A Central Statute, the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 declared the IITs to be ‘Institutes of National Importance’. This Act created a unique framework for the funding, administration and academic development of the IITs as privileged institutions, confers a high degree of autonomy on the system and protects it from extra-academic pressures. The Central Government provides grants of each IIT, after due appropriation made by the Parliament.

The President of India is the Visitor of all IITs. In order to co-ordinate the activities of all the IITs, there is central body named as ‘Council of IITs’ , which is headed ex-officio by the Union Minister of Human Resource & Development. The Chairman and the Directors of all IITs, besides several others are members of the Council of IITs. The Council of IITs is enjoined to advise on matters relating to admission standards, duration of courses, degrees and other academic distinctions to be conferred by the Institutes. It also lays down policy regarding cadres, methods of recruitment and conditions of service of employees of all IITs.

Each IIT is governed by its Board of Governors . The Board of Governors of each Institute is responsible for the general superintendence, direction and control of the affairs of the Institute and exercises all the powers of the Institute. Besides the Board of Governors, each IITs also have the Senate , the Finance Committee and the Building & Works Committee . The Senate of the Institute is responsible for maintenance of standard of education and examination in the Institute. The Finance Committee is responsible to examine and scrutinize the annual budget and give its views and recommendations on any financial question affecting the Institute. The Building & Works Committee is responsible under the direction of the Board for construction of all major capital works of the Institutes.

The Chairman of the Board of Governors is nominated by the Visitor and s/he presides over the Board meetings and Convocation of the Institute and ensures that the decisions taken by the Board are implemented.

The Director of the Institute is appointed by the Council of IITs with prior approval of the Visitor. The Director is the principal academic and executive officer of the Institute and is responsible for the proper administration of the Institute and for the imparting of instruction and maintenance of discipline in the Institute. There are a number of Deans and the HODs who advise and assist the Director on the matters of education and research.

The Deputy Director of the Institute is appointed on such terms and conditions as may be laid down by the Statutes of the Institute and exercises such powers and performs such duties as may be assigned to him by the Act, Statutes or by the Director.

The Registrar of each Institute is the custodian of records, the common seal, the funds of the Institute and such other property of the Institute as the Board commits to his charge. The Registrar acts as the Secretary of the Board, the Senate, the Finance Committee and the Building & Works Committee. He is responsible to the Director for the proper discharge of his functions.