Even since its inception the 1960's IIT Kanpur has always held a leading position for excellence in technical education and training. With the start of the millennium, IIT Kanpur would like to achieve a leading position in the areas of basic and applied research, both at the national and international levels.

IIT Kanpur following the old tradition of research in emerging areas has embarked on several interdisciplinary research initiatives such as nano-science and nano-technology, organic ligh emitting diodes, synthesis and characterization of magnetic electronic and polymeric materials, development of composite materials and structures etc.

The strong research groups in the areas are as follows:
Computer aided design and manufacuring
Computer system Security
Amorphous semi-conductors
Environmental pollution and control
Earthquake disaster mitigation
Synthesis of new organic and inorganic compounds
Catalyst development
VLSI design