A Paragon of Flexibility

Set up in 2008, IIT Gandhinagar has come of age as a leader in engineering education, blending credit-based learning, advanced research and real-world engagement from its vibrant, sustainability-driven campus

- JUMANA SHAH

IIT GANDHINAGAR Gandhinagar No.8 (2025) up from No. 16 (2020)

Located along the 3.5-kilometre Sabarmati riverfront, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has rapidly evolved from its modest beginnings in 2008 into one of the country’s most forward-thinking engineering institutions. Today, the institute is drawing top-tier talent to its 400-acre state-of-the-art campus and boasts a strength of 3,000 students and 160 faculty members.

While its core engineering programmes continue to thrive, what sets IIT Gandhinagar apart is the academic flexibility and interdisciplinary range it offers. Students can pursue minors in unrelated fields, opt for dual degrees and choose from a diverse basket of electives. For instance, programmes in Archaeological Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences and Biological Sciences & Engineering are attracting interest beyond traditional streams. “We have a truly credit-based, not prescription-based system. Students can make their own choices and nurture their own capabilities,” notes Dr Rajat Moona, the institute's director.

It was in 2015 when IIT Gandhinagar moved into its own campus. Soon after, it began to develop its distinct academic culture. “We visited top universities, spoke to doctoral students, studied their research and invited them to apply here,” says Dr Moona. “As a result, we now have a high-quality and diverse talent pool.”