Is JEE Main mandatory for B.Tech admission at SASTRA University?

No, JEE Main is not mandatory. Candidates without a JEE Main score are automatically considered under Stream 2, which uses Class XII marks only. However, entering a JEE Main score can improve your rank under Stream 1, so it is recommended even for average scorers.

What is the minimum percentage needed for B.Tech admission at SASTRA?

Candidates need a minimum of 60% aggregate in Class XII. Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects. One of Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, or Biotechnology is also required as a subject.

How does SASTRA University calculate the B.Tech merit rank?

Stream 1 merit is calculated as 50% weightage to JEE Main 2026 score and 50% to Class XII aggregate. Class XII marks are normalised by treating the top scorer of each state board as 100% and adjusting all other scores accordingly. Stream 2 rank uses only the normalised Class XII aggregate.

What are the important dates for SASTRA University B.Tech admission 2026?

Applications opened on March 27, 2026 and closed on June 5, 2026. The merit rank list was released around June 14, 2026 and online counselling began on June 15, 2026. The academic session begins on August 1, 2026.

Does SASTRA University offer merit scholarships at the time of B.Tech admission?

Students from J&K and North-Eastern States receive a 100% tuition fee scholarship plus free boarding and lodging at the time of admission. During the programme, the Deans Merit Scholarship offers a 40% fee concession to students in the top 3% of their class and 20% to those in the top 3-10%.

What is the B.Tech fee per semester at SASTRA University?

The B.Tech tuition fee is INR 85,000 per semester in Year 1. A 5% annual increment applies from Year 2 onwards. A one-time admission charge of INR 16,000 is collected at the time of joining. An annual sports and unit test fee of INR 1,000 also applies.

Is direct admission or management quota available at SASTRA University?

No. SASTRA University does not offer a management quota or direct admission route. All seats across all programmes are filled strictly through merit. No donations or capitation fees are accepted at any stage of admission.

Can law aspirants apply to SASTRA University without a CLAT score?

Yes. Candidates without a CLAT score can apply under Phase II. Phase II uses a composite merit of 50% Class XII aggregate. Students with a strong Class XII performance can secure admission even without sitting for CLAT 2026.

What entrance exams are accepted for MBA admission at SASTRA University?

SASTRA University gives preference to candidates with valid scores in CAT, XAT, AIMAT, CMAT, or AIMCAT for MBA admission. Shortlisted candidates then attend a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. A first-class bachelors degree in any discipline is required.

Do GATE-qualified candidates get any benefit for M.Tech at SASTRA University?

Yes. GATE-qualified candidates admitted to M.Tech or M.Sc programmes receive a 50% tuition fee waiver throughout the programme. They also receive a monthly stipend of INR 12,400 as additional financial support.

SASTRA B.Tech {Lateral} Cyber Security: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The B.Tech Lateral Entry in Cyber Security at SASTRA University (Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy), Thanjavur, is a 3-year full-time on-campus programme that allows diploma holders in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, or allied engineering streams to directly enter the second year of the B.Tech programme. The course is offered under the School of Computing (SoC) as B.Tech CSE with specialisation in Cyber Security and Blockchain Technology, covering subjects such as network security, ethical hacking, cryptography, blockchain technology, digital forensics, cloud security, and secure software development. The total fees for the programme amount to approximately Rs. 5.55 Lakhs over three years, with a tuition fee of Rs. 85,000 per semester in the first year (with a 5% annual increase from the second year). SASTRA is a NAAC A++ accredited, Category 1 deemed university ranked #40 in NIRF Engineering 2025, making this lateral entry route an excellent choice for diploma students seeking a career in the rapidly growing cybersecurity domain.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are upcoming. Based on the previous year's schedule, applications are expected to open around May-June 2026, with classes commencing from August 2026. Lateral entry admissions at SASTRA are conducted through a university-level process based on diploma marks, and students are required to attend a mandatory bridge course before joining the second year.

Key Points

Lateral entry students are admitted directly into the second year (3rd semester) of the B.Tech Cyber Security programme, saving one year compared to the regular 4-year route.
The programme is offered as B.Tech CSE with specialisation in Cyber Security and Blockchain Technology under the School of Computing (SoC) at SASTRA, one of the premier computing schools in Tamil Nadu.
The curriculum uniquely combines cybersecurity with blockchain technology, preparing students for emerging roles in decentralised security, Web3, and digital trust infrastructure.
SASTRA offers a minor specialisation option; Cyber Security students can choose minors in AI/ML, Data Science, IoT and Automation, or other available areas at no extra cost.
The School of Computing at SASTRA is equipped with dedicated cybersecurity labs, high-end computing infrastructure, and research facilities focused on network security, cryptography, and digital forensics.
Age limit for lateral entry: the candidate should not have completed 21 years as on 01.08.2026.

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SASTRA B.Tech Lateral Cyber Security Fees

The B.Tech Lateral Entry Cyber Security programme at SASTRA University carries a tuition fee of Rs. 85,000 per semester in the first year of joining (i.e., second year of B.Tech), with a 5% annual increase applied from the subsequent year. Over the 3-year programme (6 semesters), the total tuition fee works out to approximately Rs. 5.36 Lakhs. Including one-time charges such as development fees and registration fees, the total programme cost comes to approximately Rs. 5.55 Lakhs. Hostel accommodation is optional and available at additional cost.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee - Year 1 (2 semesters x Rs. 85,000)	1,70,000
Tuition Fee - Year 2 (2 semesters x Rs. 89,250 after 5% hike)	1,78,500
Tuition Fee - Year 3 (2 semesters x Rs. 93,713 after 5% hike)	1,87,426
Sports and Unit Test Fee (Rs. 1,000/year x 3 years)	3,000
Development Fee (one-time)	10,000
Special / Registration / Medical Exam Fee (one-time)	6,000
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	5,54,926

Hostel lodging fee is optional and ranges from Rs. 16,000/year (3-in-1 or 4-in-1 non-AC shared room) to Rs. 90,000/year (single AC room with bath attached). First-year (lateral entry joining year) students are provided shared accommodation at Rs. 16,000/year.
Mess/food charges are collected separately on a monthly basis at actuals (approximately Rs. 5,000/month; approximately Rs. 50,000/year for 10 months).
No capitation fee or donation is charged. Admissions are strictly merit-based.
Refund/cancellation policy is as per statutory body guidelines. Withdrawal after fee payment is possible from a specified date; refund is processed online to the registered bank account after the admission process concludes.
No EMI facility is officially mentioned; fee payment is done online via Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI at the time of seat allotment.

SASTRA B.Tech Lateral Cyber Security Admission 2026

Admissions to the B.Tech Lateral Entry Cyber Security programme at SASTRA University are conducted through a university-level process based on diploma marks. The process is separate from the regular B.Tech counselling and is typically announced after diploma results are declared. Students from Tamil Nadu polytechnic boards are primarily eligible, and the process involves a bridge course followed by counselling and seat allotment. For 2026-27, admissions are upcoming and are expected to follow a similar timeline to the previous year (May-July 2026).

SASTRA Lateral Entry Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date / Period
Diploma results declared (Tamil Nadu)	April-May 2026
SASTRA Lateral Entry notification / advertisement	May-June 2026
Application / Registration window	May-June 2026
Bridge course (1 month, on campus)	May-June 2026
Counselling and seat allotment	June-July 2026
Fee payment deadline	Within 48-72 hours of allotment
Document verification and enrolment	July 2026
Commencement of 3rd semester classes	August 2026

Relevant Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
TANCET 2026	Registration Start	March 16, 2026
TANCET 2026	Registration End	April 10, 2026
TANCET 2026	Admit Card	May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
TANCET 2026	Exam Date	May 9, 2026
TANCET 2026	Result	June 24, 2026 (Tentative)

Note: TANCET is primarily for PG admissions (M.Tech/MBA/MCA) and is not a mandatory exam for B.Tech lateral entry at SASTRA. SASTRA conducts its own lateral entry admission process based on diploma percentage. There is no separate national-level lateral entry entrance exam mandated for this programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have completed a 3-year Diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, or an allied engineering discipline from a recognised State Board of Technical Education (AICTE-approved polytechnic).
A minimum aggregate of 60% marks in the diploma programme is generally required (candidates with higher percentages are given priority in merit-based allotment).
The candidate should not have completed 21 years of age as on 01.08.2026.
No standing backlogs at the time of admission.

Admission Process:

Monitor SASTRA's official website (www.sastra.edu) for the lateral entry admission notification, which is typically published after diploma results.
Register and apply online through the SASTRA admissions portal within the specified window.
Attend the bridge course (approximately 1 month) conducted on the SASTRA Thanjavur campus; attendance is mandatory.
Appear for the bridge course end-test; seat allotment is based on diploma percentage and bridge course performance.
Upon seat allotment, pay the tuition fee online within the stipulated deadline (Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI).
Report to campus with original documents for verification and complete enrolment formalities.
Required documents: Diploma certificate and all semester mark sheets, SSLC/10th certificate, Transfer Certificate, Conduct Certificate, Community/Category certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar card, passport-size photographs, and fee payment receipt.

SASTRA B.Tech Lateral Cyber Security Scholarships 2026

SASTRA University offers a focused set of merit-based scholarships to its students. While the number of scholarship schemes is limited compared to larger universities, the amounts are meaningful and directly linked to academic performance. Students who consistently perform well academically and maintain good attendance can benefit from the Dean's Merit Scholarship, while hostel residents with good conduct and attendance can avail the Hostel Scholarship. Additionally, government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and state-level schemes for SC/ST/OBC/minority students are facilitated by the university.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
Dean's Merit Scholarship (Top 2% in university)	Top 2% students by CGPA in the university	Rs. 34,000/year (2/5th of semester fee x 2 semesters)
Dean's Merit Scholarship (Top 3-10% in university)	Top 3-10% students by CGPA in the university	Rs. 17,000/year (1/5th of semester fee x 2 semesters)
Hostel Scholarship	Hostellers with 90%+ attendance, no mess fine, no arrears, no disciplinary action	Rs. 16,000/year (reimbursement of hostel lodging fee)
Government Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC/Minority)	As per state/central government norms	As per government scheme
AICTE Yashasvi Scholarship	As per AICTE eligibility criteria	As per AICTE norms
Sports/Cultural Scholarship	State/national level achievers	Tuition fee concession (case-by-case)

Dean's Merit Scholarship amounts are calculated based on the current tuition fee of Rs. 85,000/semester; amounts may vary as tuition increases annually.
Hostel Scholarship is disbursed as a cheque at the end of every even semester.
Government scholarships require submission through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or Tamil Nadu state scholarship portal; SASTRA assists with verification.
AICTE Yashasvi Scholarship renewal applications for 2025-26 are currently open (as per SASTRA's official notice).
No separate entrance-based scholarship is offered for lateral entry students at the time of admission.

SASTRA B.Tech Lateral Cyber Security Placement 2026

SASTRA University has a strong overall placement record, with approximately 90-92% of eligible B.Tech students placed annually. For Cyber Security students, placement prospects are strong given the acute global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and the rapidly growing demand for security specialists across industries. Top recruiters for computing and security-related programmes at SASTRA include Amazon, Microsoft, PayPal, Comcast, Zoho, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, Infosys, Accenture, Deloitte, and many others. Cyber Security graduates are well-positioned for roles such as security analyst, penetration tester, security engineer, blockchain developer, digital forensics analyst, and cloud security specialist. The median salary package for B.Tech graduates at SASTRA stands at Rs. 7.6 LPA (NIRF 2024), with the highest package reaching Rs. 27 LPA.

SASTRA University B.Tech Placement Statistics

Statistic	Value
Total B.Tech Students Graduated	1,806
Total Students Placed	1,671
Placement Percentage	~92%
Median Salary Package (B.Tech)	Rs. 7.6 LPA
Highest Package (overall B.Tech)	Rs. 27 LPA

The above statistics are for the overall B.Tech programme at SASTRA. Course-specific (Cyber Security lateral entry) placement data is not separately published. Given the high global demand for cybersecurity professionals, graduates from this programme are well-positioned in the current job market.

SASTRA B.Tech Lateral Cyber Security FAQs

Q1. Is the B.Tech Cyber Security programme at SASTRA a standalone degree or a specialisation under CSE?

Ans. The B.Tech Cyber Security programme at SASTRA is offered as B.Tech CSE with specialisation in Cyber Security and Blockchain Technology under the School of Computing. It is not a standalone degree but a specialised stream within the B.Tech CSE framework. The lateral entry route allows diploma holders to join directly into the second year (3rd semester) of this specialised programme.

Q2. Is the B.Tech Lateral Entry Cyber Security programme at SASTRA a full-time on-campus programme?

Ans. Yes, the B.Tech Lateral Entry (Cyber Security) at SASTRA University is a full-time, on-campus programme offered exclusively at the Thanjavur campus. There is no distance or part-time mode available. Students are required to attend classes regularly and maintain a minimum of 75% attendance as per university regulations.

Q3. What is the bridge course at SASTRA for lateral entry students, and is it mandatory?

Ans. SASTRA conducts a one-month bridge course on its Thanjavur campus for lateral entry students before the start of the regular 3rd semester. The bridge course covers foundational engineering and computing subjects to bridge the gap between diploma and B.Tech curriculum. Attendance during the bridge course is mandatory, and a test is conducted at the end. Seat allotment is influenced by diploma percentage and bridge course performance/attendance.

Q4. What are the career prospects for a B.Tech Cyber Security lateral entry graduate from SASTRA?

Ans. Graduates of the B.Tech Cyber Security programme from SASTRA can pursue careers as security analysts, penetration testers, ethical hackers, security engineers, blockchain developers, digital forensics analysts, and cloud security specialists. The cybersecurity domain is one of the fastest-growing globally, with a significant talent shortage. Top recruiters include Amazon, Microsoft, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, Infosys, Accenture, and Deloitte. The combination of cybersecurity and blockchain technology in the curriculum makes graduates versatile across traditional security and emerging Web3 roles.

Q5. Does the B.Tech Cyber Security programme at SASTRA include blockchain technology? What is the scope of blockchain in placements?

Ans. Yes, the programme is specifically titled B.Tech CSE with specialisation in Cyber Security and Blockchain Technology. The curriculum covers blockchain fundamentals, smart contracts, decentralised applications (DApps), and blockchain security. Blockchain technology is increasingly adopted in finance, supply chain, healthcare, and government sectors. While blockchain-specific roles are still emerging in India, the combination with cybersecurity makes graduates attractive to companies working on digital trust, fintech, and Web3 platforms.

Q6. How competitive is lateral entry into B.Tech Cyber Security at SASTRA compared to other computing branches?

Ans. B.Tech Cyber Security is among the most sought-after computing programmes at SASTRA, and lateral entry seats are limited (as per AICTE norms, typically 10% of the sanctioned intake). Competition for lateral entry seats in Cyber Security is high, comparable to AI & DS. Candidates with higher diploma percentages in Computer Science or IT and strong performance in the bridge course have a better chance of securing a seat. It is advisable to apply early and monitor the official SASTRA website for the lateral entry notification.

SASTRA: 1 Answered Question

SASTRA University, Thanjavur: Does your CGPA really matter at the end of your course?

Siddhartha BoseB.Tech Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur

Yes, CGPA at SASTRA does matter, especially if you have low CGPA. It will affect your placement and as well as other things. But if you are proficient in programming then you can get into companies like Google without CGPA being a problem. If you have a low GPA, you will miss out on the following things.

ACRS: If you want to finish your course in the 7th semester, you will need a GPA of 7.5+. To get the course you want you will need to have around an 8.5 GPA.
Although most companies set 7.0 GPA requirements. Most dream companies ask for a GPA of 8+.
You won’t be able to go to your graduation ceremony, since SASTRA only invites students with GPAs of 7.5+.

Apart from these above reasons, GPA matters for other reasons too. While hiring, companies look at your GPA, not to evaluate how much you know. Rather they want to how responsible and committed you are.

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