FAQs – GATE to EECS IISc Meet

GATE

  • How do I prepare for the GATE exam while also preparing for placements simultaneously? (I am from the information technology area)
    • The GATE syllabus generally covers the subjects from which questions are asked during the placement interviews. If you study well for GATE, then you should be able to handle placement interviews as well.
  • Is it possible to do well in GATE while having a job?
    • It is very much possible. All that it requires is consistent effort. You need to spend one to two hours daily to practice the previous years’ question papers and mock tests. In case you are not thorough with the subject concepts, put in the extra effort to understand the basic concepts from standard books and lectures. (Here, you will find the NPTEL lectures very useful.)
  • Will the GATE score help in getting a postdoctoral position?
    • For a postdoctoral position, the most important thing is to have a good research profile during PhD, preferably with papers in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. GATE is just a metric to gain entry into a Master’s or a PhD degree.
  • What should be the mindset while preparing for GATE?
    • Scores are important, but have you learnt the concepts? What are the gaps in your understanding? Does the library or web resources provide the information needed to fill the gap? Can you do better today than yesterday?
  • Is it advisable to appear for GATE for improving the score when I am in MTech first year?
    • If you are already at IISc, you are in one of the best institutions in India. Nevertheless, if you are passionate about improving your score and getting into your dream college, you may consider GATE again.
  • If a person with a low CGPA and a history of arrears (now cleared) gets a top 100 rank in GATE, can he get into tier 1 colleges like IISc, IITs, and BITs?
    • Yes, it is possible provided the student meets the minimum CGPA criterion for admissions at IISc and the other mentioned institutes.
  • How do we revise the GATE syllabus in just a few days?
    • For last minute revision, you can compile important formulae/concepts and make short notes. Full-length mock tests should be attempted to have ample practice. Also, topic-wise tests can be solved to strengthen the areas where you need strengthening.
  • What is the pattern of the GATE examination?
    • The GATE exam is for 100 marks – 15 marks for general aptitude and 85 marks for core subjects in the paper area. There is one-third negative marking for multiple choice questions (MCQs), and no negative marking for multiple select questions (MSQs) and numerical answer type (NAT) questions. However, this may change from time to time; so, you should check the GATE website for the latest pattern.
  • How should I prepare in order to score well in the GATE exam in the first attempt?
    • First, you should go through the concepts of each subject and get a clear understanding of the fundamentals. Then, practice numerical questions and previous years’ question papers. Revise periodically and take mock tests.
  • How to revise all the subjects in the last month? Do we need to do mock tests in the end? What is the best time to start full-length mock tests?
    • You can prepare short notes for each subject for revision in the last month. One cycle of revision followed by a couple of mock tests, then analyse your performance, learn from your mistakes, and continue the cycle till the actual GATE exam. This can be started one or two months before the exam, after finishing the syllabus.
  • What are the opportunities for a Master’s abroad if I write GATE?
    • If you score well in the GATE exam, you may have opportunities for a Master’s in countries such as Singapore and Germany, in case the universities there accept GATE scores for admissions, especially in the technical and engineering fields. Some universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and RWTH Aachen in Germany may consider GATE scores, sometimes alongside other criteria, for admission into their MS programmes.
  • Can you do well in GATE at the age of 29?
    • Yes, definitely. Follow good textbooks, NPTEL courses, and solve previous years’ GATE papers.
  • How do I increase speed and accuracy in solving a problem in GATE? How do I understand a big question and solve it in simple steps?
    • In the beginning, one should start solving GATE papers and check how much time they need to solve them. After that, one should increase the solving speed gradually. In the GATE exam, one should always try to solve the short and easy problems first. After that, if one has enough time, one can go for the big questions.
  • What depth of understanding is required of the concepts in the GATE syllabus? For example, is it enough to know how to solve the problems of eigenvalues and eigenvectors or is it better to have extra knowledge of how eigenvalues work, what are eigenvectors, and what is natural log?
    • The level of understanding required for any topic varies according to the toughness of the paper with respect to that topic. To get a better idea, you could check out past GATE question papers available on the GATE website. Please strive to have an in-depth understanding of the concept, as required for your subject area.
  • I have done my postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in Economics. Now, I want to switch my career path and pursue MTech in Computer Science and Automation. Please advise on the following:
    1. Eligibility criteria.
    2. How should non-computer science students prepare for the Gate CS exam?
    3. Please suggest some books or resources.
    1. Anybody with the required knowledge is eligible.
    2. Cover all the basics required. Use resources from the Internet.
    3. Please search on YouTube/Unacademy/subject books.
  • Is there some criterion that CSE students only can take the CS exam?
    • There is no such criterion mentioned. You can do a Bachelor’s in a different field and by answering the GATE CS exam, enter IISc for a Master’s in computer science.
  • What level of questions would be expected in the data science and artificial intelligence (DA) paper as it has been introduced as a new field?
    • In the data science and artificial intelligence (DA) paper in GATE, questions will likely cover a foundational to intermediate level, assessing core concepts due to the field’s introductory phase in the exam. Here’s what you can expect:
    • Mathematics and statistics: Questions may involve probability, linear algebra, calculus, and statistics, focusing on concepts directly relevant to data science and machine learning.
    • Machine learning basics: Expect questions on supervised and unsupervised learning, basic algorithms (linear regression, decision trees, and clustering), and model evaluation metrics.
    • Artificial intelligence fundamentals: Basic algorithms in AI (search algorithms), neural networks, and introductory deep learning concepts could appear.
  • How are GATE scores and PSUs related? What is the minimum score expected by a PSU? What will be the salary package in PSUs for GATE-qualified candidates? If I have an option of pursuing Master’s at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and a PSU job offer, which should I choose?
    • Public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India accept applications from candidates who have qualified in GATE, providing an opportunity for engineers to secure executive positions. The prominent PSUs that recruit through GATE include IOCL, NTPC, BPCL, SAIL, DRDO, GAIL, POSOCO, and HPCL. Please check https://www.gateacademy.co.in/psu/psu-salary-structure
    • On the question of which you should choose, the choice is a personal one and will depend on the individual’s career objectives.
  • I have a 5+ year gap between graduation and clearing the GATE exam? Will this affect my future?
    • No.
  • Do we need to study the mathematics portion from the DA syllabus keeping ML/AI applications in mind or can we study it similar to the syllabus for the other GATE papers (CS, EE, ECE)?
    • The CS, EE, ECE mathematics syllabus would be a good starting point. Please look at the past DA papers.
  • How do I qualify GATE just after BSc – strategies and study tips?
    • Please follow the GATE syllabus and revise your fundamentals. Several resources, e.g. NPTEL, are available to assist you in your preparation.
  • How do you keep yourself motivated during the low phase of your preparation?
    • You could try taking a break from preparation for a little while (do not entirely stop your preparation; just reduce the number of hours spent studying). Then, gradually ramp up your preparation over time.
  • For an undergraduate student, in which academic year should he/she start to prepare for the GATE exam?
    • The third year is a good time to start your GATE preparations.
  • What rank is required to get a call for MTech in AI?
    • This depends on the category of admissions. Please look at IISc’s webpage for information on cut-offs.
  • What is the required depth of ML and maths knowledge needed for attempting the GATE DA paper?
    • Please refer to the NPTEL video lectures of the respective topics to get an idea of the depth required. Being a new paper, you could also write to the GATE office for sample papers.
  • Can you give some sample questions in the new data science and AI paper?
  • The GATE rank validity is three years, right? Can I use the last year’s GATE rank to get into any one of the public sector undertakings (PSUs) if the rank falls within their criteria?
    • Yes, your GATE score has a three-year validity.
  • What are the advantageous of writing GATE?
    • Writing the GATE exam helps in MTech, PhD, PSU, and other admissions.
  • I have heard that the GATE score is valid only for three years. Is that applicable only for seeking admission for higher studies or does it have the same validity for applying to jobs also?
    • It depends on the public sector undertaking.
  • I am a neighbour of an IISc alumnus from the 80’s batch, and he has inspired me take great interest in the esteemed institution for graduate studies. My question is whether I am eligible for a Master’s course in the EECS Division at IISc by graduating from a foreign institution with a four-year degree in BSc CS and if I, an Indian citizen, has cleared GATE CSE?
    • Yes, you are eligible to apply for the programme.
  • How do GATE exams help us to get into organisations like DRDO and ISRO?
    • These organisations recruit based on the GATE score as well.
  • Are we eligible to get seats in other central institutes or state institutes for a PhD programme without writing their entrance tests?
    • GATE is a national exam for PhD admission. For specific cases, please refer to the websites of the individual universities.
  • What are the steps for joining IISc after the GATE examination?
    • After the GATE examination, you can apply to IISc. There are two ways to get into IISc:  you can come for the MTech course or you can do the direct PhD. For the direct PhD course, you will have an interview before selection. For MTech, some departments have an interview, and other departments have a written exam plus an interview. This information will be posted on the department’s website. In addition, when you apply to the department, after your get your GATE score, you can check the next steps with respect to the particular department that you want to get into.

Admission Process

  • What is the rank needed for systems engineering, signal processing, and VLSI respectively, for PhD? What are the questions that a PhD aspirant may be asked in the interview?
    • The cut off rank/score changes from year to year. Once called for the interview, the final selection for PhD depends largely on the interview performance. The PhD interview questions revolve around in-depth understanding of the courses that are pre-requisites for the research area. One should have a solid understanding of the basics of engineering mathematics and the relevant basic courses.
  • Do I need prior research experience for selection to a PhD programme apart from a decent GATE score?
    • No, you do not need prior research experience. You should focus on the GATE topics and prepare well for the interview.
  • What are the CGPA criteria for admission to different programmes at IISc?
    • The cut-offs vary from year to year. For those who wish to enter the direct PhD programme, in case you have not written GATE, there is a CFTI mode of entry which has a cut-off of 8.0. Please see the application form and the admissions website for the latest details.
  • What is the PhD admission procedure?
    • For direct PhD after four-year BTech or equivalent, either you should have a high CGPA from a CFTI or you must have a valid GATE score. If you already have an MTech or an equivalent degree, a valid GATE score is not mandatory. Please keep an eye on the admission page for details on whether an additional written test is included prior to the interview. The process can vary across departments in IISc.
  • Can we apply for two specialisations during the admission process? I have done my BE in Electrical Engineering, but I want to pursue MTech in the DESE department – MTech (ESE) or MTech (EPD). Which subjects do I have to prepare well for the interview?
    • One can apply for up to three different MTech disciplines. For the admission interviews for ESE and EPD courses, one needs to be thorough with engineering mathematics, analog electronics, and digital electronics. A knowledge of embedded systems will also be helpful.
  • What is the GATE score required for an interview call for MS in either power electronics or control or robotics?
  • What are the areas to focus on to get admission into IISc in the Department of Electrical Engineering?
    • Electrical Engineering at IISc has two tracks: (i) power track and (ii) signal processing and machine learning track. For both the tracks, an understanding of the subjects based on the GATE syllabus is fine. For the signal track, the interview questions will judge the mathematical and fundamental understanding of the candidates in areas such as linear algebra, probability, and digital signal processing.
  • How do I prepare for the MTech Research interviews?
    • Please focus on a good understanding of the fundamental concepts. This will be important to clear the MTech Research interviews.
  • Can students without any professional experience get into the MTech programme sponsored by organisations?
    • Sponsored candidates are the ones who get this opportunity from their company/organisation that have a specific MoU with IISc for this purpose. If not, you have to write GATE.
  • What is the weightage of the GATE score compared to personal experience in the field for securing an admission to a particular degree at IISc?
    • Admissions at IISc are solely based on the GATE score and performance in any additional tests/interviews that the departments decide to conduct.
  • How is a GATE score useful after pursuing MTech?
    • It is very useful. The greater the score, the higher your chance of getting into a preferred college.
  • After qualifying GATE, how should one prepare for the interview? How would it differ for the MTech Coursework programme and the MTech Research programme?
    • Just focus on your subject fundamentals. This is what you would be tested on during the interview.
  • Will the students of GATE DA and CSE be competing for the same seats? (because that would mean an indirect decrease in the seats for CSE students)
    • Persons with a valid GATE score in eligible GATE papers for a particular programme are allowed to apply for that programme.
  • What exactly is the interviewing and related processes after GATE CSE in IISc?
    • In some years, CSE has had an interview for CSE, with a coding round carrying substantial weightage. In other years, admissions were based only on GATE. It would be best to check with the CSE department’s website and the IISc admissions page for the latest process.
  • Will the GATE DA score be considered this time for admission to PhD?
    • It will be considered for MTech in AI and MTech in Signal Processing.
  • Can students from Electrical Engineering take MTech in AI or Data Science?
    • Yes, they can.
  • What are the pre-requisites for an Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) person to join MTech in (i) AI, (ii) VLSI, and (iii) ESE in IISc?
    • To join ESE and VLSI, the ECE GATE paper is preferred (although the EE paper is accepted, generally the cut-off for the EE paper is higher). For the AI programme, the EE or ECE paper can be taken.
  • I have read that a CGPA above 8 from a CFTI will be considered for admission into IISc for direct PhD. Should I get myself introduced to a guide before applying in this eligibility criterion?
    • No, advisor mapping happens after one is admitted to a programme.
  • I want to do a PhD. If have work experience in the technical field, do I still need to give the GATE exam for entry into IISc?
    • Yes, unless you have an MTech degree or if you are eligible for CFTI entry.
  • What is the intake for the MTech programme in Smart Manufacturing?
    • The intake varies year to year. Please follow this page.
  • Do marks or grade influence the PhD interview and admission?
    • They provide valuable information to the committee about consistency of academic performance. Previous exposure to research and the entrance scores also provide valuable information. However, it will be your performance in the interview which will matter the most.
  • Does age play an important factor in MTech admission?
    • No.
  • What are the engineering fields that physics graduates can enter (like nanotechnology and quantum technologies)?
    • Physics graduates can enter into, for example, nanotechnology and also quantum technologies. These are run by the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), and quantum technologies is an initiative that is run across multiple divisions of the Institute. Please visit the IISc website for these two programmes and see what the GATE requirements are for those programmes. Those who have a strong foundation in physics should be able to write the appropriate GATE examination and apply for these particular programmes.
  • Is there any non-GATE entry for students who are not from centrally funded technical institutes?
    • A few select MTech course programmes admit to the MTech programme based on CFTI entry norms. Please check the admissions website. There are some sponsored candidates who can apply for these programmes from the defence services, from ISRO, and other entities like that, but those are based on agreements that they have with the Indian Institute of Science. For open admissions, one has to write GATE.
    • Non-GATE entry is also possible for research admissions. There are two kinds of research admissions that are possible. One is PhD and the other one is MTech (Research). For people who want to enter into these research programmes without having written GATE, again there is a possibility for students who come from centrally funded technical institutes (CFTI); they must have procured a CGPA of 8 or more. You can get information on the CFTIs by going to the IISc web page and looking at the list of centrally-funded technical institutes.
  • Can I get admission at IISc just by qualifying in GATE? If not, what are the criteria I should meet to get admissions at various good institutes for PhD?
    • GATE score is a criterion for screening and has some weightage, but your performance in interview is also given weightage and can be an important factor.
  • How many seats are there in MTech (AI) branch for GATE CSE students from this year onwards?
    • This varies from year to year. Please see the approved intake number for MTech (AI) in the IISc webpage.

EECS

  • What fields in Computer Science Engineering can I pursue during my higher education?
    • There are three pools in CSE, namely,
      1. Theory (design and analysis of algorithms, cryptography, etc.)
      2. Systems (compiler design, operating system, etc.)
      3. Intelligent systems (AI, ML, game theory, etc.)
  • What fields would an Electronics and Communication Engineer be able to work on during his/her masters? What are the job prospects for electronics and communication engineers?
    • The MTech programmes that an EC graduate could take up are ECE, SP, ESE, MVLSI, EPD, and AI. The potential job roles will be in the areas of communication and AI/ML and roles such as analog design engineer and digital design engineer.
  • What are the things one must know before going into the field of research?
    • You should have a deep interest in the field. Patience and perseverance are prerequisites for a successful research career.
  • Will it be beneficial for me, knowledge-wise, to join the ESE department if I have work experience in embedded systems? What is the future scope of areas like embedded systems and related research areas?
    • Yes, it will be helpful. There are professors in the department of Electronic Systems Engineering who are working on exciting research problems in the area of networked embedded systems. Please have a look at https://dese.iisc.ac.in/research-labs/  webpage for further details.
  • What is the quality of research in the PhD programme at IISc?
    • IISc has world-class faculty members and research groups who present their work at top-tier venues in the world. You can check the profiles of the faculty members working in your area of interest for more details. IISc has NIRF #1 ranking in research (2022) among institutions in India. IISc is QS #1 in citations per faculty (2022), which is a metric of research impact. Our PhD programmes encourage our students to do cutting edge research and push the technology and knowledge boundaries.
  • What are the research groups present in IISc?
    • There are plenty of research groups in the EECS Division of IISc, one under each professor. There are also research clusters. Faculty work both in theoretical and experimental domains. Please visit https://eecs.iisc.ac.in for more information.
  • What are the opportunities after MTech in EECS?
    • One can opt for a PhD in India or abroad. Apart from that, IISc has an excellent placement record. Interested students can pursue careers in industries like Amazon, Flipkart, Global Foundries, Qualcomm, CISCO, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, Nvidia, TCS, Infosys, Tejas Networks, or similar MNC or Indian companies and startups.
  • I would like to know more about the Division of EECS in IISc.
    • The Division of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Sciences (EECS) at IISc has more than 80 faculty members and more than 1000 students. The core areas of research are signal processing, communications, networks, microelectronics and devices, theoretical computer science, computer systems and software, artificial intelligence and machine learning, control and optimisation, power systems, power electronics, high voltage engineering, image processing, and computer vision. Please visit our website to know more about our departments and initiatives.
  • Is Gate XE good to pursue a Master’s in Renewable Energy Engineering?
    • No. A good score in Electrical Engineering is preferred for this if you wish to pursue your Master’s in the EE department. In fact, only those candidates who have written the GATE EE paper can apply for MTech (EE) at IISc.
  • What is the research-related scope of Electrical and Electronics Engineering?
  • What are the specialisations in computer science, data science, cyber security, and high-performance computing?
    • The specialisations in computer science are as follows:Pool A – Theoretical CS, Pool B – Systems, and Pool C – Intelligent Systems.
    • In computational and data sciences (CDS), the specialisations are:
      • Computational science stream (CDS-CP): This deals with computational methods and their application to scientific domains. The research in this area includes biomolecular computation, computational electrodynamics, computational photonics, medical imaging, numerical mathematics and scientific computing, scientific computation, structural biology, and bio-computing. These typically require skills at the intersection of applied mathematics, application-specific knowledge, and effective use of computing platforms.
      • Computer and data systems stream (CDS-CS): This deals with the design, implementation, and evaluation of high performance and scalable computer hardware and software systems. The prominent research topics in the computer systems stream include big data platforms and applications, computer aided design, database systems, distributed systems, cloud computing, Internet of Things, high-performance computing, image and video analytics, machine learning, and middleware and runtime systems.
  • Is the MTech (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) course offered by the Robert Bosch Centre for Cyber-Physical Systems (RBCCPS) an industry-oriented course or is it a research-based course?
    • MTech (RAS) is a course based programme with a project and takes the industrial demands very much into account.
  • Does EECS have a specific controls/robotics specialisation?
  • What are the major research trends in the field of signal processing?
    • The major research trends include machine learning and its applications in image processing, audio and speech processing, and biomedical imaging.
  • Is the syllabus for CS up to date with the current happenings?
    • Yes, it is.
  • Please talk about research in computer science.
  • I have a MSc Mathematics background. I want to get into a field like quantum algorithms and machine learning. Is there any research going on in IISc in this field and what do I need to prepare to get into that field?
  • What is the scope for control systems research after MTech?
    • After studying control systems in MTech, one can pursue higher studies (PhD) or join industry (automation-based roles in various companies).
  • What are the prerequisites for a BTech graduate in ECE to join MTech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence?
  • What is going on with the quantum technology field at IISc? Are students able to directly join the leaders in industry after this programme, like IBM Quantum and Google Quantum?
    • IISc is working in the forefront of quantum technology research. Many students have joined industry post completion of their programmes. Industry–academia research is happening in this field in various departments, not just the EECS Division. IISc is the hub for quantum computation under the National Quantum Mission.
  • I am a BS–MS Maths major and a CS minor student. After qualifying the DA or CS GATE paper, am I eligible to apply for PhD in any lab in the AI–ML field at IISc?
    • Yes, you are eligible.
  • How can the DA paper of GATE help, particularly, to get into an IISc lab for PhD?
  • Is there an Embedded Systems Engineering programme at IISc?
    • The Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) offers three courses, namely (i) MTech (Electronic Product Design), (ii) MTech (Electronic Systems Engineering), and (iii) MTech (Microelectronics and VLSI Design), the last in collaboration with the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE). If you want to do MTech in Embedded Systems, there are a few core courses that you need to complete and thereafter, you can opt for any course based on your liking. If you are interested in embedded systems, you can definitely opt for courses in embedded systems, which are really helpful in getting the concepts clear and will help you build great things.
  • What is the trending research topic in the Electrical Engineering department?

Programmes

  • I am a non-CS student and preparing for Gate CSE. What preparation other than GATE should I do to excel in academics, if I get selected for IISc? 
    • Study data structures and algorithms; do some competitive coding.
  • How difficult is it to cope with an MTech course in AI from IISc for a student with a background in electrical engineering?
    • This depends on how much background you have in the subjects of AI. In general, because IISc graduate courses will be more rigorous than your UG courses, for they are graduate courses, significant work will be required from all the students.
  • What is the difference between the MTech (Research) and the MTech (Course) programmes at IISc?
    • MTech (Course) is more course oriented. A guide is assigned after the first semester, and research work starts mostly after the second semester.
      In MTech (Research), a guide is assigned in the beginning itself. The research work starts as early as the first semester. There are fewer course credit requirements, and the focus is on research.
  • What difference does a master’s degree make compared to just a bachelor’s degree, when it comes to job opportunities?
    • The job profile will involve greater responsibility, greater involvement in design and development of algorithms/products, and of course, a higher pay package.
  • What should be the mindset of the person who wants to pursue higher studies? How much does higher studies cost?
    • One must have a keen interest in academics with a readiness to deep-dive into the subject matter details. The cost of MTech and PhD is nominal at GoI-funded institutions, and all selected regular MTech, MTech(Res) and PhD scholars get a stipend at IISc.
  • Can a PhD be completed in less than 5 years?
    • Yes, the duration of PhD is not fixed. There is a course credit requirement, a comprehensive exam requirement, and then research work for the thesis. You will be awarded the degree once you have fulfilled all the requirements. Many scholars complete PhD in less than five years.
  • Should I prepare for a direct PhD after a four-year bachelor’s degree programme?
    • Yes, if you are keen on research, this might be the programme for you.
  • What are the career opportunities after PhD?
    • Some opportunities are postdoctoral programmes for those keen on research, R&D industry positions, start-ups and entrepreneurship.
  • What is the type of life during the course of a PhD?
    • Expect ups and downs, successes and failures, things that don’t work out for some time, and then suddenly all the pieces fall in place like in a jigsaw puzzle, lots of discussions with fellow students and guides, arguments at the mess tables during lunch and dinner, hard work during courses, long stints in labs with fellow researchers or with a calculation. Remember that the journey has as much value as the PhD.
  • What is the research experience during Master’s/PhD at IISc for a person with no research experience?
    • The Master’s program at IISc is a promising pathway towards developing a research-oriented mindset. The Master’s programme course work will guide you to pick up a research mindset. Many professors at IISc are ready to help students and provide guidance as necessary for a good research outcome and experience.
  • Is it advisable to appear for GATE for improving the score when I am in MTech first year?
    • If you are already at IISc, you are in one of the best institutions in India. Nevertheless, if you are passionate about improving your score and getting into your dream college, you may consider GATE again.
  • What are the opportunities for electronics engineering at IISc?
    • An Electronics Engineering graduate could get into MTech ECE, SP, MVLSI, ESE, EPD, and AI programmes offered by EECS Division, IISc. They could also get into MTech (Research) and direct PhD programmes that are more research-oriented options.
  • How to choose between MTech (Course) and direct PhD?
    • MTech is primarily a course-oriented programme that focuses on the knowledge of the courses. You get the opportunity to take a variety of courses and build your knowledge and expertise in them. You also do a research project in the second year of your MTech, and it helps you understand your interests. If you are keen on research, direct PhD is an excellent option. Note that if you find that perhaps PhD is not the correct decision, you can downgrade from PhD to MTech (Research).
  • What are the pros and cons of MTech?
    • Pros – MTech programmes prepare you for a more mature position in the industry and give you the opportunity to work on research projects.
    • Cons – you have to enjoy two more years of university life at a top-ranked university, get a stipend that easily covers your living expenses and tuition, and come out with a brand value that makes your future potential employers sit up and take note. (Wait, isn’t that also a Pro?)
  • Is it possible to survive in IISc if one is not good at speaking in English but understands it perfectly?
    • English is not a barrier and should not stop you from coming to IISc. You will be able to manage if you can understand English. There will be plenty of opportunities to improve your science communication skills. You are also encouraged to communicate science in your native language.
  • How tough are MTech and PhD at IISc?
    • The programmes are not a cakewalk. They challenge you intellectually in stimulating ways. Progress may be slow at times, the pace may be hectic and overwhelming at times, but in the end, the experience is well worth it. For MTech students, the CGPA may play an important role since companies use it to screen for placement.
  • I have a background in Electrical Engineering but want to pursue hardware development (analog/digital/power electronic systems) opportunities in future. Which department should I choose for MTech?
    • The programs in ECE and ESE departments focus on topics in hardware development, especially MVLSI and Product Design.
  • How is MTech (Artificial Intelligence) at IISc? What is expected from an MTech student by professors at IISc? if a student is more interested in practice than research, how they should plan MTech?
    • The two-year MTech in Artificial Intelligence aims to fill the critical needs of the industry and to fill the gap in the availability of high-end AI scientists and engineers. The vision of the MTech (AI) programme is to impart rigorous training in the foundations and deep technology of artificial intelligence to produce graduates who can become world leaders in AI and lead India’s march towards leadership in this important area. This programme is offered by the Kotak IISc AI–ML Centre (KIAC) and the participating departments include CSA, ECE, EE and ESE, CDS, and CPS. Please visit https://kiac.iisc.ac.in/academics/mtech-ai/ for more information.
  • What are the skills required for MS by research in the EECS domain apart from the GATE score?
    • A good conceptual knowledge of the relevant subjects.
  • Does an MTech degree provide hands-on industrial knowledge in addition to a strong theoretical curriculum?
    • An MTech at IISc enables the student to gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical aspects. However, industrial knowledge and theoretical knowledge are not entirely orthogonal, and the degree would better prepare the student for an industrial role as well.
  • Direct PhD vs MTech + PhD, MTech conversion to PhD in the second year – which is better?
    • Direct PhD is a common new path that takes less time compared to MTech + PhD. However, if you want to first judge your research interest before committing to PhD, you can come for MTech and then convert it to a PhD if you want.
  • I am a student in the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE). Can I credit courses from another department? Is there possibility of a minor if I major in ECE?
    • After completing the core courses of ECE, you can take courses from other departments as well. The minor option is not available in MTech.
  • Is the syllabus industry orientated or research oriented?
    • The syllabus is oriented more towards research. Every course will want you to study research papers. However, most courses will also require you to do projects which might help you in the industry. Further, this research strength is an important component that industry looks for in IISc graduates.
  • What is the process for choosing projects and a guide in MTech. Is it based on choice with merit as the deciding criterion or is it random?
    • Each professor has his/her own criteria for choosing students for their lab. You must approach a professor according to your area of interest.
  • What is the stipend received during MTech and PhD? Who provides this stipend?
    • For PhD, it is Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years (or until successful completion of the comprehensive exam), and Rs 42,000 per month after the comprehensive exam. The MTech students get Rs 12,400. These scholarships are provided by Ministry of Education (MoE) or Institute. These are subject to change from time to time. Please check the fees and scholarships link at IISc.
  • What are the fees and scholarships available in IISc for MTech and PhD students?
  • How do I to get PhD ideas, pitch ideas, and approach the professor?
    • At IISc, every PhD student has to complete a certain number of credits as part of the course work. This gives you an idea of where your interest lies. Upon approaching the respective professor, it may so happen that he/she suggests an initial problem or approves of the idea you propose.
  • Is there sufficient time allocated for preparing for job placements, or is it expected that we engage in project work over the summer?
    • Many take up summer internships during the summer. But if you are at IISc, you are expected to engage in project work through the summer.
  • Which course will give the best package and the best career?
    • While the choice of your career should not be dictated entirely by the package amount, currently, the CSA and CDS departments offer courses which attract high packages.
  • How does IISc help students after MTech (Electronics) in their career?
    • VLSI and ESE are two of the most well-placed branches in IISc with full placement consistently.
  • I am interested in enrolling for PhD. Questions: (i) What are the criteria and prerequisites? (ii) Is there any option for joint research like two students together? (iii) Is the enrolment period fixed or is it possible to enrol all through the year? (iv) Being a working professional, is it possible for a work + PhD option on campus, weekend classes?
    • (i) Generally, one has to clear GATE with a high score for admission. Please refer the admissions page of IISc for further options and details. (ii) A joint research option is possible depending on the project. (iii) Two admission terms are available every year – the August cycle and the December cycle. Please refer the admissions page for further details. (iv) This option is available. Please refer the External Registration Programme at IISc.
  • Can you elaborate on the scholarships or stipend that an MTech (MVLSI) gets apart from the normal GATE scholarship?
    • All the students in IISc get a scholarship of Rs 12,400 every month. Apart from that, students also compete for named scholarships.
  • Is there a part-time, non-sponsored PhD programme available for industry professionals at IISc?
    • The ERP programme is for industry professionals who join a PhD programme with research aligned with their work. They work with a faculty from IISc and an advisor from their industry. They need to spend some part of the programme duration on campus and the remaining at their workplace.
  • How good is IISc’s curriculum?
    • The curriculum at IISc is well updated and focuses on the latest research and industry trends. The project in the Master’s programme exposes one to research work.

Placements

  • Will my placements be affected if my BTech is in a non-CSE branch?
    • Companies don’t really care about your BTech background as long as you have a skill set that aligns with the company’s line of work.
  • Is VLSI a good branch to pursue for my MTech? What is the average pay package of a VLSI engineer who has graduated from IISc?
    • Microelectronics and VLSI design is one of the most sought-after branches for EE and EC students at IISc. The world is undergoing a semiconductor revolution, and IISc is the place to learn from the best faculty and be a part of cutting-edge research in this field. The branch sees nearly 100% placements with attractive packages in reputed semiconductor companies. EECS graduates get higher average pay packages than many other traditional engineering stream graduates.
  • What is the topmost promising career path for ECE students these days? What do IISc students generally do after their Master’s or PhD?
    • ECE students at IISc pursue a variety of industry and research careers in VLSI, photonics, RF and microwave device design and development, communications, networking, signal processing, coding or machine learning and artificial intelligence. All of these are extremely promising and rewarding career options. MTech graduates from IISc pursue core R&D jobs in the industry. Many pursue a PhD later in their careers as well. PhD graduates from IISc join postdoctoral research positions in universities abroad or join the industry in core R&D positions.
  • Do HFT (high-frequency trading) companies like Tower Research still come to campus? If yes, for which roles?
    • HFT companies come to campus for analytics-based roles.
  • What are the placements after MTech in a solely research-based institute like IISc?
    • IISc ensures that you get the best placements. Generally, after MTech, you are eligible for research-based offers rather than just graduate-based jobs.
  • How to get into a Scientist position?
    • You can get into the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) or the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) via GATE where you will get a Scientist position.
  • What are the opportunities to do PhD at IISc for full-time and part-time candidates?
  • What are the research projects undertaken and placement statistics in MTech (Robotics and Autonomous Systems)?

Miscellaneous

  • Is it better to get some work experience first and then try higher education? Or the other way around?
    • This is a very personal choice. If you are keen on higher education, you could enrol for Master’s or PhD right away. If you are uncertain, work for one to two years to get a flavour of the corporate world and then decide whether to go for higher studies.
  • How do professors interact with students? What does a professor expect from a student while doing a research internship?
    • Professors have their own individual styles of mentoring students and interns. They are approachable whenever students have doubts about a subject. Students or research interns are expected to complete their assigned jobs on time.
  • Which is the best for Electronics people to pursue – a Master’s within the country or abroad?
    • There is no definitive answer.
  • What is the procedure for getting an internship in the EECS Division? How do I approach a professor for a research project? What are the requirements for getting accepted?
    • For internship or research projects, you should check the official website of the respective research group. If there is any vacancy, it will be mentioned on the website, and interested people can apply through that. Otherwise, you can directly email the respective professor stating your interest and attaching a resume. If called for your interview, you will be tested on your fundamentals and perhaps some coding skills if necessary for a project. Some departments also have a predoctoral research-oriented position, which are for longer durations.
  • What are the placement opportunities after MTech?
    • Placements are highly dependent on the current market/industry scenario/requirements. However, in general, the kind of job roles offered during placements are fairly good.
  • How can an average student get into IISc?
    • To get into IISc, a student must have a sound understanding of the fundamentals and the concepts. After this is taken care of, he/she should make sure they practice the previous years’ GATE questions and appear for multiple mock tests.
  • How do you enter IISc as a project assistant?
    • There is no formal procedure. Please email the concerned professor, and if they find you suitable, you may be given a project assistant offer. There is an added advantage if you were previously a student of IISc.
  • How do I manage college studies with other self-development activities?
    • The IISc Gymkhana is the sports and culture hub for the faculty and students of our prestigious, century-old Institute. IISc is not just a home for some of the brightest minds of the country, it also has a significant number of athletes, actors, musicians, artists, and sports persons who have represented themselves and the Institute at various levels. The Gymkhana provides all possible facilities, infrastructure and support, so that students can pursue extracurricular activities along with their research work. The Gymkhana is spread over a vast area of 26 acres in a very scenic part of the campus. At present, there are 27 clubs (sports and cultural) active in the Gymkhana.
  • Is double degree really required when we have skills that are more than a double degree?
    • It seems that you are talking about the relevance of MTech after BTech. In specialised jobs, which need a high skill set, MTech has paramount importance. This is true for many fields like VLSI, AI, and signal processing. The job profile gets much better if one has an MTech from a reputed university.
  • Which stream should be chosen for higher studies after doing BTech in Electronics Engineering?
    • Based on your interest, you can choose any of the BTech verticals. Some of them are: (i) VLSI, (ii) embedded systems, (iii) signal processing, (iv) control systems, and (v) machine learning.
  • What is the scope in AI in the future? Which courses should I choose?
    • The current times show a lot of scope for AI in the future, having already penetrated almost every field. You should choose courses relating to computer science and mathematics (like probability, statistics, and data science).
  • Is there development support for product invention (or prototype building) via technology and hardware, if someone has a good idea?
    • Yes, the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at IISc provides such support.
  • How does it feel to study at IISc?
    • It feels incredible to study at India’s number one university. We get world class courses and professors who are highly interested and dedicated to science and technology. Apart from the academic life, the campus experience is nonpareil.
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