recognized by all agencies.

Can I do M.Sc. (DS) in part time?

No

What is the refund/cancellation policy?

The refund policy for the withdrawing admission will be in accordance with the UGC rules.

Educational Loan Available?

The students can also avail loan from banks of their choice, and in either case, the Institute will extend support in completing the loan documentation process.

Which amount I have to pay at the time of admission in M.Sc. (DS)?

At the time of admission, an amount of Rs. 1,80,000/- (Rs. 1,50,000/- towards Tuition Fee for the First Semester, Rs. 5,000/- for Value Added Courses, and Rs. 25,000/- towards a Caution Deposit) - The registration fee is payable at the time of registration and hostel rent on allotment of the hostel room.

Is a BCA student eligible for admission in Data science? Can they appear in both entrances- M.Sc. (IT) and M.Sc. (Data Science)?

Yes, the candidate can apply for both the programs, however, he has to submit two separate applications for both the programs.

Can Diploma with mathematics as subject be considered in place of 12th standard?

As per eligibility criteria a candidate must pass 12th standard with Mathematics as a main subject. Diploma in place of 12th standard at present is not considered. For further details please visit: https://www.daiict.ac.in/admission-msc-data-science

What is entrance exam pattern?

Multiple choice questions (MCQ) from four sections – Mathematics, Statistics, basic Computer Science (programming) and Quantitative Aptitude.

Is there negative marking in M.Sc. (DS)?

Negative Marking: The correct answers for each question will be awarded 4 marks; each incorrect answer will be assigned a negative mark of -1. There will be no section wise cutoffs.

What is the syllabus for Entrance test of M.Sc. (DS)?

Exam Syllabus: The detailed syllabus can be found here (syllabus.pdf)

What is exam duration?

90 Minutes

What is SAS Certified profession?

SAS is the leader in analytics, from data science to AI and machine learning., For more info about SAS,

https://www.sas.com/en_in/certification.html

I have completed my bachelors in Computer Engineering in 2016 and completed M.E. in computer engineering in 2018. Am I eligible to apply for this course? (M.Sc. in Data Science)

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the program if you are meeting the published eligibility criteria, kindly visit the link as mentioned for more information about Eligibility criteria.

I want to do this course but I don’t have money for this course so, can I have a loan for this course and how much loan we have to pay for this course.

The students can also avail loan from banks of their choice, and in either case, the Institute will extend support in completing the loan documentation process. The Institute will award a limited number of Merit and Merit-Cum-Means Scholarships to the admitted students as per the DA-IICT norms. The Merit Scholarship will be based on purely academic performance and the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, based on academic performance and annual income of the students parent(s).

Hello, I want to apply for both M.Sc. (IT) and M.Sc. (Data Science) so do i need to register two times or can i apply for both of them through same account..?

Yes, you can apply for both the program after registering once, however, you need to pay the application fees separately for both the programs

In entrance test can we use calculator?

Please note that no separate (physical) calculator will be allowed to be used in the entrance exam. However, the necessary instructions will be issued well before the entrance test. You may refer to the same before appearing in the exam.

What is the characterization of the M.Sc. (DS) Program?

Intersection of Mathematics, Statistics, Programming, Big-Data and Machine Learning

I did my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Am I eligible to take this course?

No. Please refer to the eligibility criteria available at website: Eligibility criteria.

I have completed B Tech in Instrumentation and Control, but the curriculum covers all the basic subjects required and even I have completed executive course in business analytics from IIM Indore so, am I eligible to apply for M.Sc. in Data Science?

No. Please refer to the eligibility criteria available at website: Eligibility criteria.

Can a student with BTech in chemical engineering also apply?

No. Please refer to the eligibility criteria available at website: Eligibility criteria.

I wanted to know whether the Data Science program is also provided at Mumbai campus or only at Gandhinagar campus.

The DA-IICT is based at Gandhinagar (Gujarat) only. There is no campus at any other place.

I want to pursue M.Sc. Data Science but my bachelor degree is BBA – IT. I am good at computers and coding, problem solving, mathematics, and statistics. Is it possible for me to be eligible for this course?

No. Please refer to the eligibility criteria available at website: Eligibility criteria.

Can we withdraw our Application?

No. Application fees are non-refundable.

Do hostel rooms have A.C?

No, all the rooms in the hostels are Non-A.C.

Is MCA offered by DAU (Formerly DA-IICT)?

No, DAU (Formerly DA-IICT) does not offer the MCA.

Are distance learning courses available at DAU (Formerly DA-IICT)?

No, at present, we do not offer any distance learning programs.

Is there any certification program available at DAU (Formerly DA-IICT)?

No, we don't offer any certification Program.

Voice Call: 079 69 08 08 08

Email: pg_admissions[at]dau[dot]ac[dot]in