Hi everyone! I’m Ishaan Mane, I gave GATE CS 2025 and secured AIR 1445 with a GATE score of 688. I belong to the general category. I would like to share my experience applying for the MS (by Research) program at IIT Madras
Application and Written Test
I applied for the MS program offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Madras.
The selection procedure involved a written test, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. Applicants were required to choose two out of three available panels, though final admission would be granted to only one panel. The three panels were:
Intelligent Systems
Theoretical Systems
Computing Systems
The MS thesis work of a student would typically align with the subjects and domains associated with the selected panel. I had selected the Intelligent Systems and Computing Systems Panel.
I revised the entire GATE syllabus in preparation for the written test. For the interviews, I had focused on strengthening my concepts in Linear Algebra, Probability, Data Structures and a few fundamentals of Machine Learning.
The written test was conducted offline in May 2025 inside the Computer Science Block. It was a 2-hour long test (10 AM to 12 PM) with 30 questions, and the difficulty level was similar to GATE. The marking scheme followed a +2 for correct and -1 for incorrect answers policy. I attempted 28 questions and was confident about 26 of them. While the number of shortlisted candidates wasn’t officially disclosed, there were at least 100–150 candidates present.
Unfortunately, I was not shortlisted for the interview stage. The results were announced by 1 PM on the same day.
Campus Life & Stay Experience
I stayed on the IIT Madras campus along with three friends. We arrived in Chennai around 11 AM and took a local cab to the IIT Madras campus for Rs 500, which was cheaper than the Rs 600+ quoted by cab apps. The drive took about 35 minutes, given it was peak traffic time.
The campus itself was stunning—it truly felt like being in a forest. The distance between the main gate and the hostel blocks is quite far, but a dedicated, free bus service runs back and forth to make commuting easier.
We were allotted rooms in Pampa Hostel, and since we were asked to stay until for 4 days, we paid Rs 1980 (which included Rs 450 per day and some miscellaneous charges). The rooms were single occupancy and provided just a cot, chair, and study desk. No mattress, bedding, or bucket was provided, which was communicated in advance. I managed to find a spare mattress in the hostel store room, but for others, nearby shops in Velachery could be an option.
You can watch the room tour video I recorded here: https://youtu.be/0OAIQEcq9v0
Food was available via coupons for the K-Star Restaurant, which is part of the Himalaya Mess. The food was decent, and I particularly enjoyed the day they served large chunks of watermelon. While the main canteen was a bit expensive, Zaitoon near the hostel was a great option for tea and quick snacks.
Luckily, it had rained on the day we arrived, so the weather remained pleasant and allowed us to explore the campus on foot. We came across deers, blackbucks, and several species of birds during our walk.
Reflections and Suggestions
The shortlisting criteria for interviews were unclear. For instance, I know a candidate with a GATE rank of 329 who didn’t clear the written test, while another with a rank of around 2000 (GATE score 653) was shortlisted. Both claimed to have solved 25 out of 30 questions correctly.
I also spoke to a candidate who was shortlisted for the Computing Systems Panel (He had a rnk of 539), and from his experience, it appeared that the professors began by assessing the candidate’s basic understanding of core subjects related to the panel. Once satisfied, they gradually shifted to more in-depth questions within a specific domain, likely based on the candidate’s responses or area of interest.
That said, if you have a GATE score above 600, I highly recommend applying for the MS program at IIT Madras. Also, keep revising the GATE syllabus regularly, especially if you’re aiming to clear the interviews, as that knowledge will definitely come in handy.
All The Best!
