IIT Delhi Curriculum Overhaul 2023

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) — The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of its curriculum for the first time in 12 years, aiming to address student workload concerns and align with evolving industry needs, Director Rangan Banerjee revealed. The previous curriculum revision occurred in 2013.

In Tuesday's PTI interview, Banerjee emphasized the dynamic shifts in industry expectations, particularly with the rise of AI and a growing focus on sustainability. "We launched this curriculum revamp in 2022, gathering extensive feedback from stakeholders, including alumni, students, and faculty actively engaged with industry and society. Our goal is to infuse greater flexibility and excitement into the curriculum," Banerjee explained.

Student workload considerations played a significant role in the redesign. "We've limited core credits per semester, especially in the first year, to ease the initial transition for students. Additionally, we've reduced class sizes in the first year from 300 to 150 to ensure more personalized attention," he noted.

Banerjee highlighted the shift toward experiential learning. "Our aim has been to reduce stress without compromising on rigor and choice," he stated. An honors program has been introduced as an additional option for BTech students. Furthermore, students now have the opportunity to pursue an MTech degree alongside their BTech, enabling them to graduate with both degrees in five years.

Programming education has also evolved, with AI-based code generators integrated into introductory programming courses. "All BTech students must undergo mandatory training to use AI responsibly and ethically, preparing them for the future," Banerjee said.

Additionally, graduates will gain sustainability training and find increased opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and teamwork. This revamp aims to equip graduates with the skills needed to make an impact in India and beyond.

The curriculum revamp panel comprised 15 experts who thoroughly examined syllabi from eight renowned institutions, including Stanford University, MIT, Cambridge University, and Harvey Mudd College, as well as IIT Bombay, Gandhinagar, and Hyderabad.