IIT Madras Awards Degrees to 1,460 Graduates Through Global Online Learning Programme

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has awarded degrees and diplomas to 1,460 learners through its pioneering online BS Degree Programme, highlighting the growing impact of flexible and accessible higher education in India and beyond.

The special convocation ceremony recognised graduates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who successfully completed programmes in emerging fields such as Data Science, Electronic Systems, Aeronautics and Space Technology, and Management.

According to the institute, the graduating cohort comprised 634 BS Degree recipients, 197 BSc Degree recipients, 604 Diploma holders and 25 Postgraduate Diploma graduates. Additionally, 173 students were honoured with Certificates of Academic Distinction and Merit for exceptional academic performance.

Congratulating the graduates, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of Indian Institute of Technology Madras, said the programmes are helping build a skilled workforce in critical sectors that will play a key role in India's development journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

"Our graduates are not merely degree holders; they are future innovators and problem-solvers who will contribute meaningfully to national development," he said.

The online programme has emerged as one of India's largest technology-enabled higher education initiatives, with more than 42,000 active learners enrolled from across the country and several international locations. The programme's flexibility has attracted a diverse learner base, with over 50 per cent pursuing the course alongside another degree programme and nearly 14 per cent balancing studies with full-time employment.

Beyond academic achievement, the initiative has demonstrated significant social impact by expanding access to quality education for economically disadvantaged students. Among the graduating class, 221 students came from families with annual incomes below ₹1 lakh, while 101 graduates belonged to households earning between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh annually.

The institute reported that nearly 25 per cent of active learners come from families earning less than ₹1 lakh per year, while another 15 per cent belong to households with annual incomes between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Scholarships and corporate social responsibility (CSR) support have enabled thousands of learners to pursue their studies at reduced or no cost.

Students from the programme have also made their mark in national and international competitions. Graduates secured first place at the EconUnion Validation Challenge, while another learner won USD 20,000 at the RevenueCat Shipaton 2026 Hackathon. Participants have also excelled in competitions organised by organisations such as Indian Space Research Organisation, Anthropic, and Google, reflecting the programme's growing academic and industry recognition.