How Many IITs Are There in India? IIT JEE Aspirants Must Know

Ever wondered exactly how many IITs India has right now? Not too long ago, people could list all the IITs on their fingers, but that's not the case anymore. The number has grown a lot over the past couple of decades. As of May 2025, there are 23 IITs spread across India—way more choices than your parents ever had if they were engineering aspirants.

This huge jump didn’t just happen overnight. Back in 2008, there were only seven old IITs. The government kept adding new ones almost every year after that to spread top-tier engineering education throughout the country. So if you’re preparing for IIT JEE, knowing these numbers actually helps—more IITs means more seats, and that slightly bumps up your chances.

But now, with so many options, deciding where to aim gets tricky. Some IITs still get all the hype, but new ones are catching up fast with research, placements, and cool courses. So, just counting them isn’t enough—you’ve got to know what makes each IIT stand out and how to make the most of every opportunity.

• Count and Growth of IITs in India
• Where Are the IITs Located?
• What Makes Each IIT Unique?
• Why the Number Matters for JEE Aspirants
• Tips for Choosing the Right IIT

Count and Growth of IITs in India

If you’re prepping for IIT JEE, you really need to know the actual count of IITs in 2025. Right now, India has a solid 23 IITs from north to south and east to west. This wasn’t always the case; the first few IITs cropped up way back in the 1950s and 60s, but after 2008, there was a major push to launch more.

Here’s how things grew over time. The older IITs—like Kharagpur (the first, in 1951), Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, and Delhi—were just the beginning. The government saw how much demand there was for top-level engineers, so they added more every few years. Check out this timeline to get the full picture:

So yeah, the number basically tripled in the last fifteen years. The goal was clear: make world-class engineering accessible, no matter where you’re from in India.

If you’re calculating your odds for cracking JEE, here’s the upside—the increase in IITs has also meant more available seats. For example, the total undergraduate seats went from just about 4,500 back in 2008 to over 17,000 in 2024. That’s a big help for anyone looking to land a spot.

All this means you don’t have to stick to just the “famous five” anymore. More IITs mean more choices, and more ways to plan your career path after JEE, even if it’s not one of the original campuses.

Where Are the IITs Located?

India's IITs are not just in the big cities like Delhi and Mumbai. They’re dotted all over the country, from the northeast hills to the southern tip and out west. This wide spread gives students from different regions a chance to study closer to home—and exposes everyone to new cultures and learning styles.

Here’s a look at where each of the 23 IITs in India is found:

• IIT Kharagpur (West Bengal) – the oldest, started in 1951
• IIT Bombay (Maharashtra)
• IIT Madras (Tamil Nadu)
• IIT Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
• IIT Delhi (Delhi)
• IIT Guwahati (Assam)
• IIT Roorkee (Uttarakhand)
• IIT Bhubaneswar (Odisha)
• IIT Gandhinagar (Gujarat)
• IIT Hyderabad (Telangana)
• IIT Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
• IIT Patna (Bihar)
• IIT Ropar (Punjab)
• IIT Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
• IIT Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)
• IIT Varanasi (IIT BHU, Uttar Pradesh)
• IIT Palakkad (Kerala)
• IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh)
• IIT Goa (Goa)
• IIT Dharwad (Karnataka)
• IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir)
• IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
• IIT Dhanbad (IIT ISM, Jharkhand)

Check out how the IITs are spread out:

So, whether you’re from a metro or a small town, there’s an IIT not too far from your roots. This makes it easier to adjust to campus life, explore new places, and even travel home during holidays without much hassle.

What Makes Each IIT Unique?

Not all IITs are cut from the same cloth. Some are old names with a long track record, while a few are fresh and experimenting with new ideas. Here’s what you need to know to find your best fit:

The older IITs—like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Madras—are often hot favorites because of their legacy, stronger alumni networks, and proven placement records. But that's not all they offer. Each one specializes in certain fields. For example, IIT Kanpur is known for its open culture and advanced computer science research. IIT Madras runs Asia’s largest clean water research center. If software is your thing, IIT Bombay’s coding culture is hard to beat.

On the flip side, new IITs aren’t just followers trying to catch up. IIT Hyderabad jumps ahead with unique BTech design and AI courses; their faculty includes innovators who’ve worked at top global universities. IIT Gandhinagar stands out for its focus on humanities and mandatory internships with startups or NGOs—something you won’t easily find elsewhere.

The campus life, facilities, and even city vibes are different too. Some IITs are in major metros, while others are tucked away with tons of green space—think IIT Guwahati, surrounded by hills and rivers, famous for a chilled-out student life. Meanwhile, IIT Ropar is drawing attention for its robotics research and international collaborations.

If you’re serious about nailing the IITs in India entrance, don't just chase a brand name. Get the details: which IIT is best for the branch you want, which one has research tie-ups, industrial collaborations, or even international exchange programs? Dig into past placement stats, course flexibility, and industry links—these can tilt the balance when you’re picking your dream campus.

Why the Number Matters for JEE Aspirants

If you’re prepping for IIT JEE, the total number of IITs isn’t just a random stat—it actually shapes your whole journey. More IITs mean more starting points, a wider range of programs, and yes, more seats up for grabs. Back in 2007, there were just 7 IITs and less than 5,000 total seats. Fast-forward to 2025, and you have 23 IITs and over 17,000 seats for B.Tech programs.

This big jump makes a real difference in your chances during the JEE Advanced counselling rounds. It’s not just about squeezing your way into the top 500, but also finding your best fit among newer and older campuses. Here’s a snapshot of the numbers to give you some perspective:

This growth means even if you don’t get your preferred rank, there are still chances in new IITs with fresh courses and good faculty. Sure, older IITs still draw the most attention, but many new IITs now offer strong placements and better hostel life than you’d expect.

If you want the best shot at cracking the IIT JEE and making the most of these options, keep an eye on:

• Your preferred branch—not just the IIT name
• Cut-off trends, which vary every year with the increase in seats
• Upcoming programs and specializations unique to newer IITs
• Campus location and connectivity—it matters more than people admit

So, bottom line—more IITs means more possibilities and a fairer fight for every hard-working aspirant. Just focussing on old reputations might hold you back when the new ones have plenty to offer!

Tips for Choosing the Right IIT

Got your IITs in India list ready but don’t know which one to pick if you get a good rank? Here’s a no-nonsense way to figure out which IIT suits you best. More seats mean more choices, but it’s not just about the campus you land on—think placements, course streams, location, and even campus life.

Let's break down what really matters when you choose:

• Branch vs. Institute: Sometimes, the branch you want at a newer IIT might offer better opportunities than a less-wanted branch at an older IIT. For many, Computer Science at a newer IIT can be better than, say, Mining at an older, famous one.
• Placement Records: Don’t just go by hearsay. Check each IIT’s official placement stats—some new IITs are pulling off 85%+ placements in core sectors, while top branches in older IITs can cross 95% easily.
• Campus and Location: If you have a choice, consider if you’d be happier closer to home or in a metro city. Big cities like Bombay and Delhi mean more exposure but higher living costs and competition too.
• Faculty and Research: Use NIRF rankings and actual faculty profiles (available on IIT websites) to see which IITs have strong research or labs in the stream you care about.
• Alumni Network: Old IITs like Bombay, Delhi, and Madras have massive alumni bases—super useful when you look for internships, jobs, or even mentorship later.

Here’s some quick data comparing a few IITs (2024 statistics):

See those opening ranks and average salaries? Makes it clearer why so many top rankers aim for Bombay or Delhi. But don’t ignore new IITs—they’re leveling up fast, especially for certain branches and with smaller batch sizes.

To sum it up, first be honest about the branch you’re passionate about. Check facts, not just reputation. Think placements, campus life, and even where you want to work after graduation. Sometimes, getting your dream branch in a new IIT is the smartest call.