A comprehensive, plain-English guide for students & parents about one of India’s most illustrious institutions!
Introduction
Did you know that the campus of IIT Madras is a protected forest, carved out of Guindy National Park – and that is the only IIT with an International campus in Zanzibar (Africa)?
For years, IIT Madras has been the foremost institution in terms of excellence and is an entire ecosystem of innovation, research, and vibrant student life. Its alumni are at the helm of some of the world’s most influential companies, start-ups, and public policy think tanks.
If cutting-edge research, strong placements (super strong!), and a spirited campus life are something you value, IIT Madras should be on your radar after cracking your JEE Advanced.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about IIT Madras: placements, campus, courses, alumni, and more in this practical, student-friendly guide.
Quick Snapshot
| Particulars | Details |
| Established | 1959 (Institute of Eminence) |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Campus Size | 617 acres |
| NIRF 2024 Rank | #1 – Overall and #1 – Engineering |
| JEE Advanced Cut-off (2024) | CSE ~144; EE ~753; Mech ~2405; Civil ~5950; Chem ~3693; Aero ~2732 |
| Notable Alumni | Sundar Pichai, Sridhar Vembu, Vineeta Singh, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Prem Watsa, Aravind Srinivas |
Note: Cut-offs may vary each year; above values are approximate ranges from 2024 JoSAA data.
About IIT Madras:
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), founded in 1959, is located in the Adyar district of Chennai. It is the third-oldest IIT in India. Interestingly, the 617-acre campus of IITM is a protected forest area, and home to one of the most elegant antelopes in the world, the blackbuck, more than 300 plant species, and over 100 bird species.
The institute has 20 academic departments offering a range of programs, from pure sciences to interdisciplinary engineering. It has over 10,000 students and 550+ faculty, making it one of the largest IITs in the country. IITM has also expanded globally, and the institute’s first international campus was opened in Zanzibar (Africa) in 2023.
IITM also runs the world’s first online 4- years BS in Data Science and Application Program with multiple exit options. As it is strategically located in Chennai, the institute’s campus provides students with ample corporate networking and collaboration opportunities with major South Indian corporations.
History and Legacy
IIT Madras was established with assistance from the Government of West Germany under a technical collaboration agreement. It is recognised as an Institute of National Importance under the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 and was granted the ‘Institute of Eminence’ status in 2019 by the Government of India. This gave it greater autonomy in terms of academic, administrative, and financial matters and also the freedom to design its own curriculum & award degrees without needing prior government approval.
National and International Rankings
In NIRF Ranking:
- In the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2024, IIT Madras was ranked no. 1 in the Overall Category and Engineering Category (marking the 6th & 9th consecutive year respectively).
In QS World University Rankings:
- In the 2026 edition, the institute jumped 47 positions to the 180th position, from the previous year’s 227th rank.
- In terms of subject-wise rankings (in 2025), IIT Madras secured the 53rd position globally in Engineering & Technology.
Infrastructure
1. Academic & Research Facilities
IITM’s central library has a vast collection of over 2 lakhs books, periodicals, research journals and digital resources, accessible to students 24/7. The institute houses more than
100 advanced laboratories dedicated to areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, clean energy, biomedical engineering, and materials sciences.
In terms of the research ecosystem, IITM has special centers like the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development. The unique aspect of IIT Madras is the IIT Madras Research Park, which includes India’s first university-based research park, an incubation hub of innovation and industry collaboration. Incubation Cell, manages funding and other resources for startups (with a focus on deep-tech), has incubated around 350 startups, valued at approximately ₹45,000 crore.
2. Hostels & Mess Facilities
The campus has 22 hostels (including 16 for males and 6 for females) equipped with all modern amenities, recreational facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. Each hostel has well-furnished rooms.
Each of the hostels has its own separate mess which serves diverse and nutritious cuisines. The institute also has a variety of canteens and cafes across the campus.
IITM’s campus also has essential amenities like a 24/7 ready hospital and an on-site pharmacy. The campus also has a post office, banking facilities, and several convenience stores.
3. Sports & Extra-curricular Activities
IITM has expansive sports infrastructure, including a large stadium, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a cricket ground, squash, tennis, volleyball, basketball etc., and world- class athletics tracks and gyms.
IIT Madras hosts three major annual fests, including:
- Saarang: It is a cultural festival and is considered South India’s biggest festival of its kind.
- Shaastra: This is the annual tech festival and is entirely run by students. It has been certified as the first ISO 9001:2015-certified student festival in the world.
- Entrepreneurship Summit (E-Summit): It is an annual entrepreneurship summit, that provides a common platform to bring together founders, venture capitalists, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It is also the first student-run entrepreneurial fest in the country to receive ISO, Startup India, and UNESCO certifications.
Fees
The total fee for the four-year B. Tech program (including tuition, hostel, mess, gymkhana, and other mandatory charges) ranges from ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on category and annual family income, for 2025–26.
1. IIT Madras Fee Structure for 2025 (Undergraduate Programs)
| Particulars | Gen/OBC/EWS (>₹5 lakh/year) | Gen/OBC/EWS (₹1–5 lakh/ year) | Gen/OBC/EWS (<₹1 lakh/ year) | SC/ST/P wD |
| Tuition Fee | ₹1,00,000 | ₹33,333 | NIL | NIL |
| One-Time Payment | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 |
| Other Charges | ₹15,417 | ₹15,417 | ₹15,417 | ₹15,417 |
| Caution Deposit | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Total 1st Semester | ₹1,40,417 | ₹73,750 | ₹40,417 | ₹40,417 |
| Amount Paid to JoSAA | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹12,500 |
| Balance Due | ₹1,10,417 | ₹43,750 | ₹10,417 | ₹25,417 |
Note: Scholarship and other financial aids are provided as per government norms.
Placements
Due to its high domestic and international rankings and strong industry linkage, several domestic and multinational companies visit the IITM’s campus for hiring. As a result, the institute shows a consistently strong placement record over the years.
The ‘Average Salary’ (including all courses like B. Tech, M. Tech, etc.) is as follows:
- 2021-22: For this year, the average salary was ₹21.48 LPA.
- 2022-23: For this year, the average salary was ₹21.90 LPA.
- 2023-24: For this year, the average salary was ₹22.00 LPA.
Placement Percentage
The Placement Percentages for IITM B.Tech /Dual Degree (before the convocation) are:
- 2021-22: 85.71%
- 2022-23: 83.7%
- 2023-24: 80%
Highest International & Domestic Salary
A breakdown of the Highest International & Domestic salaries for IITM is as follows:
· 2021-22:
- Highest domestic package – around ₹1.3 crore per annum and
- Highest International package – ₹2 crore
· 2022-23:
- Highest domestic package – ₹1.31 Crore
- Highest International package – Not reported publicly
· 2023-24:
- Highest domestic package – around ₹1.31 Crore per annum and
- Highest International package – Data not officially released.
Faculty & Academics
1. Faculty
- IIT Madras has more than 600 faculty members across disciplines, including professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and researchers.
- The faculty includes industry-leading researchers, Padma awardees & Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize recipient, and international fellows.
2. Academic features
- As with other top-notch institutions, IIT Madras’ academic process follows a Research- Oriented Approach, wherein the institute encourages students to participate in cutting-edge projects.
- A flexible curriculum with a wide selection of electives ensures you can align your academic journey as per your interests. The Evaluation System is comprehensive, including assignments, mid-semester exams, and end-of-semester assessments.
- The institute has tie-ups with top-ranking universities of the world, which allow you to participate in student exchange, joint research, and dual degree programs with global universities.
- Interestingly, IITM offers a unique course, the world’s first 4-year BS in Data Science and Applications course.
Alumni Impact
IIT Madras has a list of distinguished alumni who are renowned leaders in various fields like business, academia, technology, and public life; both in India and internationally.
| Names | Details |
| Sundar Pichai | CEO of Google and Alphabet, |
| Sridhar Vembu | Founder & CEO, Zoho Corporation |
| Vineeta Singh | CEO, Sugar Cosmetics |
| Kris Gopalakrishnan | Co-founder, Infosys Technologies |
| Prem Watsa | Founder & CEO, Fairfax Financial (Canada) |
| Aravind Srinivas | CEO, Perplexity AI, |
| Subra Suresh | Former President of Carnegie Mellon University |
| Veezhinathan Kamakoti | Director, IIT Madras |
Today, IITM alumni lead global corporations, shape national policy, and contribute to research, start-ups and social impact.
Comparison with Other Top Institutions
A comparison of IIT Madras on various parameters with the other top institutions of India for a better overall perspective is as follows:
| Metric | IIT Madras | IIT Delhi | IIT Bombay | IIT Kanpur | IIT Kharagpur |
| NIRF 2024 Ranking | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Highest International Package (2024) | Not released | ₹2.05 Crore | ₹3.67 Crore | ₹1.90 Crore | ₹2.14 Crore |
| B. Tech Average Package (2024) | ₹22 LPA (Overall) | ₹21.9 LPA (UG Average) | ₹23.5 LPA (Approx.) | ₹26.27 LPA (Overall) | ₹24 LPA (B. Tech) |
| B. Tech Placement Rate (2024) | 80% | 84.94% | 83.39% | 95.90% (CSE) | 79.7% |
| Campus Size | 617 acres | 325 acres | 550 acres | 1055 acres | 2100 acres |
To Sum It Up
IIT Madras offers top-class academics, has outstanding faculty, entrenched industry collaboration, and offers a thriving student culture with ample opportunities for professional growth. The institute’s top national ranking and robust international standing make it a desirable destination for aspiring engineers.
The alumni list of the institution is as illustrious as it is vast. If you intend to pursue a financially and professionally rewarding career, then the institute must be among your top choices.
In other words, if you are targeting to crack JEE, then securing admission into IIT Madras can be a feat which can do wonders to your career growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How can I get admission into IIT Madras?
The primary way to secure admission into the B. Tech at IIT Madras is through JEE Advanced. To be eligible to appear in JEE Advanced, you must get past JEE Main. JEE Advanced results are followed by JoSAA counselling, which hopefully gets you to IIT Madras.
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What kind of rank do I need in JEE Advanced to get into IIT Madras?
For a branch like Computer Science Engineering, you will need an All India Rank (AIR) within the top 200. For other branches like Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, a rank within the range of 500-2500 is usually warranted. Ranks for other branches can extend up to around 7000.
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What are the hostel facilities like at IIT Madras?
IITM’s campus has 22 hostels (including 16 for males and 6 for females) with well-furnished rooms. These are named after rivers in India and are equipped with all modern amenities, recreational facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity.
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Will I get a separate/single room at IIT Madras?
As with other IITs, in the first year, you will get shared accommodation. Depending on hostel policies, from the second year onwards, you can get a single, double, or triple room, well-furnished and with high-speed internet connectivity.
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What is the student-teacher ratio at IIT Madras?
The student-teacher ratio at IIT Madras is approximately 15:1, ensuring close academic mentorship and personal attention. QS World University Rankings 2025, however, states that the ratio is 20.3.