IIT Jammu is recognized as an “Institute of National Importance” under the “Institutes of Technology Act” of 1961. IIT is an autonomous public higher education Institute funded by the Government of India, and functions under the governance of the IIT Council. 

The Indian Institute of Technology Jammu was inaugurated on 6th August 2016, and welcomed the first batch of students into the campus in Paloura, Jammu. In the initial phases, the establishment of IIT Jammu was done under the mentorship of IIT Delhi.

In 2018, IIT Jammu shifted its primary operations to the 400 acres of lush green land in Jagti village, just outside Jammu city, provided by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for establishing its main campus. The main campus of the Institute is located on National Highway–44, 17 km from the Jammu Airport and 19 km from the Jammu Tawi Railway Station.

The Pushkar Building at IIT Jammu is a key component of the institute's infrastructure, serving as a hub for academic activities and a venue for significant events.