IIT Madras MA: Fees, Admission 2026, Cutoff, Eligibility, Placement, How To Apply

IIT Madras MA is a 2-year full-time program offered in three specializations. The eligibility criteria for admission to M.A. at IIT Madras is to pass Graduation in the relevant discipline. The selection is primarily based on a valid GATE score in the relevant XH paper sections. The annual tuition fee for M.A. at IIT Madras is ₹ 40,000, with the total academic fee for the entire course duration being ₹ 1.62 Lakhs. More details about eligibility criteria, fees, admission process, selection criteria, application fees, how to apply, and important dates for IIT Madras MA admission are given below. 

IIT Madras MA Highlights

The table below lists the key details of IIT Madras MA, including its duration, admission process, program type, and available specializations.

The institute maintains its stature as a premier institution in India, consistently reflected in the latest IIT Madras Ranking.

IIT Madras MA Admission Dates 2026

Some important dates for IIT Madras MA admission are given below. 

IIT Madras MA Fee Structure 2026

The fees structure for MA at IIT Madras for General/OBC/EWS category students (Hostellers, First Semester) is ₹ 56,500. The fees are subject to revision by the institute. For SC/ST/PwD students, the tuition fee is fully exempted. Candidates can get more details about the fees structure and all programs on the IIT Madras Courses & Fees page.

Note: The total academic fee for the 2-year program is ₹ 1,62,000. The total amount is inclusive of the one-time charges and semester fees for the first semester, excluding hostel and mess charges which are calculated separately. Candidates interested in financial aid options should explore the IIT Madras Scholarships available for eligible students.

IIT Madras MA Eligibility Criteria

To apply for MA at IIT Madras, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements.

GATE Paper Requirements for MA:

• Development Studies: GATE Paper: XH (Economics - C1, Philosophy - C4, Psychology - C5, or Sociology - C6).

• Economics: GATE Paper: XH (Economics - C1).

• English Studies: GATE Paper: XH (English - C2 or Linguistics - C3).

For detailed updates on the application guidelines and prerequisites, candidates should refer to the IIT Madras Admission section.

IIT Madras MA Admission Process 2026

The admission process for MA at IIT Madras is primarily based on the candidate's performance in the GATE exam. Here is the step-wise process:

1. Appear for GATE: The candidate must appear for the GATE examination in the relevant XH paper sections (C1 to C6) as per the desired M.A. specialisation (IIT Madras MA Economics requires XH-C1).

2. Online Application: Candidates must visit the official IIT Madras M.A. admission portal and fill out the online application form within the specified deadline.

3. Application Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable application fee online (₹600/- for General/OBC/EWS, ₹300/- for SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates).

4. Shortlisting: Based on the valid GATE score and the eligibility criteria, candidates are shortlisted for the final selection stage.

5. Final Selection: The final selection is based solely on the valid GATE score (for HTTA/Non-HTTA categories). The institute will release a merit list of selected candidates.

6. Reporting and Enrollment: Selected candidates must report to the institute on the specified date for document verification and complete the enrollment process by paying the necessary fees.

IIT Madras GATE MA Cutoff 2026 (Expected)

The IIT Madras MA cutoff 2026 will range from 720 - 740 marks for Economics in GATE. The overall GATE cutoff score (Closing Marks) for the M.A. program varies significantly across categories and specializations. Given below are the program-wise & category-wise last year's cutoff details:

For the general category, IIT Madras GATE cutoff scores for the MA program ranged from 563 (MA English) to 737 (MA Economics). The detailed results and subsequent announcements related to admission can be tracked on the IIT Madras Result page. For more general cutoff information related to undergraduate courses, you can review the IIT Madras Cut Off information.

IIT Madras MA Placements

The specific official placement report for the IIT Madras MA placements (Development Studies, Economics, and English Studies) is not released separately by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) for the latest batch. However, IIT Madras has an excellent placement record across all departments.

Candidates aspiring for IIT Madras MA Economics placements or Development Studies roles typically secure positions in sectors like data analytics, financial services, policy research, and management consulting. For overall institute placement data, including other PG programs, you can check the IIT Madras Placements information.

Top Recruiters for MA at IIT Madras

Based on general trends for M.A./M.Sc. HSS programs at top IITs, the recruiters for IIT Madras M.A. students often include:

• Deloitte

• EY

• McKinsey & Company

• Goldman Sachs

• TCS

How to Apply for IIT Madras MA Admission 2026

Aspirants must follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for IIT Madras MA admission:

IIT Madras MA Application Process

1. Register for GATE: Ensure you have appeared for and possess a valid score in the required GATE XH paper section for the respective M.A. specialization.

2. Visit the Admission Portal: Go to the official IIT Madras M.A. Admissions website (usually integrated with the M.Tech. admissions portal).

3. Fill the Application Form: Register and log in to fill in all personal, academic, and GATE score details carefully. Select the desired M.A. specialisation(s).

4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all necessary documents, including the GATE scorecard, photographs, signature, and category certificates, as per the specifications.

5. Pay Application Fee: Pay the requisite application fee online (₹600/- for General/OBC/EWS, ₹300/- for SC/ST/PwD/Female). Note that this fee is paid per application/GATE score.

6. Submit and Print: Review the application form thoroughly, submit it, and take a printout of the completed application for future reference.

Documents Required for IIT Madras MA Admission

Candidates must submit the following documents during admission:

• 10th & 12th Mark Sheets

• Graduation Degree & Mark Sheets (For PG Courses)

• Valid GATE Scorecard

• Aadhar Card or Valid ID Proof

• Recent Passport-Sized Photographs

• Category Certificate (If Applicable, especially OBC-NCL, EWS, SC/ST, and PwD certificates in the prescribed format)

• Migration/Transfer Certificate