Control Engineering Course | IIT Madras NPTEL | Prof. Ramkrishna Pasumarthy
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 727 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Control and Instrumentation, Power Systems and Power Electronics |
| 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 | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Fundamentals of Control Engineering: A Premier 12-Week Course
Control Engineering forms the backbone of modern automation, robotics, and complex system design. It is the discipline that ensures everything from aircraft autopilots to industrial manufacturing lines operates with precision, stability, and efficiency. For students and professionals in electrical, electronics, and instrumentation engineering, a solid grasp of control theory is indispensable.
We are excited to highlight a detailed and accessible course designed by leading academics from IIT Madras and IIEST Shibpur. This 12-week program is structured to build a strong foundation in the modeling and control of Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) systems, blending classical and modern approaches.
Learn from Distinguished Instructors
The course is taught by a faculty of renowned experts, bringing together academic excellence and cutting-edge research experience.
Prof. Ramkrishna Pasumarthy (IIT Madras)
- Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras.
- Education: Ph.D. in Systems and Control from the University of Twente, The Netherlands.
- Research: Specializes in network science with applications to power, traffic, and brain networks. Associated with the Robert Bosch Center for Data Science and AI at IIT Madras.
- Industry Link: Co-founder of a startup in medical wearable devices, bringing practical, real-world insights to the classroom.
Dr. Mousumi Mukherjee (IIEST, Shibpur)
- Position: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIEST Shibpur.
- Education: Ph.D. from IIT Bombay, with a postdoctoral tenure at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany.
- Research: Expertise in systems theory, multidimensional systems, and data-driven control using the behavioral framework.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This course is meticulously crafted for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It begins with fundamental concepts and progressively covers advanced design techniques, culminating in a hands-on application module.
ABOUT THE COURSE: The curriculum introduces the fundamentals of modeling and controlling linear time-invariant systems. It emphasizes the classical viewpoint using Laplace transforms and also provides a crucial introduction to state-space formulation. A unique module applies these concepts to filter design for navigation and human gait analysis, allowing students to design a basic inertial navigation system.
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Undergraduate students taking a course on Control Engineering.
PRE-REQUISITES: Knowledge of Network and Circuits and Basic Engineering Mathematics. The NPTEL course on Networks and Systems is recommended.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Highly relevant for any industry involved in Industrial Automation.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Mathematical Modelling of Systems |
| Week 2 | Laplace Transforms, Transfer Functions, Block Diagram Representation |
| Week 3 | Block Diagram Reduction, Time Response Characteristics |
| Week 4 | Introduction to Stability, Routh-Hurwitz Stability Criterion |
| Week 5 | Root Locus Plots, Stability Margins |
| Week 6 | Frequency Response Analysis: Nyquist Criterion, Bode Plots |
| Week 7 | Basics of Control Design: P, PI, PD, and PID Actions |
| Week 8 | Design Using Root Locus |
| Week 9 | Design Using Bode Plots |
| Week 10 | Effects of Zeros, Minimum and Non-Minimum Phase Systems |
| Week 11 | State Space Analysis |
| Week 12 | Design Using State Space |
Important Note: Thanks to support from MathWorks, enrolled students will have access to MATLAB for the duration of the course, enabling practical simulation and design exercises.
Recommended Textbooks and Resources
To complement the video lectures, the instructors recommend the following standard textbooks, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
- Primary Textbook: Control Systems Engineering by Norman S. Nise (Wiley, 6th edition).
- Additional Reference: Modern Control Engineering by Katsuhiko Ogata (Pearson).
- Further Reading:
- Modern Control Systems by Dorf & Bishop.
- Automatic Control Systems by Golnaraghi & Kuo.
- Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers by Åström & Murray (Free PDF available online).
Why Enroll in This Control Engineering Course?
This course offers a rare blend of theoretical depth and practical application, taught by faculty at the forefront of control systems research. The structured progression from Laplace transforms to state-space design, coupled with the opportunity to apply concepts in a navigation project, makes it an invaluable resource. Whether you are a student aiming to ace your university exams, a professional looking to solidify your fundamentals, or an enthusiast curious about how control systems shape our technological world, this course provides the knowledge and tools you need.
Take the first step towards mastering a critical engineering discipline. Enroll today and build the foundation for a future in automation, robotics, aerospace, and beyond.
Enroll Now →