New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS): A total of 757 students dropped out of IITs and 717 students from NITs in the 2014-2015 academic session, parliament was informed on Wednesday.

The reasons for the dropouts may be attributed to shifting to other colleges, personal, medical, getting jobs during postgraduate courses and inability to cope with academic stress, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani informed the Lok Sabha.

According to data, 606 students dropped out of the 16 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in 2012-2013, while 697 dropped out in 2013-2014.

The figure for the 30 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) was 850 (2012-2013) and 785 (2013-2014).

She said that the IITs had initiated continuous corrective actions to minimise dropouts, including counselling to de-stress students, guidance and counselling unit headed by faculty members and appointments of advisors.

"NITs have also adopted measures like quarter classes and special exams, additional coaching for weak students and tutor guardian in respective departments," she said.