Union Cabinet Approves ₹11,829 Crore Expansion Plan for Five New IITs

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a comprehensive plan to significantly upgrade the infrastructure and academic capacity of five new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), IIT Palakkad (Kerala), IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), and IIT Dharwad (Karnataka). This major expansion, termed as Phase-‘B’ construction, is set to be implemented over the next four years from 2025–26 to 2028–29, with a total outlay of ₹11,828.79 crore.

Strategic Expansion to Meet Growing Academic Demand

The Cabinet’s decision reflects a strategic move to bolster India’s higher education sector, particularly in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. As part of the expansion, all five IITs will receive substantial infrastructure upgrades including additional classrooms, laboratories, hostels, faculty housing, and administrative blocks. The effort aims to bridge existing capacity gaps while aligning with the country’s ambitious educational and innovation goals.

Doubling Capacity: Over 6,500 Additional Seats

Currently accommodating a combined student strength of 7,111, the five IITs will see their capacity nearly double to 13,687 students. This includes an incremental intake 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

These numbers cover a broad spectrum of academic programs including Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and PhD levels. By 2028-29, more than 6,500 aspiring students from across India will gain access to some of the most prestigious technical education institutions in the country.

Creation of High-Caliber Faculty Positions

To support the growing student body and maintain academic excellence, the Cabinet has also sanctioned the creation of 130 new faculty positions at the professor level (Level 14 and above). This move is expected to not only enrich the teaching environment but also enhance the institutes’ research capabilities across emerging technologies and applied sciences.

Establishment of Five New Research Parks

As part of strengthening industry-academia linkages and promoting innovation, the government will establish five new state-of-the-art research parks, one at each of the expanding IITs. These parks are intended to foster collaboration with industry players, startups, and international institutions to drive advanced R&D initiatives, technology transfers, and entrepreneurship.

Employment Generation and Local Economic Impact

The expansion plan is projected to generate direct employment through recruitment of faculty, administrative staff, and support personnel. Moreover, the development of new campus infrastructure and increased student inflow are likely to stimulate local economies by generating demand in sectors such as housing, retail, transport, and services.

Additionally, the IITs' role in supplying a highly skilled workforce will indirectly contribute to national job creation by fuelling innovation, supporting startups, and enhancing India's competitiveness in global markets.

Nationwide Impact Through Pan-India Admissions

Although the five IITs are located in specific states and union territories, their admissions are conducted on a pan-India basis, ensuring that students from across the country benefit from the enhanced opportunities. This expansion will thus contribute to reducing regional disparities in access to quality technical education and promote inclusive growth.

In Line with Budget 2025–26 Priorities

The decision aligns with announcements made in the Union Budget 2025–26, which highlighted a 100% increase in total IIT enrollment over the past decade, from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh students. The budget also emphasized the need for further infrastructure development in newer IITs to accommodate 6,500 additional students — a target that this Cabinet decision will now help realize.

Historical Context: A Decade of Growth

The five IITs under the expansion plan were part of India’s educational push post-2014. IIT Tirupati and IIT Palakkad began operations in 2015–16, while IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, and IIT Dharwad commenced in 2016–17. Initially launched from temporary campuses, all five are now fully functional at their permanent campuses and poised for the next phase of growth.

A Giant Leap in Higher Technical Education

This expansive initiative underscores the government’s long-term vision to position India as a global hub for higher education, research, and technological innovation. By enabling thousands of students to study in elite institutions and fostering deeper industry-academic partnerships, the decision is expected to contribute significantly to India's socio-economic development and global scientific leadership.