India’s IIT system is no longer limited to campuses inside the country. As of September 2026, two IIT campuses are operating overseas: IIT Madras Zanzibar in Tanzania and IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Both are extensions of their parent IITs, but their programs, admission routes and research priorities are shaped around the regions they serve.
A Ministry of Education reply in Parliament on 12 August 2026 confirms both campuses are active and expanding.
Key Highlights
- IIT Madras Zanzibar opened in 2023, becoming the first IIT campus established outside India.
- IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi began operations in 2024 and had 171 students in 2025-26.
- Admissions differ by campus, with separate overseas routes used alongside selected Indian entrance examinations.
Where Are IIT Campuses Outside India Today?
The first overseas IIT is in Bweleo, Zanzibar, Tanzania. IIT Madras Zanzibar began academic operations in 2023 after an agreement involving IIT Madras, India’s Ministry of Education, and Zanzibar’s education ministry.
The second is IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City, UAE. The campus grew from an India-UAE agreement signed in 2023 and started its first M.Tech program in January 2024. Undergraduate teaching followed in September 2024.
A useful 2026 snapshot comes from the government’s Parliament reply: Zanzibar had graduated 35 M.Tech students and had more than 100 students in BS programs. Abu Dhabi recorded 171 students during 2025-26 and was running nine undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses.
So these are no longer only diplomatic announcements. Both now run regular cohorts, labs, academic calendars and degree programs. The August 2026 parliamentary reply is also useful because it separates established overseas IIT campuses from wider internationalisation plans, listing Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi as the IIT locations already operating abroad.
How IIT Madras Zanzibar Works In Tanzania
IIT Madras Zanzibar offers four main programs: BS in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, BS in Chemical Process Engineering, M.Tech in Data Science and AI, and M.Tech in Ocean Structures.
The campus states that it awards IIT Madras academic degrees. Teaching draws on faculty from IIT Madras, the Zanzibar campus and partner institutions, while programs focus on areas such as AI, process industries and maritime engineering.
Admissions are open to different nationalities. For the 2026 cycle, BS applicants took a screening test, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. Test centers operated in India and abroad, so JEE Advanced was not the sole undergraduate route. The official IIT Madras Zanzibar admissions page details this screening-and-interview process.
IIT Madras Zanzibar also held its second degree distribution in July 2026, with 19 graduates from Data Science and AI and Ocean Structures. Its official X account has continued posting 2026 research, teaching and campus updates.
Another major moment came in July when Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi attended IIT Madras’ 63rd convocation in Chennai, reflecting the wider India-Zanzibar education partnership behind the campus.
How IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi Works In The UAE
IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi offers B.Tech programs in Computer Science and Engineering, Energy Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. It also runs an M.Tech in Energy Transition and Sustainability and a PhD in Energy and Sustainability.
For undergraduate admissions, the 2026 system used two channels. Indian nationals could enter through JEE Advanced, while UAE nationals, international candidates and eligible Indian expatriates could use the Combined Admission Entrance Test, or CAET. CAET tested Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in English.
The campus remains closely linked with IIT Delhi. Faculty from Delhi have been seconded to Abu Dhabi, while local recruitment is being developed under IIT Delhi standards. Research work centres heavily on energy transition, sustainability, AI and advanced engineering.
IIT Delhi reported that its first M.Tech graduating batch recorded strong placements, with most graduates securing roles in the UAE. The campus has also expanded laboratories, accommodation and collaborations with regional universities.
Its Atal Incubation Centre, launched in 2025, was described by IIT Delhi as the first such centre hosted by an Indian institution overseas.
Admissions, Degrees And FAQs For Overseas IIT Campuses
For students, “IIT abroad” does not mean one common admission formula. Zanzibar runs its own screening-and-interview route, while Abu Dhabi combines JEE Advanced with CAET depending on applicant category. Fees, scholarships and residency rules also differ from Indian campuses.
The campuses are still young, and programme lists may change. Their 2026 growth points towards more specialised degrees, regional research links and a wider international student mix.
FAQ
1. How many IIT campuses are outside India in 2026?
Two IIT campuses operate abroad in 2026: IIT Madras Zanzibar and IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi.
2. Which was the first IIT campus outside India?
IIT Madras Zanzibar opened in 2023, becoming the first Indian Institute of Technology campus overseas.
3. Is JEE Advanced required for IIT Madras Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar uses a screening test and interviews rather than requiring JEE Advanced for admission.
4. Can Indian students join IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Indian nationals can apply through JEE Advanced, subject to the campus’s notified admission rules.
5. Do overseas IIT campuses offer postgraduate programmes?
Yes. Both campuses offer postgraduate programmes, including M.Tech study and doctoral research in disciplines.
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