Currently, IITs and Central universities require at least 500 acres, NITs 300 acres, IIMs and IISERs at least 300 acres and IIITs a minimum of 100 acres.

Hyderabad: The Union HRD ministry is planning to scale down the minimum land requirements for setting up institutions like the IIT, IIM and Central universities. Though the AP government has zeroed in on locations where the institutions can be set up, the exact plots have not yet been identified.

The Union HRD ministry said the decision was taken in view of the increasing scarcity of land. A six-member committee has been formed by the Union HRD ministry which will be headed by Union higher education secretary Satyanarayan Mohanty.

The Centre is looking at smaller campuses for these institutions due to zooming land prices. Currently, IITs and Central universities require at least 500 acres, NITs 300 acres, IIMs and IISERs at least 300 acres and IIITs a minimum of 100 acres.

"The ministry’s experience is that land is not readily available and states have found it difficult to acquire land,” the Union ministry said in a letter.

This has come as a boost for the AP government as it is already struggling to find land for several other purposes like construction of the capital. “Private and forest lands may have to be acquired if such large tracts are required but if they recommend smaller campuses, it will be far easier,” a senior official said.

The Union ministry is expected to finalise norms shortly regarding land for each institution. The 11 institutes given to AP are IIM, International Institute of Information Technology, Tribal University and the Petroleum University in the Visakhapatnam circuit.

The IIT, Central University and IISER will be in Tirupati circuit. AIIMS, NIT, Agricultural University and the National Institute of Disaster Management will be set up in the Krishna-Guntur circuit.