IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Detailed Comparison 2025 – Fees, Placements, Cutoff, Campus
iit madras Vs iit kanpurIIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur involves two institutes having shining reputation in engineering education and research. IIT Madras was founded in 1959 and is regularly ranked 1st in India in the list of engineering colleges It has a median B.Tech salary package of 19-22 LPA and a 617-acre campus.
IIT Kanpur was also established in 1959. It provides a median salary package of 16-18 LPA and has an excellent placement record with connections to the leading international firms. They both take students mostly by JEE Advanced rank, with IIT Madras cutoffs at about 171-4000 per branch and IIT Kanpur cutoffs at about 200-1800. They both have great infrastructure, research and career opportunities, and the choice between the two is a competitive one among applicants.
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Quick Highlights
This table will be a comparison of the years of establishment, governing an institution, entry mode, courses, UG seats, and the salaries in IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur:
Particulars | IIT Madras | IIT Kanpur |
Established | 1959 | 1959 |
Ownership | Central Government (MoE) | Central Government (MoE) |
Admission Process | JEE Advanced + JoSAA | JEE Advanced + JoSAA |
Total Courses | 100+ UG, PG, PhD (Engg, Sci, Mgmt, Humanities) | 80+ UG, PG, PhD (Engg, Sci, Humanities, Mgmt) |
Undergraduate Seats | Approx. 1,200 | Approx. 1,000 |
Median Placement Salary | ₹19 - ₹22 LPA | ₹16 - ₹18 LPA |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: UG Course Details
The undergraduate courses, period, number of seats, mode of admission, and the medium of instruction in the two IITs are as indicated in the following table.
Course Name | IIT Madras | IIT Kanpur |
Course Type | B.Tech, BS, Dual Degree | B.Tech, BS, Dual Degree |
Duration | 4 Years | 4 Years |
No. of Seats | 1,200 | 1,000 |
Admission | JEE Main + JEE Advanced + JoSAA | JEE Main + JEE Advanced + JoSAA |
Medium | English | English |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Course Fees
The following table compares the most important tuition, hostel and program fees at the two IITs:
Course | IIT Madras Annual Fee | IIT Kanpur Annual Fee |
B.Tech (Total) | ₹8.5 Lakhs - ₹12 Lakhs | ₹7.5 Lakhs - ₹11 Lakhs |
M.Tech | ₹20,000 - ₹2 Lakhs | ₹20,000 - ₹2 Lakhs |
Hostel Fees | ₹18,000 | ₹17,000 |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Admission Process
The eligibility and selection process for UG and PG courses at both institutes is as shown below.
Criteria | IIT Madras | IIT Kanpur |
Eligibility | 10+2 with 75% for UG; GATE for PG | 10+2 with 75% for UG; GATE for PG |
Selection Process | JEE Main + JEE Advanced + JoSAA | JEE Main + JEE Advanced + JoSAA |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Cutoff Ranks
Course | IIT Madras Cutoff Rank (2025) | IIT Kanpur Cutoff Rank (2025) |
B.Tech | 171 (CSE) to ~4116 (Chemical Engg) | 200 (CSE) to ~1800 (various branches) |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Seat Matrix
This includes program-wise seat matrices in both IITs in the UG, PG and PhD courses.
Course | IIT Madras Seats | IIT Kanpur Seats |
B.Tech/BS | 1,200 | 1,000 |
M.Tech | 400+ | 300+ |
PhD | 150+ | 120+ |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Placements
Parameter | IIT Madras | IIT Kanpur |
Median Salary | ₹19 - ₹22 LPA | ₹16 - ₹18 LPA |
Highest CTC | ₹4.3 Crore | ₹1.9 Crore |
Placement % (UG) | 80% | 82% |
Recruiters | 256+ Companies including JP Morgan, Adobe, Texas Instruments | 200+ Companies including Microsoft, Intel, Google, Jio |
Focus Areas | Core Engineering, AI, Data Science, Trading | Core Engineering, Innovation, Analytics |
IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur: Infrastructure & Facilities
Here’s a comparison of campus size, academic complexes, library assets, hostels, sports infrastructure, and essential amenities at both IITs.
Particulars | IIT Madras | IIT Kanpur |
Campus Size | 617 Acres | 1050 Acres |
Academic Buildings | 16 Departments, Research Centres, IITMR Park | 19 Departments, 26 Centers, Specialized Schools |
Library | Central Library with extensive digital resources | Main Library with vast physical and digital collection |
Hostel Facilities | 20+ Hostels with modern amenities | 15 Hostels, Single Bedroom Apartments for research scholars |
Sports Facilities | Swimming, football, tennis, athletics | Sports Complex with squash, football, hockey, swimming |
Other Facilities | Health Centre, Banks, Food courts, Auditorium | Student Activities Centre, Auditorium, Health Services |
Conclusion
Both IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur are outstanding IITs, and have a good national and international standing. IIT Madras ranks highest in rankings and has been characterized by the best research facilities, interdisciplinary programs and a very impressive package of 4.3 crore. IIT Kanpur has a bigger campus, and a broader academic program, including humanities and management and outstanding industry connections as seen in its high-value placement packages. The two have strict admission criteria mostly using JEE Advanced. It comes down to particular program interests, campus surroundings of choice, and focusing on the career as both offer world-class education, infrastructure, and placement services.
FAQs
Ques. What is the most crucial difference between IIT Madras vs IIT Kanpur?
Ans. IIT Madras has been characterized by very high levels of research production and highest NIRF rankings with a 617-acre campus whereas IIT Kanpur has a campus of 1050-acre with a great focus on innovation and interdisciplinary education.
Ques. Which is the IIT to placements better Madras or Kanpur?
Ans. The highest package in IIT Madras is ₹4.3 crore and the median reaches ₹22 LPA, but IIT Kanpur is also very impressive with a median of around 16-18 LPA.
Ques. What is the IIT Madras cutoff and IIT Kanpur cutoff of the JEE Advanced?
Ans. In 2025, the range of IIT Madras cutoff ranges between 171 to beyond 4000 according to the branch, and IIT Kanpur cutoff is between 200 and approximately 1800.
Ques. Which IIT is cheaper?
Ans. IIT Kanpur has slightly lower fees with the overall B.Tech fees of 7.5-11 lakhs in comparison with IIT Madras at 8.5-12 lakhs.
Ques. But which campus is bigger, IIT Madras or IIT Kanpur?
Ans. IIT Kanpur occupies a bigger campus space (1050 acres compared to 617 acres) than IIT Madras.
Ques. What are the IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur Hostel Fees?
Ans. Hostel charges at IIT madras are approximately 18,000 per annum and IIT Kanpur charges approximately 17,000 per annum, which offers a state of the art accommodation and facilities.