NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has launched a national academic and research collaboration network through Memoranda of Understanding signed with 18 National Institutes of Technology across the country. The initiative is aimed at strengthening academic excellence, research collaboration, innovation and talent development in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.The collaboration network was formally launched at IIT Delhi on June 4, 2026. The event was attended by Saumya Gupta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, who joined virtually, along with directors of participating NITs, IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee and other senior institute officials.Partnership spans 18 NITs across IndiaThe partner institutions include NIT Sikkim, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Silchar, NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Rourkela, NIT Raipur, VNIT Nagpur, SVNIT Surat, MNIT Jaipur, MANIT Bhopal, MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Srinagar, NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Calicut, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal and NIT Jalandhar.According to IIT Delhi, the initiative represents one of the largest structured academic partnership frameworks among the country’s leading technical institutions. The network is designed to utilise the combined strengths of IIT Delhi and the NIT system to advance education, research, innovation and national development.New opportunities for students and researchersThe collaboration will provide students and faculty members with opportunities for academic exchange, joint research, access to research infrastructure, collaborative supervision of projects and theses, faculty development programmes and multidisciplinary innovation activities.A major feature of the framework is a structured pathway for meritorious NIT students to pursue advanced studies at IIT Delhi. Eligible undergraduate students will be able to spend their final year at the institute as Special Exchange Students, undertaking advanced coursework and research projects under IIT Delhi faculty supervision. Postgraduate students from partner NITs will also be able to participate in research immersion activities.Early admission and ALIGN initiativeThe framework introduces an Early Admission Scheme under which high-performing students from participating NITs may be considered for admission to MTech, MS (Research) and PhD programmes at IIT Delhi without qualifying through GATE or other national-level examinations, subject to prescribed academic and research criteria.The collaboration also includes provisions for credit transfer, credit sharing and advanced standing. IIT Delhi has additionally launched ALIGN, or Academic Linkages for Innovation and National Growth, comprising a Predoctoral Fellowship Scheme, a Research Seed Grant Scheme and a Research Immersion Visit Scheme. The first phase focuses on 18 NITs, with plans to expand the network to other higher education institutions nationwide.