The panelists expressed apprehension that as the number of IIT increases, the quality could suffer because of standard of students joining them as also of teaching faculty.

That could hurt the brand IIT which is the only one from India known globally.

They said that it is becoming difficult across the world to find high quality teachers who are the backbone of the institution and India is going to be no exception.

Currently, each IIT tries to have all faculties which is bound to have effect on the quality of teachers they can find. So, they favoured various IITs specialising in limited number of faculties to ensure quality education.

They also stressed on the need for enhancing the capacity of IIT in research.

The panel discussion was held Saturday as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the IIT Mumbai.