JEE Adv 2026: IITs Launch Groundbreaking Inter-Campus Student Exchange

Students from one IIT can now choose to take certain courses or even attend an entire semester at another IIT campus while still being associated with their original IIT. Credits from studying abroad in the IIT network will not pose any problems, just like in international exchange programs.

IITs Launch Groundbreaking Inter-Campus Student Exchange

In a revolutionary move, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will permit students to study across different campuses from the 2026-27 academic session onwards. This move will facilitate hassle-free credit transfers, promoting more flexibility and inter-IIT collaboration among the 23 IITs in the country.

IIT Madras announced this through its official communication channels and termed it the "first official intra-IIT academic mobility”.

According to Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, "The academic deans are synchronizing their programs for a seamless rollout." The proposal was first made by the IIT Council, headed by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in August 2025, aiming to reach around 5% of the total undergraduate students. The IITs are working on curriculum alignment for easy compatibility, pending approval from the senates of individual IITs.

For the first time, students at IITs will be able to study across campuses starting this academic year — taking select courses or even spending a full term at another IIT, with credits… pic.twitter.com/i9lGeUS1jn

— IIT Madras (@iitmadras) February 19, 2026

A B.Tech student at IIT Bombay can go to IIT Kanpur in the sixth semester for robotics electives and come back with full credits. This model is designed to meet the requirements of the current era, where people switch jobs or locations for training or project work.

Also Check: JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration Ends Soon; Apply Now to Avoid Late Rush

The number of visiting students will be limited at each IIT based on capacity. This model is initially limited but could scale up if the balance of mobility is maintained. This puts the IITs into a single ecosystem, which will improve the pool of tech talent in India in the face of global competition. The changing curriculum will provide students with varied skill sets, ranging from flexible electives to internships, making them more industry-ready.

Logistical concerns are being raised, but Prof. Kamakoti, among other leaders, is confident that the mapped-out courses will reduce disruptions. This changeover moves away from the traditional JEE rank-based allocations, and instead, there is emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and mobility. Students interested in internships or electives can now choose specialized courses such as advanced AI courses at IIT Delhi or biotech courses at IIT Madras without compromising their degree.

Admission in IITs

IIT Roorkee will organize the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Advanced 2026 for admission to various IITs. The entrance test will be held on May 17, 2026. IIT JEE Registration will strat on April 23, 2026 for Indian candidates whereas for foreign national, the registration will start on April 6. Candidates who obtains score above the NTA JEE Main 2026 cutoff percentile can apply for IIT admissions.

Read More: Check Expected Qualifying Percentile for JEE Advanced and Top NITs for All Categories