IIT Varanasi: Courses, Admissions, Placements, & CutOff 2025

IIT (BHU) Varanasi has a rich history dating back to 1919 when it was established as the Banaras Engineering College by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It was the first engineering college in India to offer degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, and Metallurgical Engineering. In 1968, it was converted into the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU). It finally gained its current status as an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in 2012 by an Act of Parliament. While it operates as an autonomous IIT, it maintains its unique identity as part of the larger Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, allowing students to benefit from the academic and cultural resources of both institutions.

Admission to the undergraduate B.Tech. programs at IIT (BHU) is highly competitive and is based on a student’s performance in the JEE Advanced examination. Candidates must first qualify for the JEE Main and then take the JEE Advanced. The selection process is centralized through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling, where candidates choose their preferred courses and institutes based on their JEE Advanced rank.

The fee structure varies by course and student category. For undergraduate students, the annual tuition fee is approximately ₹2.28 Lakhs, with first-year fees being higher. However, significant fee waivers and scholarships are available. Students from SC/ST and PD categories are fully exempted from tuition fees. The institute also offers a Merit-cum-Means scholarship, and there are various government and alumni-funded scholarships like the IIT (BHU) Foundation Scholarship (Access Fund), which provides full financial support to eligible students.

IIT (BHU) has a strong placement record. The highest package offered in recent years was INR 2.2 crore per annum. The average CTC is approximately INR 22.56 LPA. Placement rates vary by department, with Computer Science and Engineering consistently achieving high rates, around 90%. Top recruiters span various sectors, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Uber, as well as finance and consulting firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company.

Campus life is very active, with students participating in a wide range of extracurricular activities organized by the Students' Gymkhana. The campus hosts three major annual festivals: Technex, a renowned techno-management festival; Kashiyatra, a large socio-cultural festival; and Spardha, the annual sports festival. There are numerous clubs and societies, covering everything from coding and robotics to music, dance, theatre, and literature.

On-campus accommodation is compulsory for all students. Hostels are equipped with modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, common rooms, and sports facilities. The mess facilities are managed by student and warden committees to ensure hygiene and quality. There are multiple mess options, including a dedicated Sattvik Mess for students who prefer pure vegetarian food. Hostel allocation for first-year students is based on a composite merit system, while for senior students it is based on academic performance.

IIT (BHU) offers a total of 77 courses. The most popular undergraduate programs include B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The institute also offers a wide range of postgraduate and doctoral programs, including M.Tech., M.Pharm., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in various disciplines.

According to the NIRF Ranking 2024, IIT (BHU) Varanasi holds the 30th position in the Overall category and the 10th position in the Engineering category, reflecting its strong academic reputation and research output.

The Training & Placement Office (TPO) at IIT (BHU) facilitates paid internships for eligible students, typically from the third year of B.Tech. and Integrated Dual Degree programs. The TPO maintains a "One-Student-One-Internship" policy to ensure fair distribution. Students also have opportunities for research internships both on and off-campus, with some receiving partial financial support for foreign internships.

IIT (BHU) places a strong emphasis on research. Students, including undergraduates, are encouraged to participate in research projects alongside faculty. The institute provides well-equipped laboratories, a supercomputing center, and central instrument facilities to support research activities. A large number of Junior and Senior Research Fellowships are offered to Ph.D. students, and there are several research centers and innovation hubs.

The campus is distinguished by its unique location within the larger Banaras Hindu University campus, offering a blend of ancient cultural heritage and modern technical education. The campus features Indo-Gothic architecture and is known for its lush, green environment. It also has historical significance as one of the oldest technical institutes in India, giving it a unique character and legacy.