5 IIT AI ML Course Programs for Working Professionals

IIT AI ML Course Programs for Working Professionals Focused on Machine Learning in 2026

18 Feb 2026

In 2026, most ML upskilling decisions come down to two things: curriculum depth and weekly bandwidth.

The programs below typically run for about 11 to 18 months, with weekly effort typically between 8 and 14 hours, depending on the track and assessment load.

If you want strong machine learning foundations, the best picks combine structured coursework, applied work, and clear evaluation standards so you can build skills you can actually use at work.

How We Selected These IIT Focused AI and ML Programs

Strong emphasis on machine learning foundations plus applied practice
Clear duration and weekly time commitment for working professionals
Credible credential pathway, ideally with formal evaluation standards
Curriculum coverage that includes modeling, validation, and deployment awareness
Support model that fits professionals (live sessions, labs, forums, mentoring)

Overview: Best IIT Focused AI and ML Courses for 2026

#	Program	Provider	Primary Focus	Delivery	Ideal For
1	Applied Data Science and Machine Learning	IIT Madras (via IITM Pravartak and TalentSprint)	Applied ML plus labs, hackathons, and capstones	Online with campus visit	Professionals wanting structured applied learning
2	ePG Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science	IIT Bombay (via Great Learning)	Credit-based AI, ML depth, and evaluation	Live online plus in-person exams	Working pros seeking a formal IIT credit diploma
3	Professional Certificate in Generative AI and Machine Learning	E&ICT Academy IIT Kanpur (via Simplilearn)	ML plus GenAI tooling and projects	Online	Professionals wanting hands-on practice in a defined timeline
4	AI and Data Science (Prime)	iHub IIT Roorkee (via Intellipaat)	ML and AI foundations with practical projects	Live online	Learners wantinga weekly structure and applied projects
5	ePG Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)	IIT Bombay (via Great Learning)	CS foundations with ML exposure	Online plus in-person exams	Pros who want strong CS and ML fundamentals

5 Best IIT Focused Programs for Machine Learning in 2026

1. Applied Data Science and Machine Learning (IIT Madras, via IITM Pravartak and TalentSprint)

Overview

This program is built for professionals who want applied learning without sacrificing fundamentals.

It blends masterclass-style lectures with hands-on labs, hackathons, workshops, industry interactions, and capstones, so you practice modeling choices instead of only reading about them.

Delivery & Duration: Online, 12 months (includes a campus visit component).
Credentials: PG Level Advanced Certification in Applied Data Science and Machine Learning from IITM Pravartak and WSAI (IIT Madras).
Instructional Quality & Design: Applied pedagogy with labs, hackathons, workshops, and real-world case studies.
Support: Guidance and mentorship from faculty and industry experts are positioned as a program advantage.

Key Outcomes / Strengths

Practice ML workflows through labs and capstones, not only theory
Coverage includes preprocessing, ML algorithms, deep learning, and NLP
Uses case studies and tools aligned with industry-style problem-solving

2. e-Postgraduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (IIT Bombay, via Great Learning)

Overview

If you want a formal, credit-based IIT pathway, this IIT Bombay AI ML course is one of the more structured options.

It is a synchronous online diploma delivered with live classes by IIT Bombay faculty, plus in-person end-term examinations and an on-campus convocation.

Delivery & Duration: Synchronous online with live sessions; designed to be completed comfortably within 18 months (36 credits), with a maximum completion window of 36 months.
Credentials: ePG Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from IIT Bombay, conferred at an in-person convocation; alumni status included.
Instructional Quality & Design: Credit-based structure, core and elective mix, and applied learning through tools, case studies, and assessments.
Support: Live faculty-led sessions; access to IIT Bombay’s Lateral Hiring Group for job postings is listed as a highlight.

Key Outcomes / Strengths

Build a foundation in ML and AI concepts, then apply them to end-to-end solutions
Use Generative AI for text-driven NLP solutions as part of stated outcomes
Professional pacing guidance: about 12 to 14 hours per week

3. Professional Certificate Course in Generative AI and Machine Learning (E&ICT Academy IIT Kanpur, via Simplilearn)

Overview

This is a practical option if you want a single consolidated track that covers core ML and GenAI topics, supported by projects and labs. The curriculum calls out ML, deep learning, NLP, generative AI, reinforcement learning, and computer vision.

Delivery & Duration: Online, 11 months.
Credentials: Certificate of completion from E&ICT Academy, IIT Kanpur.
Instructional Quality & Design: Live virtual sessions, integrated labs, and IIT Kanpur faculty masterclasses; applied learning via 25+ hands-on projects and 15+ tools.
Support: Mentions access to support and community forums, plus flexible options for watching recorded sessions.

Key Outcomes / Strengths

Build working knowledge across ML, deep learning, NLP, and GenAI
Practice through 25+ projects and integrated labs
Learn tooling exposure explicitly called out (for example, popular GenAI tools)

4. AI and Data Science from iHub, IIT Roorkee (Prime)

Overview

This program is framed around consistent weekly effort and applied outputs. It highlights live online classes from IIT faculty and industry experts, certification from iHub IIT Roorkee, and a practical, project-heavy approach.

Delivery & Duration: 1-year program; estimated at about 8 hours per week.
Credentials: Certification from iHub IIT Roorkee is explicitly stated.
Instructional Quality & Design: Live online classes; showcases a catalog of applied project examples and an optional campus immersion component.
Support: The program positions mentorship and structured learning as part of the experience.

Key Outcomes / Strengths

Clear weekly structure (useful if you are balancing deadlines)
Practical projects are emphasized, including applied GenAI-style use cases
Campus immersion is listed as a program element

5. e-Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) (IIT Bombay, via Great Learning)

Overview

If you want a broader foundation to support long-term growth in ML, this IIT Bombay CSE option provides a strong foundation.

It is a 12-month online ePGD delivered by IIT Bombay CSE faculty and explicitly covers advanced programming, computing systems, and machine learning.

Delivery & Duration: Online, 12 months; weekly live sessions plus self-study and assignments.
Credentials: ePGD from IIT Bombay with alumni status; includes campus immersion and an in-person graduation ceremony.
Instructional Quality & Design: Concept-based curriculum; IIT credits can be saved in the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
Support: Weekly live sessions for learning and query resolution; time-commitment guidance suggests 6 to 8 hours live plus 6 to 8 hours of self-study weekly.

Key Outcomes / Strengths

Strong CS base (systems and programming) that improves ML implementation quality
Formal evaluation model with in-person end-term exams
Clear weekly workload guidance for planning with a full-time job

Final Thoughts

If your priority is a formal IIT credit pathway with rigorous evaluation, the IIT Bombay diploma route is hard to beat and pairs well with real-world ML responsibilities where rigor matters.

If you need faster momentum, certificate-style programs can make sense when projects and labs are your main focus.

For professionals deciding between breadth and depth, a practical rule is simple: pick the shortest program that still forces you to build, test, and explain models.

If you are aiming specifically for IIT Bombay CSE as a long-term foundation, treat it as your base layer, then stack on specialized ML work as your role evolves.