JEE Main 2026: Most Popular Engineering Programmes at IIT-Madras See Record Student Interest

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras), ranked No. 1 in the engineering category of the NIRF Rankings for 10 consecutive years, has once again reaffirmed its reputation as one of the most sought-after institutes in the country. According to the latest Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) report 2025, every one of the 17 programmes offered at IIT-Madras witnessed an increase in student choice count this year.

On average, the institute recorded at least a 9% rise in programme preferences, with specific courses posting year-on-year increases as high as 16%. This upward trend highlights IIT-Madras’s growing appeal among engineering aspirants, driven by traditional programmes and newly introduced courses.

Aerospace Engineering Leads Growth with the Highest Jump

Among all the offered programmes, the five-year Aerospace Engineering course saw the most significant surge in student preference. The choice count increased from 9,505 in 2024 to 11,069 in 2025, a 16.45% rise.

Closely following this, the BTech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics witnessed a 13.24% jump, with the choice count climbing from 20,323 in 2024 to 23,015 this year.

The four-year Aerospace Engineering programme also performed exceptionally well, registering an 11.88% increase, with 15,848 students choosing it in 2025 compared to 14,165 last year.

Similarly, Engineering Physics recorded an 11.87% growth, as the student count rose from 9,627 in 2024 to 10,770 this year. These figures underscore how established and emerging disciplines enjoy steady demand among engineering aspirants.

Strong Performance by Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Unsurprisingly, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) continued to be one of the most popular programmes at IIT-Madras. Twenty-six thousand five hundred forty-seven students selected CSE this year, an 11.81% increase from last year.

Electrical Engineering also showed robust growth, with the four-year programme attracting 22,443 students, reflecting a 10.28% rise compared to 2024.

Mechanical Engineering maintained its strong appeal, with 19,652 students opting for it. While the growth rate was less pronounced than in other courses, it remains among the most in-demand traditional engineering branches.

Newly Introduced Courses Gain Immediate Popularity

Two recently launched programmes made an impressive debut in 2025:

• Computational Engineering and Mechanics was chosen by 14,117 students, reflecting the strong appeal of computational and interdisciplinary studies.
• Instrumentation and Biomedical Engineering attracted 8,371 students, marking a promising start for a field that merges engineering with healthcare applications.

These enrolment numbers demonstrate students' readiness to explore cutting-edge specialisations, especially those that are highly relevant to today’s research-driven and technology-oriented global job market.

Naval Architecture, Biological Sciences, and Other Programmes

Other programmes at IIT-Madras also registered steady student interest:

• Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering attracted 9,155 students, showing a 10.07% rise compared to last year.
• Eight thousand one hundred seven students chose Biological Engineering.
• The five-year Engineering Design programme received 7,838 student choices.
• Physics drew 6,799 students, while Biological Science had 6,024 students opting for it.

Although these courses received lower preference counts than high-demand programmes like CSE or AI, the numbers still reflect healthy interest, especially for highly specialised fields.

AI and Data Science Emerges as a Student Favourite

A particularly noteworthy trend is the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Introduced only last year, this programme quickly climbed the popularity ladder. In 2025, it attracted 23,015 candidates, making it the second-most popular programme at IIT-Madras after Computer Science.

This indicates a shifting preference among students now seeking careers in AI-driven industries, machine learning, big data, and related fields.

Student Preferences: A Broader Perspective

The overall increase in programme choice counts at IIT-Madras reflects multiple factors:

• Institute reputation: IIT-Madras’s consistent No.1 ranking adds credibility.
• New-age courses, such as Introduction to AI, Biomedical Engineering, and Computational Engineering, cater to current industry trends.
• Traditional strengths: Branches like Aerospace, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering continue to attract many students.
• Balanced ecosystem: Even niche programmes like Naval Architecture and Biological Sciences have found steady takers.

The data also underlines how IIT-Madras balances core engineering disciplines with emerging technologies, ensuring students have diverse options aligned with industry demand and academic excellence.

Conclusion: IIT-Madras Remains a Premier Choice

With every programme recording growth in student choice count, IIT-Madras has strengthened its position as a leader in engineering education. From the rise of Aerospace Engineering and the rapid popularity of AI and Data Science to the encouraging start of new interdisciplinary courses, the institute continues to evolve in line with students' aspirations and the needs of the modern world.

For aspirants preparing through JEE Main 2026, these trends provide valuable insights into course popularity and emerging opportunities at India’s top engineering institute.