IIT Bombay, established in 1958 in Powai, Mumbai, is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious Institutes of National Importance. It is consistently ranked among the top engineering institutions in India. It attracts top GATE qualifiers for its prestigious M.Tech and M.Tech + Ph.D. (Dual Degree) programs in various engineering disciplines. These emphasize flexible coursework, substantial thesis/projects, and strong research components—ideal for industry R&D or Ph.D. paths. It also offers flexible M.S. by Research options.
Globally, it is ranked #129 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (with an overall score of 64.8), and it stands as the second-highest ranked institution in India in that list.
Courses offered by IIT Bombay PG 2026
| Programme Category | Programme Name | Duration / Type | Key Focus Areas | Mode / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Engineering & Technology | M.Tech. | 2 Years | Advanced technical expertise + research exposure | Offered across 20+ departments & interdisciplinary centres |
| M.Tech. + Ph.D. (Dual Degree) | Integrated | Technical mastery + doctoral research | Combined Master’s & Ph.D. pathway | |
| 2. Research-Oriented | M.S. by Research | Variable | Independent research in CSE, Data Science & AI, Healthcare Informatics, emerging areas | Faculty-supervised research |
| Ph.D. | Doctoral | High-impact research across diverse disciplines | Full-time, Part-time, External | |
| 3. Humanities & Interdisciplinary | M.A. + Ph.D. (Dual Degree) in Philosophy | Integrated | Advanced coursework + doctoral research | Offered by Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Master in Public Policy (MPP) | Master’s | Policy analysis, governance, public administration | Multidisciplinary | |
| Master in Development Practice (MDP) | Master’s | Global & regional development challenges | Interdisciplinary curriculum | |
| Master of Arts by Research (M.A. Res.) | Research-based | Research in humanities & social sciences | Research-oriented postgraduate programme |
Important Dates for IIT Bombay PG 2026
As of now, the official application window for the 2026-27 cycle (Autumn Semester) has not yet opened. The schedule is expected to follow the previous year’s pattern. For reference, here are the 2025-26 key dates:
| Programme | Application Date |
|---|---|
| M.Tech / M.Tech+Ph.D. (Dual) / M.S. by Research (select depts) | TBA |
| Ph.D. | TBA |
| MA+Ph.D. (Philosophy) | TBA |
| MPP / MDP / MA Res. | TBA |
IIT Bombay PG 2026: Department-Wise Eligibility Criteria
| Programme | Qualifying Degree Requirement | Minimum Marks / CPI Requirement (GN/EWS/OBC) | Minimum Marks / CPI Requirement (SC/ST/PwD) | Qualifying Exam / Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Master’s or equivalent degree - OR 4-year Bachelor’s + 2 years professional experience (for certain categories) | 60% marks OR 6.0 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | 55% marks OR 5.5 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | Valid GATE / UGC-NET / CSIR-NET / DST-INSPIRE / equivalent OR departmental qualifying test |
| M.Tech / Dual Degree | Relevant Bachelor’s degree (typically 4-year in Engineering/Technology/Sciences/Architecture or equivalent) | 60% marks OR 6.0 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | 55% marks OR 5.5 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | Valid GATE score in the qualifying discipline (mandatory for most categories) |
| M.S. by Research | Similar to M.Tech: Relevant Bachelor’s degree (B.E./B.Tech./B.Sc./MCA or equivalent) | 60% marks OR 6.0 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | 55% marks OR 5.5 CPI (on 10-point scale) or equivalent | Valid GATE score required + department-specific requirements (e.g., valid GATE for CS/AI/Healthcare Informatics) |
| MA+Ph.D., MPP, MDP | Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (3-year/4-year BA/BSc/BTech/BCom or equivalent) | Typically 60% marks OR First Class / 6.0 CPI (relaxed in some cases) | 55% marks (relaxed) | Department-specific entrance (e.g., DEEP for Philosophy) + interview; GATE not always required |
IIT Bombay PG Application Process 2026
Steps to Apply
- Register on the official portal with your name, date of birth, and email ID.
- Activate via confirmation email (check spam if needed).
- Log in, fill the online application form, select up to 3 disciplines
- Upload documents: Photo/signature (JPEG/JPG), category/PwD certificates (PDF), marksheets/certificates (PDF), GATE details (update scores/ranks later if needed).
- Pay fee and submit.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified via the portal for interviews/tests (which may be conducted online).
- Offers via COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) for GATE-based M.Tech.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwD | 300 – 600 |
| General / OBC / Others | 600 – 1200 |
Test Structure of IIT Bombay PG 2026
The test structure varies by programme, primarily based on national-level exams like GATE/NET, followed by department-specific written tests and interviews where applicable.
Certain interdisciplinary and dual-degree programmes include multi-stage evaluations such as objective tests, written assessments, and personal interviews to assess both subject knowledge and research aptitude.
| Programme | Test Structure Description |
|---|---|
| M.Tech / M.S. | Primarily through GATE 2026 (national exam: 3 hours, 65 questions, 100 marks). Some departments may conduct additional written test / interview if applications are high. |
| Ph.D. | Shortlisting on GATE/NET + department-specific written test / interview. |
| MA+Ph.D. (Philosophy) | DEEP – Stage 1 (Objective 100 marks), Stage 2 (Written), Stage 3 (Interview). |
| MPP / MDP | Departmental test + interview. |
Benefits & Roles Offered in IIT Bombay PG 2026
| Category | Description | Work Load | Hostel Eligible | Stipend (as of 2025-26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TA (Teaching Assistantship) | Most common for GATE-qualified students | 8 hrs/week teaching duties | Yes | M.Tech: ₹12,400/month Ph.D.: ₹37,000 (first 2 yrs) → ₹42,000 (remaining) |
| TAP (Teaching Asst. through Project) | Same as TA but project-funded | 8 hrs/week | Yes | Same as above |
| RA (Research Assistantship) | Research-focused | 20 hrs/week research | Yes | Ph.D.: ₹42,000 (first 2 yrs) → ₹47,000 (remaining) |
| RAP (Research Asst. through Project) | Project-funded research | 20 hrs/week | Yes | Same as RA |
| FA (Fellowship Award) | External fellowships (CSIR, UGC, DST, NBHM, etc.) | As per fellowship rules | Yes | As per awarding agency (often higher) |
| SW (Sponsored) | Sponsored by employer (2+ years experience) | No assistantship | Limited | No institute stipend |
| SF (Self-Financed) | Full fee-paying | No assistantship | Limited | None |
Selection Process for IIT Bombay PG 2026
- Meet minimum eligibility + valid GATE score (for TA category).
- Apply online.
- Shortlisting based on GATE / academic record.
- Written test / Interview (department-specific).
- Final selection via COAP (for M.Tech) or departmental offer letter (Ph.D.).
Note on Minimum GATE Cut-off / Qualifying Discipline GATE Cut-off (For TA Category): This GATE cut-off is merely for applying to the M.Tech Programme. However, depending on the number of applications received, the respective academic units may revise GATE cut-off for written test and/or interview. Link: https://www.iitb.ac.in/newacadhome/cutoffmtech.jsp (contains year-wise PDFs with department-wise qualifying scores).
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