The applicant must have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a master's degree in science with marks/CPI not below 55% marks (or Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 5.5 on a 10-point scale) or the minimum pass marks (or CPI) whichever is greater. Candidates with background other than Mechanical Engineering may be required to appear in a written test/ interview. Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes who have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a master's degree in science are eligible to apply irrespective of the marks/CPI.

The admission to MS(R) will be made in the following two categories.

Non-sponsored Category:

Shortlisting and Selection of candidates: A valid GATE score is required.
Financial Support: Financial support will be provided by the institute for 22 months (at the rate same as that of M.Tech. students)
Tuition Fee: Same as for regular M.Tech. Students on institute fellowship

Sponsored Category (GATE score is not mandatory*)

Sponsored Category-A (Sponsored from organization outside IIT Kanpur)

Shortlisting and Selection of candidates: Shortlisting will be done separately from non- sponsored category. The final selection will be based on written test and/or interview by a separate selection committee.
Tuition Fee: Same as for sponsored candidates (sponsored by organization outside IIT Kanpur)
Financial Support:Financial support will be provided by the sponsoring organization for the entire duration of the program.

Sponsored Category-B (Project Sponsored)

Shortlisting and Selection of candidates: Shortlisting will be done separately from non- sponsored category. The final selection will be based on written test and/or interview by a separate selection committee

Declaration by PI: At the time of selection of the candidate a declaration from the PI to the effect that the financial assistance for at least one year will be provided to the selected candidate from the project is required. PI will be supervisor of the candidate.

*Financial support: All the project sponsored candidates will be supported by PI for at least the first year. In case there is no support available from PI/ Department in the second year, the student may be provided assistantship from the institute at the level of M.Tech. assistantship for at most 10 months subject to the student having a valid GATE score on the day of starting the institute assistantship. DPGC recommendation is required for switching to institute assistantship.

Declaration by the candidate at the time of admission regarding the financial support in the 2nd year: At the time of admission the candidate is required to submit a declaration that the financial support in the 2nd year is not guaranteed. The financial support, if provided in the 2nd year, will be based on the performance in the first year and on the recommendation of the PI and DPGC. The support from the institute will require a valid GATE score at the time of switch over to institute fellowship.

Tuition Fee: Same as for regular M.Tech. students with Institute Assistantship.