IIT Madras to Launch Online B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Opening Doors for Remote Learners

The programme is expected to begin in the upcoming academic cycle and will be among the first fully online aerospace degrees offered by an Indian Institute of Technology.

IIT Madras has announced plans to launch a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aerospace Engineering in online mode. The programme is expected to begin in the upcoming academic cycle and will be among the first fully online aerospace degrees offered by an Indian Institute of Technology.

This decision comes in light of recent AICTE policy changes that now allow up to 40% of engineering content to be delivered online, offering institutions the flexibility to reach students beyond geographical boundaries. IIT Madras, which has already pioneered online education through its Data Science and Electronic Systems programs, is now taking this innovation further into the core engineering disciplines.

The online aerospace degree will likely include a mix of live online sessions, pre-recorded lectures, virtual labs, simulation-based learning, and in-person proctored assessments to ensure academic rigor and industry relevance. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with IIT faculty and industry mentors through scheduled live interactions and optional campus immersion modules.

This initiative is especially significant for students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who may not have access to quality aerospace programs locally. The degree will prepare graduates for careers in aerospace design, defense research, aviation engineering, and space technology, sectors that are expected to see substantial growth in India over the next decade.

By making a traditionally high-end discipline like aerospace more accessible, IIT Madras is not only democratizing engineering education but also responding to the growing national demand for aerospace professionals, especially in light of India’s expanding space programme and indigenous defence production ecosystem.

Further details on admissions, eligibility, and structure are expected to be released by the institute in the coming weeks.