IIT Madras offers free AI, EV courses for Class 7-12 students

By TUF News Desk · Published 11 November 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

A Class 7 student anywhere in India can now join a live online class on artificial intelligence run through IIT Madras, and it costs nothing. The institute’s innovation hub, IIT Madras Pravartak, has opened free training programmes for school students and teachers in partnership with BodhBridge Education. Registrations are open for the November 2026 to January 2027 cycle.

The student track is open to Classes 7 to 12. It covers AI fundamentals, electric vehicles and future mobility, the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, design thinking and innovation. The programmes run in monthly cohorts, so a student who misses the November batch can join in December or January.

There is a separate track for teachers and educators. It covers career counselling certification training, a leadership development programme, classroom management and student engagement. Financial literacy is part of the mix as well. Pravartak says more than 45,000 teachers have already benefited from its free training programmes.

How the sessions work

The sessions run live. Each programme combines live classes with case studies and hands-on activities, and the aim is to build problem-solving, creativity, communication and innovation skills. The trainers come from the IIT Madras alumni network, the startup ecosystem and industry.

Dhanalakshmi Sampath, Manager of the Digital Skills Academy at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, said the programmes are “a stepping stone from classroom education to the needs of industry”. The aim, she said, is to give students, teachers and institutions practical tools in AI, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Participants who finish a programme can take an optional certification from IIT Madras Pravartak. There is no fee for the training itself.

Who runs the programme

IITM Pravartak Technologies is a Section 8 company that houses the Technology Innovation Hub on sensors, networking, actuators and control systems under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. It is hosted by IIT Madras. BodhBridge Education, the partner for these courses, is run by IIT Madras alumni and works as a learning platform for teachers, students and parents.

Students in Classes 11 and 12 who are starting to weigh up university options can use the exposure to narrow down what interests them. Our guide on how to choose a university in India sets out the questions worth asking before shortlisting colleges.

Registration is through the official BodhBridge portal. The November batch is the first of three monthly cohorts, with the cycle running through January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Who can join the IIT Madras Pravartak free online courses?

School students from Class 7 to Class 12, and teachers and educators. The courses are free and run online in live sessions.

What subjects do the free courses cover?

Students learn AI fundamentals, electric vehicles and future mobility, entrepreneurship, design thinking and innovation. Teachers get training in career counselling, leadership, classroom management and student engagement.

How do I register for the IIT Madras Pravartak courses?

Register on the official portal at bodhbridge.iitmpravartak.org.in. Registrations are open for the November 2026 to January 2027 cycle, with new batches each month.

Do the courses come with a certificate?

Yes, an optional certification from IIT Madras Pravartak is available for participants who complete a programme.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: The Indian Express, Times Now