Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Global Academy of Technology (GAT), Bangalore, offers the BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) as a 3-year full-time, on-campus program affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). This lateral entry program is designed for diploma holders in Computer Science, Information Science, or related disciplines who wish to directly enter the 2nd year (3rd semester) of the BE program, saving one academic year. The course covers core AI & Data Science subjects including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, big data analytics, data mining, and Python/R programming. The total academic fees for the program are approximately Rs. 6.6 Lakhs for the complete 3-year duration. Admission is through the Karnataka Diploma Common Entrance Test (DCET) conducted by KEA. AI & Data Science is one of the most in-demand branches in today's technology landscape, and GAT's program is designed to equip students with the skills needed for careers in data science, machine learning engineering, and AI research in Bangalore's booming tech industry.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently in progress. The DCET 2026 application window is open from March 17 to April 3, 2026, with the entrance exam scheduled on May 23, 2026. Counselling and seat allotment by KEA is expected in July-August 2026.

Key Points

Affiliated to VTU (Visvesvaraya Technological University), Belagavi - one of India's largest technical universities
Lateral entry students directly join the 3rd semester, completing the BE degree in 3 years instead of 4
AI & Data Science is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand engineering branches globally
The curriculum covers machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and big data technologies
GAT has a dedicated Training and Placement Cell with tie-ups with leading IT and AI companies for campus recruitment
GAT is ranked #347 out of 500 engineering colleges in India (Collegedunia 2025) and #52 in Karnataka

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GAT BE Lateral AI & DS Fees

The BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) program at GAT Bangalore has a total academic fee of approximately Rs. 6.6 Lakhs for the 3-year course. The tuition fee is Rs. 2,00,000 per year for management quota students, with an additional other charges component. For DCET/government quota students, fees are regulated by the Karnataka government and are significantly lower. Hostel accommodation is available at Rs. 80,000 per year (optional).

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (INR)	Year 2 (INR)	Year 3 (INR)	Total (INR)
Tuition Fees	2,00,000	2,00,000	2,00,000	6,00,000
Other Charges (Lab, Development, etc.)	20,000	20,000	20,000	60,000
Total Academic Fees	2,20,000	2,20,000	2,20,000	6,60,000
Hostel Fees (Optional)	80,000	80,000	80,000	2,40,000
Total Fees (with Hostel)	3,00,000	3,00,000	3,00,000	9,00,000

The above fees are for management/general quota. DCET/government quota students pay fees as per Karnataka government norms (approximately Rs. 1,00,000 per year).
Hostel fees are optional; day scholars are not required to pay hostel charges.
Caution deposit (refundable) may be collected at the time of admission.
Education loans are available through banks including SBI and Andhra Bank, facilitated by the college.
Fee payment is typically done semester-wise or annually as per college norms.

GAT BE Lateral AI & DS Admission 2026

Admissions to BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) at GAT Bangalore are conducted through the KEA DCET process for government quota seats, and directly through the college for management quota seats. The DCET 2026 application process is currently live, with the exam scheduled for May 23, 2026. Counselling and seat allotment will follow the exam results, typically in July-August 2026. AI & DS lateral entry seats are in high demand given the popularity of the branch, so candidates are advised to participate actively in all counselling rounds.

GAT Bangalore BE Lateral AI & DS Admission Dates 2026

Event	Date
DCET 2026 Application Start	March 17, 2026
DCET 2026 Application Last Date	April 3, 2026 (11:59 PM)
DCET 2026 Fee Payment Last Date	April 4, 2026 (by 6:00 PM)
DCET 2026 Admit Card Release	May 7, 2026
DCET 2026 Exam Date	May 23, 2026
DCET 2026 Result (Expected)	Second week of June 2026
KEA Counselling / Seat Allotment (Expected)	July - August 2026
College Reporting / Admission (Expected)	August 2026

DCET 2026 Exam Details

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Karnataka DCET 2026 (Diploma Common Entrance Test)
Conducting Body	Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Exam Date	May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
Exam Mode	Offline (OMR-based, Pen and Paper)
Total Questions	100 MCQs
Total Marks	100
Duration	3 Hours
Negative Marking	None
Application Fee (General/OBC)	Rs. 650
Application Fee (SC/ST/Category-1)	Rs. 500
Official Website	cetonline.karnataka.gov.in

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a 3-year Diploma in Computer Science Engineering, Information Science, or a relevant branch from a recognized institution
Minimum 45% aggregate marks in the final year (5th and 6th semesters combined) for General category; 40% for SC/ST/OBC/Category-1 candidates from Karnataka
Final year diploma students appearing in their last semester are also eligible to apply, subject to meeting the marks criteria before admission

Admission Process

Register and apply online for DCET 2026 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in between March 17 and April 3, 2026
Pay the application fee (Rs. 650 for General/OBC; Rs. 500 for SC/ST/Category-1) online before April 4, 2026
Download admit card from May 7, 2026 onwards
Appear for the DCET 2026 offline (OMR-based) exam on May 23, 2026
Check results and rank in the second week of June 2026
Participate in KEA online counselling: complete document verification, fill college and course preferences, and attend mock/final allotment rounds
Upon seat allotment to GAT, pay the college fees and report with original documents to confirm admission
Management quota seats can be applied for directly through the college by contacting GAT admissions office

GAT BE Lateral AI & DS Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to GAT Bangalore through the DCET/government quota are eligible for various government scholarships from the Karnataka government. The SSP (State Scholarship Portal) / ePass scholarship is the most commonly availed scheme, benefiting students from reserved categories and economically weaker sections. GAT also offers merit-based scholarships for high-performing students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)	Provider
SSP (State Scholarship Portal) - Karnataka	SC/ST/OBC/Category-1 students admitted through DCET/CET; annual family income below prescribed limit	Rs. 18,000 - Rs. 22,700 per year	Government of Karnataka
ePass / VIDYASIRI Scholarship	Reserved category students; income-based criteria	Varies (covers partial tuition)	Government of Karnataka
GAT Merit Scholarship	Students with 75%+ marks in qualifying exam (management quota)	Partial fee concession	Global Academy of Technology
Education Loan (SBI / Andhra Bank)	All students; based on bank norms	Up to full course fee	Bank loan

SSP and ePass scholarships are applicable primarily for students admitted through the government/DCET quota
Management quota students are generally not eligible for government scholarships
Scholarship applications must be submitted through the Karnataka State Scholarship Portal within the prescribed deadlines each academic year
Students are advised to check the latest scholarship notifications on the official Karnataka government scholarship portal

Global Academy of Technology Bangalore BE {Lateral} Artificial Intelligence & Data Science Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#347 out of 500 in India 2025

#32nd in Bangalore

#52 in Karnataka

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GAT BE Lateral AI & DS FAQs

Ques. Is BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) available at GAT Bangalore, and what is the duration?

Ans. Yes, GAT Bangalore offers BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) as a 3-year full-time on-campus program. Lateral entry students directly join the 2nd year (3rd semester) of the BE program, completing the degree in 3 years instead of the regular 4 years.

Ques. What is the total fee for BE Lateral AI & Data Science at GAT Bangalore?

Ans. The total academic fee for the 3-year BE {Lateral} AI & DS program at GAT is approximately Rs. 6,60,000 (Rs. 2,20,000 per year) for management quota students. DCET/government quota students pay fees as per Karnataka government norms, which is significantly lower (approximately Rs. 1,00,000 per year). Hostel is available at an additional Rs. 80,000 per year.

Ques. What are the career prospects after BE Lateral AI & Data Science from GAT Bangalore?

Ans. AI & Data Science graduates from GAT find opportunities as data scientists, machine learning engineers, AI researchers, data analysts, and business intelligence professionals. Bangalore's tech ecosystem, with companies like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Amazon, Google, and numerous AI startups, offers excellent placement prospects. The demand for AI/ML professionals is growing rapidly, making this one of the highest-paying engineering branches.

Ques. What is the difference between BE Lateral AI & Data Science and BE Lateral CSE at GAT?

Ans. BE AI & Data Science focuses specifically on artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, data analytics, and related technologies, while BE CSE has a broader scope covering all areas of computer science. AI & DS graduates are more specialized for data-driven roles, while CSE graduates have more versatility. Both branches have strong placement prospects in Bangalore's IT sector.

Ques. Can a diploma holder in Computer Science apply for BE Lateral AI & Data Science at GAT?

Ans. Yes, diploma holders in Computer Science Engineering and Information Science are generally eligible to apply for BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Data Science) through DCET. The exact branch eligibility is determined by KEA norms and VTU regulations. Candidates should verify the eligible diploma branches on the official KEA DCET 2026 notification before applying.

Ques. Is AI & Data Science a new branch at GAT? How is the faculty and infrastructure?

Ans. BE AI & Data Science is a relatively new branch introduced at GAT in recent years under VTU's updated curriculum. The department has dedicated labs for machine learning, deep learning, and data analytics with GPU-enabled computing infrastructure. Faculty members have expertise in AI, ML, and data science domains. Being a new branch, the first few batches are graduating now, and placement data is emerging positively given the high industry demand for AI/DS professionals.