About NPTEL – Your Go To Platform for Free Online Courses from IITs

The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a consortium of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, established in 2003 to provide quality education to anyone interested in learning from the IITs. NPTEL offers a wide range of free and paid online courses covering a variety of subjects, including engineering, basic sciences, and management.

We have brought you a list of free courses from seven Indian Institutes of Technology (Delhi, Kanpur, Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, and Roorkee) along with other prominent institutes like the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IIMB). These courses are a part of the NPTEL.

What is NPTEL?

NPTEL is an initiative under the ‘Digital India’ Initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) towards ‘Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs)’. NPTEL aims to provide quality technical education to anyone looking forward to learning from the IITs. It offers web and video courses in all major engineering and physical sciences branches at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and management courses at the postgraduate level.

You can enrol and complete these NPTEL courses without paying any amount; however, to appear for the examinations and earn a certificate, you must pay a nominal fee of Rs. 1000.

Features of NPTEL

NPTEL has the largest online repository in the world of courses in engineering, basic sciences, and selected humanities and social sciences subjects

• More than 4 Million subscriptions
• The YouTube channel for NPTEL is the most subscribed educational channel, with 2.1+ million channel subscribers & 4.5 billion+ views
• NPTEL has the most accessed library of peer-reviewed educational content in the world
• 56000+ hours of video content
• 52000+ hours of transcribed content
• 51000+ hours of subtitled videos
• Leading experts in their fields teach NPTEL courses, and the content is high quality. The courses are designed to be engaging and interactive, with a mix of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments.
• NPTEL courses are self-paced so that learners can learn at their convenience. Learners can also access the courses from anywhere worldwide, as long as they have an internet connection.
• NPTEL courses are free to access, making them a valuable resource for learners needing more financial means to attend traditional education programs.
• NPTEL has partnered with several industries to offer courses relevant to the workforce's needs.
• NPTEL courses are available in several regional languages, making them accessible to a broader audience.

The only shortcoming NPTEL has is the slow pace of training. Courses are paced keeping the learning capabilities of every student in mind.

NPTEL Courses

Computer Science and Engineering Courses

1. An Introduction to Coding Theory from IIT Kanpur
Intended Audience: 3rd/4th year UG students, PG students & faculty in electronics and communications engineering
Prerequisites – An exposure to linear algebra and probability theory. A course in digital communications.
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course discusses theories of linear block codes and convolutional codes, their encoding and decoding techniques, and their application in the real world.

2. Programming in Java from IIT Kharagpur

Intended Audience – Undergraduate engineering students from disciplines, namely CSE, IT, EE, ECE, etc.
Prerequisites – Familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++, data structures, algorithms, etc.
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – This is an AICTE-approved FDP course that covers the essential topics of Java programming.

3. Programming in C++ from IIT Kharagpur

Intended Audience – BCA, MCA, B.Tech. and M.Tech.
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of programming & data structures, C Programming, and OOP/OOAD Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description—The course will help you learn the basics of C programming and basic data structures (array, list, stack, queue, binary tree, etc.) to become strongly familiar with C++98 and C++03.

4. C Programming and Assembly Language from IIT Madras
Intended Audience – Anyone can take up this course
Prerequisites – You are expected to have done a course on C programming and Microprocessors
Duration – 4 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – Learn to establish the link between Microprocessors and C programming. The course will help you learn how C programs are translated into assembly language and how it is executed on a microprocessor.

5. Data Structure and algorithms using Java from IIT Kharagpur

Intended Audience – Undergraduate engineering students from disciplines, namely CSE, IT, EE, ECE, etc.
Prerequisites – Familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++, data structures, algorithms, etc.
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – The course covers essential topics of data structures and algorithms and their implementation using Java programming language.

Biotechnology

6. BioMEMS And Microfluidics from IIT Kanpur

Intended Audience—The course can be useful for mechanical engineering manufacturing science/ fluidic streams graduate students and senior undergraduate students. Students from various disciplines, such as biosciences/ bioengineering, chemical engineering, and environmental engineering, can also benefit from it.
Prerequisites – Familiarity with programming languages such as C/C++, data structures, algorithms, etc.
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – It is an introductory course in Bio-Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMS) and micro-systems.

7. Biomedical nanotechnology from IIT Roorkee

Intended Audience – UG/PG students of Biotechnology/ Nanotechnology
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of biology
Duration – 4 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course aims to impart knowledge on nanotechnology's biomedical applications.

8. Computer-Aided Drug Design from IIT Madras

Intended Audience – Biotech/Pharmaceuticals/Bioinformatics /Chemistry and allied programs and research scientists in biotechnology and pharma industries and clinicians/medical practitioners
Prerequisites – Prior knowledge of biochemistry, bioinformatics
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description—The course covers topics such as structure and target-based drug design, molecular modelling, quantum mechanics, drug-likeness properties, QSAR, and pharmacokinetics and dynamics.

9. Experimental Biotechnology from IIT Guwahati

Intended Audience – PGs/PhDs
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of biology
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – The course discusses different analytical techniques in biotechnology and their potential to solve scientific problems.

Also explore these online degree programmes–

Online MBA Programmes	Online BTech Programmes
Online MSc Programmes	Online MTech Programmes

Data Science by NPTEL

10. Cloud computing from IIT Kharagpur

Intended Audience – CSE, ECE, EE
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of computer architecture and organization and networking
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – The course covers different aspects of cloud computing, including fundamentals, management issues, security challenges, and future research trends.

11. Data Science for Engineers from IIT Madras

Intended Audience – Anyone can take up this course

Prerequisites –Pre-course material of 10 hours will be provided prior to the course
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – It is a full-fledged course for engineers. It aims to introduce R as a programming language, the mathematical foundations required for data science, the first level data science algorithms, and a data analytics problem-solving framework.

12. Python for Data Science from IIT Madras
Intended Audience – Final Year Undergraduates
Prerequisites – Knowledge of basic data science algorithms
Duration – 4 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – Learn Python programming to solve data science problems.

13. Big Data Computing from IIT Patna

Prerequisites – Knowledge of data structure & algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems, and database management systems.
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – Have an in-depth understanding of terminologies and the core concepts behind big data problems, applications, systems, and techniques. It will introduce you to the most common frameworks, large-scale data storage technologies, and big data streaming platforms.

14. Artificial Intelligence Search Methods For Problem-Solving from IIT Madras

Intended Audience – This is the first course on Artificial Intelligence and targets both UG and PG students studying Computer Science. Moreover, anyone interested in exploring the world of algorithms can do the course.
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – The course discusses various search methods agents can employ for problem-solving.

15. Deep Learning from IIT Kharagpur

Intended Audience – Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering
Prerequisites –Knowledge of Linear Algebra, DSP, and PDE
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course explores traditional Machine Learning approaches and then moves towards modern Deep Learning architectures, helping the students solve various real-life problems by applying Deep Learning techniques.

16. Deep Learning for Computer Vision from IIT Hyderabad

Intended Audience – Anyone can take up this course
Prerequisites –
• Completion of a basic course in Machine Learning
• Completion of a basic course in Deep Learning
• Knowledge of basics in probability, linear algebra, and calculus
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course will cover basic and advanced computer vision topics, using deep learning methods for computer vision.

17. Fundamentals Of Artificial Intelligence from IIT Guwahati

Intended Audience – Final Year B.Tech; M.Tech and Ph.D. students
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of Probability and Linear Algebra
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – With this course, you can understand problem-solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, and learning methods of A. It will also offer an overview of the principles and practices of AI to address complex real-world problems.

18. Google Cloud Computing Foundations from IIT Kharagpur, Google Cloud

Prerequisites –
• Basic knowledge of IT and an inclination to learn more about Cloud and ML
• Knowledge of at least one language (such as Python, Java)
• Familiarity with the basics of shell scripting and SQL
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – The course covers the basics of cloud, big data, and machine learning and its applicability to the Google Cloud Platform. 26 labs on Qwiklabs are a part of the course.

19. Introduction to Machine Learning from IIT Madras

Intended Audience – UG/PG/BE/ME/MS/PhD students
Prerequisites – Basic knowledge of probability theory and linear algebra
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course will introduce some of the basic concepts of machine learning from a mathematical perspective, along with popular algorithms and architectures used in different learning paradigms.

20. Learning Analytics Tools from IIT Bombay

Intended Audience – Anyone can take up this course
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course will focus on collecting, measuring, analysing, and reporting data.

Management Courses

21. Advanced Corporate Strategy from IIT Kanpur
Intended Audience – Management students who are looking to learn about corporate strategy
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This course covers theoretical concepts of corporate strategy, how it impacts business strategy, and different types of vertical integration that the current economy is witnessing.

22. Banking and Financial Markets: A Risk Management Perspective from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
Intended Audience – Students interested in finance and risk management
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This course includes banking and finance-related concepts, keeping in mind the risk management perspective. Also, course takers can learn about several risks like credit, interest rate, foreign exchange, and other BASEL policies.

23. Basics of Digital Marketing from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
Intended Audience – Students who wish to start a career in digital marketing
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – This course is designed so that students of any stream under Generic Electives of CBCS can opt for this course. The course offers a deep understanding of digital media, e-commerce marketing, social media marketing, and the digital economy.

24. Consumer Buying Behaviour from L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research
Intended Audience – Learners interested in marketing stream
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This interesting course highlights the concept of the consumer buying lifecycle. It also gives insights to marketing managers,, starting from product development and product positioning to added promotional strategies.

25. Business Statistics from Maharani’s Women’s Commerce and Management College, Mysore
Intended Audience – Learners who want to learn data management skills and start a career in data analytics
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – The course’s content revolves around the fundamentals of data analytics, starting from data collection, techniques, presentation, interpretation, and decision-making.

26. Continuous Quality Improvement: Tools and Techniques from Co-Chair of Research Committee at NABH Quality Council of India
Intended Audience – QI in the healthcare industry
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This course empowers learners who wish to learn about QI tools used in the healthcare industry. Through this course, you can upskill yourself for the right strategies to help you become a contributing member or leader of a CQI effort.

27. Customer Relationship Management from IIMB
Intended Audience – Any learner who wants to learn CRM
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – The course is specifically designed to offer profound knowledge about CRM practices, applications, and implementation.

28. International Business from IIT Roorkee
Intended Audience – MBA/M.Com / B.Com honour’s, UGC-NET/JRF aspirants
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – This AICTE-approved FDP course covers extensive knowledge about how international business operations are governed. It also outlines India’s foreign trade and investments and policy framework.

29. Introduction to Managerial Economics from IIMB
Intended Audience – Management students
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – It offers exposure to economics as a subject and how market forces (like supply and demand) impact businesses of all sizes and structures.

30. Introduction to Marketing Essentials from IIMB
Intended Audience – Management students
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Post Graduation
Course Description – The course pedagogy is unique, concise, and clear. It includes essential marketing topics and sub-topics like segmentation and targeting, Differentiation and Positioning, and Marketing Strategy.

31. Marketing Management from IIT Kanpur
Intended Audience – Anyone interested to learn marketing fundamentals
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate
Course Description – This 8-week extensive course revolves around the fundamentals of marketing and must be taken by anyone who wishes to start a career in marketing or has an interest in modern marketing practices.

32. New Product Development from IIMB
Intended Audience – Management students
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 6 weeks
Level – Post Graduation
Course Description – The course is designed for students interested in a career that demands developing and managing new products. It also includes a pie for those who are interested in design thinking.

Mathematics Courses by NPTEL

33. Essential Mathematics for Machine Learning from IIT Roorkee
Intended Audience – Students Of Computer Science/Mathematics/Data Science
Prerequisites – None
Duration – 8 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – The course is designed keeping in mind the students who wish to pursue a career in data science and machine learning. This course meets all the essential mathematics topics that are directly or indirectly used in incorporating machine learning tools.

34. Mathematical Modelling: Analysis and Applications from IIT Roorkee
Intended Audience – UG/PG students of technical universities/colleges
Prerequisites – Basic Calculus
Duration – 4 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – This course covers extensive mathematical modelling and biological sciences analysis knowledge. Most of this course content is taken from population dynamics, which helps learners gain a broad understanding of the subject.

35. Mathematical Finance from IIT Guwahati
Intended Audience – Students interested or pursuing an undergraduate and postgraduate level in Mathematics, Statistics
Prerequisites – Understanding of the basics of probability theory
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – This extremely popular course covers two Nobel-prize-winning frameworks (portfolio theory and option pricing theory).

36. Constrained and unconstrained optimization from IIT Kharagpur
Intended Audience – PG and M. Sc students
Prerequisites – B.Sc with Mathematics as a subject
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This course is designed for postgraduate students intending to deepen their roots in optimization and operations research. It covers topics like nonlinear multiobjective optimization, optimization tactics helpful for engineers, algorithms, and multiple practical examples.

37. A basic course in number theory from IIT Bombay
Intended Audience – PG students
Prerequisites – Basic understanding of group and ring theory
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Postgraduate
Course Description – This course touches on basic concepts of number theory and explains mathematical theorems like Brahmagupta-Pell equations, binary quadratic forms, Gauss’ theorem, etc.

38. Scientific Computing using Matlab from IIT Delhi
Intended Audience – UG/PG students
Prerequisites – Basic understanding of any programming language
Duration – 12 weeks
Level – Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Course Description – This course helps students who wish to do research projects using numerical techniques and teaches the concept of how to use the convergence of numerical schemes.