Career Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, research, retail and analytics teams. DS

Data Scientist

Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.

Uses statistics, programming and domain knowledge to analyse data and build decision-support or predictive systems.

Route in
A quantitative bachelor degree is common; many advanced roles prefer postgraduate study or equivalent depth in statistics, computing and machine learning. 8 courses lead here
Entry pay
₹400,000 – ₹2,600,000 / annual 0–10 yrs
Where you work
Technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, research, retail and analytics teams. Usually regular office hours with project deadlines.

Overview

What this career is, in plain terms.

Uses statistics, programming and domain knowledge to analyse data and build decision-support or predictive systems. A quantitative bachelor degree is common; many advanced roles prefer postgraduate study or equivalent depth in statistics, computing and machine learning.

Data Scientist overview

Understand the role

Uses statistics, programming and domain knowledge to analyse data and build decision-support or predictive systems.

Who should consider this career?

Fit

This path may suit students whose interests, aptitude and preferred work setting align with data scientist. Explore real tasks and speak with qualified professionals before committing.

Reality check

Read this one

Usually regular office hours with project deadlines. Usually low. Qualification alone does not guarantee a job; practical ability, location, employer needs and continuous learning affect outcomes.

The route in, step by step

4 steps from where you are now.

1
Class 10–12

Build the school foundation Required

Strengthen the school subjects and skills relevant to Data Scientist.

2
Varies by course

Complete a recognised course Required

A quantitative bachelor degree is common; many advanced roles prefer postgraduate study or equivalent depth in statistics, computing and machine learning.

3
During and after study

Gain practical experience Required

Use supervised training, internships, projects or entry-level work to build demonstrable competence.

4
Optional / career-stage dependent

Develop a specialisation Optional

Choose advanced study, certification or role specialisation only after checking its relevance and eligibility.

Courses that lead here

8 mapped routes into this career.

The roles this becomes

2 lanes out of the same starting point.

Data Scientist
Government
Machine Learning Analyst
Government

What it pays

Indicative bands.

StagePay bandWhat changes
0–10 yrs ₹400,000 – ₹2,600,000 / annual Broad indicative annual range only. Actual pay varies by role, qualification, experience, location, employer and employment type.

These are ranges, not offers. Pay varies by city, employer size, sector and your own skill more than by job title. Treat the band as the shape of the market, not as a number you can hold anyone to.

Who can enter

1 route into this work.

QualificationStreamMinimumSubjects
Graduation Any —

Common questions

The ones people actually ask about this work.

What does a Data Scientist do?

Uses statistics, programming and domain knowledge to analyse data and build decision-support or predictive systems.

Which qualification is needed for Data Scientist?

A quantitative bachelor degree is common; many advanced roles prefer postgraduate study or equivalent depth in statistics, computing and machine learning.

What is the work setting for Data Scientist?

Technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, research, retail and analytics teams. Usually regular office hours with project deadlines.

About these numbers. Salary bands, timelines and ratings on this page are indicative ranges compiled across employers, sectors and cities — not offers, and not guarantees. Eligibility rules and entrance requirements are revised regularly; confirm the current official notification for your year before acting. Nothing on this page is sponsored.