IIT Mandi partners with Imarticus learning to launch AI minor degree programme in colleges

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and imarticus learning to introduce a minor degree programme in artificial intelligence for undergraduate students across colleges in India.

The programme will be integrated into existing engineering courses and is aimed at helping students build practical and industry-relevant AI skills without affecting their core academic curriculum. The initiative will be rolled out through partner colleges and universities across the country.

The AI minor degree follows a seven-semester structure and includes subjects such as machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, natural language processing, computer vision and AI deployment. Students will also work on hands-on projects and real-world applications as part of the course.

IIT Mandi designed AI curriculum

The curriculum has been developed and academically led by faculty members from IIT Mandi. The programme will include online sessions, faculty interactions and campus immersion opportunities conducted by IIT Mandi faculty.

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Officials said the initiative has been specially designed for engineering students and combines theoretical learning with practical exposure. Students will also gain experience in python, SQL, data visualisation, large language models (LLMs) and responsible AI practices.

Tushar Jain, head CCE at IIT Mandi, said, “At IIT Mandi, we strongly believe that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a niche discipline — it is becoming a foundational capability across industries and domains. As technology continues to reshape how systems are built and decisions are made, it is critical that students are exposed to AI in a structured, rigorous, and application-oriented manner early in their academic journey.”

He further added, “this minor degree program has been designed to bring together academic depth, practical learning, and emerging areas like Generative AI, ensuring that students graduate with both strong fundamentals and the ability to build real-world AI solutions.”

IIT Mandi initiative aligned with NEP 2020 and UGC guidelines

The organisations said the programme has been aligned with the multidisciplinary vision of NEP 2020 and structured according to UGC guidelines for undergraduate specialisations. Unlike short-term certification programmes, the AI minor degree will appear on students’ official academic transcripts.

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As an institute of national importance, IIT Mandi will provide academic oversight for the initiative, while NSDC will support institutional outreach, quality assurance and implementation across colleges.

Nitin Kapoor, vice president at NSDC Academy, said, “At NSDC, we see Artificial Intelligence as a key enabler of India’s future workforce and economic growth. As AI-driven technologies continue to transform industries, there is an urgent need to develop deep technical talent that combines strong academic grounding with industry relevance.”

“Our collaboration with IIT Mandi on the skilling pathways in Artificial Intelligence underscores a shared commitment to nurturing future-ready professionals who are not only proficient in advanced AI technologies, but also equipped to apply them responsibly to real-world challenges across sectors,” he added.

IIT Mandi and Imarticus Learning expand partnerships with universities

Several institutions have already joined the initiative, including IIMT group of colleges, Lamrin tech university, Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth university, Alard university, Ajeenkya DY Patil university and LNCT university, among others.

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The programme is open to colleges looking to strengthen AI education within undergraduate engineering programmes and improve student employability in emerging technology sectors.

Nikhil Barshikar, founder and CEO of imarticus learning, said, "Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping how industries operate, how businesses make decisions, and how the future workforce will be built. As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, there is a growing need for institutions to move beyond conventional technology education and provide students with structured, application-oriented exposure to emerging technologies at the undergraduate level. Through our collaboration with IIT Mandi and NSDC, we are enabling colleges across India to offer students access to a structured, academically rigorous, and industry-aligned minor degree in artificial intelligence."