Indian Institute of Technology Madras
⚲ Chennai, Tamil Nadu · Government · Estd 1959
★ 4.9 · Updated on 12 Jul 2026
NIRF Rank
#1
Avg Package
₹22.0 LPA
Total Fees
₹8.5 L
Rating
★ 4.9
About IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is India's top-ranked engineering institution — #1 in the NIRF Engineering rankings for nine consecutive years (2016–2024) and #1 Overall for six years running. Established in 1959 with technical assistance from West Germany, it was the third IIT and is today an Institute of National Importance and an Institution of Eminence.
The institute sits on a 617-acre residential campus in south Chennai, carved out of the Guindy National Park extension — famous for its tree-lined avenues, deer and blackbuck. Academics span 16 departments across engineering, sciences, humanities and management, with around 600 faculty and over 10,000 students.
IIT Madras pioneered the IIT Madras Research Park, India's first university-based research park, and runs one of the country's most active deep-tech incubation ecosystems with 300+ startups (including Ather Energy). In 2020 it became the first IIT to launch a fully online BS degree (Data Science and Applications), opening IIT education to learners nationwide.
IIT Madras Highlights 2026
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1959 (third IIT) |
| Campus | 617 acres, fully residential, Chennai |
| NIRF 2024 | #1 Engineering (9th year), #1 Overall (6th year), #1 Research |
| Departments | 16 (Engineering, Sciences, Humanities, Management) |
| Programmes | B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Tech, MBA, M.Sc, MA, BS (Online), MS, PhD |
| Entrance exams | JEE Advanced, GATE, JAM, CAT, institute qualifier (online BS) |
| Students | 10,000+ |
| Highest package (2024–25) | ₹4.3 Cr (Jane Street — all-time record) |
| Average package (2024) | ₹22 LPA (median ₹19.6 LPA) |
| Official website | www.iitm.ac.in |
What's New at IIT Madras
- •Record-breaking offer: a Computer Science student received a ₹4.3 crore pre-placement offer from Jane Street (Hong Kong) in the 2024–25 season — the highest ever at IIT Madras.
- •NIRF 2024: retained the #1 Engineering rank for the 9th straight year and #1 Overall for the 6th.
- •Online BS growth: the Data Science & Applications programme has grown past 20,000 enrolled learners, the largest programme of its kind in India.
- •Research & innovation: IIT Madras continues to lead the NIRF Research category, and its incubation cell has crossed 300 incubated startups.
Notable Alumni
- •Venkatraman Ramakrishnan — Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2009)
- •Sridhar Vembu — founder & CEO, Zoho Corporation
- •Kris Gopalakrishnan — co-founder, Infosys
- •Prem Watsa — founder & chairman, Fairfax Financial Holdings
- •Gururaj "Desh" Deshpande — serial entrepreneur & philanthropist
- •Tarun Mehta & Swapnil Jain — founders of Ather Energy, incubated on campus
- •B. Muthuraman — former Managing Director, Tata Steel
Why Choose IIT Madras?
- •Consistent #1 ranking — the most decorated engineering institute in NIRF history.
- •Outcomes — ₹22 LPA average package with global recruiters like Google, Jane Street and McKinsey on campus.
- •Research muscle — highest research output among IITs, a dedicated Research Park and 300+ incubated startups.
- •True campus life — a fully residential, green 617-acre campus with legendary festivals (Saarang and Shaastra).
- •Flexibility — dual degrees, interdisciplinary minors and India's first online BS for learners outside the JEE route.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Ranked #1 in NIRF Engineering for 9 consecutive years (2016–2024)
- ✓ Ranked #1 Overall in NIRF for 6 consecutive years (2019–2024)
- ✓ All-time record offer of ₹4.3 Cr (Jane Street, 2024–25 season)
- ✓ Average package ₹22 LPA, median ₹19.6 LPA (2024 batch)
- ✓ 617-acre residential campus adjoining Guindy National Park
- ✓ India's first fully online BS degree (Data Science & Applications)
- ✓ IIT Madras Research Park — India's first university research park
- ✓ 300+ startups incubated, including Ather Energy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IIT Madras ranked in NIRF 2024?
IIT Madras is ranked #1 in the NIRF 2024 Engineering rankings — its 9th consecutive year at the top — and #1 Overall for the 6th year running. It also leads the NIRF Research category.
What JEE Advanced rank is needed for CSE at IIT Madras?
In JoSAA 2025 Round 1, B.Tech Computer Science at IIT Madras closed at rank 171 (General, gender-neutral; opening rank 79). Closing ranks move slightly across rounds and years, so a rank under ~200 is a realistic target for CSE.
What is the total fee for B.Tech at IIT Madras?
The complete 4-year cost is roughly ₹8.5–10 lakh including tuition (₹2 lakh/year), hostel and mess. Students with family income below ₹1 lakh get a full tuition waiver, and income between ₹1–5 lakh gets a two-thirds waiver; SC/ST/PwD students pay no tuition.
What is the average package at IIT Madras?
For the 2024 graduating batch, the average package was about ₹22 LPA with a median of ₹19.6 LPA. The highest-ever offer, ₹4.3 crore, came from Jane Street in the 2024–25 season. Over 80% of B.Tech/Dual-Degree students were placed.
Does IIT Madras provide hostel accommodation to all students?
Yes. IIT Madras is a fully residential campus with about 20 hostels named after Indian rivers. Hostel plus mess charges add roughly ₹1–1.3 lakh per year (indicative; see the official fee card).
Who can join the IIT Madras online BS in Data Science?
Anyone who has passed Class 12 (with Class 11/12-level Maths and English) can apply — there is no age limit, no JEE requirement and no seat cap. Admission is through a qualifier process, and learners can exit with a certificate, diploma, BSc or full BS degree.