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3200+ Free NPTEL Courses By IITs, IISc, Others–For All Streams
In an ever-evolving job market, simply having a degree isn’t enough—employers now demand proof of ongoing learning and practical skills. That’s where NPTEL shines. A government-backed initiative by IITs and IISc, NPTEL provides a massive library of 900+ free online courses across engineering, sciences, management, humanities, agriculture, and more.
What’s even better? You can learn at your own pace at no cost, with the option to register for a ₹1000 proctored exam and earn a certificate from prestigious IITs—an investment that can make your resume stand out. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or simply someone hungry to upskill, this is an opportunity to boost your employability—and it’s just a click away.
What is NPTEL?
NPTEL, short for National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, is a pioneering e-learning initiative launched in 2003 by the seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee) and IISc Bangalore, under the Ministry of Education.
It’s now recognized as the world’s largest online repository for engineering, basic sciences, and selected humanities and management courses, featuring over 54,000+ hours of educational video content with multilingual support.
Why Learn with NPTEL?
- Premium content—totally free:
Self-paced courses with no enrollment fees. You only pay ₹1,000 if you opt to take the proctored certification exam. - Learn from top-tier faculty:
Lectures and course materials are prepared by distinguished professors from IITs and IISc. - Flexible, interactive format:
Courses are delivered over 4–12 weeks, combining pre-recorded videos, lecture notes, weekly quizzes, assignments, and active discussion forums supported by TAs and faculty. - Formal certification from IITs/IISc:
Clear the proctored exam, and you’ll receive an e-verifiable certificate endorsed by top institutes. It is valuable for job applications and academic credit transfer under UGC and AICTE guidelines.
1. Computer Science & Engineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Introduction to Machine Learning |
IIT Madras |
|
Data Analytics with Python |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Compiler Design |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Cryptography and Network Security |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems |
IIT Patna |
|
Business Intelligence & Analytics |
IIT Madras |
2. Mechanical Engineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Strength of Materials |
IIT Madras |
|
Sustainable Engineering Concepts & Life-Cycle Analysis |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Convective Heat Transfer |
IIT Madras/IIT Kharagpur* |
|
Basics of Finite Element Analysis |
IIT Madras |
|
Manufacturing Process Technology – Part I |
IIT Madras |
3. Electrical & Electronics Engineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Introduction to Electrical Engineering |
IIT Delhi |
|
Advanced Distribution System Analysis & Operation |
IIT Roorkee & IIT (BHU) Varanasi |
|
Power Electronics with Wide Band-Gap Devices |
IIT Mandi |
|
Semiconductor Devices and Circuits |
IISc Bangalore |
|
Mathematical Methods & Techniques in Signal Processing |
IISc Bangalore |
|
Neural Networks for Signal Processing – I |
IISc Bangalore |
4. Civil Engineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Advanced Concrete Technology |
IIT Madras |
|
Pavement Construction Technology |
IIT Guwahati |
|
Finite Element & Computational Structural Dynamics |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Advanced Prestressed Concrete Design |
IIT Hyderabad |
|
Structural Dynamics: Theory and Computation |
IIT Delhi |
|
Remote Sensing & GIS |
IIT Roorkee |
5. Management Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Product & Brand Management |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Strategic Management |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Project Management |
IIT Madras |
6. Biotechnology & Bioengineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Enzyme Sciences and Technology |
IIT Guwahati |
|
Host–Pathogen Interaction (Immunology) |
IISER Bhopal |
|
Human Physiology |
IISER Pune |
|
Interactomics: Basics & Applications |
IIT Bombay |
|
Introduction to Complex Biological Systems |
IIT Kharagpur |
7. Humanities & Social Sciences Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Energy Resources, Economics & Environment |
IIT Delhi |
|
English Language for Competitive Exams |
IIT Madras |
|
English Literature of the Romantic Period (1798–1832) |
Univ. of Hyderabad |
|
Exploring Survey Data on Health Care |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Globalization: Theoretical Perspectives |
IIT Madras |
8. Law Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Right to Information and Good Governance |
NLSIU |
|
Constitutional Law & Public Administration in India |
IIT Madras |
|
IP Management & Technology Transfer |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Centre–State Relations in India |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
International Trade Law |
IIT Kharagpur |
9. Economics Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Labour Economics: Theory and Practice |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Environmental & Resource Economics |
IIT Madras |
|
Spatial Statistics and Spatial Econometrics |
IIIT Delhi |
|
Economics Of Innovation |
IIT Indore |
10. Architecture Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Introduction to History of Architecture in India |
IISER Pune |
|
Structure, Form & Architecture: The Synergy |
IIT Roorkee |
|
Urban Services & Disaster-Recovery Planning (Disaster Recovery & Build Back Better) |
IIT Roorkee / SPA Vijayawada |
|
Bioclimatic Architecture & Energy Systems |
IIT Kharagpur / SPA Vijayawada |
11. Aerospace Engineering Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Fundamentals of Supersonic & Hypersonic Flow |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Theoretical & Experimental Aerodynamics |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Gasdynamics: Fundamentals & Applications |
IISc Bangalore |
|
Introduction to Aircraft Control Systems |
IIT Kanpur |
|
Lighter‑than‑Air Systems |
IIT Bombay |
|
Combustion of Solid Fuels & Propellants |
IIT Kharagpur |
12. Environmental Engineering / Multidisciplinary Courses at NPTEL
There are multidisciplinary courses covering sustainability, water–air–soil systems, remediation methods, and sanitation policy, equipping learners with skills for green-tech roles and environmental planning.
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Introduction to Environmental Engineering & Science (Sustainability) |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Environmental Geotechnics |
IIT Bombay |
|
Environmental Geomechanics |
IIT Bombay |
|
Ecology & Environment |
IIT Madras |
|
Sustainable & Affordable Sanitation Solutions |
IIT Bombay |
13. General & Cross‑Disciplinary Courses at NPTEL
|
Course Title |
Offered By |
|
Designing Learner‑Centric e‑learning in STEM |
IIT Bombay |
|
Introduction to Environmental Engineering & Science (relevant) |
IIT Kharagpur |
|
Sustainable & Affordable Sanitation Solutions |
IIT Bombay |
|
Optimizing Course Design & Teaching (TALE series) |
IISc Bangalore |
|
Innovation by Design |
IIT Bombay |
This is just a snapshot of NPTEL’s vast offerings. From niche topics like Cultural Landscapes to domain-specific pathways like Artificial Intelligence, there are 3,200+ unique self-study courses spanning 23 disciplines.
Visit the full course catalog on the Official NPTEL Website
How to Register & Take NPTEL Courses
- Visit the SWAYAM portal and register by creating an account.
- Filter for NPTEL under the “All Courses” section, or view the catalog on the NPTEL website.
- Click JOIN on your chosen course and get started.
- If you aim to get a certification, then submit weekly assignments to stay engaged and meet certification criteria (≥ 40% average).
- Register for the proctored exam and pay INR 1,000 per course to get a certification. Alternatively, you can simply browse the course and learn all they have to offer for free without a certification.
Note: Enrollment is free, but the timelines differ for every course. Stay on top of deadlines—they’re non-negotiable.
Conclusion
NPTEL is more than just a learning platform—it’s a gateway to career transformation. With free access to world‑class courses and official certificates at a nominal fee, it's a fantastic resource for students, professionals, and lifelong learners alike.
Ready to take the next step? Get started now!
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