Master of Computer Application [MCA] (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science)
Accepted entrance exams
Fees
Fees at Graphic Era Hill University for the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science and Engineering program range from INR 1.8 lakhs to INR 3 lakhs per year. The total four-year course may cost between INR 8 lakhs and INR 12 lakhs, potentially reaching up to INR 15 lakhs, depending on scholarships based on various criteria such as Uttarakhand domicile, military background, academic performance, and gender. Tuition fees are subjected to moderate annual hikes, typically around 5- 10%.
Additional charges include a one-time admission fee of INR 10,000, refundable caution money of INR 5,000, and semester-based examination, library, and service fees ranging from INR 1,000 to INR 9,000 each. Hostel accommodation incurs an additional annual charge of INR 1.2 lakhs. Scholarships provide significant fee reductions; examples include a 25% fee waiver for Uttarakhand residents, 10% for female students, and other merit-based discounts based on JEE scores or board exam results.
About Master of Computer Application [MCA] (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science)
The MCA in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AI & DS) at Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU), Dehradun is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered under the Department of Computer Application. The programme provides cutting-edge education in AI technologies, machine learning, deep learning, data analytics, natural language processing, and advanced programming. It is designed to prepare graduates for high-demand careers in the rapidly evolving AI and data science industry. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 4.42 Lakhs (for All India candidates without scholarship). The course is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is popular among students seeking specialised careers in AI, ML, Data Science, and Business Intelligence.
Admissions 2026 are currently open at GEHU Dehradun. Admission is based on merit of the qualifying examination (UPTU-SEE / UTU-SEE) or merit of the qualifying graduation exam. The batch is expected to commence in August 2026.
Key Points
- The programme is specifically designed for the AI and Data Science domain, covering Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Computing.
- Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hadoop, Spark, and data visualisation platforms.
- Unlike the regular MCA, the MCA (AI & DS) has broader eligibility - any graduate with 55% marks can apply, not just CS/IT graduates.
- The curriculum is developed in alignment with industry requirements, ensuring graduates are job-ready for roles at top tech companies.
- GEHU's dedicated placement cell provides career guidance, internships, and job placement support with leading tech companies including Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, and Google.
- GEHU is NAAC accredited with state-of-the-art AI and computing labs supporting advanced research and project work.
GEHU MCA (AI & DS) Fees
The MCA (AI & DS) programme at GEHU Dehradun has a total fee of approximately Rs. 4.42 Lakhs for All India candidates (without scholarship, without annual payment discount). The tuition fee per semester is Rs. 92,000 in Year 1 and Rs. 98,900 in Year 2 - slightly higher than the regular MCA, reflecting the specialised AI & DS curriculum. Merit-based scholarships are available based on graduation percentage, with the highest bracket (80%+) offering Rs. 12,600 per semester. Uttarakhand and other hilly state candidates are eligible for an additional state concession on tuition fees.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee Component | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee - Year 1 (2 semesters x Rs. 92,000) | 1,84,000 |
| Tuition Fee - Year 2 (2 semesters x Rs. 98,900) | 1,97,800 |
| Total Tuition Fee (2 Years) | 3,81,800 |
| Admission Fee (One-time) | 10,000 |
| Enrolment Fee (One-time) | 5,000 |
| Other Charges (Exam, Library, Insurance, Sports, PDP etc.) - 2 Years | 42,200 |
| Caution Money (Refundable) | 3,000 |
| Total Fees (All India, No Scholarship) | 4,42,000 |
| Hostel Fees (Optional, per year) | Rs. 1,20,000 - Rs. 2,30,000 (depending on room type) |
- Caution Money of Rs. 3,000 is fully refundable at the time of course completion.
- A 5% discount is applicable on tuition fees if paid in yearly (annual) mode.
- Hostel fees are optional and not included in the Total Fees above.
- Hostel charges for 2026-27 range from Rs. 1,20,000 (4-seater non-AC) to Rs. 2,30,000 (single AC) per year, plus a one-time registration fee of Rs. 10,000 and a refundable security deposit of Rs. 5,000-Rs. 10,000.
- Half-yearly payment option is also available; the 5% discount does not apply to half-yearly payments.
- Fees are subject to revision as per university policy.
- Uttarakhand and other hilly state candidates (Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Sikkim, North-Eastern states) are eligible for a state concession on tuition fees (50% seats reserved for Uttarakhand candidates).
GEHU MCA (AI & DS) Admission 2026
Admissions 2026 at GEHU Dehradun are currently open for the MCA (AI & DS) programme. Admission is based on merit of the qualifying examination (UPTU-SEE / UTU-SEE) or merit of the qualifying graduation exam. NIMCET scores are also accepted. The university follows a rolling admission process with seats allotted on a merit-cum-first-come basis.
GEHU Admission Dates
| Event | Date/Period |
|---|---|
| Admissions Open | Open (as of March 2026) |
| Online Application Available | Ongoing |
| Application Fee | Rs. 1,500 |
| Merit List / Provisional Allotment | Rolling basis |
| Batch Commencement | August 2026 (tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Registration | Exam Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIMCET 2026 | Mar 3, 2026 - May 1, 2026 | Jun 6, 2026 | Jun 29, 2026 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor's degree of minimum 3 years duration in BCA / B.Sc IT / B.Sc (Hons.) Computer Science / B.Voc in Computer Science with Basic Mathematics up to 12th, OR any graduation with at least 55% aggregate marks from a recognised university.
- The eligibility is broader than the regular MCA - graduates from any stream with 55%+ can apply.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of their qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Admission Process
- Visit apply.gehu.ac.in and fill the online application form.
- Upload required documents (graduation marksheets, 12th marksheet, ID proof, photographs).
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 1,500 online.
- Admission is based on merit of qualifying exam (UPTU-SEE / UTU-SEE / NIMCET score / graduation percentage).
- Receive provisional allotment letter digitally upon merit evaluation.
- Pay the course fee to confirm admission (yearly or half-yearly mode).
GEHU MCA (AI & DS) Scholarships 2026
GEHU Dehradun offers a merit-based scholarship structure for the MCA (AI & DS) programme based on graduation percentage. Scholarships are locked in at the time of admission for the entire course duration, subject to maintaining a minimum 7 SGPA each semester. Multiple scholarships can be stacked (up to Academic Scholarship + 3 additional scholarships).
Scholarship Structure
| Scholarship / Concession | Eligibility Criterion | Amount / Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship (Highest Bracket) | Graduation 80%+ | Rs. 12,600 per semester |
| Academic Scholarship (2nd Bracket) | Graduation 75-80% | Rs. 8,400 per semester |
| Academic Scholarship (3rd Bracket) | Graduation 70-75% | Rs. 6,300 per semester |
| Academic Scholarship (4th Bracket) | Graduation 65-70% | Rs. 4,200 per semester |
| Academic Scholarship (5th Bracket) | Graduation 60-65% | Nil |
| Diversity Scholarship | 70%+ in 12th (10% of All India seats) | Rs. 12,000 per semester |
| Diversity Scholarship (Lower Bracket) | 60-69.99% in 12th | Rs. 9,000 per semester |
| Female Candidate Concession | All female candidates | 10% on Net Tuition Fee (additional) |
| Ward of Defence Personnel Concession | Wards of current/ex-servicemen (Army, Navy, Air Force, Paramilitary) | 5% on Net Tuition Fee |
| Loyalty Concession | Alumni of any Graphic Era Group institution | 10% on Net Tuition Fee |
| Sibling Concession | Immediate sibling of current GEHU student | 7.5% on Net Tuition Fee |
| Sibling Concession (Alumni) | Immediate sibling of GEHU alumni | 5% on Net Tuition Fee |
| Annual Payment Concession | Paying fees in yearly (annual) mode | 5% on Net Tuition Fee |
| State Concession | Candidates from Uttarakhand, HP, J&K, Sikkim, NE states | Special concession on tuition fee (50% seats reserved) |
- Scholarship bracket is frozen at the time of admission and does not change during the course.
- Scholarship is not applicable for a semester if the student scores below 7 SGPA or has a backlog in any subject; it is reinstated once the student clears the backlog and scores 7 SGPA or above.
- A maximum of Academic Scholarship + 3 additional scholarships/concessions can be availed simultaneously.
- All scholarships require valid supporting documents; failure to provide documents results in cancellation of the scholarship.
GEHU MCA (AI & DS) Placement 2026
Placement Companies
| Companies |
|---|
| Amazon |
| Adobe |
| Microsoft |
| Infosys |
| IBM |
| TCS |
| Wipro |
GEHU MCA (AI & DS) FAQs
Ques. Can a non-CS/IT graduate apply for MCA (AI & DS) at GEHU? Is the eligibility different from regular MCA?
Ans. Yes, the MCA (AI & DS) has broader eligibility than the regular MCA. While the regular MCA requires a BCA/B.Sc IT/B.Sc CS background specifically, the MCA (AI & DS) allows any graduate with at least 55% marks to apply, provided they have Basic Mathematics up to 12th level. This means graduates from commerce, science, or even arts backgrounds with Maths can apply for the AI & DS specialisation.
Ques. What is the difference between MCA (AI & DS) and regular MCA at GEHU? Which is better for placements?
Ans. The MCA (AI & DS) is a specialised programme focused on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Science, and related technologies. The regular MCA covers a broader range of computer applications including software development, networking, and database management. For placements in AI/ML/Data Science roles at top tech companies, MCA (AI & DS) is the better choice. For broader IT roles (software development, system administration, etc.), the regular MCA is more suitable.
Ques. What tools and technologies are taught in the MCA (AI & DS) programme at GEHU?
Ans. The programme covers industry-standard tools and technologies including Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn, Hadoop, Apache Spark, SQL/NoSQL databases, Tableau, Power BI, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). Students also learn about Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning, and Big Data Analytics, making them well-equipped for real-world AI and data science roles.
Ques. What are the career prospects after MCA (AI & DS) from GEHU Dehradun?
Ans. Graduates can pursue high-demand roles such as Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Specialist, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, and AI Research Scientist. The AI and Data Science field is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, with companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro actively hiring AI/ML professionals. Salaries for AI/ML roles are significantly higher than general IT roles.
Ques. Is the MCA (AI & DS) fee higher than the regular MCA at GEHU? What is the fee after scholarship?
Ans. Yes, the MCA (AI & DS) is slightly more expensive than the regular MCA. The gross total fee is approximately Rs. 4.42 Lakhs (vs Rs. 4.12 Lakhs for regular MCA), reflecting the specialised curriculum and infrastructure. With the highest merit scholarship (Rs. 12,600 per semester x 4 = Rs. 50,400) plus the 5% annual payment discount, the net fee can come down to approximately Rs. 3.65 Lakhs for top-merit All India candidates. Female candidates get an additional 10% concession on net tuition.
Ques. Does GEHU provide placement support specifically for AI and Data Science roles? What companies recruit?
Ans. Yes, GEHU has a dedicated placement cell that provides career guidance, internship facilitation, and job placement support. For AI & DS graduates, the placement cell connects students with tech companies actively hiring in AI/ML/Data Science. Companies like Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Infosys, IBM, and various AI-focused startups and product companies recruit from GEHU's campus. The university's strong industry connections and placement track record make it a good choice for students targeting AI/DS careers.