New Delhi, Aug 30 - Contrary to perceptions that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are not doing enough research, IIT-Delhi has earned over Rs.102 crore (Rs.1.2 billion) in a year from research projects -- more than what the government gives it as annual grant.

Sponsored research saw a major growth in the number of projects as well as in revenue earning during 2008-09.

'The earning from sponsored research is growing year after year. Now our earnings are more than the government's recurring aid of Rs.100 crore to us. This is a landmark,' M. Balakrishnan, dean of post-graduate studies at IIT-Delhi, told IANS.

He said the top technology school has managed to earn Rs.102.81 crore (Rs.1.28 billion) last year up from Rs.28.2 crore (Rs.282 million) in 2004-05 and Rs.84 crore (Rs.840 million) in 2007-08.

'This is contrary to belief that we are very poor on research output,' Balakrishnan said.