M.

Tech Brochure (July 2024)

Department of Artificial Intelligence
IIT Hyderabad

Web: http://ai.iith.ac.in Contact: AI M.Tech admissions

Overview
The Department of AI is a recently launched department at IIT Hyderabad. Considering
the interdisciplinary nature of AI, a separate department helps create a complete ecosystem for
AI Academics and Research at IIT Hyderabad. The department offers B.Tech. and M.Tech.
programs, and a variety of Minor Programs in AI. The emergence of the department is the
consequence of the heavy demand from the industry for data analytics and the need to tackle
the many fundamental and foundational research problems arising in a rapidly evolving field.
The department’s mission is to
• Train students to understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and Machine
Learning theory and practice.
• Enable students to become leaders in the industry and academia globally.
• Meet the nation's pressing demands regarding trained Artificial Intelligence and
Machine Learning professionals.

The Department of Artificial Intelligence has many highly dedicated and dynamic faculty
members with various expertise. Currently, there are about 30 faculty members affiliated with
the AI department, including four core faculty members. Candidates can discover faculty
members' profiles and teaching/research areas by visiting the department web page.
The Department of AI seeks talented and dedicated M-Tech students to develop highly
skilled human resources who can contribute to modern, cutting-edge research and industrial
demand in AI. The M-Tech students will have excellent laboratory facilities they can access
anytime. The laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including software and
hardware. All the laboratories are provided with internet connectivity.

Research areas

Deep Learning Fair and Explainable Machine Learning

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 1

 Research areas

Autonomous vehicles Computer vision

Generative Models Video quality assessment

Speech systems AI for agriculture

Bayesian learning Social media and text analysis

Robotics Recommendation systems and data mining

ML in astronomy Inference algorithms

Graphical models Big data analysis

Game Theory and Mechanism Design AI and Internet of Things

Computer Architectures for AI Natural Language Processing

AI and High-Performance Computing Neuromorphic AI

The Department of AI accepts applications for the following MTech programs in the
July 2024 admission cycle.
● MTech (2-year)
● MTech (3-year)
Please see the following sections for more details.

MTech (3 yr) program

The 3-year MTech program at IITH has the same number of credits as the 2-year program (See
the department website for more details), but it is more spread out to enable the students to
focus more on research. The program has the following two components in the course
curriculum.
• Coursework (24+2 credits)
• Thesis (24 credits)

Coursework: The AI curriculum is a well-rounded and holistic introduction to machine

learning theory and practice. Students can take various courses, from fundamental
theoretical courses to more advanced application-based ones. A course on English
communication is also included, in addition to industry lectures.

Thesis: Students will work with supervisor(s) to contribute to high-quality research in AI.
Students who join the 3-year program will be assigned a supervisor at the time of joining.
Students admitted to the regular M-Tech 3-year program are responsible for providing
research and teaching assistance to the supervisor. The advantage of the regular 3-year MTech

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 2

program is that the students can get better exposure to research under the particular program.
Students may be paid a stipend similar to (or higher) than the 2-year MTech students.

Eligibility Criteria for Application

The applicant must have earned (at least, should be in the final year of the respective studies)
a BTech/BE/Equivalent degree in CS/EC/EE/AI/DS or MSc (Math/Stats/Applied Math).
Note that AI refers to the “Artificial Intelligence” branch, and DS refers to the “Data Science”
branch. In the latter case, it would be assumed that the candidate can complete the degree by
the time of MTech admission. There are three modes of admission to the MTech (3-year, RA)
program.

• Mode RA1: The candidate must have a valid GATE score in CS/EC/EE/DA besides the
degree requirement. Note that DA refers to “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.”

• Mode RA2: Candidate must have a BE/B-Tech (CS/EC/EE/AI/DS) or MSc

(Math/Stats/Applied Math) degree from any IIT with a CGPA of 8 and above.

• Mode RA3: Besides the BE/B-Tech (CS/EC/EE/AI/DS) or MSc (Math/Stats/Applied

Math) degree requirement, the candidate must have 6 months of project experience in IITH
(in this case, a valid GATE score is not mandatory).

Selection Process

For admission to the program through any mode, there will be a preliminary shortlisting
depending on the academic background and/or GATE score. Candidates who satisfy the
shortlisting cutoff may need to appear for a written test and/or an interview. The decision to
hold the test/interview will be taken based on the number of applications and communicated
to the candidates at the appropriate time. In addition, the department reserves the right to set
any cutoff for the shortlisting of MTech applications. The department cannot select anybody if
no appropriate candidates are found. Note that mere eligibility does not imply that the
candidate will be shortlisted or called for the written test/interview.

MTech (2-year) program

The Department of AI at IIT Hyderabad offers a 2-year M-Tech program for the forthcoming
session. The program has the following two components in the course curriculum

● Coursework (24+2 credits) - The AI curriculum is designed to be a well-rounded and

holistic introduction to machine learning theory and practice. Students can do various

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 3

 courses, from fundamental theoretical courses to more advanced application-based
ones. A course on English communication is also included, in addition to industry
lectures.
● MTech thesis (24 credits) Students will work with supervisor(s) to contribute to high-
quality research in AI.

The MTech (2-year) program has the following three options:

1. MTech (2-year, TA)

Students who join the M.Tech (2-year) TA program will be paid a stipend (as per the MoE
norms) against their service as teaching assistants (TA) to different course instructors. The
typical TA tasks include exam invigilation, supervising undergraduate lab experiments,
helping with course-related activities, etc. Typically, 8 hours of TA service per week is expected
from a student.

Modes of Admission to the M.Tech (2-year, TA) Program

There are two modes a candidate can gain admission to an M.Tech (2-year, TA) program.

1. Mode TA1 (COAP): With a valid GATE score in (CS/EC/EE/AI/DS). The candidate
must have earned a BTech/BE/Equivalent Degree or MSc (Math/Stats/Applied
Math) in any discipline. The applicant must have already earned BTech/BE/ MSc
(Math/Stats/Applied Math) or, at least, should be in the final year of the respective
studies. In the latter case, it would be assumed that the candidate can complete the
degree by the time of M-Tech admission.
2. Mode TA2: With BE/BTech (CS/EC/EE/AI/DS) or MSc (Math/Stats/Applied Math)
degree from any IIT. To be eligible to apply for admission via Mode TA2, the
candidate must have a CGPA score no lower than 8.

Selection Process

● Admission to the program via Mode TA1 is typically based on GATE score. However,
depending on the circumstances, there may be a preliminary shortlisting depending on
the GATE score and/or the academic background.
● For admission to the program via mode TA2, there will be a preliminary shortlisting
depending on the academic background. Candidates who satisfy the shortlisting cutoff
may need to appear for a written test and/or an interview. The department reserves the
right to set any cutoff for shortlisting M-Tech applications. In addition, the department

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 4

 has the right not to select anybody if no appropriate candidates are found. Note that
mere eligibility does not imply that the candidate will be called for the written
test/interview.

Offers will be given through COAP 2022.

For up-to-date details, see https://ai.iith.ac.in/mtech-admissions.html.

For any query, kindly write to [email protected].

2. MTech (2-year, self-sponsored) program

Given the high demand in industries and research organizations for highly skilled
professionals and experts in specific domains, IITH started the All Course M.Tech program
(ACM). After the success of the ACM program, the institute has further revamped it to a Self-
sponsored M.Tech program to bring it to par with the regular M.Tech Program to benefit the
students. The Department of AI started offering the ACM program in 2019-20 and is offering
the revamped self-sponsored M.Tech program in Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning
for the session 2020-21. The key features of the program are summarised below.

● Opportunity for full-time M.Tech program via written test and interview.
● Duration of the course: 2 years
● No difference in curriculum and degree to be awarded between MoE-funded and Self-
sponsored M.Tech candidates
● Eligibility for On-Campus Placement on successful completion of the program
● Non-subsidized Program - No fellowship (even for GATE-qualified students)
● Open for degree holders having a first class with a CGPA of 7.0 or above.
● No mandatory requirement for GATE
● Admission is based on a thorough scrutiny process comprising a written test and
interview
● Non-Residential Program - Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed
● Consideration for hostel accommodation (chargeable) based on room availability
● Conversion to MTech (TA)/ MTech (RA) or vice versa is not possible

Fee Structure
- Refer to the academic page for the program fee structure

Eligibility:
B.Tech/B.E/Equivalent degree in (CS/EC/EE/AI/DS) or MSc (Math/Stats/Applied Math).
The department will do a preliminary shortlisting depending on the academic background.

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 5

Candidates who satisfy the shortlisting criteria must appear for a written test and/or an
interview. The department reserves the right to set any cutoff for shortlisting MTech
applications. In addition, the department has the right not to select anybody if no appropriate
candidates are found. Note that mere eligibility does not imply that the candidate will be called
for the written test/interview.

Syllabus for Written Test - Basic programming, data structures, linear algebra, probability, and
calculus.

3. MTech (2-year, Govt lab/Public sector sponsored)

Please see https://ai.iith.ac.in/mtech-admissions.html and https://iith.ac.in/

mtechadmissions/home.jsp for details.

● GATE is not mandatory.

● There will be a shortlisting followed by a written test/interview.

Application Process
IIT Hyderabad has a centralized online application portal for M-Tech admission. Candidates
are requested to visit https://iith.ac.in/mtechadmissions/home.jsp for the application format
and the submission link. Applications will be accepted through this portal only.

For up-to-date information, please visit https://ai.iith.ac.in/mtech-admissions.html

For any query, kindly write to [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 6