India’s Early AI Education Initiative Bears Fruit at IIT Guwahati

Mehta Family School Marks First Undergraduate Milestone in Artificial Intelligence

Amidst the continuous evolution of India’s higher education sector, driven by rapidly evolving global technological advancements, IIT Guwahati has achieved a notable academic milestone in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence. At the end of the first batch of undergraduate students from the BTech programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT Guwahati officially announced the Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MFSDS&AI), founded in collaboration with the Mehta Family Foundation (MFF). This would also imply that the school aligns with IIT Guwahati's early recognition of structured AI education and places the institute among the top institutions in India concerning data science and AI, providing one of the best data science courses in India for engineering students.

It has been shown that IIT Guwahati was one of the first in the IIT system to launch a formal artificial intelligence program at the undergraduate level, far earlier than the recent worldwide explosion of AI initiatives. The program was reported to be aimed at equipping prospective professionals in data science and AI with a strong intellectual foundation, combining fundamental subjects like mathematics, science, computer science and AI, and engineering, with specialised modules in big data analytics, machine learning, and data-driven systems. According to official placement data released by IIT Guwahati, 91 per cent of students from the first graduating batch secured employment through the institute’s campus placement process. Of the 22 students, 20 were reportedly offered roles by leading multinational firms, including Google, Microsoft, and Warner Bros Discovery. One student is said to be pursuing postgraduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, while two others opted out of the recruitment cycle.

Professor Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, was quoted as stating that the programme’s outcomes reaffirm the relevance of AI data science in the contemporary employment landscape and demonstrate the graduates’ readiness to contribute meaningfully to the sector. These results are expected to strengthen the School’s reputation among the top universities in India for data science and AI. The curriculum was known to have featured a capstone project run for a year, allowing students to delve into topics with practical applications like deepfake detection, automation of large language models, multimodal healthcare systems, and robotics. A few of these projects have been reportedly submitted to journals and conferences for publication and review. Aside from that, students took part in national competitions like the Inter-IIT Tech Meet, Amazon ML Challenge, and Citadel Terminal, thus proving the interdisciplinary and application-based nature of the programme.

One student is believed to have completed an international internship in Japan, while others took on research and leadership roles within campus clubs and technical forums. These engagements reflect how data science engineering is being taught at IIT Guwahati, not merely through theoretical instruction but via experiential learning and cross-sector collaboration. The School’s faculty team is said to comprise over 25 members with active research interests in domains such as healthcare AI, sustainable finance, and neuro-inspired computing. Funding support has reportedly been secured from prominent agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the Indo-Dutch Merian Fund.

Furthermore, academic development and research collaborations have been enriched by international advisors from institutions such as MIT, Purdue University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Oklahoma. These partnerships are expected to enhance the School’s global standing and contribute to its long-term strategic growth. In addition to the undergraduate offering, the School is said to provide MTech, PhD, and Online BSc (Hons.) data science courses in India, thereby catering to a broader spectrum of learners seeking to study artificial intelligence. According to an official statement, IIT Guwahati and the Mehta Family Foundation intend to expand the School’s role as a centre for advanced AI research and education. Given the strong placement record and research output, the programme is increasingly being recognised among the best data science courses in India for engineering students. The IIT data science and artificial intelligence syllabus is understood to be both rigorous and industry-aligned, offering students a clear pathway to job opportunities after BTech in AI and Data Science.

Editor's Note

The graduation of the inaugural class from the Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MFSDS&AI) at IIT Guwahati represents a landmark moment in Indian higher education. This achievement is not simply symbolic; it represents an innovative academic vision that foresaw the international explosion of artificial intelligence and data-based technologies long before they went mainstream. In introducing a specific BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in 2021, IIT Guwahati took the lead among India's top universities for data science and AI early on. The design of the programme, interspersing mathematics, science, engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence with sophisticated modules in big data analytics, machine learning, and data systems, reflects unambiguously a dedication to academic excellence as well as industry relevance. The placement results also authenticate this strategy. With 91 per cent of students having placement on campus and being offered by international companies like Google and Microsoft, the course has already started to yield real-time employment opportunities after B.Tech in AI and Data Science. A student's placement at Carnegie Mellon University and another in an international internship in Japan highlight the global relevance of the curriculum.

In addition, the addition of a year-long capstone project and involvement in national competitions like the Inter-IIT Tech Meet and Amazon ML Challenge indicate the School's focus on experiential learning and interdisciplinary application. These are the key aspects of any institution that wants to provide the best data science courses in India for engineering students. With more than 25 faculty working on topics from healthcare AI to sustainable finance, and backed by funding from organisations like DST, DRDO, ISRO, and the Indo-Dutch Merian Fund, the School is obviously consolidating a strong platform for long-term influence. International collaboration with advisors at MIT, Purdue, and UC San Diego also adds to its academic standing. Alongside its signature undergraduate program, the School's foray into MTech, PhD, and Online BSc (Hons.) data science programs in India is part of a larger mission to cater to various learners looking to pursue artificial intelligence studies. The IIT data science and artificial intelligence curriculum is known to be challenging and industry-relevant, equipping learners for an adaptive and changing world of work.

According to Skoobuzz, IIT Guwahati’s strategic investment in AI data science education, through both curriculum design and institutional partnerships, has begun to yield results. The School’s inaugural graduating class stands as evidence of what can be achieved when academic foresight, sector relevance, and global collaboration are brought together with purpose.

FAQs

1. What does studying data science at an IIT involve?

At Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), data science is taught as a rigorous and interdisciplinary field that combines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. Students learn how to analyse large datasets, build predictive models, and develop intelligent systems using tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. For example, IIT Guwahati’s BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence includes modules in big data analytics, robotics, and language model automation, alongside core scientific and computational subjects.

2. How can one get admission to IIT Guwahati for data science?

To gain admission to the BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at IIT Guwahati, candidates must appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Advanced) after qualifying for JEE Main. Admission is based on rank, seat availability, and category-specific cut-offs. The programme is part of the institute’s undergraduate engineering offerings, and successful applicants are admitted through the central counselling process (JoSAA). Strong performance in mathematics and science at the school level is essential.

3. Which companies recruit data science graduates from IITs?

Graduates from IITs specialising in AI data science are recruited by leading multinational companies across sectors. Firms such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, and Warner Bros Discovery have hired students from IIT Guwahati’s first data science cohort. Other recruiters include financial institutions, consulting firms, and emerging tech startups. These roles often involve data analysis, AI development, software engineering, and research.

4. Is artificial intelligence and data science a good career choice?

Yes, artificial intelligence and data science are considered highly promising career paths. These fields offer strong job prospects, competitive salaries, and opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies. Graduates can pursue roles in healthcare, finance, education, robotics, and government sectors. With increasing demand for data-driven decision-making, professionals trained in computer science and artificial intelligence are well-positioned for long-term growth.

5. What are the top data science courses available in India?

Some of the best data science courses in India for engineering students are offered by IITs, IISc Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, and ISI Kolkata. Programmes such as IIT Guwahati’s BTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT Bombay’s Data Science minor, and IISc’s MTech in AI are highly regarded. In addition, several institutions offer online and postgraduate options, including IIT Madras’s Online BSc in Data Science and ISB’s Executive Programme in Business Analytics.