IITM BS Merchandise, Hoodies and Welcome Kit: What Is Official

The official IITM BS merchandise store is PODgoodies, at podgoodies.iitmadrasonline.in. The Data Science and Electronic Systems websites link to it from their "Merchandise" menu item, and the store calls itself a registered project under the IIT Madras Online Degree Program. When we checked on 25 September 2026, it listed only two items: a hoodie at Rs 570 (sold out) and a tote bag at Rs 150. None of the official pages we read mention a free welcome kit or free hoodie for new students.

What the store listed on 25 September 2026

The store also has a T-shirts section, which was empty that day. Items and prices can change, so treat this table as a snapshot. Check the store itself before you plan a gift or an order.

How to tell the official store from others

• Start from the programme site. Open study.iitm.ac.in/ds or study.iitm.ac.in/es and use the "Merchandise" link. It goes to podgoodies.iitmadrasonline.in.
• Check the footer. The official store says it is a registered project under the IIT Madras Online Degree Program and shows "© IIT Madras".
• Use the official support address. Store queries go to merchandise@onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab).

Other sellers online may print "IIT Madras" on clothes. We cannot say whether any of them are allowed to, so if you want something official, buy from the linked store. Never share your student login with a seller. See online safety for IITM BS students.

Shipping and returns

• A banner on the store says all orders take up to 3 weeks to be shipped, and pre-orders ship in 30 days.
• The return policy page says T-shirts and hoodies can be returned for print colour defects, manufacturing defects and damage in transit.
• Used T-shirts and hoodies cannot be returned.
• The policy gives a 7-day window from the date of purchase. The refund is processed only after the store receives the item and checks the reason.

The store does not publish shipping charges or delivery times for addresses outside India on the pages we read. Its country menu lists many countries, all priced in rupees. Email the store before ordering from abroad.

Is there a welcome kit for new students?

Not that we could find. The DS FAQ, the academics pages and the handbook do not describe any physical kit for students who join. What they do describe is digital:

• an official IIT Madras student email ID and a roll number, once your registration documents are approved,
• an ID card in electronic format, "subject to conditions on use of ID card", as the FAQ puts it.

If someone tells you a free hoodie or kit comes with admission, ask where IIT Madras says so.

What comes when you graduate

The only physical item in the handbook is the alumni card. Students who exit with a BSc or BS pay Rs 6,000 plus GST for it, which the handbook also gives as a one-time Rs 7,080 to the IIT Madras Alumni Association. The card is processed along with your original certificates. It is posted to you or handed over, depending on the delivery choice in your exit form.

Some graduates share videos of what arrived with their card. The handbook does not list any other items, so do not count on a particular kit. Details are in the alumni card fee explained and IITM BS alumni status.

Fest and house events

The BS programme has its own fest, Paradox, and student houses and societies. The official pages we read do not describe any merchandise sold through them. If a house or club sells T-shirts, check with its official student body before you pay. Read more about the Paradox fest.

Common questions

Do all IITM BS students get a free hoodie?

We found no official page that says so. The hoodie on the official store is sold at Rs 570, and it was sold out on 25 September 2026.

When will the hoodie be back in stock?

The store does not say. It lists sizes M and XL for the current hoodie. Write to merchandise@onlinedegree.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab) and ask about restocks or other sizes.

Is PODgoodies really run by the programme?

The DS and ES websites link to it as their merchandise store, and the store says it is a registered project under the IIT Madras Online Degree Program. That is as close to official as the pages get.

Can I return a hoodie that does not fit?

The return policy lists only print colour defects, manufacturing defects and transit damage. It does not mention size exchanges, so check the size chart on the store before you order.