Patna: Classes began at the new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here on Thursday, a day after the orientation programme.

The institute will operate this year out of a temporary campus - a polytechnic here.

"Classes of the first batch of IIT Patna have finally begun. The new institute will be supported by IIT Guwahati in all respects till it gets its own staff and full fledged director," said Gautam Barua, director of IIT Guwahati, which is the mentor institution of IIT Patna.

The formal inauguration of IIT Patna was deferred two days ago reportedly due to the illness of Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

India currently has seven IITs. Of the eight new IITs that are to come up, six will begin functioning during the current academic session. Besides Bihar, IITs are to be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

IIT Patna dean Samrendra Dandpat told sources on Thursday that as promised, the formal functioning of IIT Patna started on time.

All the 109 students from different parts of the country, studying in the mechanical, electrical and computer engineering streams were attending classes after Wednesday's orientation programme.

Barua told students during the orientation programme that IIT Guwahati may be low in the ranking of IITs but was more experienced in setting up new institutions.

"I am confident that gradually we will be able to bring it at par with others. This institution has to become independent. By September, we will have staff belonging to IIT Patna and a regular director will also be appointed in the next two months. Till such time IIT Guwahati will continue to support it in all possible ways," said Barua.

Earlier this year the state's science and technology department had identified the polytechnic in Patna for setting up the IIT campus. The polytechnic has two hostels and a new building, which can accommodate around 200 students.

The Bihar government has identified a site for the campus close to the state capital here. IANS