How Many IITs Are There in India? Real Numbers & Insights for JEE Aspirants

Most JEE hopefuls know IITs are a big deal, but how many do you actually have to choose from in 2025? As of today, there are 23 IITs across India. This number didn't just pop up overnight. If you asked someone in the 90s, they’d only count five. The expansion started in the mid-2000s, responding to the massive demand for top-tier engineering seats.

You might wonder if more IITs mean an easier shot at your dream branch. It depends. While seats have grown, competition is still fierce—around a million JEE Main aspirants chase these limited seats every year. Not all IITs are cut from the same cloth either. Some, like IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, are magnets for toppers, while new ones are busy building their stories and strong departments.

• The Actual Number of IITs in 2025
• Why Did the Number of IITs Keep Rising?
• How IITs Differ: Old vs. New Campuses
• Facts Every JEE Aspirant Should Know
• Smart Tips to Target the Right IIT

The Actual Number of IITs in 2025

If you’re aiming for an IIT tag, the first thing you want to know is how many of these institutes are out there. As of June 2025, there are 23 IITs in India. This is the official count—no surprises, no mysterious new campuses added in the last year.

Curious about where these IITs are spread across the country? Here’s a quick look:

All of these count as full-fledged IITs, with degrees and placements on par with the famous originals.

Want to keep it simple? Just remember: 23 IITs, from Kharagpur in the east to Goa in the west. Each offers B.Tech programs and most have M.Tech and PhD options too, so you’ve got choices wherever you land up.

Why Did the Number of IITs Keep Rising?

The big jump in the number of IITs didn’t happen just to make the list look longer. India saw more students aiming for top engineering colleges, but not enough seats in the older, established IITs. So, the government decided to fix that.

After 2008, new IITs started popping up almost every year. The aim? To spread high-quality technical education across more parts of the country and stop the massive brain drain to overseas universities. Plus, more campuses meant students from different regions could study closer to home, making it a bit more accessible.

Here's exactly how the number of IITs changed over the years:

The catch? Even with increasing numbers, the IITs in India tag remains exclusive. Getting in still takes serious prep and top JEE ranks. But now, talent from more towns and states actually gets a shot.

Another benefit: newer IITs bring fresh campuses, modern labs, and sometimes focus on different specializations (like data science or interdisciplinary work). So when you’re choosing, it’s not just about rankings, but the new opportunities these campuses offer.

How IITs Differ: Old vs. New Campuses

The IIT system has two faces—old and new campuses. The oldest ones (like IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, and Kharagpur) date back to the 1950s and 1960s. They have a rich alumni base, super strong research setups, and massive funding. Placement numbers here often make headlines. On the other hand, new IITs (think IIT Tirupati, IIT Bhilai, IIT Goa, and others) started coming up after 2008. They're catching up but don’t have the same legacy—at least not yet.

Here’s a quick data snapshot, so you see the actual spread:

Old IITs usually have bigger campuses—sometimes over 500 acres, packed with hostels, lecture halls, playgrounds, and labs. The new ones often operate from temporary campuses at first and gradually shift to their permanent locations. So if you’re dreaming of star-studded fests, big sports grounds, and tight alumni networks, the older campuses have a clear edge.

But don’t write off the new IITs. Many new campuses have fresh academic styles, smaller batch sizes, and easier access to faculty. Sometimes, students find more mentorship or less cutthroat competition for campus leadership roles. Plus, some new IITs offer niche areas—like IIT Tirupati’s work in climate tech or IIT Palakkad’s robotics labs.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Placements at older IITs often mean more global companies and higher salaries, but newer IITs are rising fast in rankings.
• Infrastructure is usually better developed at old campuses, but new IITs update labs and teaching methods quicker.
• Both old and new IITs use the same strong JEE selection process, keeping entry standards tough.
• The alumni network at older IITs opens doors you can’t find elsewhere—whether that’s a top internship or advice from someone who’s been through it all.

When picking your campus, balance IITs in India with your goals and preferences. It’s not just about age but where you’ll fit, grow, and be happiest during those intense four years.

Facts Every JEE Aspirant Should Know

If you’re getting ready for the JEE, don’t just focus on books and mocks—knowing how the IIT system actually works can help you plan better. For starters, all 23 IITs share the same entrance process: JEE Advanced after you clear JEE Main. But here’s the thing, the number of seats and the competition for each campus varies a lot.

Check out some hard numbers for 2025 below:

Don’t go by buzz alone. Newer IITs might sound less glamorous but can give you more personal attention, less crowded classrooms, and a shot at the same ‘IIT’ tag. Plus, a few new IITs have quickly ramped up placements by inviting great companies and collaborating with established IITs.

One thing to know: not every IIT offers every branch. For example, if you’ve set your heart on Computer Science, some of the smaller or newer IITs may not even have a CS program yet. It’s smart to check the official websites for the latest list of branches and seats before filling in your preferences during JoSAA counseling.

• The cutoff ranks are different for each IIT and each branch. Don’t assume what works for one campus will work for another.
• While all IITs follow the same official admission rules, hostel life, culture, and even food can be very different—talk to recent students if you can.
• Some IITs offer special programs or dual degree options where you can finish B.Tech and M.Tech together in five years. That’s a huge time saver if you want both degrees.

And a tip: Don’t pick a campus only for its name. Sometimes, a ‘new’ IIT with the branch you love trumps an ‘old’ one you’re not passionate about. At the end of the day, you’ll carry the IITs in India experience with you—not just the logo on your t-shirt.

Smart Tips to Target the Right IIT

Choosing the perfect IIT isn’t just about ranking—you need to match the campus with your own goals, branch preferences, and the kind of campus life you want. Back in the early days, there were only a handful of options, but in 2025, you’ve got 23 to pick from. Each IIT has its own strengths and vibe, so don’t stick to myths or just follow the masses when filling your choices during counseling.

Here are some tips that actually work:

• IITs in India are not equal in branch strength. For example, if you’re obsessed with Computer Science, check out IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Kanpur. But for Civil, Mining, or Metallurgy, older campuses like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, or IIT (ISM) Dhanbad may have the edge.
• Got an AIR (All India Rank) between 2000–5000? You can crack good branches in newer IITs, especially if you’re a little flexible on the branch or location.
  Check opening and closing ranks—this data lets you spot trends and make a smart call instead of randomly locking your choices. Here’s a quick look at closing ranks for CSE (Open Category, 2024):

• Don’t ignore location and campus culture. Studying in metro cities like Mumbai or Delhi comes with more internships, tech fests, and startup buzz. In smaller cities, you might get a more peaceful vibe and less distraction but fewer big-company visits.
• Look up branch change policies. Some IITs let you shift branches after your first year if you rank among the toppers of your batch—this can be a backdoor into your dream branch if you land in a new IIT.
• Explore alumni networks. IITs with stronger, older alumni can open doors for you in jobs, internships, and research. Network size really starts to matter once you’re thinking of placements.

Last tip—don’t just chase the herd! Sure, everyone drools over CSE at IIT Bombay, but not everyone gets it. Every IIT has success stories. Dig into what you love, look up real stats, think about your priorities, and go for the campus— not just the brand—that fits you best.