The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 18 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) under a new collaborative framework called ALIGN (Accelerating Learning and Innovation Growth Network) on June 6, 2026, at IIT Delhi campus in the presence of Ministry of Education representatives, IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee, and NIT Directors. The initiative aims to strengthen academic and research collaboration across India’s premier engineering institutions in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
What the ALIGN Partnership Offers
The MoUs create structured pathways for students and faculty across all 18 NITs in five key areas:
- Academic exchanges between NIT and IIT Delhi students
- Joint research projects using IIT Delhi’s state-of-the-art research facilities
- Faculty development programmes through cross-institutional collaboration
- Multidisciplinary innovation activities aligned with NEP 2020
- Credit transfer and advanced standing — eligible students can complete part of their academic requirements at IIT Delhi and earn credits recognised by both institutions
The GATE-Free Early Admission Scheme
The most significant feature of ALIGN is the Early Admission Scheme, through which:
- Academically outstanding NIT students can apply for MTech, MS (Research), and PhD programmes at IIT Delhi without qualifying through GATE or any other national-level entrance examination
- Selection will be based on prescribed academic and research performance criteria
- NIT students can also spend their final year at IIT Delhi as Special Exchange Students
- Postgraduate NIT students can participate in research immersion programmes at IIT Delhi
Credit Flexibility
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Credit Transfer | Credits earned at IIT Delhi recognised by NIT and vice versa |
| Advanced Standing | Reduced time to complete higher degrees where applicable |
| Exchange Year | Final-year BTech at IIT Delhi for qualifying NIT students |
This partnership is described by IIT Delhi as “among the largest structured academic partnerships between premier technical institutions in India.” The initiative could significantly reduce IIT entrance barriers for high-performing NIT students and create new research pathways without requiring them to sit for GATE.
