Jigisha Tailor and her son, Aditya Kapadia, received degrees together from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras online Data Science programme in June 2026 [1].
The achievement highlights the growing accessibility of high-level technical education through online platforms, allowing non-traditional students to pivot careers alongside younger generations.
Tailor, 45, and Kapadia, 21, completed the rigorous curriculum as a duo [2]. Their shared academic journey began after Tailor made a significant professional transition. She had spent 16 years teaching electronics before leaving her career in 2019 [3].
Tailor said she stepped away from her teaching role to focus on her family and pursue further education [3]. This decision eventually led both mother and son to enroll in the same Data Science programme at IIT Madras [1].
The pair navigated the online coursework together, culminating in a joint convocation. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is based in Chennai, India, and provides the online degree to expand reach beyond its physical campus [1].
While some reports mentioned different institutions, verified records confirm the duo graduated from the IIT Madras programme [1, 2]. The story gained traction on social media after photos of the pair in their graduation robes were shared online.
“Mother and son receive IIT Madras degrees together”
This event reflects a broader trend in global education where online degrees from prestigious institutions remove age and geographic barriers. By enabling a 45-year-old former teacher to enter the data science field simultaneously with her 21-year-old son, the programme demonstrates how lifelong learning is becoming a practical reality rather than a theoretical goal.
