Education minister launches IIT Madras’s four-year online bachelors course in Electronic Systems

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the course is a great initiative and will increase access to quality higher education and provide ample opportunities for youth to keep pace with knowledge, skills and employment.

Pradhan added that the course was in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020: quality, affordability, equity, employability and multiple entry-exit. “More institutions will come up with such programs to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of ‘Bikashit Bharat’.”

He said that this new age course will increase the reach of quality and affordable education till the last mile and also give more motivation to increase employment.

Besides certificate, diploma, degree level programs for online BS courses, the minister suggested that IIT Madras to design a basic module for those who want to equip themselves with relevant skills in the digital and electronics ecosystem. “India should not only be a consumer of technology but also develop its own manpower. This online course at IIT Madras will serve the dual purpose of upskilling our existing workforce and preparing the future workforce.”

With an aim to make IIT education more accessible to all, the fees for BS in Electronic Systems program have been kept affordable and additional scholarships are being offered for students from SC/ST/PwD categories and those with below family income. ₹5 lakhs per annum, ensuring inclusion.

The main objective of this program is to meet the significant and growing demand for skilled graduates in the electronics and embedded manufacturing sector in India. The program features multiple exits and students can obtain a foundational level certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree.

“The program aligns with India Semiconductor’s mission to make India a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. It is the second online BS program at IIT Madras, after the BS degree in Data Science and Applications, where more than 17,000 students are currently studying,” the Ministry of Education said.