IIT in Bihar

PATNA: The Union HRD ministry has given its nod for opening an IIT in Bihar from the academic session 2008-09 beginning July on a makeshift campus. "The Centre has given its 'verbal go-ahead' at a meeting held in Delhi We are engaged in making available the infrastructure, including accommodation for 200 students," said an official of the state science and technology department. According to sources, IIT Bihar will have five trades to begin with. Each trade will have 40 students. Apart from an IIT in Bihar, the Centre has also given its nod to start an IIT in Andhra Pradesh from the academic year 2008-09. Though the joint entrance exams to be conducted by IIT Roorkee this year will not include the seats for these two new IITs, candidates in the "waiting list" will be asked to opt for the two. The Union HRD ministry has asked for around 39,000 square feet of built-in area. The ITI Digha campus has been chosen as the makeshift centre as the campus is spread across 40,000 square feet. The IIT will function from this venue till a permanent infrastructure is made available for the same.