Cabinet Approves Expansion of Academic and Infrastructure Capacity for Five IITs
The Union Cabinet has approved the expansion of academic and infrastructure capacity (Phase-B construction) for five new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) located in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Karnataka.
According to an official statement, the total estimated cost of the proposed expansion over four years, from 2025–26 to 2028–29, is ₹11,828.79 crore.
The Cabinet has also approved the creation of 130 faculty positions at the professor level in these IITs.
To strengthen industry-academic collaboration, five state-of-the-art research parks will also be established at these institutions.
The five IITs are: IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), IIT Palakkad (Kerala), IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), and IIT Dharwad (Karnataka).
The statement noted that the student capacity in these IITs will increase by more than 6,500 over the next four years. The annual intake will grow with 1,364 students in the first year, 1,738 in the second year, 1,767 in the third year, and 1,707 in the fourth year across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.
Upon completion, these IITs will be capable of accommodating 13,687 students, compared to the current 7,111 — marking an increase of 6,576 students. This expansion will enable over 6,500 additional students to pursue education in some of India’s most prestigious and high-demand institutions.
The initiative is expected to contribute to nation-building by creating a skilled workforce, fostering innovation, and promoting economic growth. It also aims to enhance social mobility, reduce educational inequality, and strengthen India's global standing.
The expansion of IIT campuses is anticipated to boost local economies through increased demand for housing, transportation, and other services.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced this expansion in the Union Budget for 2025–26.
IITs in Palakkad and Tirupati began their academic sessions in 2015–16, while the other three IITs began in 2016–17 from temporary campuses. They are now operating from permanent campuses.