When students in India think of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science, the IITs are usually the first names that come to mind. But in recent years, several non-IIT institutions, including several top NITs, IIITs, central universities, and some top private colleges, have built strong programs in these area. These institutes are backed by national rankings, modern labs, and improving placement records, and are gradually becoming attractive choices for students who want to pursue AI and Data Science without limiting themselves to the IIT tag.
This blog basically takes a closer look at some of the leading non-IIT colleges such as NIT Tiruchirappalli, VIT, Jadavpur University, SRM Institute, Anna University, NIT Surathkal, BITS Pilani, DTU, and others. Their performance in NIRF rankings (ranging from Rank 9 to Rank 27), growing industry collaborations, and career outcomes show how these institutions are shaping the future of AI and Data Science education in India.
Top Non-IIT Colleges for AI & Data Science in India
AI and Data Science programs are no longer limited to IITs. According to the NIRF 2024 rankings, many non-IIT colleges have made it to the top 30. These institutes are slowly making a strong base in AI and Data Science, with good placements and academic support. Candidates can go through the following list of leading colleges that offer AI & Data Science courses in India:
Details of Top 5 Non-IIT Colleges for AI & Data Science in India
- National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
NIT Trichy does not yet have a separate undergraduate course in Data Science. However, at the postgraduate level, it offers a specialisation called Data Analysis. For B.Tech and B.Arch, admission is through JEE Main, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Students need to clear JEE Main and meet Class 12 eligibility requirements. Seat allotment is done via JoSAA, which covers NITs, IITs, IIITs, and other GFTIs. If seats remain vacant after JoSAA, the CSAB special rounds handle them. More details can be found on the official websites of JEE Main, JoSAA, and CSAB.
- Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
VIT has a separate B.Tech courses in AI & Machine Learning, AI & Data Engineering, and CSE with Data Science. The course syllabus covers areas like data visualisation, NLP, cybersecurity, and open-source programming. The admissions to the course are done through the university’s entrance exams: VITEEE for B.Tech, VITMEE for MTech, and VITREE for PhD. Students can check the official website for detailed course information.
- Jadavpur University
Jadavpur University runs two postgraduate evening programs under CSE: MTech in AI & Data Science (3 years) and MTech in Computer Technology with AI & DS (6 semesters). Admissions to engineering programs are through WBJEE and the WBJEE counselling process. Alongside this, the university also offers a 6-month certificate course in AI & DS, open to students with Class 12 mathematics background. The program costs INR 20,000, has an intake of 30 students, and covers AI, ML, Python, and Data Science. More details are available at cmaterju.in/ai-ds-course or via email at contact@cmaterju.in.
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology
At its Kattankulathur campus, SRM offers a BTech in CSE (Data Science). The program is 4 years long, with an intake of 120 students and an annual fee of INR 4,75,000. To be eligible, students must have Physics and Mathematics in Class 12, along with Chemistry, CS, or Biology as the third subject. Admission is based on SRMJEEE (UG), the institute’s own entrance exam.
- Anna University
Anna University’s CSE Department offers UG, PG, and PhD programs with strong focus areas such as ML, cloud computing, computer vision, and IoT. The department has 33 faculty members, 793 UG students, and has produced over 1200 publications. Admissions are handled through a single window counselling system. Class 12 scores are normalised to 200, ranks are published, and counselling sessions are held accordingly. The university also set up CAInDRA (Centre for AI & DS Research & Applications) in April 2022, aimed at work in healthcare, autonomous vehicles, weather forecasting, and ocean monitoring
Job Opportunities After AI & Data Science
Students who take up graduation in AI and Data Science can go after various job roles across technology, research, finance, and healthcare. These positions focus on solving real-world problems using data-driven insights and intelligent systems.
Conclusion
So, basically, AI and Data Science are no longer limited to IITs. Many non-IIT colleges, from NITs to private universities, are offering good programs backed by research, skilled faculty, and improving placement records. For students, this means there are plenty of decent choices beyond the IITs to build a career in these fast-growing fields.
