Understanding Interview Requirements and GATE Rank for Programs in IITs

Applying to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for a Master of Technology () program requires thorough planning and research. While many IITs consider the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score as a primary criterion for admission, some may also conduct interviews or have different admission procedures for specific programs or departments. This article aims to provide insights into the interview requirements and the ideal GATE rank for direct admission in IIT programs.

Do All IITs Conduct Interviews for Programs?

Contrary to popular belief, not all IITs conduct interviews for their programs. Admission procedures can vary significantly between different institutes and programs. The majority of IITs primarily rely on GATE scores for admission, but some may require or recommend interviews for specific specializations or departments. This article will help you understand the specifics of admission to IITs for programs.

What Should Be My GATE Rank for Direct Admission?

The GATE score required for direct admission to IIT programs varies widely depending on the IIT, the specific program, and the number of applicants. On average, a rank within the top 500-1000 can significantly increase your chances of securing admission in popular specializations. However, this range can fluctuate based on the competition and the institute's admission criteria.

Some less sought-after programs may accept higher ranks, while highly competitive programs might have much stricter cut-offs. It is essential to target a GATE rank that aligns with recent admission trends for your chosen specialty.

Check Individual IIT Websites for Detailed Information

To ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information, it is crucial to review each IIT's official website. Admission criteria and processes can vary from one institute to another. For instance:

IIT Bombay (IITB): Direct admission is offered until an exact 100 rank, and interviews may be conducted for lower ranks. IIT Madras (IITM): Direct admission is given to ranks around 70-300, depending on the specialization and year. IIT Delhi (IITD): Direct admission up to 100 rank, and interviews may be held for ranks around 250-300. IIT Kharagpur (IITK): Direct admission is offered to ranks around 450, and interviews are held for lower ranks. IIT Roorkee (IITR): Direct admission is given to ranks around 150-450, depending on the specialization and year.

Consider Your Specialization and Stay Updated

Some branches have higher cutoffs than others, and this can significantly impact your admission chances. It is crucial to research the admission trends for your chosen specialty as they can change annually based on factors such as the number of applicants and overall GATE performance.

Real-World Examples

Based on recent admissions data, here are some specific cutoffs for the chemical engineering branch:

IISc: Conducts a test with a 70-30 weightage of GATE score and the test. No interview. The cutoff for appearing in the test was around 250 rank.

IITB and IITM: Direct admission is offered until 100 and 150 ranks, respectively.

IITD: Direct admission is offered until 100 rank, and interviews may be held for ranks around 300.

IITK and IITR: Direct admission is offered until 450 rank.

Note: These cutoff ranks are based on the General category. Other categories like OBC, SC, and ST have different cutoffs: OBC- double the cutoff rank, SC/ST- five times the cutoff rank.

Many top candidates from IISc and other IITs receive direct admission offers based on their GATE scores and the specific cutoffs set by the IITs. However, it is not uncommon for some candidates to receive interview calls even if they do not secure a direct admission offer.

In the case of the author, a rank of 212, the author received direct admission offers from IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur, but not from IIT Mumbai and IIT Delhi. However, the author received an interview call from IIT Delhi and was selected, while not receiving a call from IIT Mumbai.

It is important to note that the cut-off for less popular branches may be lower, while for core branches in top IITs and IISc, your rank should be under 100 to secure a direct admission offer. This is because many top candidates confirm their seats if the PSU results are not announced.