Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur)

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), established in 1951, was the first IIT in India and is widely recognized as one of the premier institutions for engineering, science, and technology. Located in Kharagpur, West Bengal, IIT Kharagpur has a reputation for academic excellence, research, and innovation.

Campus Overview

Spread over 2,100 acres, IIT Kharagpur boasts one of the largest campuses among IITs. The campus is a self-contained township with state-of-the-art academic buildings, residential facilities, and recreational spaces.

Key Facilities:

Central Library: One of the largest libraries in India, with over 4 lakh books, journals, and digital resources.
Research and Development Facilities: Advanced labs for nanotechnology, robotics, and renewable energy research.
Sports Complex: Includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, stadiums, and courts for various sports.
Hostels: 22 hostels (halls of residence) equipped with modern amenities for students.

Academic Programs

IIT Kharagpur offers a diverse range of programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, covering engineering, sciences, management, law, and humanities.

1. Undergraduate Programs:

B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology):
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture
B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)
Dual Degree Programs: Five-year programs combining B.Tech and M.Tech degrees.

2. Postgraduate Programs:

M.Tech (Master of Technology): Over 60 specializations, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Structural Engineering.
M.Sc (Master of Science): Programs in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
MBA (Master of Business Administration): A two-year program offered by the Vinod Gupta School of Management (VGSoM).
LL.B. (Hons) in Intellectual Property Law: Offered by the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law.

3. Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.):

Available in all major disciplines with a focus on cutting-edge research and innovation.

4. Online and Continuing Education:

Certificate programs and online courses in Data Science, AI, and Business Analytics.

Admission Process

1. Undergraduate Programs (B.Tech/B.Arch):

Admission is through JEE Advanced, after qualifying in JEE Main.

2. Postgraduate Programs (M.Tech/MBA/LL.B.):

M.Tech: Admission is based on GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores.
MBA: Admission through CAT (Common Admission Test) scores, followed by interviews.
LL.B.: Admission through an entrance test conducted by IIT Kharagpur.

3. Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.):

Candidates are shortlisted based on academic performance and valid GATE/NET scores. Final selection involves interviews.

Fee Structure (2024-25)

Undergraduate (B.Tech/B.Arch):

Tuition Fee: ₹2,00,000 per year (approx.)
Other Fees: ₹60,000 per year (hostel, mess, and miscellaneous charges)

Postgraduate (M.Tech/MBA/LL.B.):

M.Tech: ₵50,000 per semester
MBA: ₵5,00,000 (total program fee)
LL.B.: ₵1,50,000 per year

Ph.D.:

Tuition Fee: ₵10,000 per semester
Hostel and Mess Charges: ₵40,000 per year

Note: Tuition fee waivers are available for SC/ST/PwD students and those from economically weaker sections.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

IIT Kharagpur provides several scholarships and financial aid options to support deserving students:

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: For students from economically weaker backgrounds.
National Scholarships: Provided by the Government of India for reserved categories.
Institute Free Studentship: For meritorious students unable to afford tuition fees.
External Scholarships: Sponsored by alumni and corporate organizations.

Research and Innovation

IIT Kharagpur is a global leader in research and innovation, with collaborations across industries and academic institutions worldwide.

Key Research Areas:

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Clean Energy and Environment
Biomedical Engineering
Smart Cities and Infrastructure
Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

Notable Research Centers:

Centre for Railway Research (CRR): Focuses on innovation in railway technology.
Advanced Technology Development Centre (ATDC): Works on cutting-edge technology development.
Renewable Energy Research Park: Dedicated to sustainable energy solutions.

Rankings and Achievements

QS World University Rankings 2024: Ranked among the top 300 globally.
NIRF Rankings 2023: Ranked 6th in the engineering category in India.
International Collaborations: Partnerships with MIT, Stanford, and top European universities.

Placements and Career Opportunities

IIT Kharagpur has a stellar placement record, with top companies recruiting students for diverse roles in engineering, technology, and management.

Placement Highlights (2023):

Placement Rate: Over 95% for undergraduate programs.
Highest Package: ₹2.4 crore per annum (international offer)
Average Package: ₹28 LPA
Top Recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Tata Steel, and Flipkart.

Entrepreneurship Support:

The Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) fosters startups through mentorship and funding.
The STEP (Science and Technology Entrepreneurs’ Park) supports innovation and incubation.

Internationally, IIT Kharagpur is ranked 222 by the QS World University Rankings 2025, 5th by the QS World University Rankings: Southern Asia 2024, and 59th by the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2024. IIT Kharagpur offers competitive placement opportunities to students in top companies. According to media reports, on the first day of IIT Kharagpur placements 2023-24, a total of 700 placement offers were made. Out of all the offers made, 6 were made with a package of more than INR 1 crore per annum. The University of Warwick (WMG), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Purdue University, and the University of Torino have entered into collaborative agreements with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

IIT KGP is famous for BTech, and MTech courses. The academic session in the Kharagpur IIT College is divided broadly into 2 semesters. Each has approximately 20 weeks of duration: a Spring Semester (January-April) and an Autumn Semester (July-November). IIT Kharagpur admissions are entrance-based. For admission to its flagship BTech programme, the institute accepts JEE Advanced scores. The major highlights of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur are tabulated below:

Particulars	IIT Kharagpur Highlights 2025
IIT Kharagpur University establishment year	1950/ Public/Government College
Also known as	Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Location	Kharagpur (West Bengal)
Rankings 2025	– 4 by the Asian University Rankings – Southern Asia – 202 by the QS Sustainability Ranking – 222 by the QS World University Rankings
Rankings 2024	– 2nd by NIRF (Architecture) – 5th by NIRF (Engineering) – 4th by The India Today (Engineering Govt.)
Kharagpur IIT College Flagship courses	BTech, MTech
IIT Kharagpur University staff members	880+
Faculty	740+
Kharagpur IIT College Official website	www.iitkgp.ac.in
Shiksha Reviews (Overall)	4.5/5

Student Life

Life at IIT Kharagpur is dynamic, with a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities, cultural events, and technical competitions.

Cultural and Technical Fests:

Spring Fest: One of India’s largest cultural festivals.
Kshitij: Asia’s largest technical and management fest.

Clubs and Societies:

Technical Clubs: Robotics, Coding, Astronomy.
Cultural Clubs: Music, Drama, Fine Arts.
Sports: Cricket, Football, Athletics, and more.

On-Campus Amenities:

Cafeterias, shopping complexes, and medical facilities.
Beautiful gardens, parks, and recreational spaces.

Notable Alumni

IIT Kharagpur’s alumni have made remarkable contributions in diverse fields. Some prominent alumni include:

Arvind Krishna: CEO of IBM
Sundar Pichai: CEO of Google and Alphabet
K. Radhakrishnan: Former Chairman of ISRO
Vinod Gupta: Philanthropist and founder of Infogroup

Kharagpur IIT College History

Some of the historical facts of IIT KGP are listed below:

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur’s history dates back to 1946 when a committee was set up by Sir Jogendra Singh (Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council) to look after the creation of new higher technical institutions for post-World War II development of the country.
After this, a 22-member committee was formed, headed by Nalini Ranjan Sarkar, which proposed the establishment of major institutions in the four quarters of India, along the lines of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.
The report also suggested that the institutes should be established as early as possible with the ones in the East and West of India to be started immediately.
After the recommendations of the committee, the first Indian Institute of Technology was established in Esplanade East, Calcutta as the Eastern Higher Technical Institute in May 1950.
In September 1950, it shifted to its permanent campus at Hilji, Kharagpur. The institute changed its name to the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) on August 18, 1951, before its official inauguration.
Hilji was used as a detention camp during British rule, making IIT KGP probably the only institute in the world that started its journey in a prison house.
IIT KGP is the fourth oldest technical institute in West Bengal.
IIT Kharagpur University which started its journey with over 224 students and 42 teachers, has now become one of the best Engineering institutes of the country.