Open Projects in Education

IIT Madras Shaastra: India's first & pre-eminent Science, Technology & Innovation Magazine

Science education in Indian schools often focuses narrowly on entrance test preparation, creating a learning gap that limits genuine understanding and curiosity about STEM fields. This IIT Madras initiative leverages Shaastra, the only pan-Indian science magazine providing an India-centric view on science and technology, to foster STEM learning in schools. By providing free learning modules beyond entrance exams, one-year subscriptions to Government High and Higher Secondary School students, and content in English, Tamil, and Hindi featuring best global R&D from top science journalists, this program aims to make learning democratic, accessible, and inspiring while updating students on latest developments.

MCM Scholarship for BS Degree in Electronic Systems

The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for the BS in Electronic Systems at IIT Madras supports talented students from economically weaker backgrounds. By enabling access to high-quality training in electronics, embedded systems, and digital engineering, the initiative strengthens India's future technical workforce while advancing inclusive and socially responsible education.

Empowering Engineering Degree and Diploma Holders in Nondestructuve testing -NDT On Wheels

The NDT on Wheels initiative by IIT Madras is designed to equip engineering and diploma students with industry-ready nondestructive testing (NDT) skills through mobile training labs. This project addresses the growing skill gap in employability, offering hands-on exposure to high-demand testing technologies used in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure sectors. Through CSR support, the programme aims to uplift nearly 1,000 young learners and improve their job readiness.

Eduswasth - Prioritising education and health with AI based products and solutions

Eduswasth is an AI-driven initiative by IIT Madras designed to transform education and student health through intelligent assessment and monitoring tools. The project introduces computer-vision-based virtual trainers, standardized performance analytics, and technology-enabled talent identification in sports. By bridging scientific evaluation gaps in physical education, Eduswasth empowers instructors, enhances motivation among students, and creates a data-informed ecosystem. CSR partnerships can greatly expand its reach and societal impact.

Concept Note on Fintech Lab for Quantitative Analysis on MicroFinance/Financial Inclusion Data

The proposed Fintech Lab at IIT Madras will serve as a specialized hub for quantitative research in microfinance, digital banking, blockchain-based financial systems, and financial inclusion. By generating robust datasets, advanced modelling, and risk-analysis insights, the lab will support policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders. CSR partners can play a pivotal role in strengthening India's inclusive finance ecosystem by enabling evidence-based research, capacity building, and innovation-driven development across vulnerable and underserved populations.

Empowerment through a training infrastructure and program for IoT_CAAR

The proposed Fintech Lab at IIT Madras will serve as a specialized hub for quantitative research in microfinance, digital banking, blockchain-based financial systems, and financial inclusion. By generating robust datasets, advanced modelling, and risk-analysis insights, the lab will support policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders. CSR partners can play a pivotal role in strengthening India's inclusive finance ecosystem by enabling evidence-based research, capacity building, and innovation-driven development across vulnerable and underserved populations.

Vidyashakti in rural & peri-urban communities in Maharashtra

Vidyashakti aims to strengthen learning outcomes for students in rural and peri-urban communities of Maharashtra by establishing Rural Interaction Centers that deliver live online classes. The initiative targets students from Grades 6 to 8 who have limited access to structured academic support. By offering guided instruction, trained facilitators and accessible digital learning environments, the program enhances educational continuity and supports long-term academic growth for underserved learners.

Modelling tennis using data analytics & machine learning

This project applies structured data analysis, simulations and machine learning to understand and model tennis match dynamics. Using professional match data and real-time performance metrics, the study aims to create an accurate analytical framework for predicting game patterns. Beyond tennis, the research provides a foundation for extending sports analytics to other racquet sports and contributes to making performance insights more accessible to players, coaches and grassroots sporting communities.

Proposal for skill development workshop on e-mobility for ITI trainers

This CSR proposal supports a 5-day E-Mobility Skill Development Workshop designed to strengthen the technical and teaching capabilities of ITI trainers across India. The program equips trainers with essential EV knowledge, hands-on skills, and pedagogical tools needed to prepare students for careers in the fast-growing electric mobility sector. Participants will represent diverse vocational trades, ensuring broad impact on India's emerging EV workforce.

Concept Note on empowering e-mobility technicians for a sustainable future

This CSR-supported concept note focuses on equipping ITI technicians with essential Electric Vehicle (EV) and e-mobility skills that strengthen India's automotive service ecosystem. The program emphasizes safety, hands-on training, and emerging EV technologies to build a competent and future-ready workforce. Through industry-academia collaboration, the initiative aims to reduce the EV skill gap, enhance employability, and contribute to India's transition toward sustainable mobility.

Development of an MSME Stack for Digitization

Manufacturing MSMEs in India face significant digitization challenges due to resource constraints and reliance on manual processes. This project develops an AI and IoT-enabled manufacturing stack that addresses critical needs in the MSME lifecycle - from order tracking to quality assurance. The solution provides MSMEs with cost-effective technology to compete globally, trains students to become job-ready in smart manufacturing, and enables researchers to access cutting-edge infrastructure for developing innovative solutions.

Development & deployment of audio-based video games for the blind

Globally, 2.2 billion people experience vision impairment, yet traditional video games exclude blind users through visual-only interfaces. This project develops engaging and accessible video games where visual elements are translated into immersive audio formats. By leveraging advances in spatial audio processing, blind and visually impaired individuals can experience digital gaming in an interactive way, while creating a scalable platform for developing new accessible games and educational applications that enhance social engagement and cognitive skills.

Device Engineering Labs in Rural Schools (DELRS)

Device Engineering Labs are physical laboratories established in rural schools to enhance the capacity of rural students in knowledge development and skill building. These labs provide hands-on learning opportunities for students to engage with scientific concepts through product design, development, and fabrication. Equipped with devices, working tables, and demonstration areas, each lab enables students to develop practical skills in additive manufacturing techniques while fostering entrepreneurial thinking and scientific problem-solving abilities.

Inclusive Technology & Serious Games for neurodiverse and special needs communities

This IIT Madras project seeks CSR funding to design test and deploy evidence based serious games and inclusive technologies that support autistic individuals people with ADHD visually impaired learners and elderly users so partners can advance accessible education healthcare and social inclusion for neurodiverse and special needs communities

WATTSRI - Women Advanced Technical Trainers for Sustainable Research Infrastructure

This IIT Madras project establishes intensive advanced technical training programmes for early career women scientists researchers and technical staff so CSR partners can help build a skilled gender balanced workforce capable of running sophisticated research laboratories and sustaining high value national scientific infrastructure

Career Guidance, STEM Learning & Science Popularization

This IIT Madras project designs and delivers localized career guidance hands on STEM learning and inspiring science content for government school students in rural and semi urban areas so CSR partners can reduce dropouts improve STEM orientation and empower teachers parents and students with tools for informed career choices

STEM Outreach Program - Electronic Kit Initiative

The STEM Outreach Program - Electronic Kit Initiative is an educational outreach effort designed to inspire and engage school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on electronics experimentation. This program provides carefully curated electronic kits and learning modules that enable students to build practical circuits, understand fundamental concepts, and develop problem-solving skills in an interactive manner. By making STEM education accessible and engaging, the initiative aims to nurture early interest in technology and engineering among young learners across diverse communities.

Improving language learning effectiveness in Indian languages (Odia)

The Improving Language Learning Effectiveness in Odia project is an innovative initiative focused on developing evidence-based methodologies and technology-enabled tools to enhance the teaching and learning of the Odia language. This program combines linguistic research, cognitive science, and digital platforms to create effective learning resources, assessment frameworks, and pedagogical strategies that preserve and promote Odia among native speakers and learners. By addressing challenges in language retention and literacy, the project contributes to the preservation of India's linguistic diversity while improving educational outcomes in Odia-speaking communities.

Device Engineering Labs_Malappuram

The Device Engineering Labs initiative in Malappuram strengthens technical education by providing advanced laboratory facilities, fostering innovation, practical learning, and engineering skill development among students and researchers.

Proposal for training engineering - degree and diploma holders in non-destructive testing

IIT Madras proposes NDT on Wheels, a mobile skilling initiative run by its Centre for Nondestructive Evaluation with the Indian Society for Nondestructive Testing, addressing a picture in which over 12 lakh engineers and a similar number of diploma holders graduate each year and fewer than 50% are found employable. A vehicle furnished with multi-media equipment will carry NDT is Exciting content and an Experiential NDT Platform to over 100 colleges, reaching 10,000+ students over three years and guiding 1,000+ towards training and certification.

Establishing Innovative Labs at Rural Interaction Centres in Partnership with IIT Madras & Falling Apple as knowledge partner

IIT Madras proposes hands-on Innovation Labs at its Rural Interaction Centres and in government schools, developed with the education start-up Falling Apple as knowledge partner. Many government schools in India have no functional science lab, leaving students to learn scientific concepts from textbooks and lectures alone. Each lab carries kits and resources for over 100 do-it-yourself activities, serves about 30 students per session across Classes 6 to 12, complementing the structured online instruction the RIC network already delivers.

Quant-Finance Lab for industry ready talent development

IIT Madras proposes a Quant Finance Lab to build a nationally recognised platform for quantitative finance education, research and industry engagement. India's capital markets, derivatives and algorithmic trading are growing fast, yet few graduates combine strong mathematical foundations with programming proficiency and hands-on exposure to real market data. Housed within the Quantum Computer lab and anchored in the Department of Management Studies, the Lab will scale the institute's Interdisciplinary Dual Degree in Quantitative Finance.

Equipping India's grassroot athletes with scientific training load & recovery monitoring

IIT Madras proposes to expand Enhance, an indigenous cardiac-load and recovery monitoring platform built at its Acrophase human performance centre, to up to 200 additional grassroots athletes. Most young Indian athletes train on intuition rather than physiological evidence, while imported systems are priced for professional franchises. Pairing a chest-worn ECG sensor and a wrist monitor with cloud analytics, the kit reports training load, heart-rate variability, recovery status and early fatigue indicators, taking the monitored cohort to 250.

Nurturing India's athletes - The Unified Athlete Interface

IIT Madras proposes to fund the next athlete cohort on the Unified Athlete Interface, the digital platform built by its Acrophase human performance centre, on which more than 1,000 athletes are registered, over 600 able-bodied and over 400 para-athletes. India identifies talent well but loses it in the long, largely unfunded years between being spotted and reaching a podium. UAI lets any athlete register directly so verified need surfaces at national scale, and carries monthly scholarships of Rs. 40,000 with sports science and case management.

Indian Knowledge System & Public Literacy

This initiative aims to enhance public literacy and awareness of Indian Knowledge Systems through research, teacher training, student engagement and public dissemination. The project develops courses, workshops and conferences across diverse focus areas including culture, linguistics, mathematics and music. By equipping educators and improving access to authentic Indic perspectives, the program supports long-term cultural understanding and contributes to educational capacity building nationwide.

Creating a ripple effect of transformation in the rural schools: A societal impact through holistic education

This initiative integrates holistic, learner-centered education principles into rural schools through phased interventions, teacher training, student workshops and stakeholder engagement. The project examines educational perceptions, develops strategies for classroom transformation and evaluates long-term outcomes. By empowering students, teachers and community leaders, the program aims to create sustainable improvements in learning environments and support the growth of well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society.

Online Bsc. Program in Mathematics & Computing

The Online B.Sc. in Mathematics & Computing aims to improve access to quality STEM education for learners who face financial or geographic barriers to college study. The program supports prospective schoolteachers, equips students for higher education in mathematics and computing, and provides structured learning resources aligned with real-world applications. By expanding educational access and strengthening teacher preparedness, the initiative contributes to long-term capacity building in science and computing disciplines.

Creating next-generation engineers and industrialists within the school classroom

This initiative introduces portable mechanical testing instruments into government school classrooms to strengthen foundational STEM learning. The project includes developing small-scale testing devices and training teachers to use them effectively. By enabling hands-on exploration of engineering concepts, the program aims to improve conceptual clarity, support practical skill development and build self-reliant learning environments in underserved schools.

Empowering India's vulnerable through financial/digital financial literacy training for enhanced competence and empowerment

This IIT Madras initiative strengthens financial and digital literacy among India's vulnerable communities, with a special focus on women and the elderly. By identifying barriers, mapping needs, and designing structured learning tools, the project promotes informed decision-making and long-term financial stability. The program delivers measurable empowerment, improved well-being, and enhanced quality of life. CSR partners can significantly amplify its reach, accelerating inclusive financial education across India.

Young Research Fellow Program

The Young Research Fellow Program supports undergraduate students in developing strong research skills at an early academic stage. Inspired by global models, the initiative provides structured mentorship, exposure to multidisciplinary research and opportunities to participate in ongoing projects at IIT Madras. By fostering curiosity, analytical thinking and early engagement in research, the program prepares students for advanced study and contributes to the growth of a skilled academic and scientific community.

Soft Skills Training for NPTEL Learners

IIT Madras is proposing a soft skills training program for students enrolled in the Online BSc Degree in Programming and Data Science. Taught by experienced IIT Madras faculty and industry experts, this program addresses the growing need for high-quality professional development in online education. The training covers essential workplace competencies including communication skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and interview readiness. Preparing students for success in the rapidly growing field of data science and technology careers.

Audio Tactile Graphics to aid STEM education of visually impaired students

This project makes STEM education accessible to blind and visually impaired (BVI) students by developing audio-tactile interactive graphics technology. While vast amounts of graphic content are conveyed visually in educational materials, this innovative solution allows blind students to interact with complex graphics through audio-tactile interfaces, providing access to 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional information. The affordable, accessible technology enables BVI students to understand scientific diagrams, collaborate with educators, and express creativity through interactive 3D printing and audio-tactile design.

National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)

The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a valuable resource improving engineering education standards across India by offering high-quality courses through MOOCs format at a fraction of traditional education costs. This CSR initiative provides financial support (50% NPTEL exam fee waiver up to Rs.500) to deserving students identified through NPTEL Local Chapters. The program facilitates timely course delivery with IIT faculty providing direct learning support, enabling students to obtain certification from the Centre for Continuing Education at IITs.

Proposal for Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Deserving Students at IIT Madras

IIT Madras addresses financial constraints faced by B-Tech students through a Merit cum Means Scholarship program. This initiative provides financial support to meritorious students pursuing B-Tech degrees while ensuring access to quality education for economically disadvantaged students. Scholarships are categorized based on parental income, offering targeted support to those most in need. The program is established as a sustainable scholarship through endowments and annual contributions, creating long-term collaboration opportunities between IIT Madras and corporate donors committed to educational equity.

Live online training to rural and poor school children in 8th to 12th grades and necessary skills training to unemployed rural youth

The Kalvi Shakthi Movement addresses educational disparities in Tamil Nadu, where rural students lack access to quality education. This initiative provides live online classes for students in grades 8 to 12, covering Maths, Science, English, Commerce, and Accountancy. The program delivers necessary skills training to unemployed rural youth while bridging the knowledge gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a hybrid model combining live, online, and offline elements, the movement establishes learning centers in villages with local coordinators to facilitate accessible education.

Imparting STEM Education through sports for the underprivileged schools in Tamil Nadu

The STEMS program develops a phased approach to impart STEM education through sports for underprivileged schools in Tamil Nadu. This innovative initiative addresses the multidisciplinary complexity of STEM pedagogy by creating awareness of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics roles through sport education. Using baseball, hockey, and soccer, students from 8th standard onwards build fundamental concept understanding in each STEM area through field-aligned illustrations and hands-on projects in data analytics and IoT, making learning more fun-oriented, intuitive, and engaging.

Project VELVI-Virtual Environment based laboratories for village institutes

Project VELVI addresses the lack of practical laboratory classes for school children during the pandemic by harnessing immersive technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality. This initiative develops VR laboratory applications and creates modules for CBSE syllabus (Std 6th - 10th) in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The VR-Lab modules are available on different platforms including Smartphones, WebXR, and Oculus, enabling specialty VR laboratory spaces in selected schools across Tamil Nadu and other states, benefiting at least 1000 high school children initially.

Vidyalakshmi PAN-IIT Scholarship

The Vidya Lakshmi Pan IIT Merit-Cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship Scheme provides financial support to B-Tech students across 23 IITs in India. These scholarships target students from economically weaker sections (EWS) and other categories with parental incomes ranging from Rs. 1 to 5 Lakhs who must pay one-third of tuition fees. Corporates are invited to contribute through CSR funding, creating equitable scholarships and fostering collaboration between donors and IITs while contributing to India's technological advancement by supporting deserving students with limited financial means.

Providing micro-gravity experiences to school students for capacity building in Space 2.0

This project generates excitement and interest in Space 2.0 among school-going students in India by providing them with a unique opportunity to "feel" space during controlled freefall on parabolic flights. The initiative identifies 25 schools across India to assist in creating micro-gravity setups with sensors and data measurement systems. Students design air-worthiness and safety experimental setups, participate in parabolic flights experiencing micro-gravity, and perform experiments while collecting data, encouraging them to explore careers in space-related fields through firsthand experience.

LADDER Program: Lighting Up Awareness on Drug Use & Drug Abuse through Educational Reach Out

The LADDER Program (Lighting Up Awareness on Drug Use and Drug Abuse Through Educational Reach Out) launches an educational outreach initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among students in schools and colleges. The program combats drug abuse by conducting expert visits to educational institutions, developing learning materials and videos on drug abuse prevention, creating content for possible integration into school and college curricula, and promoting responsible use of medicines, particularly antibiotics, to enhance awareness and contribute to social well-being.

Proposal to offer skill training to ITI/Diploma/Engineering graduates/youth of 18-23 years old

This skill training program targets ITI, Diploma, and Engineering graduates and youth aged 18-23 years to build engineering intuition through experiential understanding of theory and practical skills. The initiative widens participation in design and fabrication-related learning while providing opportunities to develop state-of-the-art core engineering skills. Participants receive hands-on training in manufacturing, assembly, quality control, and related areas. Upon completion, CODE/CCE at IIT Madras provides course completion certificates, equipping participants with essential skills for industrial employment and contributing to India's inclusive economic development.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship- BS in Data Sciences & Applications

This scholarship initiative supports students enrolling in the BS in Data Sciences & Applications offered through IIT Madras' online degree framework. The programme provides multiple entry and exit routes, enabling learners from varied academic and financial backgrounds to progress through foundational, diploma and degree stages. By reducing financial barriers, the scholarship aims to expand access to data-driven education and strengthen participation in an emerging STEM domain.

Soft Skills Training for Students in the Online BSc Degree in Programming and Data Science

Capacity Building of English Teachers for Teaching Soft Skills in Chennai City Colleges

This project aims to strengthen the ability of English teachers in Chennai colleges to teach soft skills through a structured, research-based approach. It includes identifying existing challenges, collecting data, piloting a teaching model and refining it for practical use in classroom environments. The initiative supports educators with clear methods for delivering communication and interpersonal skills training, helping students develop essential competencies for academic and professional pathways.

Creating Proficiency in English-II

This project continues an ongoing initiative to strengthen English and Hindi language proficiency among students in Grades 3 to 8. It uses stories, games, films, and computer-based tools to help children develop a vocabulary of up to 3,000 commonly used English words while improving their reading, writing, and comprehension skills. The program also enhances basic computer literacy for children and provides advanced language exposure for local youth serving as volunteer teachers.

Personal Computers for Financially Disadvantaged Students Online BSc Degree in Programming and Data Science

This initiative supports financially disadvantaged learners enrolled in the Online BSc Degree in Programming and Data Science by providing them with personal computers. Access to a computer is essential for effective participation in the programs online coursework across its Foundational, Diploma, and Degree stages. The project focuses on promoting digital inclusion, enabling learners to attend classes, complete assignments, and benefit fully from the flexible and accessible online degree structure offered by IIT Madras.

Theoretical Physics Seminar Series

The Theoretical Physics Seminar Series at IIT Madras hosts weekly talks by leading experts from India and abroad, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and research engagement. The initiative supports travel and accommodation for visiting speakers, enabling deeper interaction with faculty, researchers, and students. By facilitating exposure to new ideas, emerging research directions, and collaborative opportunities, the series strengthens the academic environment and enhances visibility for ongoing research activities.

Majoring English Language Learning Difficulties among Senior Secondary Female Students

This project continues an ongoing initiative to strengthen English and Hindi language proficiency among students in Grades 3 to 8. It uses stories, games, films, and computer-based tools to help children develop a vocabulary of up to 3,000 commonly used English words while improving their reading, writing, and comprehension skills. The program also enhances basic computer literacy for children and provides advanced language exposure for local youth serving as volunteer teachers.

Women in STEM: A Digital and Interactive Database

The objective is to bridge the gender divide and make STEM accessible to women from all backgrounds. By building a digital platform for women in STEM, we aim to debunk the myth of gender bias and facilitate opportunities for aspiring girls for higher studies and careers in STEM. This initiative includes a digital database, interactive forums, and skill development training for school children

Tentative Financial requirement for the Running of Research Science Initiative Chennai Programme (RSIC) in one year (Aug 10)

The Research Science Initiative Chennai (RSIC) program nurtures scientifically talented high school students through residential workshops, lab exposure, and sustained mentoring by IIT Madras faculty. It supports students' living, travel, and learning costs while guiding them towards higher education and PhD opportunities in science and engineering. CSR partners can help expand this proven, gender-balanced pipeline that has already transformed hundreds of young lives.

Digital Literacy for children and adults in rural and peri-urban communities in Tamil Nadu

This CSR proposal establishes 12 Rural Technology Centers that offer structured digital literacy programs for school students and adults in rural and peri-urban Tamil Nadu. The centres provide courses on basic IT skills, safe internet use, and computational thinking, opening education and livelihood opportunities for thousands of beneficiaries. CSR partners can help build sustainable community hubs for ongoing digital inclusion and skills development in collaboration with IIT Madras and field NGOs.

Centre for Writing

The Centre for Writing proposes a series of intensive technology and science writing workshops for postgraduate and doctoral students at IIT Madras. These sessions build core skills in research communication, popular science writing, and critical reading, while offering mentorship and spaces for young writers. CSR partners can help scale the program to reach around 500 participants annually, strengthening India's pipeline of clear, impactful scientific communicators.