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Free C programming and algorithms courses
Problem solving in C, then algorithms and databases — the base of most CS placement tests. These are government courses on NPTEL (run on SWAYAM): free to learn, with a paid exam only if you want the certificate.
When and what it costs
- January 2027 semester: NPTEL's timelines say enrolment opens 13 Nov 2026 and courses start from 18 Jan 2027 (read 23 Oct 2026).
- Learning is free. The certificate needs a proctored exam: Rs 1000 per exam in July 2026, with lower fees for SC/ST and PwD candidates. The January 2027 timelines document did not print an exam fee when we read it.
- Course pages for January 2027 were not open on 26 Oct 2026: the list below is NPTEL's tentative list, and NPTEL may change it. Find each course on SWAYAM once enrolment opens.
NPTEL courses for January 2027
Problem Solving Through Programming In C
Prof. Anupam Basu · IIT Kharagpur · 12 Weeks · run before
Design and analysis of algorithms
Prof. Madhavan Mukund · CMI · 8 Weeks · run before
Fundamental Algorithms: Design and Analysis
Prof. Sourav Mukhopadhyay · IIT Kharagpur · 4 Weeks · run before
Introduction to Database Systems
Prof. Sreenivasa Kumar · IITM · 12 Weeks · run before
More on SWAYAM: search SWAYAM for "C" ↗ — SWAYAM also carries courses from UGC, CEC, IGNOU, IIM Bangalore and AICTE.
Sources, read 26 Oct 2026: NPTEL January 2027 tentative course list, SWAYAM: About; dates and fee from NPTEL's timelines (read 23 Oct 2026). Shishya chose which skill each course is listed under; it earns nothing from any link here.