Cabinet approves Rs. 11,829 crore (US$ 1,396 million) expansion of five IITs, 6,576 new seats added

The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs. 11,829 crore (US$ 1,396 million) expansion plan for five third-generation Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) established after 2014. The institutes in Bhilai, Dharwad, Jammu, Palakkad, and Tirupati will see an increase of 6,576 seats and 130 faculty posts by FY29. The expansion will be phased, with an initial increase of 1,364 students in the first year, followed by 1,738 seats in the second year, 1,767 in the third, and 1,707 in the fourth. This will bring the total student strength to 13,687, up from 7,111. The plan also includes the creation of state-of-the-art research parks to enhance industry-academia collaboration. The expansion is expected to generate employment by hiring faculty, administrative staff, researchers, and support personnel to manage the increased student numbers and facilities. The additions will span undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. This initiative follows a similar announcement by Union Minister of Finance Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman in the FY26 Budget. The increased number of graduates and postgraduates from IITs is expected to fuel innovation and startup ecosystems, contributing to employment across diverse sectors.
The expansion plan aims to enhance these IITs' academic and infrastructure capacity, with full implementation expected by FY29. The additional seats and faculty posts will support the growing demand for higher education in science and technology, providing more opportunities for students and fostering a robust research environment. The development of research parks is also expected to strengthen the link between academia and industry, promoting innovation and economic growth.

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