IIT Madras Zanzibar opens applications for UG and PG programs for 2026

IIT Madras’ international campus in Zanzibar has opened applications for its full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programs for the 2026 academic session, with admissions underway through its official portal.

Candidates can apply online and access details on eligibility, timelines, and entrance requirements at admissions.iitmz.ac.in. The last date to apply for the MTech programs is April 15, while applications for the BS program will close on April 30.

The MTech screening test is scheduled for April 26, 2026, and the BS screening test will be conducted on June 6, 2026, at centers in India and overseas.

Located in Tanzania, the Zanzibar campus is the first international campus established by an Indian Institute of Technology. It currently has more than 129 students enrolled, with around 51% coming from Tanzania and others representing countries such as Ethiopia, Zambia, and Kenya.

“It is a matter of great pride for IIT Madras to have set up the first-ever international campus of any IIT at Zanzibar. Since then, the love and support that we are receiving from the Zanzibar Government and people have been nothing short of amazing. The students and faculty of IIT Madras Zanzibar are doing wonderfully well. I invite aspirants from across the world to explore our full-time on-campus degree offerings in leading fields of engineering and technology at IIT Madras Zanzibar,” said Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras.

The campus has seen a leadership transition earlier this year, with Prof Prabhu Rajagopal taking charge as director in charge in January 2026. He is an IIT Madras alumnus and a recipient of the 2024 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.

“The first batch of MTech in Data Science and AI graduated last year in our first convocation, and we are preparing to welcome our first PhD scholars shortly. Our students and faculty members have engaged extensively with academic and industrial communities in Tanzania and globally through conferences, workshops, internships, and joint research projects. The graduating M.Tech batch in 2025 recorded 100% industrial placement,” he said.

Students from the campus have secured internships with organizations including SuperDoll, Zantel, and Airtel. Scholarships, including support from the Airtel Africa Foundation, have also been introduced to expand access to higher education.

Faculty members have contributed to international research forums such as ICML, ICLR, and IEEE conferences.

The campus has also hosted innovation events, faculty exchange programs, and startup hackathons in partnership with organizations including the UNDP and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

Meanwhile, construction of the permanent campus on the Fumba peninsula is progressing, with a new hostel block inaugurated in January 2026.