Patna: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna has emerged as a mini-India of sorts, with students from 26 states, two Union Territories and neighbouring Nepal joining the institute in the 2026 academic batch.
A total of 1,177 students have enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes this year. The diversity of the student community has also made the campus a platform for students to experience different regional cultures, traditions and perspectives.
Students say interacting with peers from different parts of the country gives them an opportunity to understand the cultural, political and geographical diversity of India beyond textbooks.
620 students join B.Tech and BS programmes
The largest group among the 2026 admissions comprises 620 students enrolled in B.Tech and BS programmes.
According to Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) data, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana have the highest representation in these programmes, with 86 students each.
Bihar follows with 77 students, while other major contributors include:
- Andhra Pradesh – 69
- Maharashtra – 60
- Rajasthan – 35
- Haryana – 30
- West Bengal – 26
- Madhya Pradesh – 24
- Delhi – 20
- Gujarat – 20
- Karnataka – 15
- Jharkhand – 13
Admissions to the undergraduate B.Tech-BS, B.Tech-M.Tech dual degree and B.Tech-BS-MBA dual degree programmes are based on JEE Advanced rankings, with counselling conducted through JoSAA.
Bihar leads overall student representation
When enrolments across all programmes are considered, Bihar has the highest representation, accounting for 271 of the 1,177 students admitted to IIT Patna this year.
A significant share of Bihar’s students are enrolled in postgraduate and research programmes, including 100 in M.Tech and 63 in PhD programmes.
Uttar Pradesh ranks second with 164 students, followed by Telangana with 111, Maharashtra with 93 and Andhra Pradesh with 87.
The Northeastern states are also represented on campus. The 2026 batch includes 20 students from Assam, two each from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, and one each from Mizoram and Nagaland. One student from Nepal has also joined the M.Tech programme.
1,177 students enrolled across multiple programmes
The overall admission figures include:
- B.Tech and BS – 620
- B.Tech-M.Tech dual degree – 72
- B.Tech-BS/MBA dual degree – 57
- M.Sc. – 72
- M.Tech – 253
- M.Tech (Research) – 4
- PhD – 91
- Preparatory courses – 8
The institute’s student diversity is not limited to the current batch. IIT Patna officials note that enrolment over the past four years has brought representation from virtually every state and Union Territory to the campus.
Dual-degree students to study at IIM Mumbai and IIM Bodh Gaya
The B.Tech-BS-MBA dual-degree programme also offers students an opportunity to study at leading management institutes.
After completing their first seven semesters at IIT Patna, students enrolled in the programme will undertake their final three semesters at IIM Mumbai and IIM Bodh Gaya.
Under the programme, students can earn a management qualification from an IIM without appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT). IIT Patna has signed Memoranda of Understanding with IIM Mumbai and IIM Bodh Gaya to facilitate the dual-degree programme.
With students arriving from across India and Nepal, IIT Patna’s latest admission figures underline the institute’s growing role as a diverse academic space where regional identities and national perspectives converge.
