The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has launched a national academic and research collaboration network through Memoranda of Understanding signed with 18 National Institutes of Technology across the country. This initiative aims to strengthen academic excellence, research collaboration, innovation, and talent development, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.
Launch Event
The collaboration network was formally launched at IIT Delhi on June 4, 2026. The event featured Saumya Gupta, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, who joined virtually. Directors of participating NITs, IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee, and other senior institute officials also attended.
Partner Institutions
The partnership spans 18 NITs across India, including NIT Sikkim, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Silchar, NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Rourkela, NIT Raipur, VNIT Nagpur, SVNIT Surat, MNIT Jaipur, MANIT Bhopal, MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Srinagar, NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Calicut, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal, and NIT Jalandhar.
Key Features
According to IIT Delhi, this initiative represents one of the largest structured academic partnership frameworks among the country's leading technical institutions. The network leverages the combined strengths of IIT Delhi and the NIT system to advance education, research, innovation, and national development.
Opportunities for Students and Researchers
The collaboration offers students and faculty members opportunities for academic exchange, joint research, access to research infrastructure, collaborative supervision of projects and theses, faculty development programs, and multidisciplinary innovation activities.
A major feature is a structured pathway for meritorious NIT students to pursue advanced studies at IIT Delhi. Eligible undergraduate students can spend their final year at the institute as Special Exchange Students, undertaking advanced coursework and research projects under IIT Delhi faculty supervision. Postgraduate students from partner NITs can also participate in research immersion activities.
Early Admission and ALIGN Initiative
The framework introduces an Early Admission Scheme, allowing high-performing students from participating NITs to be considered for admission to MTech, MS (Research), and PhD programs at IIT Delhi without qualifying through GATE or other national-level examinations, subject to prescribed academic and research criteria.
The collaboration also includes provisions for credit transfer, credit sharing, and advanced standing. IIT Delhi has launched ALIGN (Academic Linkages for Innovation and National Growth), comprising a Predoctoral Fellowship Scheme, a Research Seed Grant Scheme, and a Research Immersion Visit Scheme. The first phase focuses on 18 NITs, with plans to expand the network to other higher education institutions nationwide.
