IIT Madras’ free ‘Introduction to Machine Learning’ course for 2026 is now open for enrolment on the NPTEL platform. The 12-week course offers free learning, with an optional paid certificate. The last date to enrol is 26th January 2026.
IIT Madras Free Machine Learning Course 2026
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced the 2026 session of its popular “Introduction to Machine Learning” course, offered for free on the government’s SWAYAM-NPTEL platform. Interested learners worldwide can enrol, watch lectures, and access assignments at no cost; only the optional, verifiable certificate requires a fee. The course, taught by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, is designed to provide a rigorous, maths-backed foundation in AI and ML.
IIT Madras Machine Learning Course 2026
Candidates who have a basic understanding of programming, probability, and linear algebra are ideally suited for this course. The selection for the certificate is based on candidates’ performance in weekly assignments and a final proctored exam.
IIT Madras Machine Learning Course 2026- Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | IIT Madras via SWAYAM/NPTEL |
| Course Name | NOC: Introduction to Machine Learning |
| Course Duration | 12 Weeks |
| Mode of Learning | Online |
| Enrolment Dates | 17th November 2025 to 26th January 2026 |
| Educational Prerequisite | Basic Programming, Probability & Linear Algebra |
| Selection/Certification | Based on Assignments & Proctored Exam |
IIT Madras ML Course 2026 Important Dates
Interested and eligible candidates can enrol for the IIT Madras Machine Learning Course 2026 for free until 26th January 2026, from the official NPTEL website.
- Course Enrolment Starts: 17th November 2025
- Course Start Date: 19th January 2026
- Last Date to Enrol: 26th January 2026
- Exam Registration Window: 13th December 2025 to 13th February 2026
- Course End Date: 10th April 2026
- Exam Date: 17th April 2026 (Tentative)
This schedule allows learners to join the course, gauge its difficulty for a few weeks, and then decide whether to register for the paid certificate exam.
IIT Madras Free Machine Learning Course 2026 Out
The official course page and information for the “NOC: Introduction to Machine Learning, IIT Madras” January 2026 session is live on the NPTEL portal. Candidates can visit the official course page for detailed information and to enrol.
IIT Madras Machine Learning Course Page Link – Click to Visit & Enrol
What is Free and What is Paid?
It is crucial for learners to distinguish between course enrolment and exam registration.
- Free to Learn: Enrolment, access to all video lectures, downloadable lecture notes, weekly assignments, and discussion forums are completely free.
- Paid for Certificate: Learners who want an official IIT Madras-NPTEL e-certificate must separately register for the proctored exam by paying a fee of ₹1,000.
IIT Madras Machine Learning Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates interested in applying for the course should ensure they meet the following recommended prerequisites:
- Educational Background: The course is ideal for senior undergraduate/postgraduate students in Computer Science, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, IT, Mathematics, etc. It is also suitable for working professionals and researchers from other fields.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: Learners should be comfortable with basic programming and have some prior exposure to probability, linear algebra, and optimisation. The course includes a “Week 0” recap to help revise these foundational concepts.
IIT Madras Machine Learning Application Form 2026
Candidates interested in the free machine learning course can submit their enrolment through the official NPTEL website. The last date to enrol is 26th January 2026.
IIT Madras ML Course Enrolment Link (Active) – Click to Enrol
IIT Madras ML Course 2026 Enrolment Procedure
The enrolment process is straightforward and entirely online:
- Step 1: Visit the official NPTEL course page for “Introduction to Machine Learning – IIT Madras”.
- Step 2: Click on the ‘Join’ button.
- Step 3: Log in using your Google/Microsoft account or an existing NPTEL/SWAYAM ID.
- Step 4: Fill in the required basic profile information (Name, Institution, Year of Study, etc.).
- Step 5: Confirm your enrolment. The lectures and assignments will become available as per the course schedule.
- Step 6: (Optional) To get a certificate, register for the exam later via the NPTEL exam portal during the registration window (Dec 13, 2025 – Feb 13, 2026).
IIT Madras ML Course Fee
The application and learning process is completely free of cost.
- Exam Fee (for certificate): ₹1,000/-
- Mode of Payment: Online
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IIT Madras ML Course Selection Process (for Certificate)
The certification is awarded based on a combined score from weekly assignments and a final exam.
- Assignment Score: 25% weightage (Best 8 out of 12 assignments).
- Proctored Exam Score: 75% weightage.
To earn the certificate, a learner must:
- Score a minimum of 10/25 in the assignment component, and
- Score a minimum of 30/75 in the proctored exam.
What You Will Learn (12-Week Syllabus)
The course is designed to build a strong, conceptual understanding of machine learning:
- Weeks 0-1: Foundation Recap (Probability, Linear Algebra, Optimization), Statistical Decision Theory.
- Weeks 2-5: Supervised Learning Core (Linear & Logistic Regression, Perceptron, SVMs, Neural Networks, Training & Validation).
- Weeks 6-8: Decision Trees, Ensemble Methods (Bagging, Boosting, Random Forests), Probabilistic Models (Naive Bayes).
- Weeks 9-12: Advanced Topics (Graphical Models, Clustering, Gaussian Mixture Models, EM Algorithm, Introduction to Reinforcement Learning).
FAQs
Q1. Is the IIT Madras Machine Learning course completely free?
Yes, the enrolment and access to all learning content (videos, notes, assignments) is completely free. Only the optional certificate exam costs ₹1,000.
Q2. When does the IIT Madras ML course 2026 start?
The course begins on 19th January 2026 and runs for 12 weeks until 10th April 2026.
Q3. What is the selection process for the IIT Madras ML certificate?
The certificate is awarded based on a combined score from weekly assignments (25%) and a final proctored exam (75%), with minimum passing marks in each component.