The Indian Institutes of Technology (popularly known as IITs) are institutions of national importance established through an Act of Parliament for fostering excellence in education. There are fifteen IITs at present, located in Bhubaneswar, Bombay (Mumbai), Delhi, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras (Chennai), Mandi, Patna, Punjab, Rajasthan and Roorkee. Over the years IITs have created world class educational platforms dynamically sustained through internationally recognized research based on excellent infrastructural facilities. The faculty and alumni of IITs continue making huge impact in all sectors of society, both in India and abroad. Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU), Varanasi and Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad, are the oldest institutions in India and are known for their immense contributions towards society at large and for science and technology in particular.
The primary objectives behind such institutions are to:
• Build a solid foundation of scientific and technical knowledge and thus to prepare competent and motivated engineers and scientists.
• Create environment for freedom of thought, cultivate vision, encourage growth, develop personality and self- discipline for pursuit of excellence.
• Kindle entrepreneurial streak.
All of the above help to prepare the students admitted to these institutions for successful professional and social lives. Today, alumni of these institutions occupy key positions in industry and academia in India and abroad.
Each institute has well-equipped modern laboratories, state-of-the-art computer network and well stocked technical library. Teaching methods rely on direct personal contact between the teachers and the students and the use of traditional and modern instructional techniques. Students live in a pleasant and intellectually stimulating environment with people having similar goals and aspirations, which is an exciting and unique experience.
Credit-based academic programmes offer flexibility to students to progress at their own pace. A minimum level of performance is necessary for satisfactory progress. The medium of instruction is English. These institutions offer courses leading to Bachelor's degree in a number of engineering, technological and scientific disciplines.
M.Sc. Integrated courses in pure and applied sciences and M.Tech. Integrated courses in a few disciplines are also offered by some of these Institutions. In addition, some IITs offer Dual-Degree M.Tech. programmes.
The admissions to the Undergraduate Programmes at these institutions for all Indian and Foreign nationals are made through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
