Author – Ritesh Ranjan: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras honoured 1,842 outstanding learners from South India during the NPTEL Stars 2026 event held at the IIT Madras campus on 10 July 2026. The event celebrated students, working professionals, educators and lifelong learners who consistently completed and earned certifications in multiple NPTEL courses.
The recognition highlighted the determination of learners who continued to acquire new knowledge, strengthen their professional skills and explore different academic disciplines. Their achievements demonstrate how online education can support career development and personal growth at every stage of life.
Celebrating Excellence Through NPTEL Stars 2026
NPTEL Stars are learners who go beyond completing a single online course. They consistently participate in courses, appear for examinations and earn certifications across multiple semesters and subject areas.
Their achievements represent a long-term commitment to education rather than one-time participation. Many of these learners balance their studies with full-time jobs, teaching responsibilities, research work, family commitments and other personal responsibilities.
For the January–April 2026 semester, a total of 10,763 NPTEL Stars were recognised across India. The South Zone contributed 1,842 Stars, reflecting the region’s increasing participation in online learning and professional upskilling.
The semester also recorded 8,011 first-time NPTEL Stars. This significant number shows that the platform continues to attract new learners from varied academic, professional and social backgrounds.
What Is NPTEL?
NPTEL stands for the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning. It is a collaborative educational initiative started by the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru and other leading institutions.
For more than 23 years, NPTEL has helped make high-quality education available to learners throughout India. Through online lectures, assignments, examinations and certification opportunities, the programme allows students to learn from faculty members of some of the country’s leading institutions.
NPTEL courses are delivered through the NPTEL-SWAYAM platform. The initiative has helped reduce barriers related to geography, institutional access and educational costs. Learners from cities, small towns and rural areas can access IIT-level academic content without having to relocate or enrol in a full-time campus programme.
A Strong Platform for Lifelong Learning
The success of NPTEL Stars shows that education does not have to end after completing a degree. Professionals can use the platform to update their skills, students can explore subjects beyond their regular curriculum and educators can strengthen their knowledge in emerging disciplines.
During the January–April 2026 semester, the NPTEL-SWAYAM platform offered 973 online courses. These courses covered a wide range of areas, including engineering, science, technology, management, humanities and interdisciplinary studies.
Such variety allows learners to create personalised learning journeys. An engineering student can explore management, a working professional can study artificial intelligence and an educator can learn about new teaching methodologies.
This flexibility is one of the major reasons NPTEL has become an important part of India’s digital education ecosystem.
NPTEL Records Massive Enrolment and Examination Participation
The January–April 2026 semester marked another major milestone for the programme. NPTEL courses recorded approximately 36.8 lakh enrolments, demonstrating the growing demand for accessible and flexible online education.
Around 12.6 lakh learners registered for and appeared in proctored examinations conducted across more than 200 cities in India.
These figures show that learners are not merely viewing online lectures. A large number are completing assignments, preparing for examinations and working towards recognised certifications.
The availability of examination centres across numerous cities also makes the certification process more accessible. Learners do not have to travel to major metropolitan areas to demonstrate their knowledge and earn credentials.
Measuring Success Through Transformed Lives
Prof. Prathap Haridoss, Dean of Academic Courses at IIT Madras, highlighted that the success of NPTEL should not be measured only through enrolment figures. Its wider impact can be understood through the lives and careers it has transformed.
NPTEL certifications can help learners develop subject knowledge, prepare for higher education, become more effective educators and improve their career prospects. For some participants, the platform provides an opportunity to return to education after a long break.
The stories recognised at NPTEL Stars 2026 demonstrate how continuous learning can create new possibilities regardless of a learner’s age, location or career stage.
Inspiring Stories of NPTEL Learners
One of the event’s notable achievers was Ms. Gokulapriya C, a three-time NPTEL Superstar and NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellow. She completed 23 NPTEL courses after returning to education following a career break related to marriage and motherhood.
Her commitment to learning eventually contributed to her academic progression towards a PhD in Marketing at IIT Roorkee. Her journey demonstrates how digital learning can help individuals rebuild confidence, gain qualifications and restart their academic or professional careers.
Another outstanding learner, Mr. B. Satyaramamanohar A, completed 49 NPTEL courses and earned 19 Star recognitions. His achievements reflect exceptional consistency and a strong passion for learning across multiple subjects.
Dr. Bhuvaneswari, who completed more than 30 courses, turned online education into a family activity. Her journey highlights how a learning-oriented environment can inspire multiple generations and make education a shared pursuit.
These stories show that NPTEL is not only a course platform. It is also a community that encourages curiosity, discipline and continuous development.
NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Supports Research Aspirations
The NPTEL Stars event also highlighted the NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. This initiative offers selected high-performing learners an opportunity to work with IIT faculty members on research projects.
Fellows receive financial assistance, including a stipend, house rent allowance and research-related support. The programme can serve as an important bridge for learners who want to explore research before entering a doctoral programme.
By connecting talented online learners with faculty members and research environments, the fellowship expands the role of NPTEL beyond course delivery and certification.
Free Support for GATE Aspirants
Another important initiative discussed during the event was the NPTEL-GATE Portal. The platform provides free educational resources for students preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
The portal includes live lectures, mock examinations, previous years’ question papers and other preparation materials. Several high-performing GATE candidates have credited the platform with strengthening their preparation and helping them understand important concepts.
This initiative is particularly valuable for students who may not have access to expensive coaching programmes. It provides structured academic support while allowing aspirants to learn at their own pace.
Building an Inclusive Digital Education Ecosystem
The success of NPTEL Stars 2026 shows how technology can make quality education more inclusive. Through NPTEL, learners can access expert instruction without being restricted by geography, age, educational background or employment status.
The recognition of 1,842 South Indian learners also reflects a larger shift towards continuous upskilling. As industries and technologies evolve, professionals must regularly update their knowledge to remain competitive.
By offering affordable courses, recognised certifications, research opportunities and competitive examination support, NPTEL is helping build a culture in which learning becomes a lifelong habit.
IIT Madras and its partner institutions continue to demonstrate that digital education can create meaningful opportunities at scale. The journeys celebrated at NPTEL Stars 2026 remind learners across India that education can begin again at any stage of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NPTEL Stars programme?
The NPTEL Stars programme recognises learners who consistently complete multiple NPTEL courses and earn certifications. Different Star categories celebrate achievements based on course completion, examination performance and long-term participation.
2. How many learners were honoured at the NPTEL Stars 2026 South Zone event?
IIT Madras honoured 1,842 NPTEL Stars from South India during the event held on 10 July 2026 at the IIT Madras campus.
3. How many NPTEL courses were offered during the January–April 2026 semester?
A total of 973 courses were offered through the NPTEL-SWAYAM platform during the January–April 2026 semester.
4. What is the NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship?
The NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship allows selected top-performing learners to work with IIT faculty members on research projects. The fellowship includes a stipend, house rent allowance and research support.
5. How does the NPTEL-GATE Portal help students?
The NPTEL-GATE Portal provides free preparation resources for GATE aspirants, including live lectures, mock tests, previous years’ papers and subject-focused learning materials.