Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad — popularly known as IIT (ISM) Dhanbad — is one of India's most historically distinguished technical institutions, and the third oldest IIT after IIT Roorkee and IIT BHU. Established in 1926 as the Indian School of Mines and Applied Geology, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad was formally inaugurated on December 9, 1926, by Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India — making it one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious institutions dedicated to mining and mineral engineering. The institute steadily expanded beyond its mining roots into electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, and management. It was granted Deemed University status in 1967, came under the direct administrative and financial control of the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 1996, and began admitting students through IIT-JEE from 1997. The institute was officially converted to an IIT in 2016, fulfilling a long-standing aspiration. Located in Dhanbad, Jharkhand — the heart of India's mineral belt — IIT (ISM) Dhanbad operates across a main campus of 218 acres in Sardar Patel Nagar. The campus is surrounded by key mineral sector institutions including the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), and the headquarters of Bharat Coking Coal Limited — giving students unparalleled industry proximity. Current student strength stands at approximately 10,000 including 3,732 UG, 1,951 PG, and 2,418 doctoral students. Academically, IIT (ISM) offers programs across 18 departments spanning Engineering, Applied Sciences, Earth Sciences, Management, and Humanities. The flagship B.Tech program is offered in 13 specializations including the globally renowned Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Fuel, Minerals & Metallurgical Engineering — disciplines where the institute holds a #21 global subject ranking in QS WUR 2026. It also offers Integrated M.Tech (5 years) in Applied Geology, Applied Geophysics, and other earth science disciplines; M.Tech (2 years) in 40+ specializations; MBA (2 years) via CAT; M.Sc, M.Sc Tech, and PhD programs across all departments.