NPTEL Online Courses: Certification Exams & Credit Transfer
NPTEL offers over 3,000 free online courses across engineering, basic sciences, humanities, and management, coordinated jointly by seven IITs and IISc Bangalore. While learning is free, students can get a government-recognised certificate by taking an optional in-person proctored exam for a fee of Rs. 1,000 per course.
Overview of NPTEL Online Courses
NPTEL was launched in 2003 as an MHRD project initiated by seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee) and IISc Bangalore. NPTEL online certification courses are structured as 4-week, 8-week, or 12-week modules accessible through the Swayam portal. Enrollment and studying for all NPTEL online courses are completely free of cost.
NPTEL Key Statistics and Partner Institutions
NPTEL was launched in 2003 as an MHRD project initiated by seven IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, Roorkee) and IISc Bangalore. NPTEL has recorded over 3.7 crore enrolments, 75.6 lakh exam registrations, and involves more than 7,900 Local Chapter (LC) colleges.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Courses | 3,000+ |
| Number of Enrolments | 3.7 crore+ |
| Exam Registrations | 75.6 lakhs+ |
| Local Chapter (LC) Colleges | 7,900+ |
| Completed MOOCs | 9,313 |
| Industry Associates | 100+ |
Popular NPTEL Courses List and Duration
NPTEL online certification courses are structured as 4-week, 8-week, or 12-week modules accessible through the Swayam portal.
| Course Name | Coordinating Institute | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Spray Theory and Applications | IIT Madras | 4 Months |
| Introduction to Algorithms and Analysis | IIT Kharagpur | 12 Weeks |
| Medical Image Analysis | IIT Madras | 12 Weeks |
| Optical Engineering | IIT Madras | 12 Weeks |
| Foundations of Accounting and Finance | IIT Madras | 12 Weeks |
| Interactomics Basics and Applications – 1 | IIT Bombay | 12 Weeks |
| Partial Differential Equations | IIT Bombay | 12 Weeks |
| Semiconductor Optoelectronics | IIT Delhi | 12 Weeks |
| Classics in Neuroscience | IIT Madras | 8 Weeks |
| Practical Machine Learning with TensorFlow | IIT Madras | 8 Weeks |
How to Register and Apply for NPTEL Courses
Enrollment and studying for all NPTEL online courses are completely free of cost.
NPTEL Upcoming Courses 2026 and Certification Exam Dates
The optional in-person, proctored certification exam carries a fee of Rs. 1,000 per course. For the July-December 2026 semester, NPTEL exams are scheduled for September 19, 20 and October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 2026.
FAQs
Are NPTEL online courses free?
Yes, enrollment and learning from NPTEL online courses are completely free of cost. However, if a student wishes to receive an official, government-recognised certificate, they must register and pay a fee for an optional proctored examination.
What is the fee for the NPTEL certification exam?
The fee for the optional, in-person proctored NPTEL certification exam is Rs. 1,000 per course. Candidates must register separately for the exam and pass it at designated exam centres to earn their course certificate.
Which institutes coordinate NPTEL online courses?
NPTEL is a joint initiative of seven IITs—IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee—along with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
What are the exam dates for NPTEL July-December 2026 semester?
For the July-December 2026 semester, the NPTEL certification exams are held on September 19 and 20, 2026, and October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, 2026 at designated test centers.
How can students apply for NPTEL courses?
Learners can apply by visiting nptel.ac.in or the Swayam portal, creating an account, browsing the available course list, and clicking enroll. After completing online video modules, assignments, and quizzes, students can optionally register for the proctored exam.
