IITs to Offer Cross-Campus Study Option to Students from 2026; Credit Transfer Facility Introduced

In a major academic reform, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will allow students to study across different campuses from the upcoming academic year. The new initiative aims to provide greater flexibility, broader exposure, and more academic opportunities for students.

Under the new system, students will be able to take selected courses at another IIT or spend a full semester at a different campus. The credits earned during this period will be transferred back to their home institute. This will help students explore new subjects and gain learning experiences beyond their parent IIT.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, said that the IITs are currently mapping and matching curricula across multiple programmes. Once the process is completed, students from IIT Madras will be able to spend a term at another IIT, while students from other IITs can also come to the Madras campus to study and earn transferable credits.

Also Read:- IIT Madras Launches Online BS in Aeronautics and Space Technology 2026; No JEE Required

Students’ Credits Will Be Transferred

According to the plan, the cross-campus study system will start from the 2026–27 academic session. Students will be allowed to take select courses or even complete one term at another IIT. The credits earned will be transferred to their home IIT, ensuring there is no academic loss.

This move is expected to make the IIT education system more flexible. It will also reduce the rigid structure that earlier limited students to only their parent campus after securing admission through JEE.

As reported in The Times of India, the IIT ecosystem is opening up like never before!

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

Limited and Structured Implementation

The decision will initially be implemented in a limited and controlled manner. IITs will first test the system before expanding it to more programmes and campuses. Academic deans and faculty members across IITs are working together to finalise the process and ensure smooth coordination.

Globally, universities have long been collaborating through joint degrees, shared classrooms, and exchange programmes. However, such models were not widely adopted in India’s technical institutions. Experts believe that this new initiative will bring the IIT system closer to global academic standards.

The reform is expected to encourage interdisciplinary learning, research collaboration, and innovation among students. It will also give students the freedom to choose courses, interact with diverse faculty, and access better infrastructure across the IIT network.

Overall, the new policy marks a significant step towards creating a more student-friendly and flexible academic environment in India’s premier engineering institutes.

Candidates are advised to check the official website of IITs and collegedunia.com for the latest updates.

Read More:-

• IIT Madras BS Electronic Systems: May 2026 Applications Open; Jan Session Exam on March 15
• IIT Bombay MBA PI Calls 2026–28 Out; Interviews to Begin from March 5

Subscribe to Collegedunia to get the latest news and updates –