From the 2024 batch onwards, branch change is no longer available at IIT Madras.
This is the most important thing to know if you are joining IITM or considering it. The system that previously allowed a small number of students to switch branches after their first year has been formally discontinued as part of the 2024 academic reforms. This article explains what branch change was, why it was removed, and crucially what the alternatives are.
What was branch change?
Branch change was the process of switching from the department you joined to a different one, based on your academic performance after the first year. At IIT Madras, the criteria were:
A CGPA of 8.0 or above at the end of Semester 2
Completion of all prescribed credits in the first two semesters, in the first attempt
No disciplinary action during the first year
Availability of a seat in the target department (branch size could change by only 10%)
In practice, this meant only a handful of students could make the switch each year. For a coveted branch like CSE, typically only 4–5 students across the entire institute would get in through branch change. The system was competitive, stressful, and had a very low success rate for most aspirants.
Why was it discontinued?
The decision followed a periodic curriculum review aimed at modernising the academic experience. Dr. Prathap Haridoss, Dean of Academic Courses at IIT Madras, explained that many students assume they will change their branch after the first year, but only a small percentage manage to do so, leading to disappointment for the rest.
The deeper reason is that the 2024 curriculum reforms made branch change largely redundant. The reformed system now gives students so much flexibility in what they study that the need to formally switch departments is significantly reduced. Branch change has been discontinued because the existing curriculum is now highly flexible in terms of professional and free elective selection — students take 40–50% of their courses through electives.
IIT Madras is also not alone in this move. Nine IITs have now eliminated the branch change option: IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Dhanbad, IIT Dharwad, IIT Mandi, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Bombay, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Jammu.
What are the alternatives?
The removal of branch change was paired with a set of alternatives that, taken together, offer considerably more flexibility than the old system:
Minors — By taking 4 free electives from any department, you earn a Minor in that department. If you joined Mechanical Engineering but are passionate about Data Science, you can build a complete minor in it alongside your core degree. This shows up on your degree certificate and is recognised by recruiters.
Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) — After your 5th semester, you can switch into an IDDD program, which gives you a B.Tech in your original branch and an M.Tech in a different discipline — all in 5 years. Current IDDD options include Computational Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Complex Systems and Dynamics, and several others. This is the closest structural equivalent to a branch change for students who want a formal degree in a different field.
Free Electives — Up to 40–50% of your total courses can be chosen freely. You can take courses in CS, Economics, Design, AI, Biology, Management, or any department — without formally switching. Most placement opportunities in software, consulting, analytics, and product management are open to students from all branches regardless.
Elective Semester — One full semester (Semester 6 for B.Tech, Semester 8 for Dual Degree) is structured with no compulsory courses. You can use this for a full-semester internship, a semester exchange at another university, or to load up on electives in a field you want to explore.
Internships and Summer Schools — The IITM calendar provides nearly 3 months of summer vacation and 1 month in winter, making it possible to pursue internships, research stints, and summer schools in any field, independent of your branch.
A note on BS programmes and newer departments
Branch change is not available between any programs — including from BS programs (like BS Medical Science and Engineering or BS Chemistry) to B.Tech programs, or vice versa. Students in AIDA, CEM, and iBME are also not eligible for branch change, as these programs fall under the same discontinued system.
The bottom line for JEE aspirants
If you are choosing between branches at IITM and hoping to use branch change as a safety net, that option no longer exists. Choose your branch thoughtfully — but know that IITM's reformed curriculum means your branch constrains you far less than it used to. The elective system, minors, and IDDD together give you genuine room to shape your education across disciplines.
If you have more questions on branch change or academic flexibility, visit our community — AskIITM community