Bachelor of Computer Applications [BCA]
Accepted entrance exams
About Bachelor of Computer Applications [BCA]
The Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) at IAER, Kolkata is a 4-year full-time undergraduate programme affiliated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) and approved by AICTE. Spanning 8 semesters, the programme covers core areas of computer science and applications including programming languages (C, C++, Java, Python), database management, web development, operating systems, software engineering, networking, and data structures. The total course fee is INR 4,12,000 (without scholarship), with an ICET scholarship of up to INR 50,000 available, bringing the net fee down to INR 3,62,000. The programme has a seat intake of 60 students per batch and is offered in full-time on-campus mode at IAER's Newtown campus, Kolkata. BCA is one of the most sought-after undergraduate IT programmes in India, providing a strong foundation for careers in software development, IT services, and higher studies such as MCA or M.Sc. (Computer Science).
Admissions for the 2026-2030 batch are currently open. Applications can be submitted online via the official IAER admission portal (admission.iaer.ac.in) or through walk-in registration at the campus. The Early Bird Scholarship is valid up to 30th May 2026. Admissions are granted on a merit-cum-first-come-first-served basis, and students are advised to apply early to secure seats and avail scholarship benefits.
Key Points
- Affiliated to MAKAUT (Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology) and approved by AICTE
- Programme duration: 4 years (8 semesters); full-time on-campus at Newtown, Kolkata
- Candidates must have Mathematics as a subject in Class 12 for BCA admission (as per IAER eligibility norms)
- Curriculum covers programming (C, C++, Java, Python), DBMS, web development, networking, software engineering, and data structures
- Specialised BCA variants also available: BCA in Data Science and Cyber Security (BCA-DSCS) and BCA in AI and Machine Learning (BCA-AIML)
- Compulsory internship programme integrated into the curriculum for real-world IT exposure
- State-of-the-art computer labs with latest software and hardware for hands-on training
- Option to study abroad in the final year through credit transfer to universities in the US, Europe, and Australia
- 100% placement assistance provided by the institute's dedicated Training and Placement Cell
IAER BCA Fees
The total course fee for BCA at IAER is INR 4,12,000 (without scholarship). Students who qualify for the ICET scholarship can avail a waiver of INR 50,000, reducing the net payable amount to INR 3,62,000. The fee is structured across 8 instalments over 4 years, with the first year being the highest due to the one-time admission fee component. University exam fees of INR 1,200 per semester are payable separately, and a one-time university registration fee of INR 2,750 is also applicable.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee (one-time, paid at the time of joining) | 67,000 |
| 1st Instalment (1st Semester) | 40,000 |
| 2nd Instalment (2nd Semester) | 45,000 |
| 3rd Instalment (3rd Semester) | 45,000 |
| 4th Instalment (4th Semester) | 45,000 |
| 5th Instalment (5th Semester) | 45,000 |
| 6th Instalment (6th Semester) | 45,000 |
| 7th Instalment (7th Semester) | 12,500 |
| 8th Instalment (8th Semester) | 12,500 |
| University Registration Fee (one-time) | 2,750 |
| University Exam Fee (per semester x 8) | 9,600 |
| Total Fees | 4,24,350 |
- ICET Scholarship of INR 50,000 is available; net course fee after scholarship: INR 3,62,000 (course fee component only, excluding university charges).
- University Exam Fee of INR 1,200 per semester is payable separately each semester.
- University Registration Fee of INR 2,750 is a one-time charge.
- Uniform (2-3 sets per year) is included in the course fee.
- Hostel accommodation is optional and charged separately on a monthly basis:
- AC Single Occupancy: INR 11,000/month (including food).
- AC Twin Occupancy: INR 10,000/month (including food).
- AC Triple Occupancy: INR 9,000/month (including food).
- Non-AC Single Occupancy: INR 10,000/month (including food).
- Non-AC Twin Occupancy: INR 9,000/month (including food).
- Non-AC Triple Occupancy: INR 8,000/month (including food).
- A one-time refundable hostel security deposit of INR 10,000 is applicable for hostel residents.
- Application fee: INR 1,000 (non-refundable).
- EMI/instalment-based payment is available as per the schedule above.
IAER BCA Admission 2026
Admissions to the BCA programme at IAER for the 2026-2030 batch are currently open and ongoing. The selection process is merit-based, primarily considering Class 12 board examination marks. Students who have appeared for Class 12 exams are also eligible to apply provisionally. The institute conducts its own IAER Common Entrance Test (ICET), which is used both for admission and for determining scholarship eligibility. Candidates opting for BCA must have Mathematics as a subject in their Class 12.
IAER BCA Admission Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | Ongoing (Open) |
| Early Bird Scholarship Last Date | 30th May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | Until seats are filled (tentatively July 2026) |
| Batch Commencement | August 2026 (Tentative) |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed Class 10+2 with Mathematics and English as subjects from a recognised board
- Students appearing for Class 12 examinations are also eligible to apply provisionally
- A minimum of 50-60% marks in Class 12 is generally preferred for merit-based selection
Admission Process
- Visit the official IAER admission portal at admission.iaer.ac.in or visit the campus directly
- Fill in the online/offline application form and pay the application fee of INR 1,000
- Attend a video counselling session or in-person counselling with an IAER admission officer
- Appear for the IAER Common Entrance Test (ICET) for scholarship determination
- Receive the selection/offer letter via email
- Submit required documents and pay the admission fee to confirm the seat
IAER BCA Scholarships 2026
IAER offers multiple scholarship options for BCA students, including the ICET-based scholarship, Early Bird Scholarship, and Merit Scholarship. The ICET scholarship of INR 50,000 is the most significant financial benefit available to UG students and is applicable to the BCA programme. Additionally, students can apply for various state and central government scholarships. Only one institutional scholarship can be availed at a time, though government scholarships can be combined.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAER ICET Scholarship | All students who appear for ICET at the time of admission | INR 50,000 | Applicable to BCA; reduces course fee from INR 4,12,000 to INR 3,62,000 |
| Early Bird Scholarship | Students who apply and complete admission before 30th May 2026 | Up to INR 50,000 | Valid till 30th May of every session; cannot be combined with Merit Scholarship |
| Merit Scholarship | Students securing 90% and above in Class XII | INR 50,000 | Cannot be combined with Early Bird Scholarship |
| Government of India National Scholarship | As per NSP eligibility criteria | Varies | Apply at scholarships.gov.in |
| WB Aikyashree Scholarship | Minority community students from West Bengal | Varies | Apply at wbmdfcscholarship.org |
| WB Oasis Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC students from West Bengal | Varies | Apply at oasis.gov.in |
| WB School Education Scholarship | As per WB state eligibility | Varies | Apply at scholarships.wbsed.gov.in |
- A candidate can apply for only one institutional scholarship at a time (ICET, Early Bird, or Merit).
- Government scholarships (central and state) can be applied for in addition to institutional scholarships.
- Students must fill a separate scholarship form along with the main application form at the time of admission.
- The admission officer guides eligible students through the government scholarship application process.
IAER BCA Placement 2026
IAER's Training and Placement Cell provides structured placement support to BCA students through a 4-year training programme covering technical skills, aptitude, soft skills, and mock interviews. IT stream graduates from IAER have been placed at companies such as GoIbibo (6 LPA), Flipkart (7 LPA), Intellect Design Arena (3.5 LPA), and Sharekhan (2.5 LPA). BCA graduates can pursue roles such as Software Developer, Web Developer, Database Administrator, System Analyst, IT Support Engineer, and Network Administrator across IT companies, BPOs, banks, and e-commerce firms.
Placement Statistics
| Placement Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Package (IT Stream) | INR 7 LPA (Flipkart) |
| Average Package (Overall Institute, 2025) | INR 4.88 LPA |
| Lowest Package | INR 3 LPA |
| Total Students Placed (2025) | 294 |
| Total Offers Made (2025) | 512 |
| Top IT Recruiters | GoIbibo, Flipkart, Intellect Design Arena, Sharekhan |
- Placement statistics are at the overall institute level. Course-specific (BCA) exclusive placement data is not separately published by IAER.
IAER BCA FAQs
Ques. Is Mathematics compulsory for BCA admission at IAER Kolkata?
Ans. Yes, candidates opting for BCA at IAER must have Mathematics as a subject in their Class 12. This is a specific eligibility requirement for BCA, unlike BBA or B.Sc programmes at IAER where any stream is accepted. Students from the Science or Commerce stream with Mathematics are eligible.
Ques. What is the difference between BCA (General), BCA in Data Science and Cyber Security, and BCA in AI and ML at IAER?
Ans. IAER offers three BCA variants. The general BCA covers core computer applications including programming, DBMS, web development, and networking. BCA in Data Science and Cyber Security (BCA-DSCS) has an additional focus on data analytics and cybersecurity concepts. BCA in AI and Machine Learning (BCA-AIML) focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and data science. All three have the same fee structure of INR 4,12,000.
Ques. What is the total fee for BCA at IAER and how is it paid?
Ans. The total course fee for BCA at IAER is INR 4,12,000 (without scholarship). With the ICET scholarship of INR 50,000, the net fee is INR 3,62,000. The fee is paid in 8 instalments over 4 years. At the time of joining, you pay the admission fee of INR 67,000 plus the 1st instalment. University exam fees (INR 1,200 per semester) and a one-time registration fee (INR 2,750) are payable separately.
Ques. What are the career options after BCA from IAER Kolkata?
Ans. BCA graduates from IAER can pursue roles such as Software Developer, Web Developer, Database Administrator, System Analyst, IT Support Engineer, Network Administrator, and Junior Programmer. Top IT recruiters from IAER include GoIbibo, Flipkart, and Intellect Design Arena. Many BCA graduates also pursue MCA or M.Sc. (Computer Science) for advanced career opportunities.
Ques. Can I pursue MCA after BCA from IAER?
Ans. Yes, BCA from IAER (MAKAUT-affiliated) is a UGC-recognised degree and makes graduates eligible to apply for MCA programmes at various universities. MCA entrance exams such as NIMCET, MAH MCA CET, and university-specific tests can be attempted after BCA. This is a popular pathway for students seeking advanced IT roles.
Ques. Does IAER provide any industry exposure or internship during the BCA programme?
Ans. Yes, IAER integrates a compulsory internship programme into the BCA curriculum. Students get opportunities for internships in areas such as software development, web development, database management, IT support, and digital marketing. The institute also arranges industry expert lectures, workshops, and campus-to-corporate training sessions throughout the 4-year programme.