Departments, Schools, Centers and Interdisciplinary Groups make up the areas and locations of academic study and research at IITB. The faculty in all of these functional entities vie for funds, and university resources and services in a bid to enhance teaching, research, industry partnerships and service to Indian society.

The needs by work group vary greatly, but there are several common issues that cut across all areas of administrative consolidation of academic and research programs. Virtually all face shortages of graduate students, modern teaching classrooms and labs, top new faculty, reference library resources, faculty development funds and state-of-the-art equipment.

Most Departments and Centres are housed in old buildings that require significant renovation or total replacement, both for teaching and research.