IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is a central government institute at Kalyanpur in Kanpur, and it is one of the first-generation IITs. IIT Kanpur was established in 1959 and is an Institute of National Importance. The Kanpur Indo-American Programme brought technical help from nine US institutions from 1962 to 1972. Prof. Manindra Agrawal is the Director of IIT Kanpur.

The film below shows the campus life that the incoming Y24 batch joined. It is from the official IIT Kanpur channel and was uploaded about two years ago.

The three schools are the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology, the Kotak School of Sustainability and the Wadhwani School of AI and Intelligent Systems.

How Strong Is Research at IIT Kanpur?

IIT Kanpur is known for engineering, science and research. It ranked 6th in the NIRF 2025 Research category and 5th in Innovation. In the QS 2026 subject list, seven IIT Kanpur subjects are in the world top 100, led by Computer Science and Information Systems at 65.

The research numbers back this up. IIT Kanpur received ₹363.43 crore from 1,219 sponsored projects in 2024-25. It also earned ₹113.61 crore from 465 consultancy projects that year. It had 294 full-time Ph.D. graduates in 2024-25. These figures come from its NIRF 2026 data.

Who Should Choose IIT Kanpur, and Who Should Check Twice?

IIT Kanpur suits you if you want a research-heavy engineering or science degree on a residential campus. It also suits PG students who want a thesis-based M.Tech or Ph.D. The new B.Tech in Intelligent Systems started in 2026.

Check twice if you need branch-wise placement numbers, because the institute's data does not give them. Check twice if you want an average or highest package, because the NIRF data gives only the median. Kanpur Central station is also about 14 km from the campus, so IIT Kanpur is not a city-centre college.

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The table lists the main IIT Kanpur highlights with the year of each figure. Check the year before you compare IIT Kanpur with another institute. IIT Kanpur details such as seats, fees and ranks change every year, so each row names its year where it matters.

IIT Kanpur sanctioned 1,210 four-year UG seats for 2024-25. Its press releases say more than 9,500 students study there in all.

IIT Kanpur courses run from the four-year B.Tech and B.S. to the Ph.D., and the B.Tech tuition fee is ₹1,00,000 a semester before waivers. The IIT Kanpur courses list for JoSAA 2026 had 15 UG programmes, nine B.Tech and six B.S. IIT Kanpur also offers the B.Cyber. Courses in IIT Kanpur at PG level are the M.Tech., M.S. (Research), M.Sc., M.Des., MBA and Ph.D. There are also online degrees and a PG Diploma for working professionals. The courses page has the full IIT Kanpur courses list and each entry exam.

What Is the IIT Kanpur Fees Structure for the B.Tech?

The IIT Kanpur fees structure starts with tuition. The B.Tech tuition is ₹1,00,000 a semester for families with income above ₹5 lakh. It is ₹33,333 for income from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh, and nil below ₹1 lakh. SC, ST and PwD students also pay no tuition.

The first-semester bill for a General or OBC hosteller is ₹1,58,415. It falls to ₹91,748 for income from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The B.S. and B.Cyber follow the same circular. These IIT Kanpur fees details are from the July 2026 circulars, and the 2027-28 circular is not out yet.

Does IIT Kanpur Have a Student Exchange Programme?

Yes. IIT Kanpur runs a semester exchange programme with 23 partner universities in 12 countries and regions. The partners include Technical University of Munich in Germany, EPFL in Switzerland, the University of Tokyo in Japan and the University of Buffalo in the USA. UG students need 200 credits completed and a CPI of at least 7.0 to apply, and PG students need two semesters completed and a CPI of at least 8.0. Students keep paying tuition at IIT Kanpur, and the institute gives no funding for the exchange. The IIT Kanpur semester exchange page has the full partner list.

IIT Kanpur admission 2027 for the B.Tech and B.S. will run through JEE Main, JEE Advanced and JoSAA, as it did in 2026. That is the IIT Kanpur admission process in one line. In the 2026 cycle, JEE Advanced was held on 17 May 2026 and IIT Roorkee organised it. Results came on 1 June 2026. JoSAA Round 5 on 16 July 2026 was the final round for IITs. PG admission at IIT Kanpur uses GATE, JAM, CEED or CAT.

The IIT Kanpur admission criteria for the B.Tech include 75% in Class 12, or a place in your board's top 20 percentile. These IIT Kanpur admission requirements also have an age limit. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 65%. You must be born on or after 1 October 2001, with five years of relaxation for SC, ST and PwD candidates.

What Is the IIT Kanpur B.Tech Admission Process After JEE Advanced?

First qualify in JEE Main, in the top 2,50,000. Then rank in JEE Advanced and fill your choices in JoSAA. After the seat is accepted, you report to IIT Kanpur for document checks. The admission page has the full IIT Kanpur admission details, steps and documents.

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IIT Kanpur placement for the four-year UG batch of 2024-25 gave a median package of ₹21,70,000. These IIT Kanpur placement details and placement statistics come from the institute's NIRF 2026 data. The two-year PG median was ₹15,70,000, with 674 of 1,031 placed.

For the 2025-26 season, IIT Kanpur placement Phase I ended on 26 December 2025 with offers from over 250 organisations. Students accepted 1,079 of them, including pre-placement offers. On Day 1, 253 offers were PPOs. These IIT Kanpur placement statistics for 2025-26 are season updates and not a final report.

What Package Can You Expect From IIT Kanpur?

Plan with the median. IIT Kanpur gives the median, which was ₹21,70,000 for the four-year UG batch of 2024-25. It was ₹19,40,000 for 2023-24 and ₹23,00,000 for 2022-23. The MBA median was ₹16,50,000 for 2024-25. The NIRF data and the two 2025-26 press releases give no IIT Kanpur average package and no highest placement package. Ignore crore-level claims on social media.

Which Sectors Hire From IIT Kanpur?

Finance, technology, consulting, aerospace, startups and public sector firms all hire. Accenture, BlackRock, HSBC, SAP, Airbus, PwC, Navi, Qualcomm and Deutsche Bank were on the Day 1 list for 2025-26. Phase I added American Express, Boeing, Databricks, Mastercard, Meesho and Samsung. BPCL, BEL, MIDHANI and EIL also came. The placement page has the full list and the process.

You check the IIT Kanpur cutoff 2026 on the JoSAA opening and closing rank page. The IIT Kanpur previous year cutoff is on the same JoSAA page and on the cutoff page. JoSAA does not publish an IIT Kanpur expected cutoff, so treat the previous year cutoff as your guide. IIT Kanpur cutoff marks do not exist for the B.Tech, because JoSAA uses JEE Advanced ranks.

How Much Do Closing Ranks Vary Across IIT Kanpur Programmes?

A lot. For Open gender-neutral seats in 2026, closing ranks ran from 283 in CSE to 11,668 in Chemistry (B.S.). The female-only pool for CSE closed at 1,223. The cutoff changes by programme, category and seat pool, so check your own branch on the cutoff page.

IIT Kanpur gives need-based and merit scholarships, and the main one is the Merit-cum-Means scholarship. It can go to up to 25% of the students in a batch. From 2026-27, the family income limit is ₹8 lakh a year. You need a CPI of 6.5 or more for the full award. This IIT Kanpur scholarship information comes from the SSPC pages.

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The IIT Kanpur ranking in India is 5th in NIRF 2025 Overall and 4th in NIRF 2025 Engineering. There is no IIT Kanpur NIRF ranking 2026 yet, so NIRF 2025 is the latest list. Until then, the IIT Kanpur ranking 2026 means NIRF 2025 plus QS 2027. In world lists, IIT Kanpur is joint 221st in QS 2027.

Where Does IIT Kanpur Stand Among the Top IITs?

IIT Kanpur is the fourth IIT in NIRF 2025 Engineering, after IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. It is the fifth in Overall. IIT Kanpur scored higher than IIT Bombay on teaching and resources in Engineering, 91.77 against 87.97. Compare the branch you want, not the institute rank alone.

IIT Kanpur accepts JEE Advanced for B.Tech and B.S., and GATE for M.Tech. and M.S. (Research). It takes JAM for the M.Sc., CEED for the M.Des. and CAT for the MBA. IIT Kanpur entrance exams change with the course, so match your course before you register.

🎓UGJEE AdvancedB.Tech and B.S. The 2026 exam was on 17 May 2026, and the 2027 dates are not announced.🎯Feb 2027GATEM.Tech. and M.S. (Research). GATE 2027 runs from 6 to 21 February 2027.🧪14 Feb 2027JAMM.Sc. JAM 2027 is on 14 February 2027.📝29 Nov 2026CATMBA. CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026, and registration closed on 22 September 2026.🛡️UGB.Cyber TestB.Cyber. The 2026 batch was shortlisted on JEE Main score, and then a test and hackathon followed. Later batches will have a separate entrance test.

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The IIT Kanpur campus covers 1,055 acres with halls of residence, sports grounds, a Health Centre and campus schools. The halls are Hall 1 to Hall 10, plus GH-1 and GH-2. Each hostel has separate wings, and rooms are on a sharing basis, with internet. The IIT Kanpur campus also has eateries, shops, banks and a Visitors' Hostel.

🏠HostelHalls of ResidenceHall 1 to Hall 10, plus GH-1 and GH-2, with furnished rooms and internet.🏏SportsSportsA gymnasium, cricket and football grounds, tennis and basketball courts and a swimming pool.🏥HealthHealth CentreDoctors, nurses and specialists on campus.🚌TransportCampus Carts12 electric carts run daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm.

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The IIT Kanpur location is Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, on NH 34. The IIT Kanpur nearest metro station is IIT Kanpur Metro Station, about 290 m by road from the campus entrance. The distances below are Google Maps ranges.

Is IIT Kanpur Inside Kanpur City?

No. The campus is at Kalyanpur on NH 34, about 14 km from Kanpur Central, so it is not a city-centre college. The IIT Kanpur how to reach page gives every route and travel time.

What Do Students Say About IIT Kanpur?

Students rate IIT Kanpur 4.7 out of 5 on Google. On Reddit and Quora, they praise the tough academics, strong CSE and EE placements and the green campus. They flag the heavy workload, strict grading, basic older hostels, hot weather and the city of Kanpur. IIT Kanpur reviews highlight both the institute’s academic excellence and the challenges of student life on campus.

What Do Students Say About Courses, Grading and Workload at IIT Kanpur?

Students say the academics are rigorous, with frequent quizzes and strict grading. Most say the effort is worth it.

📚Most Students Dislike ThisHeavy Quiz and Exam LoadMany Reddit posts from 2024 to 2026 say quizzes come often and the coursework stays heavy into the second year. One Google reviewer calls the academics challenging but enriching.📉Most Students Dislike ThisStrict, Relative GradingStudents say you compete with a very strong batch for each grade. Some say marking and course weightage change from one professor to another. One commenter says the grade scale has become finer in recent years.🎯Mixed ViewsCPI Opens or Closes OptionsSeveral students say CPI works as a cut-off for internships, placements and exchange programmes. They say it gets harder to raise the CPI after the third or fourth semester.🔁Mixed ViewsBranch Change Is HardStudents warn against joining only to change branch later. They say it needs a very high CPI and the competition is strong.🕘One Student's ViewAttendance Differs by CourseOne first-year says most courses expect 75% attendance and some professors relax it. A 2024 poster calls the attendance rules strict.

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The IIT Kanpur courses page lists the programmes and structure.

What Do Students Say About Faculty and Research at IIT Kanpur?

Students call most professors knowledgeable and approachable, and they praise the labs. The PhD experience depends a lot on the guide.

👩‍🏫Most Students Like ThisProfessors Seen as HelpfulReddit posts, an MBA student and a Google reviewer call the faculty qualified and approachable. A first-year says teaching is rarely a worry. Students also say it differs by course.🔬Most Students Like ThisLabs and Research FocusGoogle reviewers, Reddit posts and Quora answers praise the labs and research culture. A student blog describes an exchange semester abroad that the international office arranged.🧭Mixed ViewsPhD Depends on the GuideTwo older Quora answers from PhD alumni give opposite pictures. One calls the labs and hostel life excellent. The other says a distant guide made the PhD very hard. Check the lab and guide before you join.💼One Student's ViewInternships During M.TechOne 2024 poster says M.Tech students rarely get a guide's permission for an internship.

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What Do Students Say About Campus Life, Batch and Culture at IIT Kanpur?

Students say IIT Kanpur gives a lot of freedom and many clubs and fests, but some feel lonely under the workload.

🕊️Most Students Like ThisFreedom on CampusReddit posts from 2024 to 2026 say there is no in-time for hostels and no hostel restrictions, so students can join clubs and sports or work late. An older Quora answer says the same.🎭Most Students Like ThisClubs, Fests and EventsStudents name Antaragni, Techkriti and Udghosh and say clubs are open to anyone with interest. A first-year says the campus is lively and has many events.🤝One Student's ViewFriendly Seniors and PeersOne student says seniors are mostly relaxed and helpful. Another says people move from competing in the first year to collaborating later.😟Mixed ViewsLoneliness in the Early SemestersA 2024 third-semester student says the workload left little time for friends. Replies say clubs and a shared interest helped them find their group, and others felt the same in their second year.🛡️One Student's ViewSafe Campus, No RaggingA first-year says there is no ragging and a body exists to stop it.⚖️Mixed ViewsWomen Students' ExperienceOne woman student says a hostel official made sexist remarks. A commenter in the same thread says IIT Kanpur is among the more liberal campuses in India.

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What Do Students Say About Placements and Internships at IIT Kanpur?

Students say placements are very strong in CSE and EE. They say results are less certain in some other branches and in some postgraduate programmes.

🚀Most Students Like ThisStrong Placements, Seen as UnderratedMany Reddit posts from 2025 and 2026 call IIT Kanpur placements strong and underrated among the top IITs. Most of this praise is for CSE and EE.🧭Mixed ViewsResults Differ by BranchStudents say civil, aerospace and maths-and-computing are weaker for some. One student says most offers are for software roles, even in core branches.📊Mixed ViewsCPI and Skills DecideStudents say company cut-offs and CPI affect shortlists. One student says if you build skills and prepare well, you get placed.💰Mixed ViewsAverages Can MisleadOne commenter says international offers can lift averages. Another says a small batch makes averages unreliable. Use the official report for numbers.See IIT Kanpur Placements🏢One Student's ViewViews on the Placement ProcessOne M.Tech student says the student-run process favours well-connected students, though he got a strong offer without connections. One MBA student says the placement office is open about its numbers.

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What Do Students Say About Hostels, Food and Weather at IIT Kanpur?

Students like the first-year hostel, but say older halls are basic, mess quality changes by hall and the summers are hard.

🏢Most Students Like ThisFreshers' Hostel PraisedReddit posts from 2025 and 2026 call Hall 13, the first-year hostel, newer and comfortable. Rooms are shared by two or three students.🛏️Most Students Dislike ThisOlder Halls Are BasicPosts from 2024 to September 2026 say many older halls look worn and have no AC. A first-year posted in September 2026 about a tin roof and unclean washrooms in GH1. A reply said GH1 is still better than some boys' halls.🌡️Most Students Dislike ThisHot and Humid RoomsStudents say hot summers and the humid monsoon make rooms hard without AC. Many use coolers and study in air-conditioned academic buildings. Others mention cold winters.🍽️Mixed ViewsMess Quality Differs by HallStudents name different halls as the best for food. A hall resident noticed a drop in quality over three years. Posts from September 2026 complain about food in some halls.🚿One Student's ViewWater and Washroom Problem in Hall 13A March 2025 post says first-year students in Hall 13 faced washroom and water problems for about two weeks. We found no later post on this.

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What Do Students Say About the Location and City of Kanpur?

Students say the campus is calm and green, but the city of Kanpur is their most common complaint. The metro now makes travel easier.

📍Most Students Dislike ThisLocation Is the Top ComplaintMany Reddit comments from 2024 to 2026 say IIT Kanpur would rank even higher if it were in a bigger city. They mention fewer places to go and less to do outside the campus.🌳Most Students Like ThisGreen, Peaceful CampusGoogle reviewers, Reddit posts and Quora answers call the campus large, green and calm.🚇Most Students Like ThisEasy to Reach by MetroA Google reviewer says the campus is easy to reach by metro, bus, taxi and auto. Reddit comments from 2025 say a direct metro link goes from the campus to the city.🏙️Mixed ViewsCity Views Are MixedKanpur locals on Reddit list food, ghats, parks and malls. Other students call the city crowded and short of places to hang out. Both agree that the campus has what you need.

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What Do Students Say About the MBA and Postgraduate Programmes at IIT Kanpur?

MBA students praise the value and the small batch, but several posts flag a large unplaced share in recent seasons. M.Tech students call the coursework demanding.

🎓Mixed ViewsMBA Seen as Good ValueSome CAT aspirants and students say the MBA gives good value and a wide alumni network. Others say newer IIMs have a higher ceiling or a better salary jump.⚠️Most Students Dislike ThisMany MBA Students Unplaced in Recent SeasonsThree Reddit threads from 2025 and 2026 say a large share of the MBA batch was unplaced at the time. Replies blame a weak market and a bigger earlier batch, and an alumnus says the rest get placed over time.📘One Student's ViewM.Tech Coursework Is DemandingA 2024 post says M.Tech coursework is very heavy, mostly in the first semester, and is not meant for those who cannot take pressure.🧪One Student's ViewNewer M.Tech Programmes and PlacementsAn April 2026 post says a senior reported very few placements in some newer interdisciplinary M.Tech programmes in the first phase. This is second-hand, so confirm it with the department.🛏️One Student's ViewTight Rooms for PhD StudentsA December 2024 post says first-year PhD students shared rooms because of a space shortage.

What This Means for You

How Were These IIT Kanpur Reviews Chosen?

Is IIT Kanpur Worth It? Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

IIT Kanpur suits students who want rigorous academics, research and an open campus, and can handle heavy workload in a smaller city. It suits less well students who want big-city life or easier grades.