IIT-PAL: The online resource for Class XI and XII science students

In order to equip Class 11 and Class 12 students with better conceptual clarity about science-based subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) recently launched an interactive website called IIT-PAL.  As the name suggests, the IIT-Professor Assisted Learning website will comprise of video lectures for Class 11 and 12 students. These are created by IIT professors/ subject experts with the goal of assisting students in understanding science subjects and self-preparation for competitive exams such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET-UG and IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). 

How does IIT-PAL website work? 

Interested students need to create an account and register themselves to access the free-of-cost video lectures available on IIT-PAL’s official website. Telecast on the Ministry of Education’s Swayam Prabha channels online, these lectures, structured according to the NCERT syllabus can also be accessed via Doordarshan’s DTH channel 22. Post registration, students can click on class-wise topics and watch the already uploaded videos available on the official website regarding different subjects. They can also visit the Swayam Prabha channel website to check the scheduled lecture of their choice. 

Who handles the IIT-PAL infrastructure? 

Managed by a team of IIT professors across the country including those at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagapur, IIT Patna, IIT Ropar and IIT Dharwad and IIT Delhi (the coordinating institute), the IIT-PAL initiative has a two-pronged approach for students. It aims to help Class 11 and 12 students develop a better understanding of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths and also assists self-studying students especially those in remote areas with lesser access to good science teachers.  

What are the benefits and features of the IIT-PAL initiative? 

The IIT-PAL website is being touted as a single platform where students across India can access video lectures that are telecast on the Education Ministry's Swayam Prabha channels. The three major benefits of this scheme for the students are listed as under: 

Helps students in remote locations: This website will be beneficial to students, particularly those from areas where they may not have access to science specialists or coaching opportunities. 

Solves doubts through question-answer: As part of the IIT-PAL programme, students who have registered can submit topic-specific doubts, questions, and problems in both English and Hindi. IIT PAL's professors and specialists will work together to find answers to these questions. All registered students will be able to view the answers to selected questions on the website. 

Allows live interaction with professors on specific topics: Students who have registered may also request for a live interaction on a certain topic. Once there are enough requests, the website will post a schedule of these live interaction sessions for specific registered students via an online video platform.