IIT Madras Opens Registration for School Connect Programme October 2026 Cohort

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has officially opened the application window for the October 2026 cohort of its School Connect programme. This initiative, designed to provide secondary and higher secondary students with exposure to emerging academic fields and potential career paths, is now accepting registrations through participating schools. For the first time since the programme's inception, the institute has expanded eligibility to include students currently enrolled in Class IX, alongside those in Classes X, XI, and XII.

The registration process for the upcoming cohort is scheduled to remain open until September 30, 2026. Following the conclusion of the application period, the academic sessions for the October cohort are set to commence on October 5, 2026. The programme is managed by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras, which oversees the delivery of these short-term online courses.

Programme Structure and Academic Offerings

The School Connect programme offers a diverse range of subjects, covering 17 distinct academic and emerging fields. Students can engage with topics such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace, Cybersecurity, Electronic Systems, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Engineering, Architecture and Design, Product Design, Law, Economics and Finance, Humanities, Ecology, Digital Humanities, Game Technology, Mathematics and Computing, Engineering, and Biological Systems. Each course is designed to run for a duration of eight weeks.

To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, the curriculum integrates pre-recorded video lectures, live online sessions, assignments, and computer-based assessments. While the courses are currently offered in English and Hindi, the institute is actively working on expanding accessibility by developing learning modules in seven additional regional languages. Participants who successfully fulfill all course requirements will be awarded an official e-certificate issued by IIT Madras CODE.

Registration Process for Schools

It is important to note that the School Connect programme does not accept individual applications from students. Instead, the initiative operates through a school-based partnership model. Educational institutions interested in providing these opportunities to their students must register through the official IIT Madras CODE School Connect portal. Parents who wish for their children to participate are advised to contact their respective school administrations to determine if their institution is already a partner or if they are interested in joining the initiative.