The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, via its Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), launched PRAYAS 4.0 in May 2026. This initiative is a one-month residential training programme covering Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Scheduled to run from June 25 to July 23, 2026, on the IIT Mandi campus, the initiative provides immersive technical training to young learners and students. The structured curriculum requires no prior technical experience, making emerging technologies accessible to participants from diverse academic backgrounds.
Core Pillars of PRAYAS 4.0
The programme is organized into a modular, week-by-week layout that moves from basic hardware setups to complex software architectures.
Weekly Curriculum Structure
- Week 1: Fundamentals of Robotics, AI, and IoT: Introduction to microcontrollers (Arduino and Raspberry Pi), basic sensors, actuators, Python programming, and foundational IoT protocols like MQTT and HTTP.
- Week 2: Machine Learning and Computer Vision: Training in Artificial Intelligence versus Machine Learning, image processing using OpenCV, object detection, Neural Networks, and deploying models on edge devices via TensorFlow Lite.
- Week 3: IoT Ecosystems and Cloud Integration: Focus on connecting robotic systems to cloud platforms (AWS IoT, Azure, or Google Cloud), WebSockets for real-time data communication, and cybersecurity in AIoT systems.
- Week 4: Advanced Technologies and Capstone Projects: Studies in Swarm Robotics, Autonomous Navigation, Robot Operating System (ROS) simulations, Digital Twins, and a final group hackathon to build an AI-powered, IoT-enabled robot.
Operational and Logistic Framework
The administrative details and campus amenities provided during the residential course include:
- Daily Engagement: Participants undergo five to six hours of structured faculty-led lectures and laboratory work every day, supplemented by evening sports, yoga, and interactive peer sessions.
- Campus Access: Students utilize the primary lecture halls, centralized workshops, and advanced computing laboratories of IIT Mandi.
- Boarding and Lodging: Accommodation is arranged within institutional hostels, with all daily meals served at the campus hostel mess.
- Certification: Upon fulfilling evaluation criteria, which include weekly tests and capstone project demonstrations, the Centre for Continuing Education awards an official completion certificate.
- Financial Structure: The program fee is fixed at Rs 62,400 plus applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST), covering all tuition, laboratory usage, and residential boarding utilities.
Technological Domains Covered
| Technology Domain | Technical Sub-components Covered | Practical Applications / Prototypes Built |
| Robotics | Actuators, Microcontrollers, CAD/CAM Designing, ROS | Obstacle avoiders, gesture-controlled bots, robotic arms |
| Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Computer Vision | Object recognition models, speech-to-movement systems |
| Internet of Things (IoT) | MQTT, HTTP, CoAP protocols, Edge AI, Cloud services | Web dashboards for LED control, remote telemetry units |
| Automation | Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Smart Sensors | Line-following bots, automated maze solvers |
IASPOINT Booster Facts for UPSC
- PRAYAS Acronym: Stands for “Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Students,” an educational outreach banner of IIT Mandi to build early interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
- PM-YUVA Scheme: A distinct national initiative under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship focusing on entrepreneurship education and training, separate from institutional technical workshops.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Linkage: Programs like PRAYAS align with NEP 2020 directives that mandate vocational integration, early exposure to coding, and artificial intelligence training at school and undergraduate levels.
- Skill India Mission: Launched in 2015 under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), this mission supports institutional short-term certifications to bridge the gap between academic education and industry-required technology skills.
- AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things): The combination of Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure with Artificial Intelligence technologies, allowing edge devices to analyze data and make decisions without human intervention.