IIT Delhi ALIGN: Direct MTech, PhD Admission for Top NIT Students

| Updated On - Jun 26, 2026

IIT Delhi has launched the ALIGN initiative with 18 partner NITs, opening direct admission to MTech, MS Research and PhD without GATE. Eligible NIT students can also pursue a final-year exchange at IIT Delhi.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has launched ALIGN (Accelerating Learning and Innovation Growth Network). The initiative was announced on the official IIT Delhi website.

Under ALIGN, top-performing NIT students can join IIT Delhi without GATE. The direct entry covers MTech, MS (Research), and PhD programmes and applies to candidates from 18 partner National Institutes of Technology (NITs).

The framework was formalised through MoUs signed with all 18 NITs. Eligible candidates must meet IIT Delhi's prescribed academic and research performance criteria. Past MoUs required a minimum CGPA of 8.0 after the sixth semester for BTech students from partner NITs.

The initiative also introduces a Special Exchange Student option. Meritorious final-year undergraduate students can study at IIT Delhi, take advanced coursework, and participate in research projects under the guidance of IIT Delhi faculty.

Key ALIGN Components

Early Admission Scheme to MTech, MS (Research), and PhD without GATE
Special Exchange Student status for final-year undergraduate candidates
Predoctoral Fellowship Scheme for doctoral aspirants
Research Seed Grant Scheme for joint research and faculty exchange
Research Immersion Visit Scheme for on-campus collaboration

List of 18 Partner NITs

Region	Partner NITs
North	MNIT Jaipur, MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Srinagar, NIT Jalandhar
East and Northeast	NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Rourkela, NIT Sikkim, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Silchar
West and Central	VNIT Nagpur, SVNIT Surat, MANIT Bhopal, NIT Raipur
South	NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Calicut, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Students currently enrolled at any of the 18 partner NITs are eligible. Candidates must satisfy the academic benchmarks and research criteria prescribed by the respective IIT Delhi departments. Final-year undergraduate students can apply through the Special Exchange Student route.

Research performance and a strong academic record will play a key role in the selection process. Departments may also prescribe discipline-specific eligibility criteria. Students should contact their NIT academic office for nomination details.

How to Apply Under the Early Admission Scheme?

Interested candidates should follow these steps:

Visit the IIT Delhi website.
Read the ALIGN announcement in the News section.
Check the eligibility criteria for the desired programme.
Coordinate with the academic office of your home NIT.
Submit the required academic records and research credentials.
Attend any departmental interview, if notified.

Why This Matters

This is the first time IIT Delhi has formalised a multi-NIT direct admission route at this scale. The scheme also bundles credit transfer, fellowships and exchange into one framework. It creates a structured bridge between NITs and IIT Delhi for talented students.

Action Plan for Candidates

Check whether your CGPA meets the earlier 8.0 benchmark.
Identify the IIT Delhi department and programme you wish to apply for.
Contact your NIT academic dean for nomination guidance.
Prepare your transcripts, research statement, and supporting documents.
Regularly monitor the IIT Delhi News page for application dates and notifications.