M.A. by Research 

at IIT Bombay, Powai

Candidates seeking admission with a valid Bachelor's degree with 60% aggregate (55% aggregate for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply. Eligible students can visit the IIT Bombay website (iitb.ac.in) to fill out the online form. Further, the selection is through GATE/MAAT exam followed by an interview round.

The total seat intake for MA by Research is 20. This seat intake is as per the 2022-2023 sanctioned strength. Additionally, the seats are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)/Other Backward Class Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)/Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwD).

IIT Bombay MA students opting for hostel have to pay hostel fee in addition to regular admission fee. In hostel, mess charges are added only if the student opts for it. The fee will be less in case of hostel without mess facility. Check below mess fee for IIT Bombay MA students:

IIT Bombay Hostel Fee Breakup	Charges
Without mess	INR 45,000 - INR 1.68 lakh
With mess	INR 1.18 Lacs - INR 3.48 lakh

The HSS department at IITBombay is introducing the Master of Arts by Research (MA. Res) with precisely this emphasis. The faculty members in the department represent diverse areas of expertise and have considerable experience teaching with an emphasis on research skills while accommodating disciplinary crossovers with ease. This is especially important since many of the concerns of the Humanities and Social Sciences requireamulti-disciplinary approach. Our students have been successful both in working at the interfaces of different areas and in transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries in their work. The programme combines course work to build student competence in specific areas, research training, and researchmodules for independent work. Students are expected to carry out a successful programme of research within the duration of the programme. The internal structure of the programme is designed to be quite different from course intensive postgraduate programmes and allows for relative flexibility interms of student backgrounds and prior training

Candidates holding a bachelor’s degree (BA/ BCom or other degrees) or a four-year BA, BS, BTech or an earlier postgraduate degrees such as MA, MSc, etc. with a minimum of 60% aggregate for GN/ EWS/ OBC (NC) and 55% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PwD can apply for MA by Research. Aspirants shall keep the documents for verification ready at the time of admission as well.

IIT Bombay admission to all the courses is entrance-based (Except for EMBA, where admission is merit-based and performance in the interview round). The IIT Bombay admission process includes the application process, selection round, cutoff, merit list or counselling and other steps. For BTech, candidates have to clear JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Further for other courses such as MTech, MBA, MSc, BDes, and MDes, aspirants need to clear GATE, CAT, IITJAM, UCEED, and CEED, respectively to qualify for further admission rounds. 

No, it’s not compulsory for regular scholars to stay in the hostel for studying at IIT Bombay. Also, not every student gets a hostel facility. However, students who get enrolled in summer and winter internships have to stay in a hostel during the tenure of their internship. Interns who get the hostel are required to complete the formalities such as registration, payment of internship fees, etc., with the academic office of the institute.

The key highlights of IIT Bombay placements 2024 are presented below:

Particulars	Placement Statistics (2024)
Average package	INR 23.5 LPA
Median package	INR 17.92 LPA
Placement rate	74.53%
Registered students	2414
Participated students	1979
Students placed	1475
Offers accepted	1475
Offers made	1650
Total recruiters	364
Offers above 1 CPA	22
PPOs accepted	258
International offers accepted	78

{Source: B.Sc. students & alumni}

Based on the feedback from students and alumni, here's a summary of the key points:

Pros:

* Excellent Infrastructure: Modern and well-equipped laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities.
* High-Quality Education: Qualified and experienced faculty members, with a focus on practical learning.
* Good Placement Record: Approx. 88% placement rate, with the highest packages reaching up to INR56 LPA and average packages ranging between INR18-20 LPA.
* Scholarship Opportunities: Availability of scholarships based on family income and merit.
* Research-Oriented Course: Emphasis on hands-on projects and interactions with Ph.D. researchers.

Cons:

* Limited Campus Facilities: Old hostels may require renovation, and some students might feel that the rooms are small.
* Some Faculty Members May Not Be Effective Teachers: While most professors are helpful, some may not be as effective in imparting knowledge.
* Course Curriculum May Need Updates: Some students reported that certain subjects' curricula may not be updated regularly.

Overall Assessment:
Considering the pros and cons, investing in a B.Sc. degree at IIT Bombay appears to be a worthwhile decision. The university offers an excellent education, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strong placement records. Additionally, the availability of scholarships and research opportunities provides a competitive edge for students.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that the campus facilities could improve, and some faculty members may require more effective teaching methods. Nonetheless, these drawbacks seem manageable considering the program's strengths.

Ultimately, whether or not B.Sc. at IIT Bombay is "worth" the investment depends on individual priorities and goals. For those seeking a rigorous academic experience, strong networking opportunities, and career advancement prospects, IIT Bombay's B.Sc. programme seems like a valuable investment.

Admission to the institute after Class 12 is open for BTech, BS and BDes courses. After completing Class 12, candidates must qualify JEE Main, JEE Advanced followed by the JoSAA Counselling for BTech and BS courses. For BDes, UCEED score is required for admission.