The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are undergoing a significant academic transformation, gradually phasing out the traditional five-year dual degree programmes and introducing more flexible, interdisciplinary alternatives. Once viewed as a pragmatic option for students aiming to secure both a Bachelorโs and Masterโs degree in a single stream, the conventional dual degree model is now being reimagined to align with the changing aspirations of students and the evolving demands of the job market.
In many IITs, the intake for five-year integrated programmes is being absorbed into the expanding BTech pool. This shift is partly driven by increased student strength owing to broader reservation norms and also by diminishing interest amongst high-ranking candidates. Students increasingly prefer standalone BTech courses, which provide them with industry exposure, internships, and early access to placement opportunities by the third year โ advantages that the dual degree students, still engaged in coursework, typically miss out on.
INTERDISCIPLINARY PATHWAYS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
As per leading media reports, several IITs have witnessed students opting out of the dual degree track by the fourth year, citing delayed entry into the workforce and a feeling of disconnection from their BTech batchmates who graduate and step into jobs sooner. This growing trend has led some campuses, such as IIT Bombay, to formally discontinue the programme altogether.
However, rather than discarding the dual degree concept entirely, the IITs are revamping it with a future-ready approach. In its new form, the dual degree is being offered as a more layered, interdisciplinary programme โ enabling students to earn a Bachelorโs in one discipline and a Masterโs in another. The redesigned format allows for combinations such as mechanical engineering with robotics or physics with data science, encouraging students to bridge diverse academic domains.
FOCUS ON INDUSTRY READINESS AND STUDENT CHOICE
Unlike the traditional model where students commit to a dual degree from day one, many IITs are now allowing students to opt for a Masterโs midway through their undergraduate course โ usually after the fifth semester. This flexible structure is designed to accommodate evolving interests and to allow only those with a genuine inclination toward research or higher studies to pursue an additional degree.
While some campuses like IIT Delhi continue to offer dual-degree programmes, these are now selectively taken up by students driven by academic curiosity and research ambition. The newer model also supports the institution’s vision of producing graduates who are grounded in core disciplines but equipped to work at the intersection of emerging technologies and fields.
This academic restructuring reflects a broader shift in engineering education โ one that values depth and versatility equally. As Indiaโs premier technology institutes respond to global trends and student feedback, the five-year engineering programme is being reshaped not just to remain relevant, but to prepare graduates for the complexities of tomorrowโs interdisciplinary challenges.
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