BS (Data Science)
For Dalyodh Singh, the journey from Punjab to Chennai was not just a change in geography. It was a transition from a student who wasn’t quite sure where his interests would lead him to someone who now finds himself teaching mathematics, building projects, and exploring what comes next. Dalyodh has always been drawn to things that allowed him to create. In school, that meant science models and projects, alongside an increasing interest in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and eventually coding. The problem was that he wasn’t quite sure where all these interests fit together.
His first attempt at the IIT Madras BS Degree qualifier did not lead to admission. A year later, he tried again, this time deciding to pursue the programme as a standalone degree.
The Foundation level gave him something he had been looking for without knowing: a strong mathematical base. A self-described “maths nerd”, Dalyodh often went beyond the syllabus, exploring concepts on his own and even trying to teach what he learnt through YouTube. Topics that once seemed difficult eventually became ones he could explain to someone else. For a brief period, he also served as a mentor in both Maths 1 and 2, helping students understand topics such as Linear Algebra, Calculus, and Graph Theory. Explaining these concepts to others strengthened not only his own understanding, but also his patience and communication skills.
His biggest test came through his BDM project. The first year passed without much progress. Eventually, Dalyodh decided to step outside his comfort zone and start speaking to business owners, something he admits he found difficult.
The process was challenging, but it also taught him that doing something uncomfortable today can make the next difficult thing easier. He eventually completed the project and earned the Best BDM Capstone Project Award Sep 2025, turning a period of uncertainty into one of his proudest academic experiences.
The willingness to learn with others has shaped his work beyond individual assignments. He secured Rank 2 in the Best Software Engineering Capstone Project, September 2025, working with a team to build a GenAI-powered interview platform. For someone accustomed to focusing on his own work, collaborating on product decisions, dividing responsibilities, integrating different components, and working through Git-based development became an education of its own.
His academic performance reflects the same consistency. Dalyodh earned a 9.4 CGPA in the Foundation level, while continuing to participate in hackathons and Paradox sports activities. He sees competition less as a race to win and more as a way to discover how people who are better at something approach problems. Dalyodh himself has no fixed answer for what comes next. He prefers to focus on the term in front of him and give it his best.
His advice follows the same philosophy: talk to people, participate, ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing, and learn from the experiences of others. “Don’t just think about it. Whatever comes to your mind, just do it.”
For Dalyodh, the degree has become more than a collection of courses. It has given him the confidence to explore beyond what is prescribed, learn from what challenges him, and gradually find his direction along the way.
~written by Shambhavi Shekhar
