Cabinet Approves ₹11,828 Cr Expansion of Five IITs to Boost Capacity and Innovation

In a landmark decision aimed at strengthening India’s higher education infrastructure, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the expansion of academic and infrastructural capacity of five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) located in Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati), Chhattisgarh (Bhilai), Jammu & Kashmir (Jammu), Karnataka (Dharwad), and Kerala (Palakkad).

This expansion, part of Phase-B construction, involves a substantial investment of ₹11,828.79 crore over four years (2025–26 to 2028–29). The move will increase the combined student intake of these five IITs from 7,111 to 13,687—an addition of 6,576 seats across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.

The Cabinet has also approved the creation of 130 new faculty positions (Level 14 and above), which is expected to enhance the academic and research output of these institutions.

To further bridge the gap between academia and industry, five state-of-the-art research parks will be established at each of the IITs. These parks will foster innovation, support startups, and enhance India’s global competitiveness in science and technology.

Phased Capacity Expansion:
The student strength will grow incrementally, with an addition of:

• 1,364 students in Year 1
• 1,738 students in Year 2
• 1,767 students in Year 3
• 1,707 students in Year 4

This expansion aligns with the 2025-26 Budget announcement, which noted a 100% increase in student enrollment at IITs over the last decade—from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh.

Wider Benefits:
The initiative is expected to:

• Foster nation-building by producing a skilled and innovative workforce
• Generate direct employment for faculty, researchers, and administrative staff
• Stimulate local economies through increased demand for housing, transport, and services
• Bolster the startup ecosystem and technological innovation

Although these IITs are regionally located, admissions are conducted on a pan-India basis, ensuring the benefits of this expansion reach aspiring students across all states and union territories.

The five IITs were established post-2014, with Palakkad and Tirupati commencing operations in 2015-16 and Bhilai, Jammu, and Dharwad in 2016-17. All now function from permanent campuses and are set to become major hubs for cutting-edge research and global academic collaboration.

This expansion underscores the government’s commitment to empowering India’s youth through quality education and paves the way for a future-ready, innovation-driven economy.