IIT Madras launches nationwide benchmark for job readiness

In a bid to create a common yardstick for employability in India, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras ( IIT Madras) has launched the National Internship, Placement Training, and Assessment (NIPTA) program.

By creating a structured pipeline from training to certification and connecting students directly with recruiters, IIT Madras hopes the initiative will improve access to employment opportunities while offering companies an efficient way to identify talent.

The initiative, unveiled recently, seeks to equip engineering and diploma students with structured training followed by a standardised evaluation of their skills.

“With several thousands of students aspiring to take internships and subsequently placements in different organisations, the NIPTA initiative is very timely,” said V. Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras.

The program will offer students free access to preparatory resources such as video lectures and sample questions, followed by a curated 10- to 12-week training in technical subjects, mathematical aptitude, logical reasoning and communication skills.

Students will then take a three-hour proctored exam conducted in-person at centres across India. The assessment is open to third- and final-year engineering students, recent graduates, final-year diploma students, and diploma holders.

Each participant will receive a performance-based certificate from IIT Madras, providing both students and recruiters with a transparent indicator of competencies.

Results will also be shared with companies, and the institute plans to host a National Job and Internship Mela, either virtual or in-person, in early 2026.

Srikanth Vedantam, faculty in the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Madras, noted, “NIPTA represents a major step forward in making employability measurable and transparent.”