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IIT Kharagpur is India’s largest IIT, offering unmatched campus size, infrastructure, and holistic student experience.
Its academic diversity includes engineering, management, law, sciences, and emerging technologies, supporting interdisciplinary learning.
Campus life is vibrant and inclusive, with festivals, clubs, sports, and cultural activities enriching students.
The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) is located in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Established in 1951, it was the first IIT to be designated as such by the government. In 2019, the Indian government recognized it as an Institute of Eminence.
The college was founded to provide a learning environment following India’s independence in 1947. Since then, it has expanded the curriculum to include courses in commerce, law, architecture, the humanities, and other subjects. Today, more than 22,000 people live on its 2,100-acre campus.
IITs, individually, are no less than the best in education and research; however, the differences among their campuses in terms of size and scale are astonishing. One of them claims the title of the largest and best-planned campus: IIT Kharagpur, the very first IIT of India, has the largest campus at 2,100 acres.
Its infrastructure reflects that IIT Kharagpur is the oldest and largest IIT in the country. The campus has academic departments, research centres, hostels, residential quarters, staff housing, dining halls, markets, sports stadiums, and a vast expanse of green space; all of these sprawl across thousands of acres.
It is home to one of the country’s largest technical libraries, advanced laboratories, modern classrooms, and excellent research facilities. The campus houses multiple auditoriums, seminar complexes, a fully equipped hospital, shopping centres, cultural zones, and even lakes and cycling routes.
Specialised facilities such as the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, the Centre for Rural Development, the Nalanda Academix Complex, and more contribute to shaping this institution as a ‘city within a campus.’
IIT Kharagpur academically offers one of the widest ranges of courses amongst all IITs. Students can pursue B. Tech, M. Tech, Dual Degree, Ph.D., and Integrated MSc courses, as well as a variety of interdisciplinary specializations. It also hosts the Vinod Gupta School of Management, offering MBA programmes. IIT Kharagpur is the only IIT in India offering a full-fledged LLB course in Intellectual Property Law, due to its comprehensive academic coverage.
Courses in engineering, architecture, management, law, sciences, robotics, artificial intelligence, rural development, and emerging technologies ensure a comprehensive learning environment supported by experienced faculty and strong research output.
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Campus life at IIT Kharagpur is vibrant, diverse, and highly community-oriented. With a large number of hostels, sports complexes, cultural clubs, technical societies, and student-initiated activities, the campus strikes a balance between academics and extracurricular activities.
The significant events on campus, like Kshtij: A Techno-management fest, one of its kind in Asia, and Spring Fest, a premier cultural festival, lead to student interactions from every nook and corner of the country.
The campus thereby creates an energetic and inspiring atmosphere. The vastness of the campus provides students with an enriching environment that blends academic rigor and recreational freedom.
The scale of IIT Kharagpur becomes all the more telling when compared with other IITs. While IIT Kanpur is spread over approximately. 1,055 acres and other prominent campuses such as IIT Madras (620 acres), IIT Bombay (550 acres), IIT Guwahati (700 acres), and IIT Delhi (320 acres) each have their own strengths and locational advantages; there is nothing of equal area to Kharagpur.
For its lush, forest-like surroundings, IIT Madras stands out; IIT Bombay for its proximity to the financial capital; IIT Delhi for its strategic location; IIT Kanpur, known for its modern layout. However, IIT Kharagpur remains unparalleled in terms of sheer physical size.
If IITs are ranked by campus area, IIT Kharagpur stands out as the number one, followed by IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and IIT Hyderabad. These variations in size point to something very unique about the wide surroundings at IIT Kharagpur.
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IIT Kharagpur is not only the first but also the biggest IIT in India in terms of campus area, which integrates heritage with modern infrastructure, academic diversity, and a vibrant student culture. Its well-structured design offers an educational experience unlike others, making it one of the most remarkable destinations for students who dream of studying at one of India’s premier technical institutions.
Which IIT in India has the largest campus?
IIT Kharagpur is India’s largest IIT, spanning approximately 2,100 acres and featuring extensive infrastructure, academic departments, research centres, and vibrant student facilities.
What courses does IIT Kharagpur offer?
IIT Kharagpur offers B.Tech, M.Tech, Dual Degree, Integrated MSc, PhD, MBA, LLB in IP Law, and interdisciplinary courses in engineering, sciences, management, and emerging technologies.
Where is IIT Kharagpur located?
IIT Kharagpur is situated in Kharagpur, West Bengal, and offers students a lush, well-planned, and expansive campus environment.
What facilities are available on IIT Kharagpur campus?
The campus features libraries, advanced laboratories, hostels, sports complexes, auditoriums, seminar halls, cultural zones, innovation centres, lakes, cycling paths, and a hospital for residents.
How is student life at IIT Kharagpur?
Student life is vibrant, inclusive, and engaging, with technical fests, cultural events, clubs, sports activities, and a balanced mix of academics and extracurricular opportunities.
