How is the IIT Madras online course?

The online Programming and Data Science course offered by IIT Madras is an additional diploma that can be completed in 3-6 years. Despite the increasing demand, I think this course lacks the necessary rigor and is unnecessary.

1. This course is usually undertaken by those who are already pursuing an offline engineering course alongside. Some even find it challenging to complete online assignments and give exams at their regular college.
2. A major part of the curriculum is already available on NPTEL. The only additional benefits are the assignments, tests, and the diploma certificate at the end. Thus, if you are solely after the knowledge and content, many other better colleges and online portals offer the course at a much lower price.
3. Most students choose this course for the IIT tag. But you don’t get to experience IIT campus life which is unique in itself. The students are always busy with some research work or learning new skills. You miss out on all these despite the high fees you are paying.

Ultimately you decide to make consider the pros and cons of the course. It’s advisable to talk to someone who has completed this course to get a better understanding of it.