Complete Guide to IIIT Delhi M.Tech Entrance Exam 2026: Dates, Pattern, Eligibility, Application & Prep

IIIT Delhi closed M.Tech 2026 applications on April 13; PGCAT was held May 3 for CSE and CSE(Research). This guide covers dates, pattern, eligibility, application fee (Rs 510), spot rounds and an 8-week prep plan.

Edited by Ankit Choudhary

    IIIT Delhi M.Tech Entrance Exam 2026

    IIIT Delhi closed M.Tech applications on April 13, 2026 , and the institute published the merit list and results on May 18, 2026 . If you applied or are planning for future cycles, this guide breaks down the PGCAT process, programme-specific eligibility, key dates and a focused 8-week preparation plan.

    Quick Highlights: IIIT Delhi M.Tech Entrance Exam 2026

    • Admissions channels: GATE 2026 , institute merit, PGCAT-IIITD and GAT-B 2026 (for M.Tech CB DBT seats).
    • PGCAT-IIITD (the IIIT Delhi M.Tech entrance exam) was organised only for M.Tech CSE and M.Tech CSE (Research) this year. Other programmes (ECE, CB) use GATE or qualifying-degree merit / interviews as applicable.
    • Application portal: official website iiitd.ac.in . Application fee: Rs 510 (online payment).
    • Admit card for PGCAT and interview calls were issued by email on April 20, 2026 .

    Important Dates: IIIT Delhi M.Tech Entrance Exam 2026

    Event Date
    Online IIITD application start date March 16, 2026
    Open House (online) March 27, 2026
    Last date for online application April 13, 2026
    Admit card release & interview call (ECE/CB non-GATE) April 20, 2026
    PGCAT-IIITD exam (CSE & CSE-Research) May 3, 2026
    Online/Hybrid interviews (various candidates) May 7, 2026
    Publication of merit list & Round 1 allotment May 18, 2026
    Last date to accept Round 1 offer May 25, 2026
    Round 2 allotment (if seats available) May 29, 2026
    Last date to accept Round 2 offer June 8, 2026
    Withdrawal (online) last date July 3, 2026
    Spot round registration last date July 7, 2026
    Last date of registration for spot round July 9, 2026
    Online spot rounds (CSE / CSE-Research / CB / ECE) July 10, 2026
    Physical document verification & admission (CSE / CSE-Research) July 15, 2026
    Physical document verification & admission (CB & ECE) July 16, 2026
    Orientation July 17, 2026
    Refresher / Preparatory module starts July 20, 2026
    First semester starts August 10, 2026

    Tip: Note the spot round windows: you must register by July 7/9 to be considered for the July 10, 2026 online spot rounds.

    Who is Eligible? Programme-wise Criteria

    Eligibility rules are programme-specific. These are the verified minimums and degree requirements used in 2026.

    M.Tech CB (Computational Biology) - Eligible degrees: B.Tech/BE in CS/IT/Math-and-Computing; B.Tech/BE in any other discipline; MCA; MSc in relevant science subjects (Physics/Chemistry/Maths/CS/Biochemistry/Microbiology/Biotechnology/Biophysics/Bioinformatics/Biomedical sciences); B.Pharm; MBBS; BDS. - Additional requirement: at least one programming course and two mathematics courses in your degree transcript.

    M.Tech ECE - Eligible degrees: B.Tech/BE in ECE/EE (or allied areas); MSc in Electronics.

    M.Tech CSE / M.Tech CSE (Research) - Eligible degrees: B.Tech/BE; MCA; MSc in CS/IT or allied areas.

    Minimum marks - General category: 65% aggregate in the qualifying degree. - SC / ST / OBC / PwD / CW: relaxation of 5% , i.e., minimum 60% .

    Final year students - Final-semester (graduating) students were eligible to apply provided they can submit the required degree documents at the time of admission.

    Selection routes - M.Tech admissions depend on a mix of channels: GATE 2026 scores, PGCAT-IIITD performance (for CSE/CSE-Research), GAT-B 2026 for M.Tech CB (DBT), and qualifying-degree merit and interviews for some non-GATE candidates.

    How to Apply: Step-by-Step (what applicants did in 2026)

    1. Visit iiitd.ac.in and locate the M.Tech admissions link. Register with a working email and set a password.
    2. Fill personal, academic and contact details. Keep your B.Tech / qualifying-degree marks, GATE/GAT-B details (if applicable) ready.
    3. Upload scanned photograph and signature as per the specifications shown on the portal.
    4. Pay the application fee online: Rs 510 . Payment was accepted only online in 2026.
    5. Review the form carefully and submit before the April 13, 2026 deadline.

    Common mistakes to avoid - Uploading an incorrect photo size or blurred documents. - Entering a wrong or inactive email — admit cards and call letters were sent by email on April 20, 2026 . - Missing the category certificate uploads if you claim reservation or relaxation.

    PGCAT-IIITD Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme: IIIT Delhi M.Tech Entrance Exam 2026

    • Mode of exam: Online (computer-based) .
    • Question type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) .
    • PGCAT Part I : 120 minutes (2 hours). Multiple sections covering engineering mathematics, programming and data structures, algorithms, plus other topics.
    • PGCAT Part II : 40 minutes programming test (language options: C / C++ / Java / Python ).
    • Negative marking: 20% penalty for every wrong answer.
    • Minimum qualifying marks for admission consideration: 65% for general, 60% for reserved categories.

    What Part I typically covers (official section names)

    • Engineering Mathematics
    • Programming & Data Structures
    • Algorithms
    • Miscellaneous / Remaining topics (this can include CS theory, computer networks, operating systems depending on test year)

    Part II: Programming test

    • Short coding tasks or MCQ-based programming evaluation executed under time limits.
    • Allowed languages: C, C++, Java, Python — pick the language you are strongest in and practise writing correct, efficient code under time pressure.

    Syllabus Breakdown and Topic Weightage (practical guide)

    Official section titles are published, but IIIT Delhi does not publish exact weightage per topic. Below is a practical study-weight suggestion based on the section structure. Treat this as a recommended plan, not official distribution.

    Suggested focus (relative): - Engineering Mathematics — 25%: linear algebra, probability & statistics, discrete math, calculus basics used in algorithms and ML foundations. - Programming & Data Structures — 30%: arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, hashing, complexity analysis. - Algorithms — 30%: sorting, searching, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, graph algorithms (BFS/DFS, shortest paths), complexity classes. - Remaining topics — 15%: basics of OS, databases, computer networks, CS theory; question types may vary.

    For Part II (programming test) focus on: - Writing syntactically correct code in your chosen language quickly. - Standard input/output handling and small algorithmic problems (string processing, simple DP, greedy, basic graph traversal).

    8-Week Preparation Plan (practical, for busy students)

    Weeks 1-2: Engineering Mathematics - Revise linear algebra (matrices, eigenvalues), discrete mathematics (logic, sets, combinatorics) and probability basics. - Solve past university-level MCQs and short problems.

    Weeks 3-4: Data Structures & Programming - Revisit arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees and hashing. - Implement each DS in your chosen language (C/C++/Java/Python). - Start timed practice for accuracy to avoid negative marking.

    Weeks 5-6: Algorithms - Focus on sorting, searching, greedy methods, dynamic programming and graphs. - Solve problems on each topic with increasing difficulty.

    Week 7: Mock Tests & Time Management - Take full-length mock PGCAT tests (Part I + Part II simulation). Practice under the 20% negative marking constraint: accuracy over guesswork.

    Week 8: Revision & Interview Prep - Quick revision of weak topics. Prepare concise project summaries and research statement if applying for CSE(Research). - Prepare for the online interview: talk through projects, explain algorithms and maths used, and rehearse answers on motivation and research interests.

    Practical tips for negative marking - Attempt questions only when you can eliminate at least one or two options. - For Part II, prioritize correctness — an accepted but slightly slower solution is better than multiple incorrect attempts that cost marks in Part I.

    Books - Algorithms: "Introduction to Algorithms" (Cormen et al.) or a concise alternatives for faster revision. - Data Structures & Programming: good standard texts or language-specific DS books. - Mathematics: "Discrete Mathematics" texts and probability primers.

    Online - Practice platforms (try language-specific practice and timed mock tests). - Crash courses on algorithms and data structures; choose resources that have timed quizzes.

    Mocks and past papers - IIIT Delhi does not publish an extensive bank of past PGCAT papers. Use competitive programming problem sets and university MCQs to simulate Part I and coding sites for Part II.

    Selection & Shortlisting: GATE vs PGCAT vs GAT-B

    • M.Tech CSE (GATE candidates): merit lists were prepared using GATE 2026 scores together with qualifying-degree percentage as per the institute's policy.
    • M.Tech CSE (non-GATE): shortlisted based on PGCAT performance and degree percentage, followed by an online interview.
    • M.Tech ECE and CB: selection used GATE scores for GATE applicants; non-GATE applicants were screened on qualifying-degree merit and called for interviews as needed.
    • M.Tech CB (DBT seats): admissions required clearing GAT-B 2026 first; final admission considered GAT-B and qualifying-degree merit.

    Interview stage - Interviews in 2026 were mostly online/hybrid and held on May 7, 2026 for several categories. Be ready to discuss projects, coursework, and research goals. Official marking breakdown for interviews is not published.

    Fee, Admission Formalities and Post-Selection Steps

    Fee type Amount
    Application fee Rs 510 (online payment)
    • After offer acceptance you must prepare original documents for physical document verification on the scheduled dates ( July 15/16, 2026 depending on programme).
    • Orientation was scheduled for July 17, 2026 , with preparatory/refresher modules starting July 20, 2026 and semester classes from August 10, 2026 .

    Note: The detailed semester-wise tuition and hostel fees were not part of the published admissions schedule. Check the official website iiitd.ac.in or admission office for the complete fee structure and scholarship/assistantship options.

    Spot Rounds and Withdrawal Rules

    • If you missed earlier rounds or withdrew, you could register for spot rounds. Registration windows closed on July 7 and July 9, 2026 (as per schedule). The online spot rounds were held on July 10, 2026 .
    • Withdrawal (online) last date was July 3, 2026 . If you withdraw after accepting an offer, read the admission policy on financial and seat implications carefully on the official site.

    What the official schedule did NOT publish (coverage gaps)

    IIIT Delhi's published admissions schedule and notices did not include all details applicants often want. These items were not available in the admissions bulletin and you should check the institute or exam portals directly for updates:

    • Exact seat matrix and intake per programme and category-wise reservation breakdown.
    • Detailed semester-wise fee structure and break-up (tuition, hostel, caution deposits, etc.).
    • Scholarship, assistantship and fellowship details specific to M.Tech students.
    • Historical cutoffs and previous years' score trends for GATE/PGCAT.
    • Official syllabus topic-wise weightage and full past question papers.
    • Full interview marking scheme and panel composition.

    Where to look for these missing items - Official IIIT Delhi admissions page: iiitd.ac.in . - GATE 2026 and GAT-B 2026 official portals for exam-specific queries. - Admission office email/phone for seat-matrix and fee clarifications.

    Quick Checklist for Admitted Students

    • Accept the online offer within the deadline (Round 1: by May 25, 2026 ; Round 2: by June 8, 2026 ).
    • Keep original documents ready for physical verification on July 15/16, 2026 as per your programme.
    • Attend orientation on July 17, 2026 and the preparatory module starting July 20, 2026 .
    • Plan travel and accommodation in advance if you attend physical V&V or orientation.

    FAQs

    Q1: Are final semester students eligible to apply?

    Yes. Final-year students were eligible to apply provided they can submit the required degree certificates and mark sheets at the time of admission.

    Q2: Is PGCAT-IIITD conducted for all M.Tech programmes?

    No. In 2026 the PGCAT was held only for M.Tech CSE and M.Tech CSE (Research) . ECE and CB used GATE or qualifying-degree merit and interviews as applicable.

    Q3: What is the application fee and how is it paid?

    The application fee was Rs 510 and accepted only online through the institute's application portal.

    Q4: When was the PGCAT admit card issued?

    Admit cards and interview calls were emailed on April 20, 2026 .

    Q5: Is there negative marking in PGCAT? How much?

    Yes. The exam had 20% negative marking for every wrong answer in the MCQ sections.

    Q6: What programming languages are allowed in the Part II coding test?

    You can choose among C, C++, Java, or Python for the programming test.

    Q7: What if I miss the main rounds — can I try the spot round?

    Yes. You needed to register for the spot round (registration deadlines were July 7/9, 2026 ) to participate in the July 10, 2026 online spot rounds.

    Q8: Where should I check for official updates and detailed fee/seat information?

    Refer to the official IIIT Delhi admissions portal at iiitd.ac.in and the exam portals for GATE 2026 and GAT-B 2026 for programme-specific notices.

    Final notes

    If you sat PGCAT or applied through GATE this year, keep copies of all emails sent from the admissions office. If you are preparing for the next cycle, use the 8-week plan above, focus on accuracy to handle 20% negative marking , and pick one programming language you can code correctly under time pressure.

    For the latest official clarifications on seat matrix, fees, scholarships and detailed interview marking, always check iiitd.ac.in or contact the admissions office directly.

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