How Many IITs in India in 2026? Seats, Rankings, Courses

As of 2026 India has 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) located across different states, including Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and more. These institutes are globally recognized for their high-quality engineering education, cutting-edge research, and excellent placement records. Each IIT offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, technology, and sciences.

With the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result out, thousands of students have now qualified to appear for JEE Advanced 2026, which is the mandatory entrance exam for securing a seat in any IIT. Admission into IITs is highly competitive, and students are advised to analyze their JEE Main percentile, rank, and category-wise cutoff to strategize their JEE Advanced preparation. 

IITs not only provide academic excellence but also offer exposure to innovation, entrepreneurship, and global opportunities, making them the most sought-after engineering institutes in Indi

List of Top IITs in India Rank-wise

There are 23 IITs across India. Physics Wallah has compiled a list of these IITs along with their NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings. NIRF evaluates institutions based on five key factors:

• Teaching and Learning Resources

• Graduation Outcomes

• Research and Professional Practices

• Outreach and Inclusivity

• Perception

IIT Madras holds the top position among engineering institutes in India, followed by IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. Below is the list of top IIT colleges in India rank wise:

IIT B.Tech Seat Matrix 2026

Currently, around 18,663 B.Tech seats are available across the top IITs in India. Among them, IIT Madras is ranked as the best IIT and offers 1121 seats in its B.Tech/BE programs across nine specializations. The table below provides a detailed overview of the B.Tech seat intake across various IITs and specializations.

Popular Courses Offered at IITs & Entrance Exams

Once the aspirants have successfully cleared the JEE Main and JEE Advanced examinations, they need to participate in the JoSAA counseling process. JoSAA is a unified platform for allocating seats across all IIT programs, ensuring a streamlined admission procedure and a dedicated list of IIT courses.

A table shows a List of IIT Institutes  for different courses and their respective entrance exams:

Why Choose IITs in 2026?

Choosing an IIT in 2026 offers several distinct advantages that make these institutes a top destination for aspiring engineers and innovators:

• Exceptional Faculty and State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: IITs are home to some of the most experienced and highly qualified professors in the country, backed by modern labs, smart classrooms, and advanced research facilities.

• Global Research Collaborations: IITs partner with leading international universities and industries to conduct cutting-edge research and offer students exposure to global standards in science and technology.

• Outstanding Placement Records: Graduates from IITs receive top placement offers from both Indian and global companies. 

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Most IITs host incubation centres, startup accelerators, and innovation hubs that support student-led ventures and research-based product development.