The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) today honoured 1,842 exceptional learners from South India at the ‘NPTEL Stars’ event. The ceremony recognised their sustained commitment to lifelong learning through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), one of the world’s largest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) initiatives.

The South Zone accounted for 1,842 of the 10,763 NPTEL Stars recognised nationwide during the January–April 2026 semester, which witnessed 36.8 lakh enrolments and 12.6 lakh exam registrations across 973 courses. NPTEL Stars are individuals who earn certifications in multiple courses, reflecting a growing culture of continuous upskilling among students, working professionals, and educators.

Presiding over the event, Prof. Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses), IIT Madras, stated, “Our NPTEL Stars are proof that talent exists everywhere when opportunities are made accessible.” The event showcased inspiring success stories, including Ms. Gokulapriya C, who completed 23 courses after a career break and became the first NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellow to transition into a full-time PhD programme at IIT Roorkee, alongside Dr. S. Henry Kishore, who successfully completed an astounding 101 courses.

The programme also highlighted impactful digital initiatives like the NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and the free ‘NPTEL-GATE’ Portal, which has been credited by top-ranking aspirants for enhancing their preparation. The celebrations will conclude on July 11 with the felicitation of over 550 SWAYAM-NPTEL Local Chapter Coordinators from the South Zone for their role in expanding access to quality digital education.

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SS/RJ

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