Complete IIT List: All 23 IITs in India, Rankings and How to Get In via IIT JEE

There are 23 IITs in India today. This guide covers the complete IIT list, NIRF rankings of the best IITs, what makes IITians stand out, and how IIT JEE works as the only path to an IIT seat.

Every JEE aspirant has one goal: a seat in an IIT. But many students cannot answer basic questions about the institutes they are working toward. How many IITs are there in India? Which are the best IITs? What is the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced? This guide covers all of it, from the complete IIT list to IIT rankings to how IIT JEE works as the admission gateway.

What Are IITs?

IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) are autonomous public technical universities established by the Government of India. Each IIT is declared an Institute of National Importance through a separate Act of Parliament, which gives them autonomy in admissions, curriculum, and faculty hiring.

The first IIT was established in Kharagpur in 1951. Since then, the total number of IITs in India has grown to 23 institutes spread across the country. Together, they are considered the most prestigious engineering institutions in India and are widely recognised internationally.

Total IITs in India: Complete IIT List (2024)

As of 2024, there are 23 IITs in India. Here is the complete IIT list with city, state, and year of establishment:

IIT Rankings: Best IITs in India by NIRF 2024

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), published by the Ministry of Education, ranks engineering institutions in India every year. IIT rankings under NIRF use five parameters: teaching and learning resources, research output, graduation outcomes, outreach and inclusivity, and peer perception.

IIT rankings shift slightly from year to year, but the older IITs (Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur) consistently hold the top positions. This is largely due to their larger research output, deeper alumni networks, and greater industry ties built over decades.

Old IITs vs New IITs: What Is the Difference?

A useful distinction when setting your IIT targets:

• Old IITs (before 2000): IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati. These have established infrastructure, larger faculty depth, decades of placement records, and the strongest alumni networks.
• New IITs (2008 onwards): 16 IITs established in two phases. They are still maturing but offer the same degree title and improve in placements, research output, and infrastructure every year.
• All 23 IITs issue the same degree: B.Tech from IIT [Name]. The value difference comes from the reputation of the specific institute, not from the degree type itself.

IIT JEE: The Only Path to an IIT Seat

IIT JEE refers to the two-stage entrance examination that determines admission to all 23 IITs. There is no other route to an IIT undergraduate seat.

JEE Main determines admission into NITs, IIITs, and Government Funded Technical Institutions. To get into any IIT, you must clear JEE Advanced. Your JEE Main rank plays no direct role in IIT admission.

How Many IIT Seats Are There Across All 23 IITs?

Across all 23 IITs, roughly 16,000 to 17,000 undergraduate seats are available each year. These are spread across branches (Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, and more) and all 23 campuses.

Each year, approximately 13 to 14 lakh students register for JEE Main. Only the top 2.5 lakh attempt JEE Advanced. Of those, around 40,000 qualify for a rank, but only about 16,000 to 17,000 seats exist across all IITs. Getting an IIT seat means finishing in roughly the top 16,000 of all JEE Advanced candidates.

Top IIT Branches and What to Expect

Not all branches at an IIT require the same rank. Computer Science consistently fills first at every IIT. Here is how branch competition generally stacks up:

• Computer Science and Engineering: the most competitive branch at every IIT. Even at newer IITs, CS seats are taken by very high-ranking candidates.
• Electrical Engineering: second most competitive at older IITs, with strong placements in both core engineering and software roles.
• Mathematics and Computing: offered at select IITs. Combines mathematical depth with programming. Very competitive.
• Mechanical Engineering: historically prestigious at IIT Madras and IIT Bombay. Slightly more accessible than CS.
• Civil, Chemical, Aerospace, and others: lower cutoffs at most IITs, but still strong degrees with solid placement outcomes.

What Sets IITians Apart

The term IITian refers to a student or graduate of any IIT. What sets IITians apart is not only the quality of education but the environment they are part of for 4 years: surrounded by peers who cleared one of the most competitive entrance exams in the world.

IITians are found at senior levels across global technology companies, as founders of high-growth startups, at top research institutions, and in civil services and government roles. The IIT alumni network is one of the strongest professional communities in the world.

Which IIT Should You Target?

Your JEE Advanced rank will determine which IIT and branch combination you can realistically aim for. A few principles to keep in mind as you plan:

• A core branch at a lower-ranked IIT often provides better long-term outcomes than a less preferred branch at a top IIT.
• Location matters for internships, industry exposure, and placement quality. IITs in larger cities have more industry connections.
• For research aspirations, the older IITs have stronger research programs, more experienced faculty, and better PhD pipelines.
• Do not pick a target IIT too early. Focus on maximising your JEE Advanced rank first. The higher your rank, the more choices you have.