Expansion of Academic and Infrastructure Capacity Approved for Five IITs Including IIT Bhilai
A Major Step Towards a Developed Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister Expresses Gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Modi
Raipur (thestates.news)| In a significant decision taken during the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi today, a major announcement was made for Chhattisgarh. The Cabinet approved the expansion of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai campus, paving the way for new facilities for technical education and research. The development will enable IIT Bhilai to accommodate a greater number of students.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the announcement and described it as another major stride towards the vision of a Developed India and a Developed Chhattisgarh.
It is noteworthy that the Union Cabinet has approved the expansion of academic and infrastructural capacities for five IITs across the country, including IIT Bhilai in Chhattisgarh. As a result of this Cabinet decision, over 6,500 students across the nation will have the opportunity to study in these prestigious institutions over the next four years.
Significantly, IIT Bhilai will witness an increase in student intake, benefitting not only youth from Chhattisgarh but also from across the country. The campus expansion will not only enhance student facilities but also generate local employment opportunities. The recruitment of faculty, staff, and researchers is expected to boost demand for housing, transport, and other essential services in the surrounding areas.
Though IIT Bhilai is already operating from its permanent campus, this expansion will further elevate the institution into a more robust centre for education and innovation. Presently, there are 7,111 seats across the IITs, and this expansion will increase the total to 13,687—an addition of 6,576 new seats nationwide.
The IITs identified for expansion include those in Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir), Dharwad (Karnataka), and Palakkad (Kerala). The Central Government has sanctioned a budget of Rs 11,828.79 crore for the expansion, to be utilised between 2025–26 and 2028–29.
Under this initiative, not only will new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities be developed, but 130 new faculty positions will also be created to enhance the quality of education and research. Additionally, five advanced research parks will be established to strengthen industry-academia linkages.
