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List of IIT Colleges in India 2026
The IIT dream is still undefeated. Every year, 10 Lakh plus students enter the JEE race. But only a few secure seats in the country's most prestigious engineering institutes.
To say, for JEE Advanced, only 2.5 lakh students qualify out of a million-plus JEE candidates. And above that, for every three students, 1 get a seat. Looks absurd, right? It's because there are only 18, 950 seats across 23 IITs. And think if you are aiming for CSE, it will be more competitive than you can even imagine.
However, JOSAA 2026 counselling is already going on. JoSAA Round 1 results are out, and Round 2 is about to start. Keep an eye on the cut-offs and branches that are filling. If you plan to take JEE 2027, JEE Mains online coaching can help you maintain your academics and pursue your IIT dream.
IIT Colleges in India 2026
IITs are highly regarded engineering colleges for B.Tech and M.Tech, and all 23 IITs rank in the top 100. Let’s take a look at the list of IIT colleges and their NIRF ranking.
| IIT | NIRF Engineering Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| IIT Madras | 1 |
| IIT Delhi | 2 |
| IIT Bombay | 3 |
| IIT Kanpur | 4 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 5 |
| IIT Roorkee | 6 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 7 |
| IIT Guwahati | 8 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 10 |
| IIT Indore | 12 |
| IIT ISM Dhanbad | 15 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 25 |
| IIT Mandi | 26 |
| IIT Jodhpur | 27 |
| IIT Ropar | 32 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 39 |
| IIT Patna | 43 |
| IIT Jammu | 56 |
| IIT Tirupati | 57 |
| IIT Palakkad | 64 |
| IIT Bhilai | 72 |
| IIT Dharwad | 77 |
| IIT Goa | Not in top 100 |
Top 10 IIT Colleges in India
The latest NIRF 2025 Engineering Rankings highlight the IITs that continue to lead India's engineering education landscape. These Top 10 IIT Colleges perform well across academics, research, innovation, industry collaboration, and graduate outcomes.
| NIRF 2025 Rank | IIT Name | Location | NIRF Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIT Madras | Chennai | 88.72 |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | New Delhi | 85.74 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | Mumbai | 83.65 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | Kanpur | 81.82 |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur | 78.69 |
| 6 | IIT Roorkee | Roorkee | 75.44 |
| 7 | IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 72.31 |
| 8 | IIT Guwahati | Guwahati | 72.24 |
| 10 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | Varanasi | 67.24 |
| 12 | IIT Indore | Indore | 66.65 |
These institutes attract top JEE Advanced rankers every year. They also offer strong academic flexibility, active student communities, and excellent internship opportunities. As a result, competition for these campuses remains extremely high during JoSAA counselling.
Also Read: Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India 2026, IITs, NITs, IIITs
IIT Seats, Fees, and Placements
Seats determine admission chances. Fees affect affordability. Placements influence long-term career outcomes. Therefore, students should compare all three factors before filling out college preferences.
| IIT | Total B.Tech Seats | Total B.Tech Fees | Avg Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Kharagpur | 1,890 | ₹8.5 L | ₹24–26 LPA |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 1,550 | ₹8–9 L | ₹18–21 LPA |
| IIT Bombay | 1,360 | ₹9–10 L | ₹35 LPA (average) |
| IIT Roorkee | 1,350 | ₹8–9 L | ₹18–20 LPA |
| IIT Delhi | 1,300 | ₹8.5–9 L | ₹28–30 LPA |
| IIT Madras | 1,250 | ₹8–9 L | ₹21–23 LPA |
| IIT Kanpur | 1,200 | ₹8–9 L | ₹26–28 LPA |
| IIT Guwahati | 1,000 | ₹8–9 L | ₹20–22 LPA |
| IIT Hyderabad | 600 | ₹8–9 L | ₹25–28 LPA |
| IIT Indore | 600 | ₹8–9 L | ₹24–26 LPA |
A larger seat pool often improves admission chances. IIT Kharagpur and IIT BHU offer some of the highest seat capacities among top IITs. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi continue to deliver some of the strongest placement outcomes in the country. Newer IITs such as IIT Hyderabad and IIT Indore have also built impressive placement records despite smaller intakes.
Note: Values are approximate; refer to official IIT websites for exact numbers.
Also Read: IIT vs IIIT Placements 2026, Top Recruiters, Average Packages
IIT Admission Process Through JEE Advanced
Admission to IITs follows a structured process. Of course, NITs in India also have a similar admission process, except for the JEE Advanced qualification. Missing any stage can affect the final seat allotment.
Step 1: Qualify for JEE Main
Candidates must first clear JEE Main and become eligible for the Advanced examination.
Step 2: Appear for JEE Advanced
Only qualified candidates can register for JEE Advanced 2026. Students in earlier classes often begin preparation for JEE Advanced 2027 well in advance.
Step 3: Secure a Competitive Rank
A better rank increases the chances of getting preferred branches such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Mathematics & Computing.
Step 4: Register for JoSAA Counselling
Candidates must fill out and lock their preferred institutes and branches.
Step 5: Seat Allotment
JoSAA allocates seats based on rank, category, preferences, and seat availability.
Step 6: Confirm Admission
Selected students complete document verification and fee payment.
Students preparing with discipline and structured JEE Mains online coaching programs often gain an advantage during this highly competitive process.
Also Read: Top 10 Engineering Colleges in India 2026, Placements & ROI
Old IITs vs New IITs: Which Should You Choose?
This question appears every JOSAA counselling season. Many students automatically prefer older IITs. However, the better option depends on branch preference and career goals.
Old IITs (Established Before 2001) | New IITs (2008 Batch) | Baby IITs (2015-2016 Batch) |
IIT Kharagpur | IIT Hyderabad | IIT Jammu |
IIT Bombay | IIT Indore | IIT Tirupati |
IIT Madras | IIT Gandhinagar | IIT Palakkad |
IIT Kanpur | IIT Ropar | IIT Bhilai |
IIT Delhi | IIT Mandi | IIT Dharwad |
IIT Guwahati | IIT Patna | |
IIT Roorkee | IIT Bhubaneswar | |
IIT (BHU) Varanasi* | IIT Jodhpur |
IIT (BHU) Varanasi became an IIT in 2012, but its long legacy since 1919 is often considered along with older IITs.
Quick Understanding
Old IITs: Strong alumni networks, established recruiter base, and higher brand recognition.
New IITs: Created during the 2008 expansion phase and have grown rapidly in academics, research, and placements.
Baby IITs: Established in 2015-16. These institutes have modern campuses and are steadily improving in placements and research output.
| Factor | Old IITs | New IITs (2008) | Baby IITs (2015–16) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumni Network | Established | Growing | Emerging |
| Industry Recognition | Very Strong | Increasing | Developing |
| Recruiter Base | Large | Expanding | Moderate |
| Infrastructure | Strong | Modern | Modern |
| Emerging Programs | Moderate | High | High |
| Research Facilities | Mature | Rapidly Growing | Growing |
Also Read: List of NIT Colleges in India 2026, Placements, Average Package
List of IIT Colleges in India 2026: Conclusion
Choosing the right IIT requires balancing rankings, branch preference, seat availability, fees, and placements. The best strategy is to secure the strongest possible rank first and compare options later. Aspirants targeting JEE 2027 should focus on concept clarity, regular JEE mock tests, reliable JEE study material, and consistent practice. A strong rank opens doors to multiple IITs, making the final counselling decision much easier.
