IITs Expand Beyond Engineering with Foreign Language Courses; French, German, Japanese Among Top Choices

 

India's premier engineering institutions are increasingly broadening their academic landscape beyond science and technology. While the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have long been synonymous with engineering excellence and cutting-edge research, many campuses now offer structured foreign language programmes to equip students with global communication skills and improve their international career prospects.

From French, German, Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese), and Spanish to Sanskrit, these programmes reflect the growing emphasis on interdisciplinary education, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages multilingual learning and holistic education.

Several IITs offer language courses through their Departments of Humanities, International Relations Offices, and Continuing Education Centres. Others have made language learning accessible to learners nationwide through the NPTEL and SWAYAM online platforms.

IIT Kanpur offers one of the oldest language programmes

Among the IITs, IIT Kanpur has one of the country's longest-running foreign language initiatives. Its Foreign Language Programme (FLP), coordinated by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and administered through the Centre for Continuing Education, offers French, German, and Japanese at Basic (Level I) and Advanced (Level II).

The programme is open to students, faculty, staff, and external learners and is available in both online and offline modes. Participants receive certificates upon successfully completing the course.

IIT Delhi expands multilingual learning

IIT Delhi conducts its Indian and Foreign Language Learning Programme (IFLLP) through its Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Office of International Relations.

The programme caters to students, faculty, employees, alumni, family members, and even non-IIT participants. For the 2026–27 academic session, the institute will offer French, German, and Japanese, with classroom-based instruction conducted on campus. Successful learners receive course completion certificates.

IIT Bombay offers one of the widest language choices

Among all IITs, IIT Bombay provides one of the broadest selections of language courses. Through its Office of International Relations, learners can study French, German, Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese), and Sanskrit.

Each programme consists of 100 instructional hours spread across Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Classes are held twice a week during evening hours, and certificates are awarded after each module, subject to a minimum attendance requirement of 80%.

IIT Madras brings language learning online

Unlike many campus-based programmes, IIT Madras delivers German language certificate courses through the NPTEL/SWAYAM platform.

The courses are available at three internationally recognised proficiency levels—German I (A1), German II (A2), and German III (B1). While enrolment is free, candidates who wish to earn an official certificate can appear for a proctored examination by paying a $1,000 examination fee. The certificates carry the logos of IIT Madras and NPTEL and are digitally verifiable.

IIT Kharagpur and IIT Hyderabad add unique offerings

IIT Kharagpur offers German as an elective for its students and also provides an Advanced Spoken Sanskrit course through NPTEL, which is open to learners across India.

Meanwhile, IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Central Sanskrit University, offers the Prathama-Diksha introductory Sanskrit certificate programme. Open to students, faculty, staff, and the general public, the course requires no prior knowledge of Sanskrit and serves as a foundation for advanced diploma programmes.

Online learning opens opportunities nationwide

The expansion of language education through NPTEL and SWAYAM has made high-quality foreign language instruction accessible to learners beyond IIT campuses. Courses such as Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture by IIT Kanpur, German by IIT Madras, and Advanced Spoken Sanskrit by IIT Kharagpur allow anyone in the country to enrol free of cost. Learners seeking certification can opt for a proctored examination by paying the prescribed fee.

Building globally ready graduates

With increasing international collaborations, student exchange programmes, global research partnerships, and multinational employment opportunities, proficiency in foreign languages has become a valuable skill for engineering graduates.

By integrating language education with technical training, IITs are preparing students for careers in global industries while promoting multilingualism, cultural understanding, and interdisciplinary learning. These initiatives highlight how India's top engineering institutions are evolving into comprehensive centres of higher education, where technical expertise is complemented by communication, cultural awareness, and international engagement.