PM Modi flags off phase-B expansion of IIT Jammu virtually
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By RK News
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27 Sep 2025
North India’s first IIT Research Park coming up in Jammu
Jammu:Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for Phase-B infrastructure works of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu via virtual mode. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr.Jitendra Singh, physically attended the ceremony at the institute’s campus.
The expansion marks a major milestone for one of the country’s third-generation IITs, established in 2016, as it moves to significantly scale its academic and research capacities.
Speaking at the event, Dr.Jitendra Singh lauded IIT Jammu’s “remarkable progress” in under a decade, stating that the institute has “made a visible mark on the academic scene” among the newer IITs.
“IIT Jammu has been a priority institution for the Government since its inception,” the Minister said, adding that it was envisioned to fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the Jammu region for a premier technical institute.
Phase-A infrastructure, including academic blocks, lecture halls, hostels, dining facilities, and utility buildings, has already been completed. The new Phase-B expansion, sanctioned at a cost of ₹1,398 crore, will include additional academic and residential buildings, laboratories, and a dedicated Research Park.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the upcoming Research Park — modelled on the IIT Madras facility — will be the first of its kind in North India. It aims to bolster industry-academia linkages, foster startups, and support small and medium enterprises with technology-driven solutions.
Noting the institute’s recent achievements, Dr. Singh pointed out that IIT Jammu was ranked 56th in the 2025 NIRF Engineering rankings — a significant feat for an institute less than a decade old.
He also underlined the locational advantage of IIT Jammu, which is in proximity to AIIMS, IIM Jammu, and the Central University of Jammu, offering strong opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research.
The Minister informed that the Union Cabinet has approved expansion plans across five new IITs — Tirupati, Bhilai, Dharwad, Jammu, and Palakkad — with a total investment of ₹11,828 crore. This will enable the combined student strength of these institutions to rise to nearly 12,000 over the next four years, along with enhanced faculty recruitment and state-of-the-art facilities.
Reflecting on the early challenges of setting up IIT Jammu, including recruitment of faculty and administrative leadership, Dr. Singh praised Director Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur and his team for their commitment and vision. “Under their stewardship, the institute has overcome initial hurdles and earned national recognition,” he said.
Concluding his address, Dr. Singh expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his continued focus on Jammu and Kashmir’s development. “The expansion of IIT Jammu reflects India’s broader vision of becoming a global hub for research, education, and innovation,” he said.
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