IIT Madras Opens Free 2026 Machine Learning and AI Course

• IIT Madras offers a free Machine Learning course on the SWAYAM platform.
• Course covers math fundamentals, supervised learning, regression, classification, and AI applications.
• Certificate available via proctored exam on April 17, 2026, for Rs 1,000.

IIT Madras is providing a complimentary Machine Learning course in partnership with SWAYAM, and registrations are currently open. Individuals, whether students or professionals, aiming to develop or enhance their skills in Machine Learning and associated AI functions such as detecting fraud, recognizing spam emails, forecasting house values, among others, can take advantage of this offer.

The course is set to start on January 19 and end on April 10, 2026, with registrations ending on February 13, 2026. The course will be led by Balaraman Ravindran, a Professor of Computer Science at IIT Madras and a Mindtree Faculty Fellow, making it ideal for senior Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) students.

The course features tasks that necessitate programming, so students should be proficient in widely used languages such as Python or R for Machine Learning. Fundamental subjects are also covered for students who are new to computer science, though a background in linear algebra and probability theory is noted as beneficial.

Also Read: SWAYAM Launches 7 Interdisciplinary AI Courses

The three-month program begins with essential mathematical concepts, including Probability Theory, Linear Algebra, and Convex Optimization, as a review. It subsequently transitions into two main forms of supervised learning - regression and classification. Classification categorizes data, whereas regression estimates continuous values.

Students aiming to obtain a certificate need to sign up for the exam set for April 17, 2026, which will take place in two parts: from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm. The test fee is Rs 1,000, and it will be an in-person, supervised exam at assigned testing locations.