Difference between M.Tech and MS program in IITs/IISc

Many of us dream for getting into IITs/IISc and hence GATE AEROSPACE comes into picture. Before  the final results are out and you started filling the forms, 1st thing we should know, 
-  WHAT ALL POSSIBLE WAYS TO ENTER? 
-  WHAT ALL COURSES can I JOIN into IITS/IISc? 
-  What is the difference between M.Tech, M.S. and Dual Degree courses? 


M.TECH Program 
It’s a two-year PG course offered by IITM, IITK, IITB, IITKGP and IISc for Aerospace Engineering domain. 
This program is basically an extension of our B.Tech program, and works in a very similar way. 


Students are admitted to the full-time programme under the following categories: 
- Teaching Assistantship (TA) – Stipend of Rs.12400/- or a maximum period of 24 months 
- Teaching Assistantship through Project (TAP) - sponsored R&D project 
- Fellowship Award (FA) - Fellowships for this category are usually available from government agencies 
- RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP (RA) - Stipend of Rs.13400/- for a maximum period of 36 months subject to serving as a research assistant in a course /laboratory

Mostly students through GATE enroll for Teaching Assistantship (TA). There are many more categories,  listing which are relevant for us. 

In M.Tech. you do course work in your 1st year and then 2nd year you do a Project work depending  upon your interest and CGPA scored during 1st Year (You will be choosing a project) For Few IITs (IITB & IITK) you choose your M.Tech specialization at the time of admission like  (Structures, Propulsion, Aerodynamics, Flight Mechanics), whereas in IITM, IITKGP you take admission  in 1st year which is common for all students and you choose your specialization for project in 2nd Year  of your M.Tech. The advantage of M.Tech program is, it is fixed for 2 years, more course work,  negligible research work and better placements. 
 

MS Program 
The major point to keep in mind for MS is that, the course duration is not fixed. It’s kind of a mini PhD,  in which you choose your specialization topic at the time of admission, and do all course work,  research on that topic. So there is not a fixed time for completing MS, you can finish it in 2 years, or  can extend it till 3 years. You need to publish 1 or 2 journal papers, conference and then placements 
in the end.  You will receive Rs.12, 400/- p.m. for 2years (additional 6 months with specific recommendation of  GTC), later if you wish, it MS program can be converted into PhD. 

MS admission procedure is not as same as M.Tech after your GATE Exam. For MS program each IIT will  release their separate forms out, sometimes department wise as well, you can apply for MS in  Aerospace, Mechanical, Applied Mechanics, Oceans, and few more, but make sure you fill all these  forms separately, there will not be a common form for MS. 

The major point to keep in mind is, MS admissions happen twice a year, (i.e. Autumn Semester (July 
session) and Spring Semester (January session)) 
Admission without Assistantship: 
A few candidates may also be considered for admission to the Ph.D./M.S. programme without  assistantship (i.e. N-HTRA) under Regular category.  The eligible qualifications are the same as for the Regular HTRA candidates except qualifying in  National Level Examinations. Such candidates have to enclose a letter along with the Application Form  stating that they may be considered for admission even without assistantship (Non-HTRA). 
 

M.Tech + PhD (Dual Degree) 
The program is designed to induct students who have completed their B.E. /B. Tech. /M.Sc. degrees 
directly to the doctoral programme. 
- The student will be required to complete mandatory coursework in the first three semesters  (similar to that of M. Tech programme). 
- On successful completion and examination of the Doctoral Thesis, BOTH the degrees (M.Tech. and Ph.D.) are awarded to the candidate. 
- Under exceptional circumstance when a student is unable to complete the requirements of  the Ph.D. programme, an exit option with the M.Tech. degree is available subject to  completion of required coursework and M.Tech. dissertation. 
 

Summary 
So while doing MS you have good command in your topic or an area of your interest (as you have done  intensive research on your topic), while in M.Tech you do course work for mostly all topics but with  less specialization (Only final year project). The major reason for Students first preferring M.Tech is, it is for fixed 2 years, better placements and easy course. On the other hand, MS totally depends upon how hard you work, how better you learn,  how good you do research. 


For M.Tech typically there will be direct admission (mostly) without any written or Interview, whereas,  for MS, student has to go through a short written exam and interview as the last step for securing the  admission. 
 

Students might still have doubt about these courses. Please feel free to contact us (9933949303) for more details. 
ALL THE BEST