IIT BHU Integrated Dual Degree Seats to 4 Year BTech Under NEP

In a significant restructuring aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) or IIT BHU has announced that its five-year Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) programs leading to BTech and MTech will no longer be offered as standalone entry options starting July 2025.

All existing IDD seats will be converted into four-year BTech seats in the respective disciplines, maintaining the overall undergraduate intake through JEE Advanced.

The institute emphasized that no programs have been discontinued and the total number of seats remains unchanged. Instead, the MTech component of the IDD will now be optional: BTech students can opt for it at the end of their sixth semester in the same discipline, extending their program to five years (10 semesters).

The decision follows a comprehensive curriculum review in 2024-25, approved by IIT BHU’s Senate and Board of Governors. Officials cited the “inflexible” nature of the previous IDD structure, where students were locked into a five-year integrated curriculum with no option to exit after four years with just a BTech degree.Many students expressed a desire for an early exit after completing the BTech portion, but the integrated design previously prevented this.

The overhaul addresses this by providing greater choice and flexibility.IIT BHU offers 17 IDD programs, including in fields like Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Ceramic Engineering, Mining Engineering, Materials Science and Technology, Engineering Physics, and Computer Science and Engineering.

Of these, 13 were outside the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling process.Under the new structure, incoming BTech students will have four mutually exclusive pathways:

• Pursue a Minor in a different discipline (starting after the fourth semester).
• Pursue a Major in a different discipline (extending the program to five years).
• Opt for the MTech IDD in the primary discipline (after the sixth semester, extending to five years).
• Complete a standard four-year BTech in the primary discipline.

Students not choosing a Minor or Major can also aim for BTech (Honours) in their core field. The institute described the changes as a “significant expansion of choice,” incorporating interdisciplinary opportunities like majors in other fields and minors for dual competency.

Responding to speculation, IIT BHU clarified that the restructuring is strategic and student-centric, in line with NEP guidelines, and not driven by faculty shortages. It also noted declining interest in some IDD programs in recent years, but stressed that redesigns typically focus on industry and student needs rather than phasing out courses.

Existing students admitted to IDD programs up to 2024 will continue under the old structure without disruptions. The revamped curriculum reflects ongoing reviews through departmental committees and student input, with major reforms occurring every 5-10 years.

This move positions IIT BHU to offer more adaptable pathways, allowing students to tailor their education based on evolving career goals while preserving access to advanced degrees.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.