Over the past few weeks, a lot of people have asked me a plethora of questions about MS by Reseach at IITB. I will try to answer them here and add more to the list over time. These are unfiltered answers based on what seems to be general consensus.

Alongside this blog, refer to these links (if they still work):

This is not a blog about GATE preparation but I’ll discuss the MS application process.

DISCLAIMER: None of this information is propagated by professors at IITB. This is purely just me. If there is any discrepancy, it’s because I am too busy to update the Q&A, in which case let me know. Verify things that you’re confused about with reliable people.

Q: What is MS by Reseach? How is it different from Mtech?

A: MS by Reseach is a programme offered by the CSE deparment at IITB that focuses on… research, as the name suggests. So if you are naturally inclined towards research, try for an MS. But to be more precise, here’s a few differences that I can think of.

Dimension	Mtech (TA)	MS (TA)	MS (RAP)
Programme duration	2 years	1.5-3 years	3 years
Number of electives	9	5	5
Focus on research	existent	yes	focuses on research project
Placement opportunities	???	???	???
Further reseach opportunities	good	excellent	excellent

Some more differences:

You choose your advisor early on in your MS (usually), while in Mtech your MTP guide can be chosen much later.
While MS students have less courses, they have R&D subjects instead. These are graded based on the research work you conduct.
Your MS thesis has 0 credits. It is a passing criterion (among other things). Meanwhile in an Mtech, your MTP has credits. This may sound counterintuitive so think why it is so.

Something to note: Doing an Mtech does not completely exempt you from research either. It just pushes the focus on it towards the latter semesters.

Q: Placements in MS??? Why the question marks?

A: If you’re doing a master’s just for placements, MS might not be for you for very different reasons than the one you might think of. (In fact, if you want a job, doing a master’s is somewhat redundant with some exceptions.) Anyway, I digress.

You can end up with great placements if you’re doing an MS @ IITB. However it is fundamentally a research degree, so the condition is that you must be sincere and rigorous. The good thing about the programme is that you might end up doing what you like even after your thesis wherever you get to go. Another good thing about the MS programme is that if your guide allows you, you can do an internship. I’ve been told that that is a gateway to a lot of free coffee and even a fulfilling job. However, if you’re not research-oriented, you might face obstacles. You might even find the programme frustrating.

Unsolicited advice time: If you’re planning to go for a master’s at all, try to find out what professors you might want to work with during it beforehand. It would give you a lot of clarity. Even if your sole aim is placements. The alternative is managing adapting into a new environment WHILE mailing 10 different professors for guidance. It’s just too chaotic, and people end up regretting things sometimes.

Q: Is MS a good backup for Mtech?

A: Not if you had to ask that question in the first place. It would give you the IIT tag but the way the degrees are structured is very different. If you don’t mean to do an MS (by research) then it’s better to do an Mtech at some other IIT. The Mtech programmes in most IITs are awesome, don’t get me wrong. They’re just a different direction altogether, that’s all.

Boring stuff aside, answering the pressing questions now.

Q: What is TA and RA/RAP? What is better?

A: If you’re a TA (Teaching Assistant), you’re supposed to help professors with coursework, evaluation, doubt solving, etc. for 8 hours a week. An RAP (Research Assistant under a Project) works on a research project (for example: BharatGen! (pretty cool I guess? (idk))). Usually an RAP’s thesis overlaps with their project work a little, and they have to work more. They also get paid more but have to stick around for 3 years.

I don’t know much about RA since there are no MS RAs (only Mtech RAs) but I’ll update this when I do.

Q: How do I apply for MS @ IITB? How do I get selected?

A: You need to qualify for the written test, which in turn is a qualifier for an interview. There’s also a programming test for MS RAP (more to be updated on it here).

GATE cutoff (X) -> written test (Y) and Programming test -> interview (Z)

For MS TA specifically:

GATE cutoff: Usually a GATE score above X = 650 is needed to apply. It may be more or less, keep an eye out for this.

Written test: The written test is divided into three panels (computing systems, theoretical systems, intelligent systems). Read up on what these are. You’ll find the syallbus and the question paper on IITB’s site:
https://www.cse.iitb.ac.in/admissions/pg/ms

Here, Y = (70% GATE Score) + (30% written test performance)

Interview: The criteria for qualifying for the interview seems to change a lot. In 2026 it was Y being more than 50% (see above).

Now,

Z = (70% GATE Score) + (30% Interview performance)

This Z determines your position in IITB’s MS waitlist. If you’ve performed well till this point, then congrats. You’re quite likely to get in.

General timeline:

You attempt GATE -> You attempt the written and programming tests -> You sit for the interview (2-3 days later) -> You get the offer (generally 4th COAP round or later)```

Note: You CANNOT float an MS offer. You either accept it or reject it.

Note 2: You must have 60%+ in your bachelors to be eligible for MS/Mtech (as of now). Also, IITB doesn’t have CFTI admissions, only IIT Btech admissions (if you’re eligible for that route).

Q: How do I prepare for the written test?

See the above question! Go through this: https://www.cse.iitb.ac.in/admissions/pg/ms

Q: What is the interview like? How long is it? What is asked?

It depends on a lot of factors including your interests and the panel(s) you’ve applied to. It is better not make no assumptions and be thorough with subjects that interest you and align with your panel(s). A bit of DSA knowledge also doesn’t hurt, from what I know.

Q: Does work experience, prior research work, etc. help in the process?

These are not requirements but they can help, especially if you’re trying for RAP since your past experience may align well with a project. It’s good to have projects and some practical experience, if not professional.

Q: I’ve been selected for the programme. What do I do now?

A: First of all, congrats! After you’re done celebrating, you should try to find what research group and professors interest you the most and correspond with them. The world would be a better place if people communicated with professors or did internships with them during their bachelors and then joined research. But this is close enough.

That’s it for now. All the best and do let me know if you have more questions! This Q&A is forever incomplete.

MS @ IITB FAQ