The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) conferred a total of 3,763 degrees to 3,442 students in the academic year 2025-26, setting a new record with 620 PhD degrees awarded. The institute held its 64th Convocation and Departmental Degree Award Functions (DDAFs) on August 22, celebrating achievements across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
Understanding IIT Bombay's Degree Programs and Convocation
IIT Bombay is one of India's premier engineering and technology institutions, known for its rigorous academic standards and research contributions. Each year, the institute awards degrees across various disciplines and levels, including Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The convocation ceremony is a formal event where degrees are officially conferred to graduating students. Additionally, the Departmental Degree Award Functions (DDAFs) are held to recognize departmental achievements in a more focused setting.
Breakdown of Degrees Awarded in 2025-26
- Total degrees awarded: 3,763 to 3,442 students (791 female, 2,651 male)
- Undergraduate degrees: 1,713
- Postgraduate degrees: 1,430
- PhD degrees: 620 (highest ever)
The degrees were distributed over both the spring and autumn sessions. During the autumn DDAF alone, 3,333 degrees were awarded to 3,042 students, including 1,663 undergraduate, 1,319 postgraduate, and 351 PhD degrees.
Undergraduate degrees included:
- 1,010 BTech degrees
- 466 Dual Degree (BTech+MTech) degrees
- 34 Interdisciplinary Dual Degrees
- 82 four-year BS degrees
- 10 Dual Degree (BS+MSc) degrees
- 23 Bachelor of Design (BDes) degrees
- 16 Dual Degree (BDes+MDes) degrees
- 22 three-year BS degrees
Postgraduate degrees awarded included:
- 684 MTech degrees
- 40 MS by Research degrees
- 5 MDes by Research degrees
- 17 MTech degrees from Dual Degree (MTech+PhD) programs
- 64 MDes degrees
- 312 two-year MSc degrees
- 126 MBA degrees
- 13 Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees
- 21 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) degrees
PhD degrees awarded during the autumn session included:
- 286 regular PhD degrees
- 39 joint PhD degrees with Monash University
- 17 PhD degrees from Dual Degree (MTech+PhD) programs
- 9 PhD degrees from Dual Degree (MSc+PhD) programs
The spring session awarded 269 PhD degrees, including those from dual degree programs such as MTech+PhD, MSc+PhD, and MPhil+PhD.
Significance of the Record PhD Awards and Institutional Initiatives
IIT Bombay’s Director, Shireesh Kedare, highlighted that the institute has adopted a decentralized convocation model with 28 departmental events to better accommodate its growing student body. The milestone of awarding 620 PhD degrees in a single academic year is unprecedented among Indian Institutes of Technology.
Departments leading in PhD graduates included Chemistry with 77, Mechanical Engineering with 49, and Humanities with 40 doctoral degrees. The institute also conducted its first centralized medal ceremony to honor outstanding academic achievements.
To further enhance research quality and student experience, IIT Bombay is focusing on reducing PhD completion times and strengthening faculty-student interactions. The administration is also addressing challenges related to academic pressure and distractions, aiming to create a more supportive environment for doctoral candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many total degrees did IIT Bombay award in 2025-26?
A: IIT Bombay awarded 3,763 degrees to 3,442 students during the academic year 2025-26.
Q: What is significant about the number of PhD degrees awarded?
A: The institute awarded a record 620 PhD degrees, the highest number ever by any IIT in a single academic year.
Q: What steps is IIT Bombay taking to support PhD students?
A: IIT Bombay is working to reduce PhD completion times, enhance faculty-student interaction, and address academic pressures to improve the doctoral research experience.
