IIT Madras School Connect for Class 9 to 12: Details of 17 Courses & How to Apply

Want to Explore a Career Field Before You Commit to a Stream?

IIT Madras School Connect for Class 9 to 12 gives school students an 8-week online certificate course in a field they are curious about, at a fee of just ₹500. The programme runs through IIT Madras’s Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) and covers 17 disciplines, from artificial intelligence to law. Class 9 students can join for the first time this year. Applications for the October 2026 batch close on September 30, and classes start on October 5.

This blog breaks down every course on offer, the eligibility rules, the registration steps, and the fee structure, so you can decide and apply without confusion.

What Is IIT Madras School Connect?

IIT Madras School Connect is an outreach programme that lets school students study an introductory, university-style course in a field outside their regular syllabus. IIT Madras CODE designs and delivers each course. Students who clear the assignments and the final assessment earn an official e-certificate from IIT Madras.

The programme exists to solve one specific problem. Most students pick a stream after Class 10, and a career after Class 12, with almost no real exposure to the fields they are choosing between. School Connect gives them that exposure early, while they still have time to explore.

Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Chair of CODE at IIT Madras, put it simply: the programme was built to let students “explore, experience and understand different fields before making important academic choices.” The institute has partnered with over 4,900 schools and enrolled more than 1.75 lakh students so far, and plans to expand to 25,000 schools across the country.

IIT Madras School Connect: 17 Courses for Class 9 to 12

Every IIT Madras School Connect course for school students runs for 8 weeks and combines pre-recorded lectures, live weekend doubt-clearing sessions, assignments, and a final computer-based assessment. Here are all 17 courses currently open for registration.

1. Introduction to Data Science and AI – The IIT Madras AI course for school students covers core data science concepts and hands-on mini-projects.
2. Introduction to Cybersecurity – The IIT Madras cybersecurity course for school students explains passwords, cryptography, internet basics, and common cyber threats.
3. The Fundamentals of Aerospace – The IIT Madras aerospace course for school students teaches aerodynamics and flight mechanics through hands-on projects.
4. Introduction to Electronic Systems – Builds foundational knowledge of electronic components and circuits.
5. Introduction to Architecture & Design – Introduces architectural thinking and design principles for students weighing a design career.
6. Introduction to Product Design – The IIT Madras product design course frames industrial design as a human-centred, problem-solving discipline.
7. Introduction to Engineering Biological Systems – Explores how engineering principles apply to living systems.
8. Fun with Math and Computing – Covers core computing ideas behind everyday digital systems.
9. Math Unplugged: Games & Puzzles – Teaches logic and strategic thinking through classic mathematical puzzles.
10. Introduction to Law – Walks students through constitutional, criminal, contract, tort, and cyber law basics.
11. Introduction to Ecology – Covers ecosystems, genetics, and biodiversity through research-style exercises.
12. Humanities Unplugged – Examines how culture, media, and technology shape everyday life.
13. Introduction to Digital Humanities – Blends humanities research with digital tools, AI ethics, and storytelling; no coding required.
14. Introduction to Chemical Engineering – Covers the fundamentals and real-world applications of chemical engineering.
15. Molecular Engineering: Opportunities and Challenges – Introduces molecular science methods and materials-based careers.
16. Economics, Finance, and Money Matters – Explains markets, risk, and the digital economy through everyday examples.
17. Game Tech Explorers – Explores how humans and machines interact through AI, gesture, voice, and XR in gaming.

Each IIT Madras online course for school students sits under one of these 17 disciplines, so a student can pick exactly one field to test before deciding on a stream or degree.

Eligibility for IIT Madras School Connect (Class 9 to 12)

IIT Madras School Connect accepts students from Class 9, 10, 11, and 12, studying at a school that has partnered with the programme. This is the first cycle open to Class 9 students; earlier cohorts started from Class 10.

A student registers with their own personal Gmail ID. IIT Madras rejects registrations made through a teacher’s, parent’s, or school-domain email, and verifies each ID through OTP. Students can enrol in only one course per term, so the course they pick matters.

Class 9 and 10 students typically use these introductory courses to explore fields before choosing their Class 11 stream. Class 11 and 12 students use them to test a potential degree path, and Class 12 students additionally get exposure to IIT Madras’s non-campus BS degree programmes while still in school.

If picking a field feels overwhelming, a structured stream selection guide can help narrow down options before you commit to a School Connect course.

Have Any Doubts? 

Get in Touch with an Expert Career Counsellor

IIT Madras School Connect Registration 2026: How to Apply

1. Confirm your school has partnered with IIT Madras School Connect, or ask your school to onboard through CODE.
2. Visit the official portal at code.iitm.ac.in and open the School Connect Programme section.
3. Register using your own personal Gmail ID; a school, teacher, or parent email ID will not work.
4. Verify your email through the OTP sent to your inbox.
5. Fill in your details and select one course for the term. You cannot edit the form once you submit it.
6. Pay the course fee, either directly online or through your school’s single point of contact (SPOC), who collects and remits fees in bulk.
7. Wait for the IITM School Connect team to verify your enrolment. Course access and instructions arrive by email once verification is complete.

For queries during registration, IIT Madras lists school-connect@study.iitm.ac.in as the official support email.

IIT Madras School Connect Application Deadline and Start Date

IIT Madras runs School Connect across four batches a year, roughly in January, April, August, and October, so a student who misses one intake can register for the next one.

Course Fee, Duration, and Certificate

The course fee for IIT Madras School Connect is ₹500 per student per course. Schools are non-commercial partners in this programme; they pay nothing to join, and the ₹500 is the only cost involved. Each course runs for 8 weeks. 

A student who submits every assignment on time and clears the minimum qualifying score in the final assessment receives an official e-certificate from IIT Madras CODE, which the student can use as proof of the coursework on college applications or portfolios.

Have Any Doubts? 

Get in Touch with an Expert Career Counsellor

How Career Plan B Helps

Picking one course out of 17 gets easier once you know your strengths. 

Career Plan B’s PsycheIntel and Career Assessment Tests map your aptitude, interests, and personality before you choose a School Connect subject. 

A counsellor then walks you through admission and academic profile guidance, and helps you build a career roadmap that connects this course to your Class 11 stream or degree choice.

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FAQs

1. Is IIT Madras School Connect open to Class 9 students in 2026?

Yes. For the first time, IIT Madras School Connect is open to Class 9 students, along with students from Classes 10, 11, and 12. Therefore, Class 9 students can also participate in the 2026 programme cycle.

2. What is the IIT Madras School Connect application deadline for the October 2026 batch?

For the October 2026 batch, registration closes on September 30, 2026. After that, classes are scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026. Therefore, students should complete their registration before the deadline to join the upcoming batch.

3. How much does an IIT Madras School Connect course cost?

Each IIT Madras School Connect course costs ₹500 per student. However, schools do not have to pay anything to partner with the programme. As a result, the course fee applies only to participating students.

4. Can a student register for more than one IIT Madras course at a time?

No. Students can enrol in only one course per term. This restriction helps students manage the additional coursework alongside their regular school curriculum. Therefore, students should choose the course that best matches their interests and learning goals.

5. Do I need a school partnership to join IIT Madras School Connect?

Yes. Students must register through a school that has partnered with CODE. However, if your school has not yet joined the programme, it can apply through the official portal. Once the school is onboarded, eligible students can register for the available courses.

6. What do I get after completing an IIT Madras School Connect course?

After successfully completing the course, students receive an official e-certificate from IIT Madras CODE. However, students must first clear the required assignments and the final computer-based assessment. Therefore, completing both the coursework and assessment requirements is necessary to receive the certificate.

Conclusion

IIT Madras School Connect turns curiosity into a real head start, for ₹500 and 8 weeks of your time. Pick one of the 17 courses, register before September 30, and use the certificate to back up whatever stream or degree you choose next. Book a free career counselling session with Career Plan B to match the right course to your goals before you apply.