Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar today introduced the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to declare 15 functional IIITs, set up under public-private partnership mode, as institutions of national importance. These institutes are required to be given statutory status and enable them to grant degrees to the students<br/> <br/>Among others, the bill provides powers to them to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions or title and to confer honorary degrees.<br/><br/>Currently, there are four IIITs which are funded by the government and functioning under the IIIT Act, 2014. These institutes are located at Jabalpur, Kancheepuram, Gwalior and Allahabad.