IIT Delhi updates curriculum to ease student burden

New Delhi

IIT Delhi has completely redesigned its curriculum after 12 years to reduce student burden and meet evolving industry needs, said Director Rangan Banerjee in a recent interview. The last update was in 2013, and the new revision began in 2022 after extensive feedback from alumni, students, faculty, and industry experts.

Banerjee explained that the curriculum now includes fewer core credits per semester, especially in the first year, easing the workload for new students. Class sizes during the first two semesters have been reduced from 300 to 150 to allow more personalized attention. The focus is on learning by doing to reduce stress while keeping academic rigor and choice intact.

A new honours program has been introduced as an optional addition to the BTech degree. Students can also apply to earn an MTech degree by the end of their third year, allowing them to graduate with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years.

Programming education now includes training on using AI responsibly, with AI-based code generators integrated into the introductory courses. Sustainability training is also mandatory for all graduates.

The revamped syllabus encourages more hands-on learning, internships, and teamwork, preparing students to make an impact in India and globally.

A 15-member panel studied courses at top universities like Stanford, MIT, Cambridge, and several IITs to design the updated curriculum that aligns with current global trends and future challenges.