The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are among the country’s most prestigious engineering institutions. Today, India has 23 IITs, with IIT Madras currently holding the top position in the NIRF rankings. But before we look at the present, it is essential to revisit the origins of the very first IIT, and its history is truly fascinating.

IIT Kharagpur is India’s first IIT, and its journey from a detention camp to a world-class institution is nothing short of extraordinary.

The concept of establishing IITs began even before India attained independence. After 1947, the newly formed nation urgently needed premier institutions to advance in modern technology, science, and engineering.

To address this, the Sir Jogendra Singh Committee was set up in 1946, recommending that India establish

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