IIT Madras Free AI Courses in Hindi on SWAYAM Plus: 2026 Guide

IIT Madras runs six free AI courses in Hindi on its SWAYAM Plus platform. The courses need no prior coding or AI knowledge. Only basic digital literacy is required. The learning is free. A certificate is not. You get it only by passing a paid online exam.

The Hindi versions went live on 22 January 2026. They were announced by SWAYAM Plus, the online learning platform led by IIT Madras. IIT Madras is the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai. SWAYAM Plus runs under the Ministry of Education.

One point matters before you start. The free course and the paid certificate are two separate choices. You can learn for free and stop there. You pay only if you want proof.

What is the AI for All programme?

AI for All is a set of beginner AI courses on SWAYAM Plus. It is led by IIT Madras with IIT Madras Pravartak. The aim is simple. It teaches AI to people who never studied it.

The campaign began in May 2025. The first set had five courses. It drew more than 42,000 registrations. A second edition followed in September 2025. It added a course for teachers and crossed 50,000 registrations.

The Hindi launch in January 2026 did not add new subjects. It translated the existing six courses into Hindi. That is the change. The syllabus stayed. The language widened.

Which AI courses are offered in Hindi?

Six courses are available in Hindi. Each runs 25 to 45 hours. Each is self-paced and online. The list below is from the IIT Madras notification.

AI/ML using Python is the most technical of the six. It covers Python, statistics and linear algebra. The rest apply AI to one subject. You do not need all six. Pick the one that fits your field.

Who can apply for the Hindi AI courses?

Almost anyone can apply. The courses are built for first-time learners. School and college students can join. So can teachers and working people.

You do not need an engineering background. You do not need to know how to code. Prof. R. Sarathi, Dean (Planning) at IIT Madras, said the Hindi launch opens the courses to learners from arts, science and commerce. Basic digital literacy is the only real bar.

How much do the courses cost?

The course content is free. You can watch every lesson and use every dataset at no cost. That part has no fee.

The certificate is separate. To earn it, you sit a proctored online exam. That exam is paid. You can take it from home.

So the honest answer has two parts. Learning is free. Proof of learning is not. The table below shows the split.

Is the paid certificate worth it?

Most learners skip the certificate. The numbers show it. In the first edition, more than 42,000 people registered. Only about 1,100 signed up for the final exam.

That is roughly 1 in 38. So the free course is the main draw, not the paper. Pay for the exam only if you need proof for a job or a college file. If you are learning for yourself, the free track is enough.

I am in a tier-3 town with only a phone. Can I still do this?

Yes. The courses are online and self-paced. You need a phone or laptop and an internet link. You need basic digital skills. The Hindi option removes the English barrier that stopped many learners before. You study when you have time and signal.

When does the next batch open?

Registration runs in batches, not all year. The Hindi cohort closed on 26 January 2026. A later set of three beginner AI courses closed on 10 May 2026.

Here is the part that matters. A closed date is not the end. AI for All has reopened several times since May 2025. Each closed batch has been followed by a new one. Watch the portal for the next window.

How do you register on SWAYAM Plus?

Registration is online and short. Follow these steps when a batch is open.

1. Open swayam-plus.swayam2.ac.in and go to the AI for All courses page.
2. Create a free account with your email and phone number.
3. Pick your course. Choose the Hindi version if you want Hindi.
4. Register before the last date shown for that batch.
5. Start the lessons. Decide later if you want the paid certificate.

For help, the programme lists the email pmu-sp@swayam2.ac.in. Use it to ask about dates or a callback.

How big is SWAYAM Plus?

SWAYAM Plus is large. It hosts more than 500 courses across over 15 sectors. These include Engineering, BFSI, Hospitality and IT. More than 4,75,000 learners have registered on the platform.

Some courses on the platform are credit-aligned. IIT Madras experts vet them. That link to academic credit is what sets it apart from a free video course.

Last verified: September 10, 2026

Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with IIT Madras SWAYAM Plus before you act.