From Basics to Bots: IIT Kharagpur’s Deep Learning Course Goes Live January - Apply Now!

Updated: November 20, 2025 12:10

IIT Kharagpur has opened applications for its free online Deep Learning course beginning January 19, 2026. Offered via SWAYAM, the 12-week program covers advanced AI topics like image and speech recognition, targeting undergraduate and postgraduate students across engineering disciplines. Certification is optional with a nominal fee.

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, one of India’s premier technical institutes, has announced the commencement of its free Deep Learning course starting January 19, 2026, with registrations now open. The course, available online through the SWAYAM platform, provides comprehensive coverage of deep learning concepts vital for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Accessible and Comprehensive Learning

The course runs for 12 weeks till April 17, 2026, focusing on real-world AI applications such as disease detection from medical scans, speech assistants, fraud detection, autonomous vehicles, and more.
Students will learn foundational machine learning concepts including Bayesian classification and multilayer perceptron, progressing to contemporary deep learning architectures like convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and autoencoders.

Eligibility and Enrollment Process

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students in fields such as Electronics and Communication, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering with prerequisites in linear algebra, digital signal processing, and partial differential equations.
Interested candidates can register via the SWAYAM portal using their Gmail or Microsoft ID; last date to enroll is January 26, 2026.

Certification and Examination

While the course is free to attend, students seeking certification must clear a proctored in-person exam conducted on April 25, 2026, with a fee of Rs. 1,000.
Certification will reflect the student’s scores and include official logos from IIT Kharagpur and NPTEL, validating their proficiency in deep learning.

Strategic Importance

This initiative by IIT Kharagpur aligns with India’s vision to build advanced skill sets in AI and machine learning among the tech workforce. Open and free access ensures inclusivity, empowering students nationwide to engage deeply with transformative AI technologies crucial for future innovation and industry applications.

Sources: NDTV Education, SWAYAM, NPTEL, IIT Kharagpur official portal

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