IIT Madras Launches IITM Global, World’s First Multinational IIT

Overview: IIT Madras has launched IITM Global, a pioneering initiative to become the world’s first multinational IIT. Launched by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the programme aims to expand India’s global footprint in higher education, research, and innovation. It focuses on advanced domains like AI, quantum technology, cybersecurity, and green systems.

Riyaz

Jan-08-2026

IIT Madras Launches IITM Global, World’s First Multinational IIT

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has introduced a new project known as IITM Global to make the institute the first multinational IIT in the world. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar launched the programme and aims at increasing the global presence of IIT Madras through research, academic programmes and start-up ventures. It will support collaborative research, consultancy, technology transfer, and innovation infrastructure in the major areas of AI, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and green systems. This international drive will lead to the development of cross-border education and innovation, thereby enhancing India's position as a global provider of higher education.

Key Features of the IITM Global Programme

The IITM Global is organised with the help of a four-pronged model on the global transfer of technologies, joint development projects, internationalisation of start-ups, and foreign investment attraction.
It seeks to attain a global presence in the initial stages in the US, Dubai, Malaysia and Germany with the intention of expansion.
The platform provides an innovation, research, startup and industry partner plug-and-play model of accessing global markets, capital and research partnerships.
It will also sponsor deep-tech research projects such as AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, energy sustainability, etc.
The programme combines the academic programmes, ecosystems of innovation and industry partnerships to make a global impact on entrepreneurship.

Previous Year Questions and Answers

Exam	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC Prelims	2010	First IIT was established at which place?	IIT Kharagpur
UPSC Prelims	2016	Which Act governs the IITs in India?	Institutes of Technology Act, 1961
UPSC Prelims	2021	Which body coordinates among all IITs?	IIT Council
SSC CGL	2018	Which IIT was the first to be set up in India?	IIT Kharagpur
SSC CHSL	2020	How many IITs are there in India?	23
SSC GD	2019	Which IIT is located in Tamil Nadu?	IIT Madras
RRB Group D	2018	IITs are established under which ministry?	Ministry of Education
RRB NTPC	2020	Where is the headquarters of the IIT Council located?	New Delhi
CDS	2017	IIT Kharagpur was established in which year?	1951
NDA	2021	Which IIT was set up with German assistance?	IIT Madras

Conclusion (IIT Madras Aims to Become First Multinational IIT)

The program by the IIT Madras to be the first multinational IIT is a significant move towards globalization of Indian higher education. Through partnerships with other organisations throughout the world, it can improve research, innovation, and diversity among students. This will enhance the global activities of IIT Madras and will be seen as an example to other Indian institutes to emulate.