The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are India’s premier public engineering and technology institutions. The IIT system was created after India’s independence to build world-class technical manpower for national development.
Origins of IITs
- 1946, a committee led by Sir Nalini Ranjan Sarkar recommended creating higher technical institutes modeled after institutions like MIT in the United States.
- The first IIT was established at Kharagpur in 1951, on the site of the former Hijli Detention Camp used during British rule.
- Over time, more IITs were established with international collaboration:
- IIT Bombay — with Soviet Union assistance
- IIT Madras — with West Germany
- IIT Kanpur — with a consortium of US universities
- IIT Delhi — with UK collaboration
Complete List of IITs in India (2026 Reference)
| IIT | Established | State | Latest NIRF Rank* | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Madras | 1959 | Tamil Nadu | 1 | India’s top-ranked IIT known for research, AI, startups, and innovation ecosystem. |
| IIT Delhi | 1961 | Delhi | 2 | Strong in engineering, management, entrepreneurship, and tech startups. |
| IIT Bombay | 1958 | Maharashtra | 3 | Famous for computer science, entrepreneurship, and global alumni network. |
| IIT Kanpur | 1959 | Uttar Pradesh | 4 | Renowned for research, aerospace, computer science, and academic rigor. |
| IIT Kharagpur | 1951 | West Bengal | 5 | First IIT in India with the country’s largest IIT campus. |
| IIT Roorkee | 1847 (IIT in 2001) | Uttarakhand | 6 | Oldest engineering institution in India; excellent in civil engineering. |
| IIT Hyderabad | 2008 | Telangana | 7 | Fast-rising IIT known for AI, robotics, and advanced research. |
| IIT Guwahati | 1994 | Assam | 8 | Leading institute in Northeast India with strong design and research programs. |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 1919 (IIT in 2012) | Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Formerly IT-BHU; blends traditional legacy with modern IIT system. |
| IIT Indore | 2009 | Madhya Pradesh | 12 | Strong focus on interdisciplinary science and engineering research. |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 1926 (IIT in 2016) | Jharkhand | 15 | India’s premier mining and earth sciences institution. |
| IIT Patna | 2008 | Bihar | 19 | Emerging IIT with strengths in AI, electronics, and computer science. |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 2008 | Gujarat | 25 | Known for liberal academic structure and student-focused curriculum. |
| IIT Mandi | 2009 | Himachal Pradesh | 26 | Scenic Himalayan campus with growing tech and research ecosystem. |
| IIT Jodhpur | 2008 | Rajasthan | 27 | Focused on AI, digital technologies, and smart infrastructure. |
| IIT Ropar | 2008 | Punjab | 31 | Rapidly improving IIT with strong engineering and research programs. |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 2008 | Odisha | 39 | Known for climate science, metallurgy, and coastal engineering studies. |
| IIT Jammu | 2016 | Jammu & Kashmir | 56 | One of the newest IITs with expanding infrastructure and research. |
| IIT Tirupati | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh | 57 | Growing institute emphasizing sustainable technology and innovation. |
| IIT Palakkad | 2015 | Kerala | 64 | Emerging IIT with strong industry-academic collaboration. |
| IIT Bhilai | 2016 | Chhattisgarh | 72 | Developing institute focusing on modern engineering disciplines. |
| IIT Dharwad | 2016 | Karnataka | 77 | Young IIT building strengths in research and entrepreneurship. |
| IIT Goa | 2016 | Goa | Not in Top 100 | Small but rapidly growing IIT with personalized academic environment. |
Interesting Facts About IITs
- IIT graduates are often called “IITians.”
- The acceptance rate in JEE Advanced is among the lowest in the world.
- IIT Bombay’s annual tech festival Techfest is Asia’s largest science and technology festival.
- IIT Kharagpur has the largest campus among IITs.
- IIT Madras has India’s leading deep-tech startup ecosystem.
- IIT Kanpur helped pioneer computer science education in India.
What Makes IITs Special?
1. Highly Competitive Admissions
Admission into IITs requires clearing:
- JEE Main
- JEE Advanced
Only a small percentage of students qualify, making IIT admissions extremely competitive.
2. Excellent Placements
Top IITs receive recruitment offers from:
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Amazon
- Goldman Sachs
- McKinsey
- Tata
- Reliance
Many students also secure international placements with very high salary packages.
3. Strong Alumni Network
IIT alumni hold leadership positions globally. Famous IIT graduates include:
- Sundar Pichai (Google CEO)
- Arvind Krishna (IBM CEO)
- Narayana Murthy (Infosys Founder)
- Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor)
4. Research & Innovation
IITs are major centers for:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Semiconductor Technology
- Quantum Computing
- Aerospace Engineering
- Sustainable Energy
5. Startup Ecosystem
Several successful startups were founded by IIT graduates, including:
- Flipkart
- Ola
- Zomato
- Swiggy
- Ather Energy
Old IITs vs New IITs
Old IITs
These include:
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Madras
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Roorkee
Advantages:
- Better global reputation
- Strong alumni network
- Higher placements
- Larger campuses
- More experienced faculty
New IITs
These include:
- IIT Hyderabad
- IIT Gandhinagar
- IIT Jodhpur
- IIT Tirupati
- IIT Goa
- IIT Jammu
Advantages:
- Modern infrastructure
- Flexible curriculum
- Smaller batch sizes
- Rapid growth opportunities
Best IITs for Different Fields
Best IIT for Computer Science
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Madras
- IIT Kanpur
Best IIT for Mechanical Engineering
- IIT Madras
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Kharagpur
Best IIT for Civil Engineering
- IIT Roorkee
- IIT Kharagpur
Best IIT for Research
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Madras
- IIT Bombay
Best Emerging IIT
- IIT Hyderabad
IIT Admission Process
Step 1: JEE Main
Students first appear for JEE Main conducted by NTA.
Step 2: JEE Advanced
Top-performing students qualify for JEE Advanced.
Step 3: JoSAA Counselling
Qualified students participate in JoSAA counselling for seat allocation across IITs.
Campus Life at IITs
IITs are not just about academics. Students participate in:
- Technical festivals
- Cultural festivals
- Sports competitions
- Startup incubators
- Research projects
Popular IIT festivals include:
- Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay)
- Shaastra (IIT Madras)
- Antaragni (IIT Kanpur)
- Spring Fest (IIT Kharagpur)
Placement highlights — 2024
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Package | ₹4.3 Crore (Jane Street — B.Tech) |
| Average Package | ₹22 LPA |
| Median Package | ₹19.6 LPA |
| Students Placed | 1,091 (Phase I + II) |
| Companies Visited | 480+ |
| Companies Made Offers | 256 |
| International Offers | 44 |
| PPOs Offered | 300 |
| PPOs Accepted | 235 |
| B.Tech / Dual Degree Placed | 80%+ |
| Master’s Students Placed | 75%+ |
| Core Engineering Roles | 40% of placed students |
| Software Roles | 20% of placed students |
| CSE Avg Package (B.Tech) | ₹52.32 LPA |
| CSE Median Package (B.Tech) | ₹37.50 LPA |
| Dual Degree CSE Avg | ₹84 LPA |
| M.Tech Highest Package | ₹54.21 LPA |
| MBA Highest Package | ₹29.65 LPA |
| MBA Average Package | ₹16.93 LPA |
| MBA Placement Rate | 100% |
Placement highlights — 2024
| # | Company | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tech & IT | |
| 2 | Microsoft | Tech & IT |
| 3 | Amazon | Tech & E-commerce |
| 4 | Apple | Tech & IT |
| 5 | Adobe | Tech & IT |
| 6 | Intel | Semiconductors |
| 7 | NVIDIA | Semiconductors |
| 8 | Qualcomm | Semiconductors |
| 9 | Texas Instruments | Semiconductors |
| 10 | Flipkart | E-commerce |
| 11 | Infosys | IT Services |
| 12 | TCS | IT Services |
| 13 | Cisco | Networking |
| 14 | Citrix | Tech & IT |
| 15 | Jane Street | Finance & Trading |
| 16 | BlackRock | Finance & Investment |
| 17 | Goldman Sachs | Finance & Banking |
| 18 | Capital One | Finance & Banking |
| 19 | American Express | Finance & Banking |
| 20 | McKinsey & Company | Consulting |
| 21 | BCG | Consulting |
| 22 | Bain & Company | Consulting |
| 23 | Deloitte | Consulting |
| 24 | EY India | Consulting |
| 25 | Accenture | Consulting |
| 26 | Bajaj Auto | Automobile |
| 27 | Reliance | Conglomerate |
| 28 | P&G | FMCG |
| 29 | SAP Labs | Enterprise Software |
| 30 | Morgan Stanley | Investment Banking |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many IITs are there in India in 2026?
There are currently 23 IITs in India.
Which is the No. 1 IIT in India?
According to the latest NIRF rankings, IIT Madras is ranked No. 1.
Which IIT is best for Computer Science?
IIT Bombay is widely considered the best for Computer Science Engineering.
What is the oldest IIT in India?
IIT Kharagpur is the first IIT established in India in 1951.
Which IIT has the best placements?
IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras consistently record the best placements.
Are new IITs good?
Yes. Several new IITs such as IIT Hyderabad and IIT Gandhinagar are rapidly gaining reputation and offering excellent opportunities.
What is the hardest exam for IIT admission?
JEE Advanced is considered one of the toughest engineering entrance exams in the world.
Which IIT has the largest campus?
IIT Kharagpur has the largest campus among all IITs.
Is IIT better than NIT?
Generally, IITs are considered superior in terms of placements, faculty, research, and global recognition, though top NITs are also excellent institutions.
Can international students study in IITs?
Yes. International students can apply through specific admission channels offered by IITs.
Conclusion
The IIT system represents the pinnacle of engineering education in India. From historic institutions like IIT Kharagpur and IIT Bombay to fast-growing modern campuses like IIT Hyderabad and IIT Gandhinagar, each IIT offers unique opportunities for students.
Choosing the right IIT depends on:
- Your branch preference
- Career goals
- Placement priorities
- Campus environment
- Research interests
Whether you aim for top placements, research excellence, startup culture, or academic prestige, IITs continue to provide some of the best opportunities in India and the world.
