M.Sc · One-Year Full-Time Programme
Frontier Intelligence and Autonomous Agents
A research-led programme for those who want to master intelligent systems, autonomous reasoning and the emerging architecture of agentic AI.
ProgrammeDuration & Format
A full-time, one-year postgraduate programme delivered entirely on campus.
Structure of theAcademic Year
The full academic year is divided into three teaching terms.
Research Verticals Behindthe Programme
Six research verticals anchor the programme's teaching and research.
Next CohortIntake Date
Join a select cohort of ambitious learners and AI professionals beginning in September 2026
The Chatterjee Group
Dr. Purnendu Chatterjee
Founder and Chairman of TCG CREST
Chancellor of TCG CREST (Deemed to be University)
The Chatterjee Group (TCG) is a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of knowledge-based corporations across 45 countries. TCG offers end-to-end product and service capabilities through its diverse subsidiaries. With over $3 Bn in investment, TCG has an overriding focus on value creation through strategic long-term investments.
Dr. Purnendu Chatterjee is the Founder and Chairman of TCG. Founded in 1989, TCG has evolved into a premier firm with investments and operations spanning several continents and industries. With a background that includes a close association with Soros Fund Management and partnership at McKinsey & Company Inc., Dr. Chatterjee has led TCG in compiling a highly successful investment record across diverse sectors.
Why TCG CREST
Built on a strong doctoral and research-led academic foundation
Rooted in The Chatterjee Group's legacy of institution building
Industry-backed academic ecosystem with a future-facing orientation
Programme overview
Designed for the next generation of AI innovators, this programme blends rigorous academics with hands-on, industry-focused learning. Covering topics from Machine Learning and Deep Learning to Natural Language Processing, Reinforcement Learning, Big Data Engineering, and Responsible AI, the curriculum equips students with both strong computational foundations and practical expertise. Learn from globally renowned faculty and industry experts while working on real-world projects, capstone experiences, and applied problem-solving to develop AI systems that address complex challenges across industries.
Curriculum
Three terms, One continuous argument
Foundations of Intelligent Systems
Mathematical and computational grounding — linear algebra, probability, optimization — alongside the architecture of modern reasoning systems.
Autonomous Agents & Multi-Agent Systems
How an agent plans across multiple steps, uses tools, recovers from failure, and coordinates with other agents toward a shared goal.
Capstone & Applied Research
A faculty-supervised project building a working autonomous system end to end, under the same rigour as a research thesis.
Programme Highlights
One-Year Intensive Format
A focused and immersive academic experience designed for deep engagement.
Research-Driven Curriculum
Grounded in strong mathematical and computational foundations.
Frontier Intelligence Focus
Explore intelligent systems, autonomous agents, reasoning architectures, and emerging AI paradigms.
Industry Integration
Designed with strong industry linkage and applied problem-solving exposure.
Capstone Project
Opportunity to work on real-world challenges through guided project-based learning.
September 2026
Classes begin with a focused academic schedule designed for immersive learning.
Kolkata
Study in a vibrant academic and innovation hub with access to research and industry ecosystems.
Full-Time
A dedicated full-time format that enables consistent engagement with coursework and projects.
Eligibility
Know before Applying.
Minimum 16 years of formal Education
4-year Bachelor's degree
or a relevant postgraduate qualification
Minimum 55% qualifying marks
in the qualifying degree (as per UGC guidelines)
Who Could Apply
Final-year
UG Students
Final-year
PG Students
Early-career
Professionals
Industry-sponsored
Candidates
Learn from the Minds Shaping AI
Work alongside internationally trained researchers whose expertise spans machine learning, intelligent systems, computational science, and autonomous agent technologies.
Prof. Saibal Chattopadhyay
Director, Academic Programmes — TCG CREST
See Profile
Goutam Mukherjee
Director — IAI, TCG CREST
See Profile
Prof. Swagatam Das
Mentor — IAI, TCG CREST · Professor, Indian Statistical Institute
See Profile
Prabhakar Raghavan
CTO, Google · Strategic Advisory Leader — TCG CREST
See ProfileProgramme Fees & Scholarships
Invest in a future shaped by Frontier AI. Our transparent, milestone-based fee structure makes it easy to plan your academic journey with confidence — and our scholarships & awards help reduce the cost of study for outstanding candidates.
Total Programme Fee
₹25,00,000
Rupees Twenty-Five Lakh only
Payable across 5 milestone-linked instalmentsInstalment Schedule
Linked to key milestones across the admission and academic journey.
| No. | Milestone | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | At the time of application *The registration fee will be fully refunded if the candidate is not selected | ₹25,000 |
| 2 | Within 7 days of receiving the offer letter | ₹2,25,000 |
| 3 | Within 7 days of completion of the Preparatory Module | ₹7,50,000 |
| 4 | Within 7 days of completion of Term 1 | ₹7,50,000 |
| 5 | Within 7 days of completion of Term 2 | ₹7,50,000 |
| Total | ₹25,00,000 | |
As per UGC (Refund of Fees and Non-retention of Original Certificates) Regulations, refund of fees on withdrawal of admission is governed by the following schedule:
| S. No | Percentage of Refund of fees* | Point of time when notice of withdrawal of admission is received in the HEI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% | 15 days or more before the formally-notified last date of admission |
| 2 | 90% | Less than 15 days before the formally-notified last date of admission |
| 3 | 80% | 15 days or less after the formally-notified last date of admission |
| 4 | 50% | 30 days or less, but more than 15 days, after formally-notified last date of admission |
| 5 | 00% | More than 30 days after formally-notified last date of admission |
*Refund of fees, as above, is after deduction of an amount not exceeding ₹1,000 towards processing charges, and excludes any non-refundable statutory fees paid to Government/regulatory bodies.
Scholarships supported by donors.
Ideal Eyes Academic Merit Scholarship
Sponsored by Ideal Eyes
Ideal Eyes sponsors merit-based scholarships for top-ranking FIAA applicants, recognising academic excellence in AI and computational research. Awardees are recognised as "Ideal Eyes Scholars."
Award
₹1,00,000
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required
Laser Science Services Research Potential Award
Sponsored by Laser Science Services
Laser Science Services sponsors awards for applicants demonstrating genuine research aptitude — published papers, GitHub projects, or open-source contributions. Includes a monthly stipend commencing after successful completion of Term I, recognising sustained research engagement.
Award
₹75,000
Stipend
₹1,80,000
Post Term I
Mode
Waiver + Stipend
No separate application required — assessed from SOP and research portfolio
Ideal Eyes Research Potential Award
Sponsored by Ideal Eyes
Ideal Eyes sponsors awards for applicants demonstrating genuine research aptitude — published papers, GitHub projects, or open-source contributions. Includes a monthly stipend commencing after successful completion of Term I, recognising sustained research engagement.
Award
₹75,000
Stipend
₹1,80,000
Post Term I
Mode
Waiver + Stipend
No separate application required — assessed from SOP and research portfolio
Eppendorf Women in AI Scholarship
Sponsored by Eppendorf
Eppendorf has committed to supporting women candidates pursuing careers in AI and autonomous systems. Five scholarships are reserved annually.
Award
₹1,00,000
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required
Lab Solutions Technical Excellence Award
Sponsored by Lab Solutions
Lab Solutions sponsors awards for applicants demonstrating exceptional technical proficiency in building AI-driven instrumentation, lab automation systems, or data-intensive scientific tools. Recognises precision-engineering capability at the intersection of AI and applied science.
Award
₹1,00,000
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required — assessed from technical portfolio and SOP
Scholarships supported by TCG CREST University.
Merit-Based Scholarship of up to 50%
Sponsored by TCG CREST University
Merit-Based Scholarship of up to 50% is available for eligible candidates based on academic and professional credentials.
Award
Up to 50% Waiver on Fee
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required
TCG CREST Academic Merit Scholarship
Sponsored by TCG CREST University
Awarded to top-ranking FIAA applicants on the basis of academic excellence, recognising outstanding performance in prior qualifying examinations and admission assessment.
Award
₹1,00,000
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required
TCG CREST Research Potential Award
Sponsored by TCG CREST University
Awarded to applicants demonstrating genuine research aptitude — published papers, GitHub projects, or open-source contributions. Includes a monthly stipend commencing after successful completion of Term I.
Award
₹75,000
Stipend
₹1,80,000
Post Term I
Mode
Waiver + Stipend
No separate application required — assessed from SOP and research portfolio
TCG CREST PhD Continuation Waiver
Sponsored by TCG CREST University
Since TCG CREST's PhD programme is already fee-free, this award instead reduces the standard PhD duration from 5 years to 4 years for FIAA graduates who join a TCG CREST PhD programme immediately upon completion of the MSc — in recognition of the advanced research foundation built during FIAA and encouraging continuation into the institution's research pipeline.
Award
—
Stipend
—
Mode
1-Year Duration Reduction (5 yrs → 4 yrs)
Automatic upon confirmed PhD admission at TCG CREST
Armed Forces Scholarship
Sponsored by TCG CREST University
Offered in honour of armed forces personnel and their dependants, in recognition of their service and sacrifice in keeping the nation safe.
Award
50% Waiver
Stipend
—
Mode
Waiver
No separate application required — proof of service required
Education Loan Assistance
To make quality education more accessible, TCG CREST has partnered with leading banks and NBFCs to facilitate education loans for eligible students.
Option I
NBFC Education Loan (80%+ in graduation)
Students securing 80% or above in graduation may be eligible for education loans without collateral or parental security. Competitive interest rates, flexible repayment, and faster processing through our lending partners.
Loan approval is subject to the NBFC's eligibility criteria, credit assessment, and final approval.
Option II
NBFC Education Loan (Other students)
For students who have secured less than 80% marks in graduation. Loan terms and eligibility criteria apply as per the NBFC's assessment.
Loan approval is subject to the NBFC's eligibility criteria, credit assessment, and final approval.
Option III
Other Bank Loan
Explore education loan options from other empanelled banks through our partner portal.
Option IV
HDFC Bank Loan
HDFC Bank education loan option — link will be available shortly. Contact our HDFC Bank representative at 9830611416 to register your interest.
Need Assistance?
Our Admissions Team will guide you through the complete education loan process—from selecting the right lending partner to documentation, application, and disbursement.
Discover What's Happening at FIAA
From interactive webinars and informative conversations to admission deadlines and scholarship updates, never miss an opportunity to engage with the FIAA programme.
CHRO Roundtable
The hiring conversation usually happens after course completion. We moved it earlier.
We didn't wait for a placement season to ask what employers actually want. We asked before the first class even finished Term I.
You Don't Need a CS Degree
No legacy to protect means no gatekeeping to defend.
Older institutions inherit assumptions about who belongs. We don't have those yet — so we built the door wider on purpose.
Is ₹25,00,000 Worth It?
An institution's asset is honesty about its price.
We don't have decades of reputation to lean on. So we're leaning on transparency instead — starting with the fee itself.
Last Call: Early Bird Closes
Early, by definition, ends
Being early was the whole pitch. That window is closing on its own schedule, not ours.
Latest News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest announcements, admission updates, webinars, curriculum developments, scholarships, and important milestones from the FIAA programme.
MSc in Frontier Intelligence & Autonomous Agents (FIAA) – Admissions Open
Join the inaugural 2026 batch of the research-led MSc in Frontier Intelligence & Autonomous Agents at TCG Crest. The programme focuses on AI research, autonomous agents, reasoning architectures, foundation models, and real-world intelligent systems for the next generation of AI innovators.
Expert Webinar on the Future of Agentic AI
Join leading AI researchers and industry experts for a live discussion on Agentic AI, intelligent systems, and career opportunities through TCG CREST's MSc in Frontier Intelligence & Autonomous Agents.
TCG CREST Launches the NextGen AI Community
Students and professionals can join the official AI community to access expert masterclasses, admission alerts, research updates, and networking opportunities.
AI Experts to Lead Faculty & Industry Roundtable
A distinguished panel of AI researchers, educators, and industry professionals will discuss Agentic AI, intelligent systems, and the future of AI careers during a live webinar.
Admissions
Five steps. One interview, guaranteed.
Every eligible candidate receives a personal interview. There is no black-box rejection. A student loan partner can be applied for as part of your application.
Application
Document Review
Entrance Exam
Personal Interview
Offer
Enrolment
Stories That Shape the Future of AI
Dive into quick, engaging reels that showcase breakthrough ideas, expert opinions, campus experiences, and the people driving the next generation of intelligent systems.
Industry Engagement
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Research Collaboration
The FIAA Community
Learn. Collaborate. Innovate. Lead.
- Learn
- Collaborate
- Innovate
- Lead
A Global Ecosystem: Where Academia, Industry, and Innovation Converge
At TCG CREST, learning extends beyond the classroom. The FIAA Community is a global network uniting students, researchers, alumni, faculty, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and international collaborators focused on advancing intelligent systems and autonomous agents.
Learning Through Collaboration: Bridging Theory and Practice
It promotes continuous learning and collaboration through idea exchange, research discussions, real-world problem-solving, and co-creation of AI innovations. Members participate in expert talks, seminars, industry roundtables, hackathons, projects, and global networking, gaining exposure to cutting-edge developments across academia and industry.
Industry-Academia Partnership: Turning Innovation into Applications
Closely integrated with TCG CREST’s research ecosystem and The Chatterjee Group’s diverse businesses, it enables work on real-world AI applications across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, sustainability, and digital technologies. This industry-academia interface bridges theory and practice while building multidisciplinary expertise in Agentic AI.
Building Networks, Accelerating Careers: The FIAA Community Advantage
Open to students, researchers, professionals, alumni, and global partners, it fosters knowledge sharing, accelerates innovation, and builds lasting professional networks to shape future AI leaders.