Massive Expansion! IIT Seats Skyrocket to Over 1.35 Lakh in Just 10 Years – Here’s What It Means for Students!
Formfees
12/03/2025
New Delhi, March 2025 — In a significant update shared by the Ministry of Education, the total number of seats across the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has nearly doubled over the past ten years, rising from approximately 72,000 in 2014 to more than 1.35 lakh in 2024.
This increase was revealed by Union Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The growth reflects a sustained effort by the central government to expand access to premier technical education in India, accommodating the rising number of aspirants each year.
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IIT Seats Surge Over the Last Decade: Key Highlights
| Year | Approximate Total Seats Across IITs |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 72,000 |
| 2024 | 1,35,000+ |
| Increase | Nearly 2x growth in 10 years |
The expansion is attributed to the creation of new IITs, increased intake capacities, and the introduction of various outreach and support schemes aimed at underrepresented categories and female students.
Government Initiatives Fueling IIT Expansion
Minister Sarkar highlighted various central government initiatives that contributed to the seat hike:
- Establishment of New IITs: Several new IITs have been launched in states like Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, and more.
- EWS Reservation: Implementation of 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections under Article 15(6) of the Constitution.
- Supernumerary Seats for Girls: Introduced to increase female representation across IITs.
- OBC-NCL Reservation: 27% reservation for candidates from Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer).
- SC/ST Reservation: 15% and 7.5% reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively.
These policies have led to more inclusive and diverse IIT campuses, while also addressing regional and gender disparities in technical education.
What This Means for Aspirants
With the number of seats growing year by year, the probability of securing a seat at an IIT has improved marginally for well-prepared students. However, competition remains intense, especially for top branches like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
Students from rural and underserved areas now have more opportunities, especially with initiatives like:
- Outreach Programs by IITs
- Free Online Resources (NPTEL, SWAYAM)
- Increased number of exam centers for JEE Advanced
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FAQs – IIT Seat Expansion
Q1. How many seats are currently available across IITs?
As of 2024, there are over 1.35 lakh seats available across all IITs combined.
Q2. What led to the increase in IIT seats?
The seat increase is due to the establishment of new IITs, implementation of reservations, and expansion policies by the Ministry of Education.
Q3. Does this mean IIT admissions are now easier?
While the number of seats has increased, the competition remains high. However, more students, especially from marginalized groups, now have better chances.
Q4. Are there special quotas introduced recently?
Yes. New categories like EWS and Supernumerary seats for girls have been introduced, apart from traditional SC/ST/OBC reservations.
Q5. Will the trend of increasing seats continue?
The government has indicated a consistent effort to expand higher technical education access, so more growth can be expected.
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