Are you planning to join an IIT after Class 12? Do you wonder how many IITs are there in India and which one is best for you? This guide is just for you. Getting into an IIT is a dream for many students because of the high-quality education, top placements, and excellent faculty. But before you start preparing, it’s important to know the full list of IITs in India, their locations, and what makes each one unique.
As of 2025, India has 23 IITs. These institutes are spread across different states and offer a wide range of courses in engineering, science, and technology. Some IITs are very old and well-known, while others are new and growing fast. In this article, you will get complete details about all the IITs, their admission process, and which one could be the right fit for you. Let’s get started.
How Many IITs Are There in India (2025)?
As of 2025, there are 23 IITs in India. These institutes are spread across different states and union territories. The first IIT was established in 1951. The newest ones started after 2015.
Each IIT is funded by the government and has its own campus, faculty, and courses. The total number has grown steadily over the years to ensure students in more parts of the country get access to high-quality engineering education.
List of All IITs in India (2025) – Complete Details
Here is a table with complete details about all the IITs in India as of 2025:
| 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 | 1994 | Assam |
| 7 | IIT Roorkee | IITR | 1847(Converted as IIT 2002) | 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 | IITMandi | 2009 | Himachal Pradesh |
| 16 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | IIT BHU | 1919 (Converted as IIT 2012) | Uttar Pradesh |
| 17 | IIT Palakkad | IITPKD | 2015 | Kerala |
| 18 | IIT Tirupati | IITTP | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 19 | IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | IIT(ISM) | 1926 (Converted as IIT 2016) | Jharkhand |
| 20 | IIT Bhilai | IITBHILAI | 2016 | Chhattisgarh |
| 21 | IIT Dharwad | IITDH | 2016 | Karnataka |
| 22 | IIT Jammu | IITJMU | 2016 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 23 | IIT Goa | IITGOA | 2016 | Goa |
Old IITs vs. New IITs
There are 23 IITs in India as of 2025. Some IITs are very old, while others were set up recently. Understanding the difference between the oldest and the newest IITs can help you choose the right one for your goals.
First-Generation IITs (1951–1961)
The first IIT was IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951. It was followed by:
- IIT Bombay in 1958
- IIT Madras in 1959
- IIT Kanpur in 1959
- IIT Delhi in 1961
These IITs are called first-generation or old IITs. They have large campuses, experienced faculty, and strong academic systems. They also have excellent research labs and offer many student clubs and activities.
Old IITs have been around for decades. They have strong industry connections and high placement records. Many top companies visit these IITs during placement season. The alumni networks of these IITs are also large and active. Old IITs are well-known internationally. They appear in global university rankings and attract foreign students and researchers. They have MoUs with top international universities for research and exchange programs.
Second-Generation IITs (1994–2002)
After a gap of many years, the government established IIT Guwahati in 1994. Later, University of Roorkee was converted into IIT Roorkee in 2002. These two IITs are called second-generation IITs. They are newer than the first group but older than the rest. Both institutes have developed strong academic systems. They offer excellent courses and research programs. IIT Guwahati has a beautiful campus and a focus on design and engineering. IIT Roorkee has a rich history as it was first set up in 1847. It is the oldest engineering college in Asia.
Third-Generation IITs (2008–2016)
The government decided to set up more IITs in different parts of the country from 2008 onwards. These include:
- IIT Ropar
- IIT Bhubaneswar
- IIT Gandhinagar
- IIT Hyderabad
- IIT Jodhpur
- IIT Patna
- IIT Indore
- IIT Mandi
- IIT (BHU) Varanasi (converted in 2012)
- IIT (ISM) Dhanbad (converted in 2016)
These are called third-generation IITs. Most of them are still developing their infrastructure. However, many of them already have good faculty, updated labs, and modern classrooms. These IITs are growing fast and gaining attention in research and innovation.
For example, IIT Hyderabad is known for its work in artificial intelligence and materials science. IIT Gandhinagar focuses on interdisciplinary learning and flexible academic structure.
Latest IITs (Post-2016)
The newest IITs were established between 2015 and 2016:
- IIT Palakkad
- IIT Tirupati
- IIT Bhilai
- IIT Dharwad
- IIT Jammu
- IIT Goa
These IITs are still building their permanent campuses. They usually have fewer students and smaller faculty strength. However, they are supported by mentor IITs, which guide them in academics and administration. For example, IIT Madras mentors IIT Palakkad.
Though new, these IITs are bringing in good faculty and starting modern research programs. Students in these IITs get a chance to grow with the institute and take part in shaping its future.
IIT Admission Process
Getting into an IIT is the dream of many students in India. The admission process for undergraduate programs mainly involves clearing entrance exams and going through counseling. It is a competitive process, but with proper preparation and planning, many students succeed every year.
Step 1: Appear for JEE Main
The first step is to appear for JEE Main, which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). JEE Main is the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced. Students must study Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class 11 and 12 to be eligible.
JEE Main is held twice a year, usually in January and April. Students can take the better of the two scores. To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you must be among the top 2.5 lakh rank holders (across all categories) in JEE Main.
Step 2: Qualify JEE Advanced
After clearing JEE Main, you must appear for JEE Advanced, which is conducted by one of the IITs on a rotation basis. This is the exam used to select students for admission into IITs.
JEE Advanced tests your understanding of concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It includes multiple-choice questions, numerical answer-type questions, and matching-type questions. It is considered one of the toughest exams in India.
Only those who clear the JEE Advanced cutoff are eligible for admission into IITs. The cutoff varies every year and depends on the number of candidates, difficulty level, and available seats.
Step 3: Participate in JoSAA Counseling
Once you clear JEE Advanced, you must register for JoSAA Counseling (Joint Seat Allocation Authority). JoSAA manages seat allocation for all IITs, NITs, IIITs, and some GFTIs.
In the JoSAA portal, you must fill in your preferred IITs and branches. You can choose programs like B.Tech, B.S., or Dual Degree (B.Tech + M.Tech). Based on your JEE Advanced rank, category, and choices, JoSAA will allocate a seat. You can either accept the seat or wait for further rounds. There are usually 6 rounds of counseling. After accepting a seat, you must pay the seat acceptance fee and report for document verification.
Reservation Policies
The IIT admission process follows reservation policies set by the Government of India:
- 15% seats are reserved for SC candidates.
- 7.5% seats are for ST candidates.
- 27% seats are for OBC-NCL candidates.
- 10% seats are for EWS (Economically Weaker Section).
- 5% seats in each category are reserved for PwD (Persons with Disabilities).
These reservations apply during seat allocation and also affect the cutoff ranks for each group.
Class 12 Eligibility
To get admission into IITs, students must also meet Class 12 eligibility. You must pass Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. In addition, you must score at least 75% marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or be in the top 20 percentile of your board.
Final Admission
After all rounds of JoSAA counseling are complete, students must report to the allotted IIT. You will confirm admission by submitting original documents, paying fees, and joining the orientation program.
With hard work, planning, and focus, you can successfully go through each step and get into your dream IIT.
IIT Alumni Network and Global Impact
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have long been recognized as breeding grounds for some of the most influential minds in technology, business, politics, and more. Over the years, the IITs have produced an impressive array of alumni who have gone on to achieve remarkable success in their respective fields. Below are some of the notable IIT alumni, showcasing the diverse paths that IIT graduates have taken, and how their education has shaped their careers.
1) Sundar Pichai
Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. He studied Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. After graduating from IIT, he went to the United States and earned a Master’s degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School. Pichai joined Google in 2004 and worked on many important products like Google Chrome and Android. His leadership and technical skills helped him rise to the top of one of the world’s biggest tech companies. Pichai is one of the most inspiring IIT alumni in the world today.
2) Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi. He studied Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. He first became known for his role in the anti-corruption movement in India. Later, he founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and entered politics. Under his leadership, AAP changed the way Delhi is governed. Kejriwal’s career shows how an IIT degree can also lead to a strong role in public service and social change.
3) Vinod Khosla
Vinod Khosla is a co-founder of Sun Microsystems and a famous venture capitalist. He studied Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi. He later earned a Master’s degree from Stanford University. After co-founding Sun Microsystems, Khosla became a successful investor. His firm, Khosla Ventures, has backed many major tech companies, including Google and Amazon. He is known for supporting innovation and new ideas in technology.
4) N. R. Narayana Murthy
Narayana Murthy is the co-founder of Infosys, one of India’s largest IT companies. He studied Electrical Engineering at IIT Kanpur. Murthy started Infosys in 1981 with the goal of building a global IT business from India. His leadership helped Infosys grow into a company that employs thousands of people around the world. He is respected for his values, vision, and focus on ethical business practices.
5) Raghuram Rajan
Raghuram Rajan is a well-known economist and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He studied Electrical Engineering at IIT Delhi. He then went on to earn an MBA and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago. During his time at RBI, Rajan was praised for bringing stability to India’s economy. He now teaches at the University of Chicago and continues to contribute to global economic discussions.
6) Sachin Bansal
Sachin Bansal is the co-founder of Flipkart, one of India’s biggest e-commerce companies. He studied Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi. Flipkart started in 2007 and quickly became a top online shopping platform. In 2018, it was bought by Walmart for $16 billion. Bansal’s journey is an example of how IIT graduates can create huge businesses through innovation and hard work.
7) Bhavish Aggarwal
Bhavish Aggarwal is the co-founder of Ola Cabs. He studied Computer Science at IIT Bombay. Ola started in 2010 and became a major ride-hailing company in India. It also entered the electric vehicle space. Aggarwal’s success shows how IITians are creating businesses that solve real-life problems and change the way people live and travel.
8) Nitesh Tiwari
Nitesh Tiwari is a famous film director and screenwriter. He studied Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Bombay. Even though he trained as an engineer, he chose a career in films. He directed the movie Dangal, one of India’s highest-grossing films. His journey shows that an IIT education gives you the confidence and skills to succeed in many different careers—not just engineering.
9) Harish Hande
Harish Hande is the co-founder of SELCO India, a company that provides solar energy to rural areas. He studied Energy Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Hande used his technical knowledge to help people who didn’t have electricity. His company has brought light to thousands of homes in rural India. He has won many awards for his work in clean energy and social development.
Conclusion
Now you know that there are 23 IITs in India as of 2025. Each IIT has its own features, strengths, and goals. Some are old and famous, while others are new and growing. No matter which IIT you choose, all of them offer high-quality education, strong faculty, and good placement support.
If you want to study in an IIT, you must first prepare for JEE Main and then qualify for JEE Advanced. With hard work and the right strategy, you can secure a seat in one of these top institutes. Use your time well, focus on your subjects, and stay updated about the admission process.
Choosing the right IIT and the right course depends on your interest, rank, and career goals. So, start preparing early and keep your goal clear. Studying in an IIT can open many doors for your future. Stay focused and keep learning.
FAQs About IITs in India
1) Which is the No. 1 IIT in India?
IIT Madras has consistently held the No. 1 position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for several years. It is known for its excellent faculty, research output, infrastructure, and placement opportunities. Many students consider it the top IIT in India due to these qualities.
2) Which IIT is easiest to get into?
Newer IITs like IIT Goa and IIT Bhilai generally have higher closing ranks compared to older IITs. This means the competition is relatively less intense, making them easier to get admission into. However, the quality of education and infrastructure is steadily improving at these newer institutes.
3) Which IIT has the best computer science program?
IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras are considered the best for computer science studies. They have strong faculty, cutting-edge research, excellent industry connections, and high placement rates. These IITs attract top recruiters and provide good opportunities in the tech sector.
4) Can I get into IIT without JEE?
For regular B.Tech programs at IITs, qualifying JEE Advanced is mandatory. However, some IITs offer short-term certification courses or online diplomas that do not require JEE qualification. These options are for skill development but do not lead to full-time degree admission.
5) What is the difference between IIT and NIT?
IITs are more selective with tougher entrance exams and usually have better rankings, faculty, research facilities, and placement records. NITs are also good engineering institutes but generally rank below IITs. They admit students through JEE Main, while IITs require JEE Advanced for most courses.
