IIT Madras offers free SWAYAM Plus AI courses for UG, PG students, working professionals

SWAYAM Plus is a Ministry of Education initiative operated by IIT Madras. The platform offers over 380 employment-oriented courses across sectors like engineering, IT, hospitality, and BFSI, many of which are vetted by IIT experts and aligned with national credit standards.

What courses are being offered?

The five AI-focused courses are “AI in Physics,” “AI in Chemistry,” “AI in Accounting,” “Cricket Analytics with AI,” and “AI/ML using Python.” Each course ranges between 25 to 45 hours and is structured to provide hands-on learning through real datasets and case studies. No prior knowledge of AI or coding is required, making these programs suitable for a wide audience. Certification options are available for a nominal fee.

“AI in Physics” and “AI in Chemistry” delve into applying machine learning and neural networks to physical and chemical problems, respectively. “AI in Accounting” connects traditional commerce principles with AI automation. “Cricket Analytics with AI” teaches data analysis using real-life cricket statistics. Meanwhile, “AI/ML using Python” offers foundational training in AI concepts, Python programming, statistics, and optimisation.

Who is eligible to apply?

These programs are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines such as engineering, science, commerce, arts, and interdisciplinary studies. Faculty members from higher education institutions are also encouraged to enroll. The only prerequisites are basic digital literacy and a willingness to learn.

According to a statement from the IIT Madras, Prof. R. Sarathi, Dean (Planning) and SWAYAM Plus Coordinator at the institute, the courses are aligned with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and can be taken as credit-eligible programs by universities. Institutions may choose to include these offerings as part of their official academic calendar under skill development.