No, this is not strictly true. a) I think you're underestimating how tough it is to actually publish at top tier conferences. Professors at the IITs rarely get

No, this is not strictly true. a) I think you're underestimating how tough it is to actually publish at top tier conferences. Professors at the IITs rarely get more than a few a year. b) There are MS programs that are typically not as big on GATE score. In fact, at places like IIITH you don't even need a GATE score, you can talk to the professors involved and he/she can accept you as a graduate student. c) If you did publish at even national level conferences, you can talk to professors from the IITs who will show up there to present their work. They can put in a word with the admissions head, and get you admitted if you really wish it. Source : I study at one of the older IITs, and have seen it happen where a professor is impressed with students who have interned with him, and ask them to join the graduate program.