7 Best Colleges in India for AI Graduation Programs in 2025

Are you feeling it? That buzz in the air? That’s the feeling of the future, and it’s being written in the language of Artificial Intelligence. Right now, you’re standing at a crossroads, making a choice that could define everything. It’s a huge decision, I get it!

But what if I told you that your dream of shaping tomorrow is closer than you think? Imagine yourself walking the halls of a college that doesn’t just teach you code but sparks a fire of innovation within you. We’re about to take a journey together, a deep dive into the absolute titans of AI education.

Forget the confusion; this is your crystal-clear guide to the 7 best colleges in India for AI in 2025. Let’s find the perfect place to launch your incredible journey!

(Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available data. For precise, up-to-date details, consult the official websites of the colleges.)

Let’s Explore the Best Colleges in India

1. IIT Madras — B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics (AIDA)

Ranked as India’s #1 institute, IIT Madras isn’t just creating engineers; it’s sculpting the next generation of global AI leaders.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Admission Cycle: Started for the 2024-25 academic year

• Total Fees (2025): ₹9.39 Lakhs (including ₹8 Lakhs tuition)

• Median Salary (2023-24): ₹19.6 LPA

• Average Salary (2023-24): ₹22 LPA

• What’s the Real Scoop? For the 2024-25 academic year, IIT Madras unveiled its B.Tech in AI and Data Analytics (AIDA) program. This isn’t just another degree; it’s a mission to develop students who will lead the world in this field, all powered by the prestigious Wadhwani School of Data Science & AI.

• Inside the Classroom:

• The entire AIDA program is housed within the specialized Wadhwani School of AI.

• The research here is deeply impactful, focusing on themes like Healthcare, Responsible AI, and Language Technology.

• There’s a huge emphasis on using AI for social good, making sure the technology is developed and deployed responsibly.

• You’ll also get to collaborate with various institute research centers, broadening your horizons.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• During the 2023-24 campus placements, 1,091 students were snapped up by 256 companies.

• The median salary was a strong ₹19.6 LPA, with the average hitting ₹22 LPA.

• For B.Tech and dual degree students, the placement rate was over 80% in the 2023-24 drives. A testament to their quality!

• The Secret Sauce: IIT Madras has a clear vision: global leadership. The Wadhwani School of Data Science & AI isn’t just about teaching; it’s about pioneering advanced research in safe data modeling, deployable AI, and life-changing clinical research.

2. IIT Hyderabad — B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence

This isn’t just a course; it’s a piece of history. IIT Hyderabad stepped up and became the first-ever IIT to offer a full-fledged B.Tech in AI. Talk about being a pioneer!

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Duration: 4 Years

• Total Fees: ₹9.37 Lakhs – ₹9.43 Lakhs

• NIRF Ranking (2024): 8th in Engineering

• What’s the Real Scoop? Back in 2019, IIT Hyderabad did something bold. They launched India’s first dedicated B.Tech in AI, making them one of only three institutions on the entire planet to do so at the time! Their goal is simple but powerful: create AI experts who truly understand both the theory and the real-world magic of AI.

• Inside the Classroom:

• You’ll build a rock-solid foundation with courses like Modern Physics, Programming, Matrix Theory, and Discrete Maths for Computer Science (for the 2024 batch onwards).

• Oh, and the tech? You get to play with the big guns! The AI center is loaded with NVIDIA DGX-1s and DGX-2s. These aren’t just computers; they’re legendary AI supercomputers.

• Research here is off the charts, exploring everything from Machine Learning & Deep Learning to Computer Vision and Robotics.

• They make sure you’re industry-ready with semester-long internships (worth 6 credits!) and even a mandatory 1-credit course on “Industry”.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• For the B.Tech AI class of 2024, the highest domestic package hit a stunning ₹51 LPA. The top international offer was ₹40 LPA.

• During the 2024 phase 1 placements, the highest package across all programs soared to ₹90 LPA, with a healthy average of ₹22.5 LPA.

• In 2024, 493 out of over 800 registered students landed jobs.

• Looking back at 2023, the overall B.Tech placement rate was a solid 82.62%, with a median package of ₹18.10 LPA.

• The Secret Sauce: Being the first IIT with a dedicated B.Tech in AI is their claim to fame. It shows a deep, focused commitment. Plus, their AI Research Center is constantly pushing the boundaries in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and even the crucial field of AI ethics.

3. IIT Kharagpur — B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence

IIT Kharagpur is a giant in the engineering world, and now, it’s bringing its comprehensive educational might to the field of AI.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Admission Cycle: Kicked off in 2024

• Median Package (2023-24): ₹24 LPA for B.Tech

• Median Salary (2024): ₹20 LPA for UG 5-year students

• What’s the Real Scoop? Starting in 2024, IIT Kharagpur opened its doors to a brand-new four-year B.Tech program in AI, with admissions through the JEE Advanced exam. Their Department of Artificial Intelligence is a bustling hub for all things AI and ML, offering everything from B.Tech to PhD programs.

• Inside the Classroom:

• This curriculum is designed to give you the complete picture—the theory, the software, the systems, and the applications of AI.

• You’ll master the essentials: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Algorithms, and Deep Learning, to name a few.

• They’re also looking ahead, teaching emerging topics like Reinforcement Learning, Generative AI, Responsible AI, and AI for Robotics.

• Their mission? To close the massive skill gap that exists in the AI industry today.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• In the 2023-24 B.Tech Placement Drive, 517 out of 679 eligible students were placed in top-tier companies. That’s impressive!

• For the overall 2024 session, a massive 1,747 students were placed.

• The median package for B.Tech grads in 2023 was a fantastic ₹24 LPA.

• And get this: during the 2024-25 placement drive, nine students received packages over ₹1 crore per annum. Wow!

• The Secret Sauce: IIT Kharagpur’s strength lies in its sheer comprehensiveness. They don’t just teach you one part of AI; they equip you with a 360-degree understanding, making you a versatile and valuable asset in the AI world.

4. IIIT Bangalore — B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

IIIT Bangalore is all about rolling up your sleeves and using AI and Data Science to tackle real, tangible problems.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Highest Package (2024): ₹65 LPA

• Total Offers (2024): 578

• What’s the Real Scoop? The B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AI&DS) program here is meticulously crafted to produce graduates who have the skills to walk into any industry and start solving complex, real-world challenges from day one. They do this through a fantastic blend of theory and hands-on systems courses.

• Inside the Classroom:

• The curriculum is super flexible, covering the deep theoretical foundations of data science, stats, AI, and machine learning.

• Your mentors? Faculty members who all hold PhDs from top-tier universities and are actively involved in cutting-edge R&D. That’s priceless!

• The program even has its own Scalable Data Science and AI Lab for you to experiment and innovate in.

• If you maintain a CGPA of 3.5/4.0 or above in the AI&DS specialization, you graduate with a B.Tech degree.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• IIIT Bangalore knocked it out of the park in 2024, with a whopping 578 total offers made.

• The highest package offered was a massive ₹65 LPA.

• It’s a known fact: placements at IIITs, especially in fields like AI and Data Science, are consistently top-notch.

• The Secret Sauce: It’s the perfect marriage of theory and practice. Guided by faculty who are R&D experts, you get a curriculum that’s not just academic but intensely focused on real-world problem-solving. This is where you learn to make AI work in the real world.

5. IIIT Delhi — B.Tech in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence (CS+AI)

With a 100% placement record for its CSAI grads, IIIT Delhi has established itself as a hub where innovation meets opportunity.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Placement Rate (2024): 100% for B.Tech CSAI

• Highest Salary (2024): ₹49 LPA

• Average Salary (2024): ₹20.53 LPA

• Overall Average Package (2024): ₹20.65 LPA

• What’s the Real Scoop? IIIT-Delhi was literally founded to be a center for cutting-edge R&D and education. Their B.Tech in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence (CS+AI) program is designed to create thinkers and builders who can solve problems innovatively using AI and ML.

• Inside the Classroom:

• The program gives you a powerful mix of quantitative and computational skills.

• You’ll dive into core courses in Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics, plus a wide array of electives.

• The best part? You get incredible flexibility to design your own curriculum and specialize in what truly excites you.

• It prepares you perfectly for a high-flying industry career or a deep dive into research in AI, ML, and Computer Science.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• Let this sink in: a 100% placement percentage for B.Tech CSAI in 2024. That’s just phenomenal!

• The highest salary was ₹49 LPA, with an average of ₹20.53 LPA for this specialization.

• Across the institute, the placement rate was 90.99%, with a total of 719 offers.

• For the Batch of 2025, the B.Tech students bagged an average stipend of ₹61,630, and for the Batch of 2026, it was an even more impressive ₹89,636.

• Who’s hiring? Just giants like Salesforce and Google.

• The Secret Sauce: That 100% placement rate for CSAI speaks volumes. It’s a direct result of a curriculum that champions innovation, problem-solving, and gives students the freedom to carve their own academic path.

6. IIT Roorkee — B.Tech in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (Mehta Family School)

IIT Roorkee, through its Mehta Family School, is laser-focused on one thing: building students with advanced, cutting-edge skills in AI and Data Science.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Total Fees (approx): ₹8-10 Lakhs for the 4-year B.Tech program

• Highest Package (2024): ₹205 LPA (overall institute)

• Average Package (2024): ₹20 LPA (overall institute)

• Median Salary (2024): ₹17.00 Lakhs for B.Tech in Data Science and AI

• What’s the Real Scoop? The Mehta Family School of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at IIT Roorkee is a specialized center dedicated to pushing the envelope in AI and Machine Learning education and research. Their B.Tech program is a robust, skill-oriented journey.

• Inside the Classroom:

• The program offers a really diverse range of courses, making sure you get a well-rounded and deep expertise in these fast-changing fields.

• The entire curriculum is structured to arm you with the specific, high-demand skills the industry is crying out for.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• In 2024, the institute’s highest package was an astronomical ₹205 LPA, with an overall average of ₹20 LPA. Isn’t that mind-blowing?

• Specifically for the B.Tech in Data Science and AI, the median salary in 2024 stood at a solid ₹17.00 Lakhs.

• Placement rates for top branches like CSE are consistently over 90%.

• The highest salary ever offered at the institute is around ₹2 crore INR, with the average hovering around ₹23 lakh INR.

• The Secret Sauce: The existence of the dedicated Mehta Family School is the key. It’s not just a department; it’s a focused mission to deliver next-level skills and foster advanced research in the heart of AI and ML.

7. IIT Guwahati — B.Tech in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

IIT Guwahati saw the AI revolution coming and decided to build the engineers who would lead it. This program is all about creating the next generation of AI pioneers.

• The Vitals (At a Glance):

• Admission Year: The program was launched in 2021

• Total Fees: ₹8.0 Lakhs – ₹8.54 Lakhs

• Average Package (2023): ₹42.10 LPA for B.Tech CSE (general)

• Average Package (2024): ₹25.75 LPA for B.Tech in Data Science and AI

• Highest Salary (2023-24): ₹2.05 Crore (overall institute)

• What’s the Real Scoop? Launched in 2021, the B.Tech in Data Science and AI program at IIT Guwahati was born from a clear understanding of AI’s massive societal impact. The goal is to nurture a new breed of DS&AI engineers ready to lead the charge.

• Inside the Classroom:

• The curriculum is a thoughtful mix of DS&AI Core, Minor, and Elective Courses.

• You get your hands dirty from the get-go with lab courses on Hands-on Data Science, Python Programming, Intro to AI, and more.

• The program was co-designed with academic advisors from the Mehta Family Foundation Care, USA, bringing in global expertise.

• And there’s more! A brand new, dedicated facility for the School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is coming up on campus.

• The Big Payoff: Placements

• For the 2023-24 placement year, the highest salary offered was a staggering ₹2.05 Crore. Plus, 102 students landed CTCs of ₹50 LPA or more.

• The average package for B.Tech in Data Science and AI in 2024 was an excellent ₹25.75 LPA.

• The placement percentage for this specific branch in 2024 was around 76.92%.

• The Secret Sauce: The collaboration with the Mehta Family Foundation gives this program a unique edge. The focus isn’t just on teaching AI, but on cultivating leaders for the AI revolution, backed by world-class, hands-on training and a new dedicated home.

My Opinion

The landscape for AI education in the best colleges in India is incredibly exciting and diverse. IIT Hyderabad stands tall as the original pioneer, while IIT Kharagpur offers a wonderfully broad-based AI education. IIT Madras is clearly aiming to forge global leaders with its AIDA program. For those who want to get their hands dirty with real-world challenges, IIIT Bangalore is a perfect fit. IIIT Delhi, with its flawless placement record and innovative curriculum, is an absolute powerhouse.

Meanwhile, IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati, with their specialized Mehta Family Schools, are intensely focused on building advanced skills and shaping the next wave of AI engineers. Your perfect fit depends on your ambition—be it pioneering research or hands-on problem-solving.

Here Are Some Tips Before You Apply

• Become an Investigator:

Don’t just browse the college website. Pick a few professors from the AI department and read their latest research papers. Imagine mentioning one of their projects in your interview. That shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely passionate!

• Connect the Dots:

AI isn’t an island. Have you worked on a project that mixes AI with biology? Or economics? Showcase that! It proves you’re a creative thinker who sees the bigger picture.

• Show, Don’t Just Tell:

Instead of just saying you love AI, talk about that personal project you built in your spare time. What problem did you try to solve? What went wrong? What did you learn? This is a story admissions committees love to hear.

• Go Beyond the Syllabus:

Completed an online course on Deep Learning from Coursera or NPTEL? Contributed to an open-source AI project on GitHub? Put that front and center! It screams self-motivation.

• Talk to an Insider:

Find students or alumni from these programs on LinkedIn. Politely ask for 15 minutes of their time. Their insights into the culture and what the faculty really looks for can be pure gold for your application.

Share the Knowledge!

Feeling inspired and ready to take on the world of AI? Don’t keep this treasure map to yourself! Share this guide with your friends, classmates, and anyone dreaming of a future in Artificial Intelligence. Let’s help more brilliant minds find their place among the best colleges in India!

Simran Khan