Every year, thousands of students dream of joining the Indian Institutes of Technology. These institutes offer excellent education and open many doors for a bright future. But one important question many students and their families ask is about the cost. How much does it really cost to study at an IIT? Understanding the fee structure can help you plan better and avoid surprises later. In this article, we will break down the IIT fee structure for 2025.
You will learn about tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, and other costs you need to pay. We will also explain how fees differ for various categories of students. Finally, you will get details on scholarships and financial aid to help reduce your expenses. This guide will make it easier for you to know what to expect and how to manage the fees while studying at an IIT.
What Is The Fees Of IIT?
The total fees for B.Tech programs in IITs vary by institute and student category. The average tuition fee per semester is around ₹1.1 to ₹1.4 lakh, while hostel fees range from ₹12,000 to ₹33,500 per semester, depending on the IIT.
For SC/ST/PwD students, many IITs offer full or partial fee waivers. Their total cost is significantly lower, ranging from around ₹60,000 (IIT Ropar) to ₹3.5 lakh (IIT Gandhinagar) over four years. Fee structures are updated yearly, so candidates should check the official IIT websites for the latest information.
Understanding IIT Fee Structure (2025)
When you decide to join an IIT, understanding the fee structure is very important. The fees include more than just tuition. You also need to pay for your hostel, food, and other services. Each IIT sets its own fee amounts based on government rules and its own costs. This section explains the main fee components you will have to pay in 2025 and why fees can be different for different students and IITs.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee is the main fee you pay for your education at an IIT. This fee covers your classes, laboratory work, use of equipment, and other academic resources. Tuition fees are charged every semester. The amount is fixed by each IIT but follows guidelines from the government.
For students in the General and OBC (Other Backward Classes) categories, the tuition fee is usually higher. These students pay the full tuition fee unless they get a scholarship or waiver. For SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), and PwD (Persons with Disabilities) students, tuition fees are much lower or sometimes fully waived. This policy helps make IIT education more affordable for students from reserved categories.
Hostel and Mess Charges
Most IITs provide hostel accommodation for students. If you live in the hostel, you must pay hostel fees. These fees cover the rent of the room, electricity, water, cleaning, and maintenance of the hostel. Hostel fees are charged every semester.
Mess charges are for the food you eat in the IIT cafeteria or mess. In some IITs, mess charges are separate from hostel fees. In others, they are combined. The mess offers meals three times a day at a reasonable cost. Mess fees may also be paid semester-wise or monthly.
Hostel and mess charges vary across IITs depending on the location and facilities. For example, hostels in cities with higher living costs usually charge more. Some IITs also offer different types of rooms, like single or shared rooms, with varying costs.
Other Charges
Besides tuition and hostel fees, you must pay some other smaller charges. These may include:
- Examination fees: For appearing in semester exams and re-exams if needed.
- Gymkhana fees: This fee supports sports, cultural, and student activities.
- Medical fees: For basic healthcare services provided by the institute.
- Library fees: For access to books, journals, and online resources.
- Student welfare fees: For services like counseling and career guidance.
These fees are usually small compared to tuition and hostel fees but are mandatory.
Differences in Fee Structures Based on Category
IITs follow government policies on fee structures for different categories. The fee amounts differ mainly for General/OBC and SC/ST/PwD students.
- General and OBC students pay full tuition fees. They must also pay hostel and other charges unless they receive scholarships or financial aid.
- SC, ST, and PwD students get significant fee waivers. Many IITs offer complete tuition fee waivers for these categories. In some cases, they may also get waivers on hostel fees.
- Some IITs also provide special support for economically weaker students, even if they do not belong to reserved categories.
These waivers help make education affordable and encourage students from all backgrounds to study at IITs.
Why Fees Vary Across Different IITs
You may notice that fees are not the same at every IIT. This happens for several reasons:
- Location: IITs located in big cities or places with higher costs of living usually charge more for hostel and mess fees.
- Age and facilities: Older IITs like IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi have more developed campuses with more facilities. This can increase costs. Newer IITs may charge less to attract students.
- Hostel and mess quality: Some IITs offer better hostel rooms and food facilities, leading to higher fees.
- Government funding and policies: Some IITs get different funding or have different policies which affect fees.
- Course differences: Some IITs may offer special programs that have slightly different fee structures.
Because of these factors, fees can range widely, from as low as Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh or more for the entire B.Tech course for General and OBC students.
Fee Payment Schedule and Refunds
IIT fees are generally paid semester-wise. You will need to pay tuition, hostel, and other fees before the start of each semester. Many IITs allow students to pay fees online through their official portals.
If a student withdraws or leaves the course early, some IITs have rules about fee refunds. Usually, partial fees are refunded if you leave early, but this depends on the timing and IIT rules.
Detailed IIT-wise Fee Breakdown (2025)
Below is a detailed list of fees for B.Tech courses at various IITs. The fees mentioned are per semester, except the total fee which is for the entire course duration (usually 8 semesters or 4 years). Hostel fees are also shown per semester.
| College Name | B.Tech course fee/Semester | Hostel fee/Semester | Total Fee for OBC and General candidates (in Rs) | Total Fee for SC/ST/PwD candidates (in Rs) |
| IIT Bombay | Rs 1,19,750 | Rs 13,000 | Rs 9,50,000 | Rs 1,36,000 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | Rs 1,43,000 | Rs 19,300 | Rs 10,00,000 | Rs 2,17,100 |
| IIT Bhilai | Rs 1,08,000 | Rs 33,500 | Rs 8,00,000 | Rs 3,43,000 |
| IIT Dharwad | Rs 1,22,876 | Rs 13,000 | Rs 9,70,000 | Rs 1.83,512 |
| IIT Dhanbad (ISM) | Rs 1,00,000 | NA | Rs 8,00,000 | Rs 2,24,100 |
| IIT Delhi | Rs 1,07,800 | NA | Rs 8,50,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
| IIT Guwahati | Rs 1,11,750 | Rs 18,120 | Rs 8,50,000 | Rs 2,38,960 |
| IIT Goa | Rs 1,22,876 | Rs 13,000 | Rs 9,00,000 | Rs 2,87,008 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Rs 1,28,500 | Rs 15,500 | Rs 10,00,000 | Rs 3,52,000 |
| IIT Indore | Rs 1,28,650 | NA | Rs 10,00,000 | Rs 2,29,200 |
| IIT Hyderabad | Rs 1,19,000 | Rs 28,000 | Rs 9,00,000 | Rs 2,99,000 |
| IIT Jodhpur | Rs 1,18,275 | NA | Rs 9,50,000 | Rs 1,52,000 |
| IIT Jammu | Rs 1,15,300 | NA | Rs 9,50,000 | Rs 66,400 |
| IIT Kharagpur | Rs 1,48,700 | Rs 25,100 | Rs 10,00,000 | Rs 2,16,165 |
| IIT Kanpur | Rs 1,12,142 | Rs 12,175 | Rs 8,50,000 | Rs 1,84,536 |
| IIT Mandi | Rs 1,20,350 | Rs 12,000 | Rs 8,50,000 | Rs 61,500 |
| IIT Madras | Rs 1,12,663 | Rs 23,750 | Rs 8,00,000 | Rs 3,00,000 |
| IIT Patna | Rs 1,13,300 | Rs 14,500 | Rs 8,20,000 | Rs 3,29,600 |
| IIT Palakkad | Rs 1,12,600 | Rs 23,150 | Rs 9,10,800 | Rs 2,67,950 |
| IIT Ropar | Rs 1,13,650 | NA | Rs 4,44,700 | Rs 60,376 |
| IIT Roorkee | Rs 1,18,480 | Rs 16,000 | Rs 5,07,040 | Rs 1,60,000 |
| IIT Varanasi | Rs 1,20,700 | Rs 12,000 | Rs 8,62,350 | Rs 1,83,600 |
| IIT Tirupati | Rs 1,12,700 | Rs 27,750 | Rs 8,71,760 | Rs 71,760 |
Scholarships & Financial Aid for IIT Students
Pursuing a degree at an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a dream for many students. However, the financial aspect can be a concern. To ease this, IITs offer various scholarships and financial aid programs to support students from diverse backgrounds. In this section, we’ll explore the available options in 2025.
1) Government Scholarships
- Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship: The MCM scholarship is designed to assist students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. Typically, students with a parental annual income below ₹4.5 lakh are eligible. This scholarship often covers a portion of the tuition fees and may provide a monthly allowance. It’s important to note that the exact benefits can vary by IIT and are subject to the institution’s policies.
- SC/ST Scholarships: Students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories often receive significant financial support. Many IITs offer full tuition fee waivers for these students. Additionally, they may receive allowances for mess charges and pocket expenses. The eligibility criteria usually include a parental annual income below ₹4.5 lakh, and students must maintain a minimum academic performance to continue receiving the scholarship.
- EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Scholarships: The EWS category targets students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who do not fall under the SC/ST categories. These students may receive partial fee waivers, typically covering two-thirds of the tuition fees. The exact benefits can vary, and students are required to provide valid EWS certificates to avail of these scholarships.
2) IIT-Specific Financial Aid
- Free Studentship: Some IITs offer free studentships to students who demonstrate financial need. This assistance often includes complete tuition fee waivers. Eligibility criteria and the application process can differ between institutions, so it’s advisable to check with the respective IIT for detailed information.
- Institute Merit Scholarships: Apart from the MCM scholarships, many IITs have their own merit-based scholarships. These are awarded to students who excel academically, regardless of their financial background. The benefits can include full or partial tuition fee waivers and, in some cases, monthly stipends. The number of scholarships and the criteria for selection vary by institution.
3) External Scholarships
Several organizations and foundations offer scholarships to IIT students:
- Foundation for Excellence (FFE): This non-profit organization provides scholarships to academically talented students from low-income families pursuing engineering and medical degrees. The selection process is rigorous, focusing on both academic performance and financial need.
- Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation: In collaboration with IITs, this foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in data science and artificial intelligence. The scholarships are merit-based and aim to support students in emerging technological fields.
- Kia Motors and IIT Tirupati: Kia Motors has committed ₹35 crore over five years to support academic infrastructure, research programs, and student development initiatives at IIT Tirupati. This includes scholarships for M.Tech students based on merit and financial need.
Conclusion
Understanding the IIT fee structure is very important before joining any IIT. The fees include tuition, hostel and mess charges, and other small fees for exams and services. These fees vary from one IIT to another and depend on the facilities, location, and government policies. General and OBC students pay higher fees, while SC, ST, and PwD students often get fee waivers or reductions. This helps students from all backgrounds afford education at IITs.
Many students can also get scholarships and financial aid. The government offers schemes like the Merit-cum-Means scholarship and category-based waivers. IITs also provide their own scholarships and free studentships for needy and deserving students. Several external organizations and companies give scholarships too. These financial supports help reduce the burden and let students focus on their studies.
Knowing the fees and scholarship options early will help you plan your studies better. It also helps you prepare financially and apply for aid on time. Overall, IIT education is an investment, but with the right information and support, it can be affordable for many students. If you work hard and plan well, you can manage the costs and enjoy a great learning experience at an IIT.
FAQs on IIT Fees (2025)
Q1: Which IIT has the lowest fees?
IIT Ropar and IIT Roorkee generally have the lowest total fees compared to other IITs. The fees may change slightly every year due to updates in tuition, hostel, and other charges. It is best to check the latest official fee structure for accurate information.
Q2: Are hostel fees compulsory at all IITs?
Most IITs require students to stay in hostels, making hostel fees compulsory. However, some IITs allow day scholars or do not provide hostel facilities, so fees can differ. Students should check the specific rules of their IIT to understand the hostel fee requirements and options.
Q3: Can SC/ST students get a full fee waiver?
Yes, many IITs offer full or partial tuition fee waivers to SC/ST students. This support is based on government policies and IIT rules. Fee waivers help reduce the financial burden for these students and encourage more to pursue education at IITs.
Q4: How much does an IIT degree cost in total for 4 years?
For General and OBC students, the total cost for a 4-year IIT degree ranges from about Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. SC/ST and PwD students usually pay much less because of tuition fee waivers and other financial support offered by the institutes.
Q5: Are there part-time jobs available for IIT students to manage expenses?
Yes, many IITs offer part-time jobs on campus. These jobs help students earn money to manage daily expenses. Some IITs also provide free studentship schemes where students get fee waivers in exchange for working part-time within the institute.
