Master of Technology [M.Tech] (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science)
Fees
Fees at Thakur College of Engineering and Technology for the Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] program in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science include an annual tuition fee ranging from Rs. 148,500 to Rs. 170,000. In addition to tuition, there is a university fee of approximately Rs. 5,000. Various scholarships are available, which significantly reduce the financial burden for eligible students. The Economically Backward Class (EBC) scholarship provides a 50% tuition and examination fee reimbursement for students with a family income below Rs.
8 lakhs, potentially reducing costs to approximately Rs. 65,000. Additional financial assistance is accessible through Thakur Trust, TSDW funds, and Alumni association funds for those not qualifying for EBC due to CAP round admission criteria. Furthermore, fees for general category students are around Rs. 159,000, which can be decreased to Rs. 97,000 through EBC or other category-specific scholarships. Despite opportunities for financial aid, extra charges for admission and exam forms may apply.
About Master of Technology [M.Tech] (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science)
The M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science at TCET Mumbai is a full-time, on-campus 2-year postgraduate programme affiliated to the University of Mumbai and approved by AICTE. Launched in A.Y. 2026-27, the programme has a seat intake of 18 and is designed for B.E./B.Tech graduates who wish to specialize in AI, machine learning, data science, and advanced analytics. The total programme fee is Rs. 1 lakh (2 years) as per the official TCET admission portal, making it one of the most affordable M.Tech programmes in Mumbai. Admission is conducted through the Maharashtra State CET Cell's ME/M.Tech CAP process, with GATE-qualified candidates given preference. The programme is popular among working professionals and fresh graduates seeking deep specialization in the rapidly growing AI and data science domain.
Admissions for A.Y. 2026-27 are expected to open in July 2026, based on the A.Y. 2025-26 ME/M.Tech CAP schedule (registration: July 1-16, 2025; CAP rounds: August 2025; cut-off: September 15, 2025). The current batch (A.Y. 2025-26) is the first batch of this programme at TCET. Students interested in A.Y. 2026-27 admissions should register on the official ME/M.Tech portal (me2026.mahacet.org or updated URL) when it opens in July 2026.
Key Points
- The programme is newly launched at TCET in A.Y. 2025-26, making it one of the first M.Tech AI&DS cohorts at the institute.
- With only 18 seats, the programme offers a highly focused, research-oriented learning environment with personalized faculty attention.
- Admission is open to both GATE-qualified and non-GATE candidates; GATE-qualified candidates receive preference in the CAP merit list.
- Sponsored candidates (working professionals with 2+ years of experience in a relevant field) are also eligible to apply under the sponsorship scheme.
- The programme is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and benefits from TCET's established AI&DS department infrastructure, including the Thakur-Accenture Innovation Center.
- Graduates are equipped for roles as AI Research Engineer, Data Science Lead, ML Architect, AI Consultant, and Research Scientist, or can pursue Ph.D. programmes.
- The total programme fee of approximately Rs. 1 lakh (2 years) makes this one of the most cost-effective M.Tech AI&DS programmes in Mumbai's private engineering college ecosystem.
TCET M.Tech (AI&DS) Fees
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (per year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Rs. 45,000 (approx.) |
| Development Fee | Rs. 4,500 (approx.) |
| Library Deposit (Refundable) | Rs. 500 |
| Total Fees (per year) | Rs. 50,000 |
Total Programme Fees
| Total Programme Fees (2 Years) | Rs. 1,00,000 (approx.) |
|---|
Hostel Fees
| Male Students | Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 92,000 per year (approx.) |
| Female Students | Rs. 1,43,000 to Rs. 2,12,000 per year (approx.) |
- The total ME/M.Tech fee as listed on the official TCET admission portal is Rs. 50,000 per year (Rs. 1 lakh for 2 years).
- This is the government-regulated fee for ME/M.Tech programmes in Maharashtra under the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA).
- The above breakup is indicative.
- Hostel availability is subject to seat availability and is not mandatory for the course.
- Fee refund before the cut-off date: Total fees minus Rs. 1,000 processing charges (as per DTE/ARA guidelines).
- If admission is cancelled after the cut-off date, no refund is applicable except Security Deposit and Caution Money Deposit.
- Fees are subject to revision as per University of Mumbai, AICTE, and FRA guidelines.
- Fee payment can be made online via the TCET payment portal.
TCET M.Tech (AI&DS) Admission 2026
ME/M.Tech CAP Admission Schedule - A.Y. 2026-27
| Event | Tentative Date (A.Y. 2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens on ME/M.Tech Portal | July 1, 2026 |
| Online Registration and Document Upload Deadline | July 16, 2026 |
| Display of Provisional Merit List | July 19, 2026 |
| Grievance Submission Period | July 20-22, 2026 |
| Display of Final Merit List | July 26, 2026 |
| CAP Round I - Option Form Filling | July 27-29, 2026 |
| CAP Round I - Provisional Allotment | August 1, 2026 |
| CAP Round I - Seat Acceptance and Reporting to Institute | August 2-4, 2026 |
| CAP Round II - Option Form Filling | August 6-8, 2026 |
| CAP Round II - Provisional Allotment | August 10, 2026 |
| CAP Round II - Seat Acceptance and Reporting | August 11-13, 2026 |
| CAP Round III - Option Form Filling | August 16-18, 2026 |
| CAP Round III - Provisional Allotment | August 19, 2026 |
| CAP Round III - Seat Acceptance and Reporting | August 20-22, 2026 |
| CAP Round IV - Option Form Filling | August 24-26, 2026 |
| CAP Round IV - Provisional Allotment | August 28, 2026 |
| CAP Round IV - Seat Acceptance and Reporting | August 29-31, 2026 |
| Institute Level Admissions (Vacant Seats) | September 2-15, 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for All Admissions | September 15, 2026 (Tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates - GATE 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 Registration Start | August 28, 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Registration End | October 13, 2025 |
| GATE 2026 Admit Card Release | January 13, 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Exam Dates | February 7, 8, 14, 15, 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Answer Key Release | February 19, 2026 |
| GATE 2026 Result Declaration | March 19, 2026 |
| ME/M.Tech CAP Registration (A.Y. 2026-27) | July 2026 (Tentative) |
- The above schedule is tentative and based on the A.Y. 2025-26 ME/M.Tech CAP schedule (Registration: July 1-16, 2025; Final Merit List: July 26, 2025; CAP Round I: August 1-4, 2025; CAP Round II: August 10-13, 2025; CAP Round III: August 19-22, 2025; CAP Round IV: August 28-31, 2025; Cut-off: September 15, 2025).
- The official A.Y. 2026-27 schedule will be published on the ME portal (mahacet.org).
- GATE 2026 has already been conducted (February 2026).
- For A.Y. 2026-27 admissions, GATE 2027 scores will be applicable.
- GATE 2027 registration is expected to open in August-September 2026.
- Non-GATE candidates can also apply but GATE-qualified candidates receive preference in the merit list.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indian National.
- Must have passed B.E./B.Tech in a relevant field (Computer Engineering, IT, Computer Science, AI&DS, AI&ML, Electronics, or allied branches) from an AICTE/Central/State Government approved institution with at least 50% marks (45% for Reserved/EWS/PwD categories from Maharashtra).
- Must have a valid GATE score (preferred) OR non-qualified GATE marks for the current academic year.
- Sponsored candidates: Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in a registered firm/company/industry/educational or research institute in the relevant field.
Admission Process
- Register on the official ME/M.Tech portal (me2026.mahacet.org or updated URL) when it opens in July 2026.
- Upload required documents and pay the registration fee online.
- Verify documents through e-Scrutiny or Physical Scrutiny mode.
- Check provisional and final merit list on the ME portal.
- Participate in CAP rounds by filling option forms online and accepting allotted seats.
- Report to TCET with original documents and pay fees to confirm admission.
- For vacant seats after CAP, apply directly to TCET as per institute-level admission schedule.
TCET M.Tech (AI&DS) Scholarships 2026
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Benefit | Application Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC) | First-time PG students under 30 years in UGC-recognised full-time programmes | Rs. 10,000 per year or Rs. 15,000 per month (as applicable) | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| PM-USP (NSP) Yojana | 80% in qualifying exam, AICTE-recognised PG course, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 lakhs | Rs. 82,000 per annum | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
| Government Scholarship for SC/ST Students | SC/ST category students | Full Tuition Fee + Exam Fee (as per government norms) | MahaDBT Portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in) |
| OBC/SBC/VJNT/NT Scholarship | OBC, SBC, VJNT, NT category students with Non-Creamy Layer certificate | Tuition Fee concession as per government norms | MahaDBT Portal |
| Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulk Shishyavrutti Yojana (EBC) | Students with family annual income up to Rs. 1,00,000 | 50% of Tuition Fee waiver | MahaDBT Portal |
| GATE Fellowship (MHRD/AICTE) | GATE-qualified students admitted to AICTE-approved M.Tech programmes | Rs. 12,400 per month (as per AICTE norms, subject to institute being GATE fellowship eligible) | Through institute/AICTE |
| Tata Trusts Means Grant Scheme | Economically weaker students (merit-cum-means basis) | Financial grant (amount varies) | Through TCET Admin Office |
- GATE fellowship of Rs. 12,400 per month is available to GATE-qualified students in AICTE-approved M.Tech programmes.
- Students should confirm TCET's eligibility for GATE fellowship disbursement with the admin office at the time of admission.
- MahaDBT scholarships are applied through the Maharashtra government's MahaDBT portal.
- Applications for A.Y. 2025-26 were open from June 30, 2025.
- Non-Creamy Layer certificate (valid up to March 31 of the relevant year) is mandatory for OBC/SBC/VJNT/NT category scholarships.
- UGC/NSP scholarships must be applied through the National Scholarship Portal within the notified deadlines (typically October-November of the academic year).
According to an external review site Ranking 2025, TCET Mumbai ranks 319 out of 500 colleges in India and 32 in state Maharashtra for its M.Tech Artificial Intelligence & Data Science program.
- 201 out of 300 under NIRF Engineering Ranking 2020.
- 68 out of 150 under Outlook Engineering Ranking 2019.
- 49 out of 175 under The Times Of India Engineering Ranking 2025.
Read more on TCET Mumbai Rankings here
TCET M.Tech (AI&DS) FAQs
Ques. Is GATE mandatory for M.Tech AI&DS admission at TCET? Can I apply without a GATE score?
Ans. GATE is not mandatory for M.Tech admission at TCET. The Maharashtra ME/M.Tech CAP process accepts both GATE-qualified and non-GATE candidates. However, GATE-qualified candidates are given preference in the merit list over non-GATE candidates. If you have a GATE score in CS (Computer Science) or DA (Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), your chances of getting a seat are significantly higher. Non-GATE candidates are considered only after all GATE-qualified candidates have been accommodated. Sponsored candidates (working professionals with 2+ years of experience) can also apply under the sponsorship scheme without a GATE score.
Ques. What is the total fee for M.Tech AI&DS at TCET? Is it really as low as Rs. 1 lakh for 2 years?
Ans. Yes, the total programme fee for M.Tech/ME at TCET is Rs. 50,000 per year, making the 2-year total approximately Rs. 1 lakh. This is the government-regulated fee set by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) of Maharashtra for ME/M.Tech programmes at private unaided engineering colleges. This fee is significantly lower than most private engineering colleges in Mumbai for PG programmes. Additionally, GATE-qualified students may be eligible for the AICTE GATE fellowship of Rs. 12,400 per month, which can effectively make the programme self-funding. Students should confirm fellowship eligibility with TCET's admin office.
Ques. What is the seat intake for M.Tech AI&DS at TCET? How competitive is the admission?
Ans. The seat intake for M.Tech AI&DS at TCET is 18 seats. Given the small intake and the growing demand for AI&DS specialization, competition can be moderate to high, especially for GATE-qualified candidates. The merit list is prepared based on GATE score (for GATE candidates) or qualifying exam marks (for non-GATE candidates). Since this is a newly launched programme (A.Y. 2025-26), the first batch has just started. Students with a GATE score in CS or DA paper, or with a strong B.E./B.Tech academic record, have a good chance of securing admission.
Ques. Which B.E./B.Tech branches are eligible for M.Tech AI&DS at TCET? Can a Mechanical or Civil Engineering graduate apply?
Ans. As per the TCET admission portal and University of Mumbai eligibility norms, the relevant graduation branches for M.Tech AI&DS include Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science & Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, Electronics and Telecommunication, and allied branches. Mechanical and Civil Engineering graduates are generally not eligible for M.Tech AI&DS as the branch mapping requires a computer science or electronics background. Students should verify the exact branch eligibility from the official ME/M.Tech information brochure published by the Maharashtra CET Cell each year.
Ques. Can working professionals apply for M.Tech AI&DS at TCET? What is the sponsored category?
Ans. Yes, working professionals can apply under the sponsored category. To be eligible as a sponsored candidate, you must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a registered firm, company, industry, educational institution, or research institute in the relevant field (AI, data science, computer science, or allied areas). Sponsored candidates must submit a sponsorship letter from their employer. Sponsored candidates are considered in a separate merit list and do not compete with regular (non-sponsored) candidates for the same seats. This makes M.Tech AI&DS at TCET an attractive option for working professionals in Mumbai's tech industry who wish to upskill with a formal PG degree.
Ques. What are the career and research opportunities after M.Tech AI&DS from TCET? Can I pursue a Ph.D. after this?
Ans. M.Tech AI&DS graduates from TCET can pursue senior roles such as AI Research Engineer, Data Science Lead, Machine Learning Architect, AI Product Manager, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Specialist, and AI Consultant in industries like fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, and media. The average salary for M.Tech AI&DS graduates in India ranges from Rs. 8 to 18 lakhs per annum depending on skills and company. For research careers, M.Tech graduates are eligible to apply for Ph.D. programmes at IITs, NITs, and other reputed universities. TCET itself offers Ph.D. programmes in Computer Engineering and IT, and M.Tech graduates from TCET can apply for Ph.D. admission at the institute.