Do you know how many IITs there are in India? If you’re aiming for JEE Advanced, this is something you must know. Every year, lakhs of students compete to secure a seat in one of the Indian Institutes of Technology. These institutes are not just engineering colleges; they are centers of excellence known for top placements, brilliant faculty, and cutting-edge research.
The IITs are spread across different parts of India. Some are more than 70 years old, while others were started just a few years ago. Each IIT has its own campus, special programs, and achievements. If you’re serious about getting into an IIT, it’s important to understand how these institutes are organized and where they are located.
This article will give you a complete overview of all 23 IITs in India, their history, categories, key differences from other colleges, and tips to crack JEE Advanced.
Overview of IITs
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are among the most prestigious technical institutes in India. They are known for high academic standards, excellent faculty, and strong placement records. The Government of India gives them the status of “Institutes of National Importance.” This means they receive full support from the central government to maintain world-class quality in education and research.
The Inception of IITs
The first IIT was established in Kharagpur, West Bengal, in 1951. It started inside the Hijli Detention Camp building, which was earlier used by the British. Later, it moved to a new campus. IIT Kharagpur laid the foundation for all future IITs in India.
Influence of the Sarkar Committee
The Sarkar Committee recommended setting up four high-level technical institutes in different regions of the country. The goal was to train engineers and scientists who could support India’s growth. This vision led to the birth of more IITs in the coming years.
Expansion Phases of IITs
The IIT system grew in different phases. Each phase added new institutes based on the need for more technical education across India.
First Generation IITs (1951–1961)
After Kharagpur, the government set up more IITs in quick succession:
- IIT Bombay was founded in 1958 with help from the Soviet Union.
- IIT Madras started in 1959 with support from West Germany.
- IIT Kanpur was established in 1959 with help from U.S. universities.
- IIT Delhi was started in 1961 with British support.
These five IITs became the backbone of India’s engineering education.
Second Wave (1990s–2000s)
The next IITs came much later.
- IIT Guwahati was set up in 1994 to promote technical education in the Northeast.
- IIT Roorkee was originally the University of Roorkee. It became an IIT in 2001. Roorkee has a rich history and was first established in 1847 as Thomason College of Civil Engineering.
Third Wave (2008–2016)
In 2008, the government launched several new IITs:
- IITs were opened in Ropar, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Patna, and Jodhpur.
- IIT Indore and IIT Mandi followed in 2009.
This expansion aimed to provide more students across India with access to IIT-level education.
Recent Additions (Post-2015)
After 2015, more IITs were added:
- IITs were opened in Palakkad (Kerala), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Dharwad (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, and Jammu.
- Two older institutes, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIT (BHU) Varanasi, were also converted into IITs.
Today, there are 23 IITs offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
How Many IITs Are There in India? (2024)
As of 2025, there are 23 IITs in India. These include the original seven IITs established before 2000 and 16 newer IITs established between 2008 and 2016, with the possibility of more IITs being announced in the future.
Complete List of IITs in India (2024)
Here is a table with all 23 IITs, along with their abbreviations, founding years, and states.
| No. | Name | Abbreviation | Founded | State/UT |
| 1 | IIT Kharagpur | IITKGP | 1951 | West Bengal |
| 2 | IIT Bombay | IITB | 1958 | Maharashtra |
| 3 | IIT Madras | IITM | 1959 | Tamil Nadu |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | IITK | 1959 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 5 | IIT Delhi | IITD | 1961 | Delhi |
| 6 | IIT Guwahati | IITG | 1995 | Assam |
| 7 | IIT Roorkee | IITR | 1847 (Converted as IIT in 2001) | Uttarakhand |
| 8 | IIT Ropar | IITRPR | 2008 | Punjab |
| 9 | IIT Bhubaneswar | IITBBS | 2008 | Odisha |
| 10 | IIT Gandhinagar | IITGN | 2008 | Gujarat |
| 11 | IIT Hyderabad | IITH | 2008 | Telangana |
| 12 | IIT Jodhpur | IITJ | 2008 | Rajasthan |
| 13 | IIT Patna | IITP | 2008 | Bihar |
| 14 | IIT Indore | IITI | 2009 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 15 | IIT Mandi | IITMD | 2009 | Himachal Pradesh |
| 16 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | IITBHU | 1919 (Converted as IIT in 2012) | Uttar Pradesh |
| 17 | IIT Palakkad | IITPKD | 2015 | Kerala |
| 18 | IIT Tirupati | IITT | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 19 | IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | IITISM | 1926 (Converted as IIT in 2016) | Jharkhand |
| 20 | IIT Bhilai | IITBH | 2016 | Chhattisgarh |
| 21 | IIT Dharwad | IITDH | 2016 | Karnataka |
| 22 | IIT Jammu | IITJMU | 2016 | Jammu and Kashmir |
| 23 | IIT Goa | IITGOA | 2016 | Goa |
Categorization of IITs
There are 23 IITs in India as of 2024. While they all follow the same academic structure, each IIT has its own identity, strengths, and legacy. You can group IITs in different ways. The most common ways to categorize them are by age and by geography.
By Age and Legacy
IITs have been established in different phases over the years. Based on their history, we can place them into three major groups:
1) Oldest or First-Generation IITs: These are the original IITs built between 1951 and 1961. They have strong alumni networks, well-developed campuses, and long academic traditions. They include:
- IIT Kharagpur (1951)
- IIT Bombay (1958)
- IIT Madras (1959)
- IIT Kanpur (1959)
- IIT Delhi (1961)
These IITs are often ranked at the top due to their academic history and global recognition.
2) Converted Institutes: Some IITs were originally other colleges and later converted into IITs. These institutes already had strong academic foundations before becoming IITs:
- IIT Roorkee: Started in 1847 as Thomason College of Civil Engineering. It became an IIT in 2001.
- IIT (BHU) Varanasi: Originally Banaras Engineering College (1919). It was upgraded in 2012.
- IIT (ISM) Dhanbad: Established in 1926 as Indian School of Mines. It became an IIT in 2016.
These IITs bring with them decades of academic experience and heritage.
3) New or Third-Generation IITs: These IITs were started after 2008. Most of them are still developing their permanent campuses and infrastructure. They include:
- IIT Ropar, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Patna, Jodhpur (2008)
- IIT Indore, Mandi (2009)
- IIT Palakkad, Tirupati (2015)
- IIT Bhilai, Goa, Jammu, Dharwad (2016)
These IITs are rapidly growing in research, labs, and placements. Some of them are already showing excellent results.
By Geographic Distribution
You can also categorize IITs based on the regions they are located in. This helps students consider location and climate when choosing a campus.
Northern IITs: These campuses are in the northern part of India and offer easy access for students from states like Delhi, UP, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
- IIT Delhi
- IIT Kanpur
- IIT Roorkee
- IIT Jammu
- IIT BHU Varanasi
Southern IITs: These IITs are located in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The southern IITs are known for strong academics and pleasant weather.
- IIT Madras
- IIT Hyderabad
- IIT Tirupati
- IIT Palakkad
Eastern IITs: These are in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand. They serve students from eastern and northeastern India.
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Guwahati
- IIT Bhubaneswar
- IIT ISM Dhanbad
Western IITs: These campuses are in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Rajasthan. They are close to major cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
- IIT Bombay
- IIT Gandhinagar
- IIT Goa
- IIT Jodhpur
How Are IITs Different from NITs and IIITs?
Many students often get confused between IITs, NITs, and IIITs. These are all top government engineering colleges in India. However, they are different in terms of admission, funding, academic level, and recognition. Let’s understand how IITs stand apart from NITs and IIITs.
1) Status and Autonomy
IITs are declared Institutes of National Importance by the Government of India. This means they get special attention, funds, and independence in decision-making. They can design their own curriculum, run unique research programs, and offer more flexibility in academics.
NITs (National Institutes of Technology) and IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology) are also top engineering colleges. NITs enjoy similar autonomy, but the level of research and funding is slightly lower than IITs. IIITs mainly focus on Information Technology and Computer Science. Some IIITs are funded jointly by the government and private industry, while others are fully government-run.
2) Admission Process
The admission process is a major difference.
- IITs admit students through JEE Advanced, which is only open to candidates who clear JEE Main. This two-step process makes IIT admissions highly competitive.
- NITs take students directly through JEE Main ranks. There is no second exam.
- IIITs also admit students through JEE Main. Some IIITs have special admission channels like DASA for foreign students.
As a result, getting into an IIT is tougher than getting into an NIT or IIIT. Only the top-performing students in JEE Advanced can secure seats in IITs.
3) Academic Environment
IITs have a stronger academic reputation due to their experienced faculty, research output, and advanced labs. They offer a wide range of undergraduate (BTech), postgraduate (MTech, MSc, MBA), and doctoral (PhD) programs.
NITs and IIITs also provide quality education, but IITs often have better infrastructure, more elective options, and greater freedom in learning.
For example, many IITs allow students to choose minors, do research projects from the first year, or even change branches based on performance.
4) Research and Innovation
IITs lead in research and innovation. They receive more government grants and international funding. IIT professors publish many research papers, file patents, and work on large national projects.
NITs and IIITs also participate in research, but the scale is smaller. Most IIITs focus more on IT-related innovation, startups, and coding-related fields.
5) Placements and Industry Exposure
IITs usually have the best placement records in India. Many top companies visit IIT campuses, including international firms. The highest packages (domestic and international) are often from IITs.
NITs also have strong placements, especially in core engineering and IT sectors. IIITs perform well in software and tech jobs, especially for coding roles. However, IITs have a broader reach across industries and locations.
6) Global Rankings
IITs often appear in international university rankings such as QS and THE. Their alumni also hold top positions across the globe. This global recognition gives IIT students more opportunities for higher studies and jobs abroad.
JEE Advanced Preparation Tips for IIT Admission
JEE Advanced is one of the toughest exams in India, and it plays a crucial role in your admission to IITs. Scoring well in JEE Advanced requires not just hard work but smart planning and execution. Here are some preparation tips to help you excel in JEE Advanced and increase your chances of getting into the IIT of your choice.
1) Understand the JEE Advanced Exam Pattern
Before diving into your preparation, it’s important to understand the structure of the exam. JEE Advanced consists of two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), both of which are of 3 hours each. The exam includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and questions with numerical answers. The subjects covered are:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
The exam tests your conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization, so focus on learning the underlying concepts.
2) Build a Strong Foundation
Your JEE Advanced preparation starts with building a solid foundation in all three subjects. If you are still in school, make sure you focus on the topics covered in Class 11 and Class 12. Concepts like calculus, electromagnetism, organic chemistry, and coordinate geometry are heavily tested in the exam.
- Physics: Focus on understanding core concepts like mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Physics is about problem-solving, so practice as much as possible.
- Mathematics: Topics like algebra, calculus, and trigonometry are central to JEE Advanced. Understanding the logic behind the formulas is essential for solving complex problems.
- Chemistry: In organic chemistry, focus on mechanisms and reactions. In inorganic chemistry, learn the periodic table trends and their applications. Physical chemistry involves a lot of numericals, so practice solving problems consistently.
3) Create a Realistic Study Schedule
A well-structured study schedule is key to success. Divide your study time based on the difficulty level of the subjects and the time you need to cover each topic. Stick to your timetable and avoid procrastination. Here’s how you can break down your schedule:
- Weekly goals: Set weekly goals for each subject. This will keep you focused and give you a sense of progress.
- Daily sessions: Dedicate specific time blocks for each subject, ensuring that you balance Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Breaks: Ensure that you take regular breaks to refresh your mind. Studies have shown that breaks improve focus and productivity.
Also, try to allocate time for revision and mock tests every week. It will help you keep track of your progress.
4) Focus on Conceptual Clarity
JEE Advanced tests your deep understanding of concepts. Instead of memorizing formulas or shortcuts, try to understand the reasoning behind each concept. This will help you solve complex problems more easily.
- Understanding instead of rote learning: For example, in Physics, instead of memorizing formulas for every situation, understand how and why those formulas work. In Mathematics, focus on how to derive formulas from basic principles.
- NCERT Books: Start with NCERT books to build a strong foundation. These books are useful for understanding fundamental concepts and often form the base for questions in JEE Advanced.
5) Practice Regularly
Practice is the most important part of JEE Advanced preparation. The more you practice, the more familiar you become with the exam pattern and the kind of questions asked.
- Previous Year’s Papers: Solve previous years’ JEE Advanced papers to get a feel for the exam. It will also help you identify the types of questions that are frequently asked.
- Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests every week to test your preparation. These simulate real exam conditions and help you build time management skills. Focus on improving your accuracy and speed.
- Timed Practice: When solving problems, always keep track of time. Learn to solve questions quickly without compromising accuracy. This is crucial in JEE Advanced, where time is limited.
6) Focus on Time Management
Time management plays a huge role in JEE Advanced. The exam is time-bound, so you need to learn how to solve questions quickly and efficiently. Here are some tips:
- Prioritize Topics: Some topics are more important than others. Focus on high-weightage topics like Mechanics in Physics and Organic Chemistry in Chemistry. In Mathematics, topics like Calculus and Algebra are crucial.
- Don’t Spend Too Much Time on One Question: If you find a question difficult, don’t spend too much time on it. Move on to the next question and come back to the difficult ones later.
- Practice Under Exam Conditions: Practice solving problems with a timer. This will help you get used to the time pressure and learn how to allocate time to each question.
7) Revise Regularly
Revision is essential for JEE Advanced preparation. The syllabus is vast, and it’s easy to forget concepts over time. Set aside time for regular revision to keep all topics fresh in your mind.
- Short Notes: Make concise notes for quick revision before the exam. These notes should include key formulas, important concepts, and tricky problems.
- Revision Schedule: Dedicate the last few months before the exam solely to revision. Use this time to review all topics, solve mock tests, and work on weak areas.
Conclusion
IITs are among the most respected engineering institutes in India. They offer top-quality education, strong placements, and great opportunities for research and innovation. As of 2024, there are 23 IITs spread across different states. Some are well-established with a long history, while others are still developing their campuses and facilities.
Knowing the full list of IITs helps you understand your options better. It also gives you a clear goal when preparing for JEE Advanced. Each IIT has its own strengths, and all of them follow high academic standards. If you work hard and stay focused, getting into an IIT is possible.
Make sure you understand the difference between IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Plan your preparation, solve mock tests, and stay updated with the latest exam patterns. With the right effort and strategy, you can achieve your dream of studying at an IIT.
