A second shot at the IIT dream

IIT Madras offers an online Bachelor of Science degree through its Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), enabling students who didn't crack the JEE to study at an IIT.

Over 36,000 students, including 60-year-old Nagarajan and twins Arnav and Archit Kohli, are enrolled in the program as a flexible, low-cost alternative to traditional BTech.

The program allows students to earn a second degree alongside a BTech, as permitted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) since 2022.

Parents typically spend ₹15-20 lakh on coaching and BTech tuition for an IIT seat, making the online BS degree a more affordable option for many families.