The National Programme on Technology-Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) is a project of MHRD initiated by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, and Roorkee) along with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, to provide quality education to anyone interested in learning from the IITs. The main goal was to create web and video courses in all major branches of engineering and physical sciences at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and management courses at the postgraduate level. The largest online repository in the world of courses in all subjects YouTube channel for NPTEL: most subscribed educational channel, 1.5 million+ channel subscribers, 819 million+ views, 50000+ video hours. More than 54000+ hours of video content, transcribed with subtitles, and the most accessed library of peer-reviewed educational content in the world.

Through an online portal, 4-, 8-, or 12-week online courses, typically on topics relevant to students in all years of higher education, along with basic core courses in sciences and humanities with exposure to relevant tools and technologies, are being offered. Enrollment in and learning from these courses involve no cost. Universities and colleges approving credit transfers for these courses can use the marks or certificates obtained in these courses for the same. The objective of this effort is to provide the best teaching and learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged. The courses hosted on SWAYAM are in 4 quadrants: (1) video lectures; (2) specially prepared reading material that can be downloaded or printed; (3) self-assessment tests through tests and quizzes; and (4) an online discussion forum for clearing doubts. Steps have been taken to enrich the learning experience by using audio-video, multi-media, and state-of-the-art pedagogy and technology. Students and faculty members are encouraged to take at least one NPTEL course per semester.