Country edition: India
Student Journey Blueprint

How to become a Data Analyst — your road, class by class

Class 8 to working life·15 student doubts answered ·Last checked 25 Oct 2026

The one-line route: Keep Mathematics → a degree such as B.Sc (Statistics / Maths / Data Science), BCA, B.Com or B.Tech — or IIT Madras' BS in Data Science, open from any Class 12 stream (Class 10 Maths and English expected). Government data posts: SSC CGL's Statistical Investigator and Junior Statistical Officer (Pay Level 6). [1] [2]

Pick your class and the road below starts where you stand.

Full career guide Pick another career
00 The job

What the work really is

A data analyst turns raw data — sales, surveys, app usage — into tables, charts and answers people can act on. In government, SSC's Combined Graduate Level exam fills Statistical Investigator and Junior Statistical Officer posts that do this work. [2]

A normal working day

  • Pull data from spreadsheets and databases, and clean it.
  • Build charts and dashboards, and spot trends.
  • Explain what the numbers mean to managers in plain words.

Pay

Pay
LevelPay (official)
Statistical Investigator Grade-II / Junior Statistical Officer (SSC CGL 2026)Pay Level 6 · ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 [2]

Private analyst salaries are not officially published, so we print only the government level.

Main routes

IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications

Apply after your Class 11 final exams, from any stream or board. The qualifier is 4 weeks of online coursework and a 4-hour in-person exam; pass with 40% in each course and 50% on average (General). [1]

B.Sc / BCA / B.Com through CUET (UG)

Central universities admit through CUET (UG); NTA runs the test and each university makes its own merit list. [3]

ISI B.SDS (Statistical Data Science)

ISI's 4-year B.SDS (Hons), taught in hybrid mode, needs 75% in Class 12 (passed 2025 or 2026) and charges ₹1,00,000 tuition a semester, fully waived for SC / ST / PwBD. [4]

Government: SSC CGL

Statistical Investigator Grade-II takes degrees in Statistics, Maths, Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, AI and more (48 tentative vacancies in 2026); JSO takes any degree with 60% in Class 12 Maths (158). [2] [5]

Time and cost

IIT Madras BS application
₹4,000 General / OBC · ₹2,000 SC / ST / PwD · ₹1,000 SC / ST + PwD [1]
IIT Madras BS full fee
₹3,86,000 – ₹4,50,000 for the BS degree (from the Jan 2026 term) [6]
SSC CGL fee
₹100 · women, SC, ST, PwBD and eligible ex-servicemen pay nothing [2]

Other college fees vary by state and college, so we print no national figure.

Hidden challenges

  • Government data posts are few: 48 Statistical Investigator and 158 JSO vacancies in CGL 2026's tentative list, out of 10,731. [5]
  • CGL Tier-II has a qualifying Computer Knowledge Test and a Data Entry Speed Test, and 1 mark is cut per wrong answer in Paper-I Sections I–III. [2]
  • The IIT Madras qualifier needs 40% in each course and 50% on average just to enter the BS. [1]

Who should not choose it

  • You dislike spreadsheets, detail and checking numbers twice.
  • You want to avoid Maths and statistics altogether.
  • You do not like explaining results to other people.
01 Your road, stage by stage

What to do at each stage — and the doubts on the way

  1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

    Maths, data and curiosity

    • IIT Madras' BS starts with four foundation courses: English I, Mathematics for Data Science I, Statistics for Data Science I and Computational Thinking. [1]
    • Practise graphs, percentages and probability, and try a spreadsheet — data work is mostly cleaning and reading numbers.

    Doubt Is Maths needed to become a data analyst?

    The main routes need it: IIT Madras' BS in Data Science expects Mathematics and English in Class 10, and SSC's JSO post with a non-Statistics degree needs 60% in Class 12 Maths. [1] [2]

    Next: Keep Maths strong now.

    Doubt What will I study in a data science degree?

    At IIT Madras the BS begins with English, Mathematics for Data Science, Statistics for Data Science and Computational Thinking. [1]

    Next: Start with school statistics and a spreadsheet.

  2. You are here Class 10

    Keep Mathematics, any stream

    • The IIT Madras BS expects Mathematics and English in Class 10; any Class 12 stream may apply. [1]

    Stream / subjects: Any stream with Mathematics if you can — Science, Commerce or Arts.

    Common mistakes

    • Dropping Maths in Class 11 — it closes the JSO 60% route and narrows your degree choices.

    Doubt Can an Arts or Commerce student become a data analyst?

    Yes. IIT Madras' BS takes any Class 12 stream (with Class 10 Maths and English), and SSC's Statistical Investigator accepts degrees such as Economics, Statistics and Mathematics. [1] [2]

    Next: Keep Maths in Class 11 if your school allows.

    Doubt Do I need Computer Science in school for data analytics?

    No. IIT Madras' BS accepts any Class 12 stream and teaches Computational Thinking from the foundation level. [1]

    Next: Learn basic spreadsheets on your own.

  3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

    Two doors in Class 11–12

    • IIT Madras BS: apply after your Class 11 final exams. The qualifier result stays valid for 2 years if you have not yet sat Class 12. [1]
    • Students eligible for the current year's JEE Advanced can join the IIT Madras BS foundation level directly, without the qualifier. [1]

    Exams that open here

    • CUET (UG) 2026 — 11–31 May 2026 (bulletin schedule) [3]

    Money help at this stage

    Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP CSSS)IIT Madras BS fee support

    Doubt Can I join IIT Madras' data science BS while in Class 12?

    You can apply after your Class 11 final exams. You clear a qualifier — 4 weeks of online coursework and a 4-hour in-person exam — and the result stays valid for 2 years if you have not yet sat Class 12. [1]

    Next: Apply in the term after your Class 11 exams.

    Doubt Can I skip the IIT Madras qualifier?

    Yes, if you are eligible for that year's JEE Advanced — you can join the foundation level directly. [1]

    Next: Check your JEE Advanced eligibility.

    Doubt What is ISI's B.SDS?

    A 4-year B.SDS (Hons) in Statistical Data Science, taught in hybrid mode across Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru. It needs 75% in Class 12 (passed 2025 or 2026) and charges ₹1,00,000 tuition a semester, waived for SC / ST / PwBD. [4]

    Next: Watch ISI's admission notice in spring.

  4. You are here In college

    During the degree

    • Anyone who has passed Class 12 may apply to the IIT Madras BS, whatever their age or background; you pay course by course, each term. [1] [6]
    • GATE has a Data Science and AI (DA) paper, open from the 3rd year of any degree. [7] [8]

    Doubt How much does the IIT Madras BS cost?

    ₹3,86,000 – ₹4,50,000 for the full BS degree (from the January 2026 term), paid course by course. Fee support of 50% or 75% is given by family income and category. [6]

    Next: Read the Money help section for the fee support rules.

    Doubt Does a Data Science or AI degree count for government jobs?

    Yes. SSC's Statistical Investigator Grade-II lists Data Science and Artificial Intelligence degrees, and CERT-In's 2026 Scientist-B advert had 25 Data Science and AI posts picked on the GATE DA paper. [2] [8]

    Next: Keep both doors open: CGL and GATE.

    Doubt When can I write GATE in Data Science?

    From the 3rd year of any undergraduate degree (or after it). GATE 2027 runs on six days in February 2027. [7] [9]

    Next: Register in your 3rd year.

  5. You are here Graduated

    Industry jobs or SSC CGL

    • CGL 2026: Tier-I was held 30 Sep – 30 Oct 2026; Tier-II is scheduled for December 2026. [10] [2]
    • Statistical Investigator and JSO candidates also write a Statistics paper (100 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours) in Tier-II. [2]

    Exams that open here

    • SSC CGL 2026 Tier-I — 30 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 [10]

    Money help at this stage

    SSC CGL fee exemption

    Doubt What does a government data job pay?

    Statistical Investigator Grade-II and Junior Statistical Officer are Pay Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400), Group B posts. [2]

    Next: Read the next CGL notice for current posts.

    Doubt How many Statistical Investigator posts are there?

    SSC's tentative list of 24 September 2026 shows 48 Statistical Investigator Grade-II vacancies in the Registrar General and Census Commissioner's office. [5]

    Next: Vacancies can change until the final result.

    Doubt Is there negative marking in the CGL Statistics paper?

    Yes, 0.50 mark per wrong answer in Paper-II (Statistics); Paper-I cuts 1 mark in Sections I–III. [2]

    Next: Practise accuracy.

    Doubt Which GATE paper suits a data analyst?

    DA — Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. CERT-In shortlisted its 25 Data Science and AI Scientist-B posts in 2026 on this paper. [8]

    Next: Pick DA if you want GATE-based data jobs.

  6. You are here Working / switching career

    Switching later

    • The IIT Madras BS has no age bar: anyone who has passed Class 12 may apply. [1]

    Doubt I am already working. Can I still study data science?

    Yes. IIT Madras' BS takes anyone who has passed Class 12, whatever their age, and you pay course by course each term. [1] [6]

    Next: Check the next term's application dates on study.iitm.ac.in.

Your school board

Every board counts. IIT Madras' BS looks at Class 10 Maths and English; ISI's B.SDS needs 75% in Class 12. [1] [4]

CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.

02 Exam anatomy

The exam, stage by stage

IIT Madras BS qualifier · SSC CGL (data posts) · IIT Madras · Staff Selection Commission

IITM qualifier
4 weeks online + 4-hour in-person exam [1]
IITM pass mark
40% each course · 50% average (General) [1]
CGL Statistics paper
100 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours [2]
CGL 2026 data posts
SI-II 48 · JSO 158 (tentative) [5]
IIT Madras BS qualifier · SSC CGL (data posts) stages
RouteStepRule
IIT Madras BSQualifier → foundation → diploma → degreeAny stream; pay per course
SSC CGLTier-I → Tier-II (Paper-I + Statistics)Merit from Tier-II
ISI B.SDSISI admission process75% in Class 12

Stage table source [1] [2] [4]

Open the full exam guide
03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

  • National route: IIT Madras' BS, CUET and SSC CGL follow the same rules in every state. [1] [3] [2]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

04 Career multiverse

Where this path can take you next

Data scientist

Building models on top of analysis.

Explore →

Statistical officer

SSC JSO and UPSC ISS.

Explore →

Actuary

Statistics applied to insurance risk.

Explore →

BCA

A computer degree after any stream with Maths.

Explore →
05 Money help

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.

Scholarship Open to you now From Class 8

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Ministry of Education, through your state

₹1,000 a month, Class 9 to 12 [11]

Who
Class 8 students of government schools who passed Class 7 with 55% (50% SC/ST, as in Nagaland's notice) and clear the state's NMMSS test. Family income limit: see the scheme rules on the National Scholarship Portal.
How
Your state's SCERT announces the test in Class 8; renewals are on scholarships.gov.in.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP CSSS)

Ministry of Education

₹12,000 a year for the first 3 years of a degree; ₹20,000 a year in years 4–5 of a 5-year integrated course (and in PG) [12]

Who
Above the 80th percentile of your board's Class 12 pass-outs in your stream, in a regular degree course (not diploma or distance), family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, and not taking any other scholarship — including state schemes.
How
On the National Scholarship Portal after Class 12; renewal needs 50% marks and 75% attendance each year.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, through your state

Compulsory non-refundable fees (tuition included) plus a yearly academic allowance — the college cannot ask you to pay the fee first [13]

Who
SC students after Class 10 (ITI, diploma, degree and CA/CMA/CS courses count), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Separate post-matric schemes exist for ST, OBC and minority students on the same portal.
How
Your state scholarship portal or scholarships.gov.in. The printed guidelines cover 2020-21 to 2025-26; check the 2026-27 rules on the portal.
Fee help Open to you now From Class 11

IIT Madras BS fee support

IIT Madras

50% or 75% of the programme fee [6]

Who
Family income up to ₹1 lakh: 75% for every category (with documents). ₹1–5 lakh: 50% for General-EWS and OBC-NCL. SC / ST and PwD get at least 50% at any income; SC / ST with PwD get 75%. Not for students outside India.
How
Upload your category and family-income certificates when you join; IIT Madras runs extra income checks.
Fee help Open to you now From In college

SSC CGL fee exemption

Staff Selection Commission

No fee — others pay ₹100 [2]

Who
Women, SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and ex-servicemen eligible for reservation.
How
Choose your category in the online form on ssc.gov.in; the exemption is applied there.
06 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.

  1. IIT Madras — BS in Data Science and Applications: Admissions (opens in a new tab) who can apply, Class 10 Maths and English, application fees, qualifier process and pass marks, result validity, JEE Advanced direct entry, term dates · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  2. Staff Selection Commission — Notice, Combined Graduate Level Examination 2026 (21 May 2026) (opens in a new tab) dates, posts and pay levels, age limits by post (JSO 18–32), age on 1 Aug 2026, JSO and SI-II qualifications, fee ₹100 and exemptions, Tier-I and Tier-II schemes, negative marking, qualifying sections, merit rules for JSO / SI-II · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  3. NTA — CUET (UG) 2026 Information Bulletin (opens in a new tab) NTA's role, universities make their own merit lists, up to 5 of 37 tests, 50 MCQs in 60 minutes, +5 / −1, exam window 11–31 May 2026 · Last checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. ISI — Admission Notice 2026-27 (24 Apr 2026) (opens in a new tab) B.Stat eligibility (Class 12 with Mathematics and English), B.SDS (Hons) terms: 75% in Class 12, hybrid mode, ₹1,00,000 a semester, waiver for SC / ST / PwBD · Last checked 15 Oct 2026
  5. Staff Selection Commission — Tentative vacancies, CGL Examination 2026 (as on 24 Sep 2026) (opens in a new tab) JSO 158, Statistical Investigator Grade-II 48, total 10,731 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  6. IIT Madras — BS in Data Science and Applications: Academics and fee structure (opens in a new tab) levels and credits, fees from the January 2026 term, fee support by category and family income · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  7. IIT Madras — GATE 2027: Eligibility criteria (opens in a new tab) 3rd year or higher of any UG degree, or completed; degree-wise table · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  8. CERT-In (MeitY) — Detailed Advertisement CERT-In/SCB/2026/1, Scientist-B (direct recruitment) (opens in a new tab) CERT-In's role, 133 posts by discipline, Level 10 pay, GATE CS / DA / EC 2024–26, qualifications, age limits, dates 14 Jul – 17 Aug 2026, nil fee, 60:40 merit, interview minimums · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  9. IIT Madras — GATE 2027: Important dates (opens in a new tab) registration windows, exam on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 Feb 2027, result on 19 Mar 2027 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  10. Staff Selection Commission — Notice: exam city and admission certificate, CGL 2026 Tier-I (21 Sep 2026) (opens in a new tab) Tier-I from 30 Sep to 30 Oct 2026 · Last checked 26 Oct 2026
  11. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  12. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
  13. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — Post Matric Scholarship for SC students, guidelines 2020-21 to 2025-26 (copy hosted by Goa Social Welfare) (opens in a new tab) ₹2.5 lakh income limit, fees + academic allowance, no pre-payment of fees, CA/ICWA/CS students covered · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

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