Research Associateships in Analog and Mixed Signal VLSI Design
Important dates
Applications are now closed.
You have to first apply to the MS program at IIT Madras at https://research.iitm.ac.in/. Choose EE6 as our first preference for specialization in that form.
Test and Interview dates: They will be scheduled between 29th April and 6th May. The schedule will be communicated after applications are processed.
Frequently asked questions
General information about the programme
What is the Research Associate programme?
Information about the research associateships sponsored by Texas Instruments India(TII) can be found here.
Will I be admitted to the MS programme at IIT Madras if I pass the selection test and interview?
Yes, you will be admitted to the MS programme if you are selected.
What is the difference between doing an MS under this scheme and a regular MS at IIT Madras?
The stipend in this programme is higher. You will receive minimum emoluments of Rs. 25,000/- per month throughout the programme subject to your performance. You will have the opportunity to intern at Texas Instruments India(TII) and are expected to join TII after you receive your MS degree. The requirements for the MS degree are the same as in the regular MS programme at IIT Madras. The degree you will receive is exactly the same as the regular MS degree from IIT Madras.
How long does it to take to receive the MS degree?
It varies from student to student. Our MS students are expected to design a chip and test it. It takes one to two semesters to finish the coursework and three to five semesters for IC design and testing. So one can expect to spend about three years to complete the MS programme.
What will I learn in this programme?
The courses you take as part of your MS programme will help you build the foundations of analog and mixed signal IC design. You will go through a complete IC design and testing cycle. At the end of this programme, you should be able to take a set of specifications and design an integrated circuit that functions accordingly, or analyze your design to find out why exactly it falls short of the specifications. You will also learn how to write papers and give seminars describing your work. In the past six years, our MS students have written more than a dozen papers in international journals and conferences. See this page for examples.
Eligibility
What are the requirements I need to satisfy to apply to this programme?
You must have a Bachelor's degree in Electronics/Electrical/Telecommunications/Instrumentation engineering (or allied disciplines) with an aggregate of 65% (up to the final semester; if the final semester results are not yet announced, up to the seventh semester).
Have a valid GATE score of 650 or more in EC, EE, or IN. Currently, GATE scores are valid for 3 years.
GATE requirement is waived for IIT BTech students with a cumulative grade point average(CGPA) or 8 or higher.
I have not yet written GATE. Can I join this programme and write GATE next year?
No. A valid GATE score is essential for admission to this programme unless you have a BTech degree from one of the IITs with a cumulative grade point average(CGPA) or 8 or higher.
I have a valid GATE score but less than the above cutoff. Can an exception be made?
No exceptions can be made to the cutoffs mentioned above. GATE requirement is waived for IIT BTech students with a cumulative grade point average(CGPA) or 8 or higher.
I have a BTech degree from one of the IITs. What are my eligibility norms?
If have a BTech degree from one of the IITs with a cumulative grade point average(CGPA) or 8 or higher, you don't need a GATE score. Otherwise, you need to have passed the GATE score requirement mentioned above.
You will also need to apply to the MS program at IIT Madras at https://research.iitm.ac.in/. Choose EE6 as one of your specializations in that form.
I filled out the form. How do I know it has been received?
After filling the form, scroll back to the top of the page. You should see the message “Thanks! Your response has been recorded.” upon successful submission.
I don't have the 7th semester results yet. What should I do?
Write NA in the space available for 7th semester and enter your 6th semester results in the appropriate place.
Test and Interview
What is the selection process?
Selection is based on a written test followed by an interview. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a written test held at IIT Madras. Those who do well in the written test will be interviewed for the final selection.
How do I prepare for the test and interview?
Your test and interview will test you on circuit analysis, electrical networks, and analog circuits at the undergraduate level. You can follow one or more of the references below to brush up your basics. See the questions of this paper for examples. You can also look at this problem set and this one for the kind of basic questions on electrical circuits you can expect.
The courses below cover the relevant topics
IIT Madras courses Electrical and Magnetic Circuits, Electrical Circuits and Networks, Analog Systems and Laboratory, and Analog Circuits deal with electrical networks and analog circuits
Electrical Networks: Hayt and Kemmerly, Engineering Circuit Analysis, McGraw Hill, 6/e. Chapters 1-10.
Analog electronics: Sergio Franco, Design with operational amplifiers and analog ICs, Tata McGraw Hill. Chapters 1-5, 8-10
Analog electronics: Sedra and Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, Oxford University Press, USA, seventh edition. Chapters 2, 7 and their pre-requisites. Other editions have similar content in different chapters.
Test and interview logistics
I've been shortlisted, what should I do?
The email notifying you that you've been shortlisted will include the instructions.
I don't have the degree certificate yet. What should I bring?
Bring the transcripts upto 7th semester(or 6th semester if your 7th semester results are not yet out).
This programme vis a vis other academic programmes at IIT Madras
I have already applied/want to apply to the MTech programme at IIT Madras. Can I also apply to this programme?
Yes, you can, as long as you meet the requirements listed here.
I have already applied/want to apply to the MS programme at IIT Madras. Can I also apply to this programme?
Yes, you can, as long as you meet the requirements listed here.
I am interested in the regular research programmes at IIT Madras. Should I fill in this application to be called for the interview? Will applications to this programme automatically apply to the general research programmes?
If you want to apply only to the regular research programme at IIT Madras, fill out the application at http://research.iitm.ac.in/. You don't need to fill out the form for this program.
If you want to apply to the TI MS program, you have to fill out both the applications at here. You will be automatically be considered for the general research programme.
I have been called for interviews of this program as well as the regular MS program. Do I need to pay the fees twice?
You need to make the payment only once. This is done when you apply to the regular MS program.
I already have a master's degree. Can I pursue a PhD under this programme?
No, this program is currently structured only to lead to an MS, not a PhD.
I want to get a Master's degree from IIT Madras. Should I do an MS or an MTech?
In the area of analog/mixed signal integrated circuit design, the short answer is: MS, definitely! Click here to find out why.
Other queries
I have other queries regarding this program. Whom should I contact?
Send any queries about the TI research associateship programme to analogresearch@ee.iitm.ac.in.