S.B. Patil College of Engineering Indapur BE {Lateral} Artificial Intelligence & Data Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Diploma holders in engineering who wish to join BE AI and Data Science at SBPCOE through lateral entry must register on the DTE Maharashtra DSE CAP portal at dse2026.mahacet.org. After registering, candidates must attend document verification at a Facilitation Centre and participate in the centralised seat allotment rounds. The lateral entry candidate is admitted directly into the second year of BE, completing the degree in three years instead of four.

Ans. The total fee for the three-year BE Lateral entry programme in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at SBPCOE Indapur is INR 2,27,775. This covers the complete three-year programme including tuition and other institutional charges. Hostel charges are separate. Students should contact the SBPCOE admissions office for the current hostel fee structure applicable to the 2026-27 academic year.

Ans. Candidates holding a diploma in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or other related branches approved by DTE Maharashtra are generally eligible for lateral entry into BE AI and Data Science at SBPCOE. The exact branch eligibility mapping is determined by DTE Maharashtra’s DSE CAP norms. Candidates should verify their diploma branch eligibility on the official DSE CAP portal (dse2026.mahacet.org) before applying.

Ans. Graduates of the BE lateral AI and Data Science programme can pursue roles such as data analyst, machine learning engineer, AI developer, and business intelligence associate. Major IT companies including TCS, Wipro, and Infosys recruit from SBPCOE. Lateral entry graduates hold the same BE degree as regular entry students and can also appear for GATE to pursue M.Tech in AI or data science for further specialisation.

Ans. Yes. The BE degree obtained through the lateral entry programme at SBPCOE is awarded by Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and is equivalent to the regular four-year BE degree. Graduates are eligible to appear for GATE, apply for government engineering services, and pursue postgraduate programmes such as M.Tech or MBA. The degree is recognised by AICTE and UGC for all academic and professional purposes.

Ans. BE Lateral students at SBPCOE can apply for Maharashtra government scholarships through the MahaDBT portal. The EBC Scholarship is available for open category students with family income below INR 8 lakh annually. SC/ST/NT/VJNT/OBC/SBC students can apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship. SC/ST students are additionally eligible for the Free Ship Card, providing a full tuition waiver. All applications must be submitted promptly after admission each year to avoid missing deadlines.