Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Karnataka Campus Life

About Indian Institute of Technology - [IIT] Dharwad

Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad (IIT Dharwad) is a premier autonomous engineering institute established in 2016, located in Dharwad, Karnataka. It is one of the third-generation IITs set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, under the mentorship of IIT Bombay.

IIT Dharwad holds a NAAC grade of A and was ranked 77th among engineering colleges in India by NIRF in 2025. The institute offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs primarily in engineering disciplines, with a student strength of over 1,000 and a faculty team of around 100. It is recognized for its research output, sustainable campus initiatives, and growing academic excellence.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

IIT Dharwad admissions for 2026 are based on national-level entrance exams: JEE Advanced for B.Tech and BS-MS programs, GATE for M.Tech and MS programs, JAM for M.Sc programs, and GATE/NET for Ph.D. admissions. Counselling for B.Tech is conducted through JoSAA, M.Tech through COAP, and Ph.D. admissions involve institute-level interviews following application shortlisting.

Admission Process

Admission to IIT Dharwad is primarily through national-level entrance exams: B.Tech admissions require JEE Main followed by JEE Advanced and JoSAA counselling, while M.Tech admissions are based on GATE scores and COAP counselling. Ph.D. admissions involve an online application and interview process.

B.Tech Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register and appear for JEE Main via the official NTA website.
2. Qualify JEE Main and register for JEE Advanced.
3. Appear for JEE Advanced and obtain a valid rank.
4. Register for JoSAA counselling and fill IIT Dharwad as a preferred choice.
5. Participate in seat allotment based on JEE Advanced rank, category, and seat availability.
6. Complete admission formalities at IIT Dharwad after seat confirmation.

M.Tech Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register and appear for GATE in the relevant engineering discipline.
2. Register on the COAP portal and note the registration number.
3. Apply online through the IIT Dharwad admission portal and pay the application fee via SBI e-collect.
4. Attend two rounds of interviews (online and in-person) if shortlisted.
5. Accept admission offer through COAP based on GATE score and interview performance.
6. Complete document verification and join the program as per the schedule.

Ph.D. Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Check IIT Dharwad website for Ph.D. application opening dates.
2. Register and apply online via the IIT Dharwad portal, paying the application fee.
3. Submit required documents including academic transcripts and research proposal.
4. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an online interview.
5. Admission offers are made based on interview performance and eligibility.
6. Complete admission formalities and join as per the announced schedule.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID)
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
• JEE Main and JEE Advanced scorecards (for B.Tech)
• GATE scorecard (for M.Tech)
• Degree certificates and mark sheets of qualifying exams
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
• Photograph and signature as per specifications
• Research proposal (for Ph.D. applicants)

Cutoff 2025

The JEE Advanced cutoff ranks for IIT Dharwad in 2025 show a slight increase compared to previous years, reflecting growing competition. The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) branch remains the most competitive with closing ranks around 6384, while other branches like Electronics and Communication Engineering and Mathematics and Computing have higher closing ranks. The Integrated B.Sc.+M.Sc. program also has a relatively higher closing rank, indicating broader accessibility. GATE cutoffs for M.Tech programs range between 315 and 600 marks across categories.

Placements 2025

IIT Dharwad achieved a strong placement performance in 2025 with an overall placement rate close to 90% for B.Tech students. The highest domestic package reached ₹48-52 LPA, with international offers up to ₹55-60 LPA. The average package ranged between ₹12-17 LPA, reflecting robust recruitment from top IT, consulting, and core sector companies.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Oracle, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Adobe, Atlassian

Consulting: Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, EY, ZS Associates, McKinsey Digital, JPMorgan Chase, American Express

Core: Tata Steel, L&T Technology Services, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), ISRO, Bosch, Siemens

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad (IIT Dharwad) is ranked 77th in the NIRF 2025 Engineering category, showing improvement from its 101-150 rank band in 2024. It also holds a 57th rank in the IIRF 2025 Engineering rankings.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Scholarships & Financial Aid

IIT Dharwad offers a variety of scholarships to support students financially, including institute-specific merit and means-based scholarships, government scholarships via the National Scholarship Portal, and select external scholarships. These aid programs primarily target students from economically weaker sections, reserved categories, and high academic achievers, with benefits ranging from tuition fee waivers to monthly stipends.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• Tata Trusts Scholarships: Financial aid for meritorious and economically disadvantaged students
• Aditya Birla Scholarship: Support for academically excellent students from low-income families
• Indian Oil Academic Scholarships: Scholarships for students excelling in academics and sports
• Shraman Foundation Equal Opportunity Scholarship: Financial assistance for deserving IIT Dharwad students

Comparison

Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad is compared with National Institute of Technology Warangal and Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad as they are similarly ranked government engineering institutes established in the last two decades, offering strong technical education and research opportunities in India.

Key Strengths

• Indian Institute of Technology - Dharwad: Rapidly growing IIT with strong focus on research, innovative teaching, and industry collaboration in a new campus environment.
• National Institute of Technology Warangal: Established legacy with strong alumni network, high research output, and excellent placement records.
• Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad: Emerging IIT with emphasis on interdisciplinary research and modern infrastructure, gaining recognition quickly.

Campus & Infrastructure

IIT Dharwad's permanent campus is located at Chikkamalligawad, Dharwad, Karnataka, spanning a sprawling 470 acres including 67 acres of natural forest. The campus is designed as India’s first green and smart IIT, fully Wi-Fi enabled, with a focus on sustainability aiming for net zero water, energy, and waste by 2030.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: Nearly 4,850 books, access to over 3,000 international research journals, 24x7 reading area with 300+ seats
• Labs: Cutting-edge departmental labs for Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Physics, Chemistry, and Biosciences, including specialized research centers like Centre for Robotics and Automation and AI Research Lab
• Classrooms: Well-equipped smart classrooms with modern teaching technology

Other Facilities

• Auditorium for academic and non-academic events
• Sports facilities including football, cricket, hockey, basketball, tennis, and two volleyball courts
• Indoor gymnasium with weightlifting and modern fitness equipment
• Running/jogging track
• Wi-Fi enabled campus
• Medical facilities with 24/7 health centre and ambulance service
• Cafeteria with hygienic and spacious dining

Frequently Asked Questions

What entrance exams are required for admission to IIT Dharwad B.Tech programs?

Admission to IIT Dharwad B.Tech programs is through the JEE Advanced exam. Candidates must qualify JEE Advanced and participate in the JoSAA counseling for seat allocation.

What is the eligibility criteria for applying to IIT Dharwad?

Candidates must have cleared the 12th standard with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and qualified JEE Advanced to be eligible for IIT Dharwad B.Tech admissions.

What is the total fee structure for the B.Tech program at IIT Dharwad?

The total annual fee for B.Tech students is approximately ₹1,14,750 excluding deposits, which include tuition, hostel rent, and other charges.

What is the average and highest package offered in IIT Dharwad placements?

The highest package recorded is around ₹35 LPA, with an average package close to ₹10.31 LPA in recent placement seasons.

What research facilities are available at IIT Dharwad?

IIT Dharwad offers advanced research labs including animal cell culture, digital microscopy, automation, and CI engine setups, supporting doctoral and M.Tech research programs.

What sports facilities are available on the IIT Dharwad campus?

The campus includes basketball, badminton, squash, volleyball courts, a gym, football and cricket grounds, and indoor game facilities like table tennis and chess.

Is the IIT Dharwad campus safe for students?

The campus has dedicated security personnel, separate hostels for genders, and a wellness center with medical and counseling services ensuring student safety and well-being.

What is the daily commute like for students at IIT Dharwad?

The permanent campus is located about 30 km from Hubballi city; most students stay on campus as motor vehicles are not allowed inside, minimizing commute concerns.

Are part-time jobs or internships available for IIT Dharwad students?

IIT Dharwad encourages internships, especially in the eighth semester, but part-time jobs on campus are limited due to academic focus and campus policies.

What are the laptop or technical requirements for IIT Dharwad students?

Students are advised to have laptops capable of running programming and engineering software; specific requirements depend on the branch but generally include standard development tools.

Is the campus environment at IIT Dharwad eco-friendly?

The permanent campus is designed to be net zero in water, energy, and waste by 2030, featuring rainwater harvesting and sustainable waste management systems.