Academic structure

Curricula, credits and course choices

M.Tech. curriculum

The curriculum document lists 58 credits across programme core, programme electives and open electives.

Category Credits
Programme core (PC) 37
Programme electives (PE) 15
Open electives (OE) 6
Total 58

Core learning and project work

Core subjects include Signal Theory, Digital Communications, Communication and Signal Processing Technologies, and telecom management / machine learning for wireless communications. Project work progresses through a cornerstone project, internship or minor project, and Major Project Parts I and II. Ethics and a research/teaching practicum are also included in the curriculum.

Four elective streams

  • Information Processing and Machine Learning: detection and estimation, signal and image processing, machine learning and quantum information.
  • Communication Systems and Networks: wireless and optical communications, coding and information theory, satellite communications and network security.
  • Embedded Systems: digital hardware, embedded computing, system design and telecommunications laboratories.
  • Telecom Management: technology strategy, telecom planning, information systems, policy and business analytics.

The document includes a nominal four-semester plan and a separate six-semester HVA plan. Courses marked “proposed” in the document are not confirmed semester offerings.

Download M.Tech. course structure (PDF)

MSR (Research) curriculum

The MS(R) places the largest share of its credits in supervised research. Electives support the student’s chosen research direction.

Component Credits
Programme / open electives 15
Research thesis 42
Internship / minor project 3
Research communication 1
Ethics 1
Total 62

The thesis and internship/minor project together form the 45-credit project core. Research communication and ethics form the remaining 2 core credits. Elective choices and research milestones should be agreed with the supervisor and School.

Download MS(R) course structure (PDF)

MBA curriculum

The DMS curriculum linked below is from Courses of Study 2023–24. It lists 72 degree credits, with non-credit core requirements recorded separately.

Category Credits
Programme core: common core and MBA project 33
Streamed electives: analytical skills and people skills 12
Telecom focus electives 6
Programme electives 21
Total degree credits 72
Non-credit core (separate from degree credits) 3 units

Telecom focus choices include Telecommunication Systems; Telecom System Analysis, Planning & Design; and International Telecommunication Management. The broader curriculum covers finance, marketing, operations, strategy, information systems and leadership.

Corporate and social sector attachments complement the MBA project. Consult DMS for the curriculum applicable to the current intake.

Download MBA course structure (2023–24 PDF) Current DMS programme information

Ph.D. coursework

The School’s degree-programme page lists the following minimum coursework requirements by entry qualification. The School and supervisor prescribe the courses appropriate to each research programme.

Entry qualification Minimum credits listed by the School
M.E. / M.Tech. 9
B.E. / B.Tech. / M.Sc. or equivalent 20
MBA 9
M.A. / M.A. (Economics) / LL.M. 20

Doctoral study also includes a comprehensive examination, research planning, progress reviews and a dissertation. The applicable Institute ordinances and any additional School requirements govern each student’s programme.

School programme requirements IIT Delhi Ph.D. ordinances
Plan your semester with your academic adviser

Course codes, prerequisites and elective availability must be checked against the curriculum and timetable applicable to your batch.

Learning in practice

Courses & student projects

Communication & signal processing

Wireless Communication, Signal Theory, Digital Communications, Advanced Digital Signal Processing, Detection and Estimation Theory, Computer Communication Networks.

AI & computing

Introduction to Machine Learning, Machine Learning for Wireless Communication, Reinforcement Learning, Data Visualization and Cloud Computing, Computer Vision, Mobile Computing.

Circuits, security & management

Low-Power CMOS Integrated Circuit Design, Semiconductor Memory Design, CMOS RF IC Design, Digital CMOS VLSI Design, Analog Circuit Design, Network Security, Telecom System Management.

Project work

Applying ideas to communication systems

  • LDPC encoder and decoder implementation over the 5G standard
  • Zak-OTFS for next-generation systems
  • Haptic applications beyond 5G
  • A QKD network simulator
  • Graph machine learning for wireless communications
  • SDR-based cellular traffic scheduling
  • Embedded AI cores and smart routers
Explore student projects