Industrial accidents remain a persistent and tragic reality in India’s manufacturing, mining, and energy sectors. In 2024 alone, over 240 workplace accidents resulted in more than 400 deaths and 850 serious injuries, with the chemical and pharmaceutical industries witnessing the most severe cases. Recognizing the urgent need for advanced safety training, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a new Postgraduate Diploma in Process Safety-a first-of-its-kind online course designed to empower working professionals to reduce workplace accidents and save lives.
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About the IIT Madras’ New Course
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a new online Postgraduate Diploma course in Process Safety to help reduce workplace accidents in factories and other high-risk industries. This course is designed especially for working professionals who want to improve their skills in managing safety challenges at work.
The program aims to lower the number of accidents in sectors like manufacturing, mining, energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, where safety lapses can lead to serious injuries or even death. According to a 2024 report by IndustriALL Global Union, there were at least 240 workplace accidents in these sectors in India last year, resulting in over 400 deaths and more than 850 serious injuries. Most of these incidents happened because of poor safety practices and lack of proper training
Who can apply?
The course is open to those with a BE/BTech degree in Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Petroleum Engineering, or similar fields. MSc Chemistry graduates with at least two years of work experience can also apply
How does the course work?
- The course is offered online by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras
- It follows a trimester system, with three terms each year: September–December, January–April, and May–August
- Students can take up to three courses per term and finish the program in one to two years, making it flexible for working professionals
How to apply?
The last date to apply is May 31, 2025
There will be an entrance exam on July 13, 2025
Interested candidates can apply at
Why is this course important?
Professor Rajagopalan Srinivasan, the course coordinator, explained that many workplace accidents happen because workers do not have enough knowledge about safety practices and protocols. This new course will help professionals learn the latest safety standards, improve their skills, and make workplaces safer for everyone
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