Blockchain Course: Learn Principles & Applications | IIT Kharagpur
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 11668 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Computer Science and Engineering, Cyber Security |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Blockchain and its Applications: A Comprehensive 12-Week Course Guide
In recent years, Blockchain technology has moved from the periphery of digital innovation to the center stage of strategic planning for governments and enterprises worldwide. Its promise of providing a transparent, secure, and tamper-proof framework for transactions in a trustless environment has captured global attention. Recognizing its transformative potential, the Government of India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) highlighted 17 national-interest applications in its 2021 "National Strategy on Blockchain" draft.
To bridge the knowledge gap and build expertise in this critical field, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur offers a meticulously structured 12-week course titled "Blockchain and its Applications." Designed and delivered by leading academics, this course provides a deep dive into the technology's core principles and practical implementations.
Meet Your Instructors: World-Class Expertise
The course is led by two distinguished professors from IIT Kharagpur's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, bringing a blend of deep academic research and industry experience.
Prof. Sandip Chakraborty
An Associate Professor and a leading researcher at the intersection of Computer Systems, Pervasive Computing, and Human-Computer Interaction. Prof. Chakraborty leads the System and Mobile Research Lab at IIT Kharagpur. A founding member of ACM IMOBILE and recipient of awards like the Excellent Young Teacher Award 2021 and the INAE Young Engineers’ Award, his insights ensure the course content is both cutting-edge and pedagogically sound.
Prof. Shamik Sural
A Full Professor with over a decade of industry experience in India and the USA. An Alexander von Humboldt and Fulbright scholar, Prof. Sural's research in computer security, data mining, and multimedia systems provides a crucial lens on blockchain's security and application aspects. He serves on the editorial boards of prestigious journals like IEEE Transactions on Dependable & Secure Computing.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This course is designed to take you from the foundational concepts of blockchain to hands-on development of decentralized applications. It is tailored for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and industry professionals looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of this disruptive technology.
Prerequisites: A basic understanding of Computer Networks, Operating Systems, and Cryptography & Network Security is recommended.
Industry Support: The curriculum is recognized and supported by industry leaders like IBM, HPE, Intel, and various blockchain startups, ensuring its relevance to current market needs.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topic | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Blockchain Technology and its Importance | Historical context, core value proposition, and national/international significance. |
| Week 2 | Basic Crypto Primitives I – Cryptographic Hash | Understanding hash functions, properties, and their role in blockchain integrity. |
| Week 3 | Basic Crypto Primitives II – Digital Signature | Principles of digital signatures for authentication and non-repudiation. |
| Week 4 | Evolution of the Blockchain Technology | From Bitcoin to Ethereum and beyond; generations of blockchain. |
| Week 5 | Elements of a Blockchain | Blocks, chains, transactions, Merkle trees, and network architecture. |
| Week 6 | Blockchain Consensus I – Permissionless Models | Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS), and other consensus mechanisms for public blockchains. |
| Week 7 | Blockchain Consensus II – Permissioned Models | Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), Raft, and others for enterprise blockchains. |
| Week 8 | Smart Contract Hands On I – Ethereum | Developing and deploying smart contracts on the Ethereum platform (Permissionless Model). |
| Week 9 | Smart Contract Hands On II – Hyperledger Fabric | Building blockchain applications using the Hyperledger Fabric framework (Permissioned Model). |
| Week 10 | Decentralized Identity Management | Exploring Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and blockchain-based identity solutions. |
| Week 11 | Blockchain Interoperability | Challenges and solutions for communication between different blockchain networks. |
| Week 12 | Blockchain Applications | Case studies across supply chain, finance, healthcare, governance, and the 17 applications identified in India's national strategy. |
Essential Learning Resources
The course is supplemented by a robust set of resources to facilitate both theoretical understanding and practical skill development:
- Textbook: "Mastering Blockchain, 3rd Edition" by Imran Bashir. A comprehensive guide covering distributed ledgers, consensus, smart contracts, DApps, and more.
- Official Tutorials: Hands-on guides from Hyperledger and Ethereum provide the practical foundation for weeks 8 and 9.
- Online Materials & Case Studies: Curated research papers, articles, and real-world case studies to connect theory with practice.
Why Enroll in This Blockchain Course?
This course stands out by offering a balanced blend of theory and hands-on practice. You will not only learn the cryptographic fundamentals and architectural principles but also gain direct experience with the two dominant blockchain paradigms:
- Permissionless (Ethereum): For open, decentralized applications and cryptocurrencies.
- Permissioned (Hyperledger Fabric): For controlled, enterprise-grade business networks.
With instruction from IIT Kharagpur's renowned faculty, alignment with India's National Blockchain Strategy, and support from global industry leaders, this course is a premier opportunity to build foundational and advanced competencies in one of the most significant technologies of our time. Whether you aim to pursue research, drive innovation in an enterprise, or launch a startup, this course provides the knowledge and tools to become a proficient blockchain professional.
Enroll Now →