**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Education's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3471, answered on August 11, 2025, regarding the establishment of new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Coimbatore or Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The Ministry states that there are currently 23 IITs functioning in India, including IIT Madras, an Institution of National Importance (INI) already established in Tamil Nadu. In addition to IIT Madras, the state also houses the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli, and the Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Kancheepuram. These institutions are recognized for their contributions to technical education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship promotion, and industry consultancy.
The Ministry cites the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as prioritizing the strengthening of existing educational institutions through improvements in infrastructure, governance, and resources. NEP 2020 also advocates for the establishment of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs). IIT Madras is presented as an institution actively implementing the vision of NEP 2020 through flexible educational programs and multidisciplinary education. Furthermore, IIT Madras is collaborating with Tamil Nadu state government departments and agencies on projects related to education, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, health systems strengthening, and technological innovation across various sectors, including transport, energy, water, urban development, and public health. The response indicates that the current focus is on strengthening existing institutions and leveraging IIT Madras' capabilities, rather than establishing new IITs in Coimbatore or Madurai.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Institute of Technology: A group of premier engineering and technology institutes in India. There are 23 IITs currently functioning in the country.
IIT Madras: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, an Institution of National Importance (INI) established in Tamil Nadu.
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: A city in Tamil Nadu, India, proposed as a location for a new IIT.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu: A city in Tamil Nadu, India, proposed as a location for a new IIT.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where IIT Madras, NIT Tiruchirappalli and IIITDM Kancheepuram are located.
National Institute of Technology NIT, Tiruchirappalli: A premier technical institute located in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing Kancheepuram: A premier technical institute located in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
National Education Policy NEP, 2020: A national policy document by the Government of India that focuses on strengthening existing educational institutions and recommends establishment of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3471
ANSWERED ON-11/08/2025
Establishment of IIT in Coimbatore/Madurai
3471. Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P:
Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti:
Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any plans to establish new IIT in Coimbatore or Madurai
for the benefit of southern part of Tamil Nadu;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (c): At present there are 23 Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) established and
functioning in the country. IIT Madras, an Institution of National Importance (INI) has
already been established by the Central Government in the state of Tamil Nadu. Besides
IIT, Madras, there are other premier technical institutes in the state such as National Institute
of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli and Indian Institute of Information Technology
Design and Manufacturing Kancheepuram (IIITDM Kancheepuram). These esteemed
institutes are known for their excellence in technical education, advanced research in both
fundamental and applied domains, innovation, promotion of entrepreneurship, and
consultancy services to industry.
The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 focuses on strengthening the existing
educational institutions by improving their basic structures, governance and resources. NEP
2020 also recommends establishment of Multi-disciplinary Education and Research
Universities (MERU) as model public institutions to set the highest standards in education
and research. IIT Madras is realizing the vision of NEP 2020 and is implementing flexible
educational programmes, promoting holistic, multi-disciplinary education integrating
science and engineering with management and social sciences. Further, IIT Madras has been
actively collaborating with several state government departments and agencies in Tamil
Nadu to support education, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, health
systems strengthening, and technological innovation. The institute has undertaken a wide
range of projects spanning sectors such as education, transport, energy, water, urban
development, and public health.
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