Established in 1919 as the Benares Engineering College, it was affiliated with Banaras Hindu University and designated an IIT in 2012. It offers engineering and technology programs.
IIT (BHU) Varanasi became an Indian Institute of Technology in 2012, but its engineering history is much older. It grew from the Banaras Engineering College, established in 1919 within Banaras Hindu University, which Madan Mohan Malaviya founded in 1916. The college trained engineers in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, and later in mining and metallurgy. In 1968 it became the Institute of Technology of the university, and in 2012 it was converted to an IIT. It has about 6,000 students and 700 faculty members.
The campus lies within the large Banaras Hindu University complex in the south of Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges, in a city that is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. This setting combines a very old cultural centre with a technical institute, and students share facilities and a large library with the rest of the university. The IIT occupies its own area with departments, workshops and hostels.
Departments include ceramic, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, electronics, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering, pharmaceutical engineering and technology, biomedical engineering, and the schools of biochemical engineering, materials science and technology, and management. Metallurgy, ceramics and mining are historical strengths, and graduates have long worked in steel, energy, infrastructure, software and public companies. The institute runs a research and innovation park and an incubation centre.
Admission to the bachelor programmes is through JEE Advanced and the JoSAA counselling system, and admission to master’s programmes uses the GATE exam. Tuition at the IITs is regulated by the government, with scholarships and waivers for eligible categories, so check the current tariff. Courses are in English. Foreign students can apply through government schemes.
Varanasi is reached by air and by long-distance trains. The climate is hot in summer, and the city is crowded and lively, with ghats on the river, temples, music and a famous silk-weaving tradition.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Bioengineering, Engineering, Geotechnics, Life Sciences, Materials, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Part of the historic Banaras Hindu University campus. Strong legacy in engineering education. Collaborations with other BHU departments.
Research:
Research in areas like materials science, mining and metallurgical engineering, biochemical engineering, and pharmaceuticals.
In terms of fields, National Institute of Technology Raipur is the nearest neighbour, with geotechnics, materials and AI and machine learning again at the core; it teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral, and covers chemistry as well.
Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad (IIT ) takes a similar route through geotechnics, materials and AI and machine learning, and it is also a public institution and also offers mba programmes.
National Institute of Technology Rourkela sits close to this institution on geotechnics, materials and AI and machine learning; it is slightly larger, at about 7,000 students against roughly 6,000 here, and is also a public institution.
Another national school that puts geotechnics, life sciences and AI and machine learning at the centre is Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, and it is larger, enrolling about 9,000 students against roughly 6,000 here, and is also a public institution.
Anyone who wants a second school in the same country with a similar spread of materials, AI and machine learning and software engineering can consider National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, and it has almost the same size, at about 6,000 students, and is also a public institution.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Colorado School of Mines, based in the United States, is built around geotechnics, materials and AI and machine learning much like this institution, and it is slightly larger, at about 7,000 students against roughly 6,000 here, and is also a public institution.
For a study option in the United States with a comparable spread of geotechnics, materials and life sciences, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is the reference point: it also offers associate degree programmes, and is smaller, enrolling about 2,800 students against roughly 6,000 here.
On content, National University of Science and Technology in Russia and this school are close, as both teach geotechnics, materials and AI and machine learning; it runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and covers nanotechnologies and chemistry as well.
Seen from abroad, Donetsk National Technical University (Ukraine) is a close relative on subject matter, since geotechnics, materials and software engineering are central to both, and it is larger, enrolling about 10,000 students against roughly 6,000 here, and is also a public institution.
The closest overseas parallel on bioengineering, materials and life sciences is Belgorod State National Research University, located in Russia; it is far larger, with about 23,000 students against roughly 6,000 here, and is also a public institution.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Where is IIT (BHU) Varanasi?
In the south of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, within the Banaras Hindu University campus on the Ganges.
When did it become an IIT?
In 2012.
What are its origins?
The Banaras Engineering College, established in 1919 within Banaras Hindu University.
Who founded Banaras Hindu University?
Madan Mohan Malaviya, in 1916.
How large is it?
About 6,000 students and 700 faculty members.
What are its historical strengths?
Metallurgy, ceramics and mining.
What departments does it have?
Among others, ceramic, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical and mining engineering.
How is admission decided?
Bachelor programmes use JEE Advanced and the JoSAA counselling system. Master's programmes use the GATE exam.
What is the language of teaching?
English.
What does it cost?
Tuition is regulated by the government, with scholarships and waivers for eligible categories. Check the current tariff.
Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials, Product Development, Sustainable Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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