IIT Madras has opened applications for a new batch of online career-focused certificate courses that allow students from Classes 9 to 12 to explore fields such as artificial intelligence, aerospace, cybersecurity, law, economics, design and engineering before deciding what they want to study after school. Applications for the October 2026 cohort of the institute's School Connect Programme are open until September 30, while classes will begin on October 5.

For the first time, students studying in Class 9 can also participate. Earlier cohorts were aimed at students in Classes 10, 11 and 12. The initiative is designed for students who may know they are interested in science, technology, design, economics or humanities but are still unsure which academic stream or career path suits them. Instead of waiting until Class 12 to explore those options, students can now get an introductory look at different disciplines while they are still in school.

What Is the IIT Madras School Connect Programme?

The School Connect Programme is run through the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education, or CODE. It provides beginner-friendly online courses created and taught by faculty from the institute as well as academics from other leading educational institutions. Each course runs for eight weeks and combines:

• Pre-recorded video lessons
• Weekly live interactive sessions
• Assignments
• Discussion support
• Computer-based assessments
• Optional projects in some courses

Students who fulfil the required assessment criteria receive an official e-certificate from CODE. The programme is not an entrance route to a BTech programme and does not replace JEE or other admission requirements. Its purpose is career exploration and early academic exposure.

IIT Madras Courses for School Students: What Can You Study?

The institute says the October cohort covers 17 future-focused disciplines.

The areas highlighted in its official announcement include:

• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Aerospace
• Cybersecurity
• Electronic Systems
• Chemical Engineering
• Molecular Engineering
• Architecture and Design
• Product Design
• Law
• Economics and Finance
• Humanities
• Ecology
• Digital Humanities
• Game Technology
• Mathematics and Computing
• Engineering Biological Systems

The selection is deliberately broader than conventional school subjects. A student considering engineering, for example, does not have to limit exploration to physics or mathematics.

Someone interested in technology can try Data Science and AI, Cybersecurity or Game Technology. Students leaning towards non-engineering careers can explore areas such as law, humanities, economics, finance, architecture or design. That variety is one of the main attractions of the IIT Madras courses for school students.

How Does the Data Science and AI Course Work?

One of the most relevant options for students in 2026 is Introduction to Data Science and AI. The eight-week course introduces students to basic ideas behind artificial intelligence and machine learning, including what it means for a machine to learn and how data is used in AI applications. It is taught by Prof. Arun Rajkumar from the institute's Data Science and AI department.

The official course page lists the fee as ₹500. The programme is designed as an introduction rather than an advanced coding qualification. That distinction matters for younger students who want to understand whether AI or data science interests them before committing to a specialised degree later.

Aerospace, Cybersecurity and Game Technology Also Available

Students interested in aviation and space can choose an introductory aerospace course covering concepts such as aerodynamics, flight, helicopters, spacecraft and quadrotors. The official aerospace module is also eight weeks long and carries a ₹500 fee. The cybersecurity course introduces concepts including internet fundamentals, passwords, cryptography and cyber threats. Game Technology explores the interaction between humans and machines through areas including AI-powered game characters, sensors, gesture controls, voice recognition, virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. This makes the programme particularly useful for students who may hear about emerging careers online but have never studied the underlying subject formally.

Who Can Apply?

Students currently studying in:

Class 9, Class 10, Class 11 or Class 12 can participate, provided their school is partnered with the programme. Students from any academic stream are eligible for the available introductory courses. If a school has not yet joined, an authorised teacher or administrator can apply for a partnership. There is no fee for a school to become a partner. Students enrolling in a course pay a nominal fee of ₹500. The payment can either be made directly by the student or collected and remitted by the school. Parents whose child's school is not currently involved are being encouraged to approach the school management and request participation.

How Many Courses Can One Student Take?

Students can register for one course during each course run. The programme operates four batches during the year, meaning students could potentially explore different subjects across separate cohorts rather than trying to complete several simultaneously. For the upcoming batch:

Registration closes: September 30, 2026
Course begins: October 5, 2026
Course ends: November 27, 2026
Final examination: December 13, 2026

The next cohort is scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Classes Are Online and Available in Hindi Too

All courses are delivered online. Recorded learning material is generally released on Mondays, allowing students to watch it during the week. Live interactive sessions are usually conducted on Saturdays, while a discussion forum allows students to ask academic questions. Courses are currently offered in English and Hindi. The institute says work is underway to make modules available in seven additional regional languages, which could significantly increase access for students outside English-medium schools.

How Do Students Get the Certificate?

Simply registering does not automatically guarantee a certificate. For courses following the current assessment structure, students generally receive four bi-weekly assignments. To qualify for a participation certificate, a student must pass at least three of the four assignments with the required average score. Students who meet the assignment requirement and also pass the optional final examination can qualify for a completion certificate.

Some courses also offer a separate certificate for successfully completing a take-home project. So these are assessed courses rather than certificates awarded merely for watching videos.

More Than 1.75 Lakh Students Already Reached

The initiative has already grown considerably. According to the institute, it has partnered with more than 4,900 schools, including over 60 outside India. More than 1.75 lakh students have benefited from the programme so far. The next target is much larger. CODE wants to expand the network to 25,000 schools across India in the coming years. High-performing schools, students and teachers may also be invited to the Chennai campus for a felicitation event and interaction with faculty.

Why IIT Madras Is Opening These Courses From Class 9

The biggest change in the October batch is the inclusion of Class 9 students. Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Chair of CODE, said the initiative is intended to let students explore fields before they have to make major academic choices. That is particularly relevant in Classes 9 and 10, when students and parents often begin deciding which stream to choose in Classes 11 and 12. A student might think they want engineering but discover an interest in economics. Someone considering medicine might become interested in engineering biological systems.

A student attracted to computers may discover that cybersecurity, game technology and data science involve very different types of work.

That is where the School Connect Programme can be useful: it allows students to test an interest through structured academic exposure before making a much more expensive degree decision.

Should Students Join?

For ₹500 and eight weeks of online learning, the programme can be useful for students who genuinely want to explore a field before choosing their higher-education path. Its value should, however, be understood correctly. These are introductory career-exploration courses. They do not make a Class 9 student an AI engineer, cybersecurity professional or aerospace expert, and an e-certificate does not guarantee admission or employment.

The bigger benefit is exposure. At an age when many students choose streams and degrees with limited knowledge of what those subjects actually involve, IIT Madras is giving them a chance to explore the field before making that decision. For the October 2026 cohort, interested students and schools have until September 30 to register, with the eight-week classes beginning on October 5.