Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced the launch of several new postgraduate programmes, including a Master of Arts (MA) in Public Policy and multiple Master of Technology (M.Tech) programmes in emerging technology domains such as Semiconductor materials, Computational engineering in mechanical systems and Robotics.

These programmes have been designed to equip students with advanced interdisciplinary knowledge and skills required to address emerging challenges in governance, industry and technology. The new offerings span multiple departments at IIT Madras, reflecting the institute’s focus on building expertise in areas critical to India’s future technological and socio-economic development.

The newly introduced programmes include:

1. MA in Public Policy by Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

2. M.Tech in Semiconductor Materials Technology by Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

3. M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with Specialisation in Computational Engineering for Mechanical Systems (CEMS) by Department of Mechanical Engineering

4. M.Tech in Robotics by Department of Engineering Design

Welcoming students from all over the country to apply for these programs, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “At IIT Madras, we strive to keep up with industry needs and requirements for the country. So, this year we are introducing four new programs that are highly interdisciplinary in nature. We would like to create skilled manpower for the countries in these areas. Particularly the new programs will integrate modern tools with the traditional core engineering.”

The MA in Public Policy programme aims to provide students with a deep understanding of how governments and institutions design and implement policies to address complex social, economic and political challenges.

The programme will cover diverse policy domains including environment, education, healthcare, energy, transportation and international relations. It will also train students in critical thinking, governance frameworks, and policy analysis while strengthening communication and leadership skills. The programme seeks to prepare graduates for careers in government, international organisations, non-profits, advocacy groups and the private sector.

Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, said, “Public policy plays a vital role in shaping equitable and sustainable societies. The MA in Public Policy programme at IIT Madras is designed to equip students with the analytical and interdisciplinary skills required to understand governance systems and craft effective policies that address complex societal challenges. The programme will prepare graduates for impactful careers across government, research organisations, development agencies and the private sector.”

The M.Tech in Semiconductor Materials Technology, offered by the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, has been designed to support India’s rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem. It will provide specialised training in semiconductor fundamentals and manufacturing technologies while allowing students to explore electives that broaden their technical perspective. Graduates will gain exposure to cutting-edge developments in semiconductor materials and will be well-positioned to contribute to both industry and advanced research in this strategic sector.

Prof. Subramanya Sarma V., Head, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “India’s semiconductor mission requires a strong foundation of skilled professionals with deep knowledge of materials and device technologies. This new M.Tech programme in Semiconductor Materials Technology aims to build exactly that expertise by combining strong fundamentals with exposure to cutting-edge research and industry needs.”

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has launched an M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering with Specialisation in Computational Engineering for Mechanical Systems to prepare engineers for a new era of simulation-driven innovation. The programme integrates classical mechanics, advanced numerical methods, machine learning and high-performance computing. Students will gain expertise in areas such as finite element and computational fluid dynamics modelling, digital twins, AI-assisted engineering and large-scale computational simulations, enabling them to design and optimise complex mechanical systems across sectors such as energy, transportation and advanced manufacturing.

Prof. C. Balaji, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “Mechanical engineering is undergoing a transformation driven by high-fidelity simulations, machine learning and scalable computing. The CEMS programme will train engineers who can combine physics-based modelling with modern data-driven techniques to solve complex engineering problems and build the digital foundations of future technologies.”

The M.Tech in Robotics, offered by the Department of Engineering Design, aims to train the next generation of professionals in robotics and intelligent automation. It focuses on the design, analysis and application of advanced robotic systems across industrial and societal contexts. The curriculum includes extensive coursework along with significant project work, enabling students to gain hands-on experience with advanced robotic platforms in state-of-the-art laboratories. Graduates are expected to pursue careers in robotics, automation, autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing while contributing to India’s growing robotics innovation ecosystem.

Prof. R. Jayaganthan, Head, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, said, “Robotics and intelligent automation are transforming industries worldwide. Through this M.Tech programme, we aim to provide students with strong foundations in robotic system design and practical experience with advanced platforms, enabling them to drive innovation in areas ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to autonomous systems.”

With these new postgraduate programmes, IIT Madras aims to strengthen interdisciplinary education while addressing critical national priorities in technology development, manufacturing, governance and innovation. More details about the program and admissions to these programmes can be found at https://mtechadm.iitm.ac.in/