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Global Academy of Technology (GAT), Bangalore, offers the BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) 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 & ML subjects including machine learning algorithms, deep learning, neural networks, reinforcement learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and AI application development. The total academic fees for the lateral entry 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 & Machine Learning is among the most sought-after engineering specializations today, and GAT's program prepares students for high-demand roles in the rapidly evolving AI industry in Bangalore and beyond.

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 & ML is one of the most in-demand and highest-paying engineering specializations globally
The curriculum covers machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, and AI deployment
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
FAQs

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML Fees

The BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) program at GAT Bangalore has a total academic fee of approximately Rs. 6.6 Lakhs for the 3-year lateral entry 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 Structure

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 lateral entry.
DCET/government quota students pay fees as per Karnataka government norms (significantly lower).
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 & ML Admission 2026

Admissions to BE {Lateral} (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) 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 & ML lateral entry seats are highly competitive given the branch's popularity, so candidates are advised to participate actively in all counselling rounds.

GAT Bangalore BE Lateral AI & ML 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 & ML 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.

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML FAQs

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

Ans. Both are closely related specializations. BE AI & Machine Learning focuses more on ML algorithms, model building, neural networks, and AI system development, while BE AI & Data Science has a stronger emphasis on data analytics, statistical modeling, and data engineering. In practice, the curriculum overlap is significant, and both lead to similar career opportunities in the AI/ML industry. Students should choose based on seat availability during DCET counselling.

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

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

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

Ans. AI & ML graduates from GAT find opportunities as machine learning engineers, AI developers, data scientists, NLP engineers, computer vision engineers, and AI product managers. Bangalore's tech ecosystem, with companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Flipkart, and hundreds of AI startups, offers excellent placement prospects. AI/ML is consistently among the highest-paying engineering specializations.

Ques. Can a diploma holder in Electronics & Communication Engineering apply for BE Lateral AI & ML at GAT?

Ans. The eligibility for lateral entry branch mapping is determined by KEA norms and VTU regulations. Diploma holders in ECE may or may not be eligible for AI & ML lateral entry depending on the official KEA branch mapping. Candidates should verify the eligible diploma branches on the official KEA DCET 2026 notification before applying.

Ques. Is BE Lateral AI & ML a good choice for diploma holders from a CSE background?

Ans. Yes, BE Lateral AI & ML is an excellent choice for diploma holders from CSE or Information Science backgrounds. The lateral entry program allows them to specialize in the highly in-demand AI/ML domain while completing their BE degree in just 3 years. The combination of a CSE diploma foundation and an AI & ML degree is highly valued by employers in Bangalore's tech industry.

Ques. How does GAT's AI & ML department support students in building practical AI skills?

Ans. GAT's AI & ML department provides hands-on training through dedicated ML and deep learning labs with GPU-enabled systems. Students work on real-world projects involving image recognition, NLP applications, and predictive modeling. The college also organizes workshops, hackathons, and industry expert sessions to supplement classroom learning. Internship opportunities with Bangalore-based AI companies are facilitated through the placement cell.

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Global Academy of Technology Bangalore BE {Lateral} Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML Fees

Fee Structure

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML Admission 2026

GAT Bangalore BE Lateral AI & ML Admission Dates 2026

DCET 2026 Exam Details

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

GAT BE Lateral AI & ML FAQs

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