The number of students in India’s 23 IITs has doubled from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh over the past decade, as noted by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar in Lok Sabha. The government plans to enhance IIT infrastructure, particularly in five newer institutes established after 2014, accommodating an additional 6,500 students with over Rs 1,830 crore allocated for 2024-25. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an expansion of IIT Patna’s facilities and the addition of 10,000 medical college seats next year. A new Rs 500 crore Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence will also be established, alongside five National Centres for Skilling.
New Delhi:
The student population across 23 IITs has surged by 100% over the last decade, rising from 65,000 to 1.35 lakh. This information was disclosed by the Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, during a Lok Sabha session on Monday. Additionally, the government is focused on enhancing the current conditions of IITs in the nation. New infrastructure will be developed in five IITs established post-2014 to accommodate an additional 6,500 students. IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT-BHU Varanasi, IIT Tirupati, and IIT Patna are now operating from permanent campuses, with an allocation of over Rs 1,830 for these institutions in the financial year 2024-25.
In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also revealed plans for expanded hostel and campus facilities at IIT Patna.
Moreover, the government aims to tackle the rising need for medical professionals nationwide. An additional 10,000 seats will be introduced in medical colleges and hospitals next year, contributing to a goal of 75,000 extra seats over five years, as mentioned by Ms. Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025.
A new Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for educational purposes will be established with an allocation of Rs 500 crore. This initiative follows earlier AI centers focused on agriculture, healthcare, and sustainable urban development.
Furthermore, the government plans to establish five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling. These centers will work in conjunction with global experts to create curricula, train teachers, develop a skills certification system, and perform regular assessments.