These lesser-known IIT programs not only help you achieve your dream of becoming an IITian but also open doors to exciting job opportunities, arming you with essential skills for the future.We’ve put together a list of these unique IIT branches that might be just perfect for fuelling your IIT dreams.
Engineering Physics (IIT Bombay)
Established in 1958, the Department of Physics at IIT Bombay is acclaimed for its exceptional undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and groundbreaking research. Unique among its peers, it stands out for offering a B.Tech in Engineering Physics, which uniquely combines physics with electrical engineering.
The department also offers a B.Tech-M.Tech dual degree in Engineering Physics. Its research encompasses a broad range of fields including condensed matter physics, photonics, nuclear and particle physics, string theory, and cosmology.
Mining Engineering (IIT Kharagpur)
Under the guidance of Professor Debashish Chakravarty, the extensive research at the Department of Mining Engineering in IIT Kharagpur aims at advancing mining technologies. It focusses on the development of specialised solutions, such as rescue robotics, which are designed to assist in emergencies within mining environments.
The comprehensive research covers multiple critical aspects of mining operations, including slope stability, situational awareness, production efficiency, and safety protocols. These innovations are applied across all phases of mining, from pre-mining assessments to active mining processes, and post-mining restoration and monitoring activities.
Incorporating virtual reality into mining operations is another key area of research that the department focusses on. The integration of robotics and virtual reality represents a significant step forward in modernizing and improving the safety and effectiveness of mining practices.
Agricultural and Food Engineering (IIT Kharagpur)
IIT Kharagpur stands out among the 23 IITs with its Agricultural and Food Engineering Department, featuring six key disciplines: Farm Machinery and Power, Land and Water Resources Engineering, Food Process Engineering, Agricultural Biotechnology, Aquacultural Engineering, and Agricultural Systems & Management.
It undertakes numerous sponsored research projects and development activities in areas including Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), soil conservation, irrigation and drainage, integration of remote sensing data with distributed hydrological models among others. IoT and AI/ML applications for water management, soil tillage, climate-resilient agriculture, fly ash utilization, ergonomic design of agricultural equipment, renewable energy, robotics and AI in agricultural machinery are some of the other areas of focus.
It has secured numerous patents and technology transfers, with faculty publishing over 2,200 papers and holding 64 patents and 16 copyrights. Notable awards, including the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai and Jawaharlal Nehru Awards, recognize the department’s achievements.
Pulp and Paper Engineering (IIT Roorkee)
The Department of Paper Technology offers a two-year M.Tech degree designed to meet the demands of the paper and packaging industries while also providing insights into related chemical and process sectors. The department’s research initiatives are aligned with industry needs and comprise a range of areas including environmental management, energy-efficient processes, material conservation, and the optimization of Indian raw materials for advanced pulping and bleaching techniques.
Beyond these core areas, the Department of Paper Technology extends its research into fields such as electronics, communication, and computer science. Under the guidance of a dedicated faculty, the department fosters a competitive academic and research environment, aiming to advance both theoretical knowledge and practical applications in the field.
Textile Technology (IIT Delhi)
Established in 1961, the Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering at IIT Delhi stands as the only department in the IIT system solely dedicated to this field. It offers specialized education and conducts extensive research across all major textile areas, including polymers and fibres, yarns, fabrics, nonwovens, and chemical processing. This focus provides students with unique research opportunities and a comprehensive understanding of the textile and fibre engineering domain.
Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture (IIT Madras)
Naval Architecture focusses on designing, constructing, operating, repairing, and maintaining marine vehicles like ships, submarines, and submersibles. It involves hydrodynamic and motion-response analyses for safe and efficient design. The curriculum emphasizes marine hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, and materials, alongside ship drawing and calculations for optimal design.
Additionally, the programme includes electives such as dynamic systems, machine learning, and marine instrumentation to prepare for the future of autonomous marine vehicles. Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras covers offshore structures, coastal protection, ocean energy, and underwater acoustics, with an undergraduate degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering offering a comprehensive education in both fields.
