The committee set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) which recommended autonomy of the IITs was headed by

The committee recommending greater autonomy for the IITs was chaired by Prof. Anil Kakodkar, a nuclear scientist and former Atomic Energy Commission head.

Prof. Yashpal led a separate committee on the renovation and rejuvenation of higher education, not this IIT autonomy review.

Sam Pitroda chaired the National Knowledge Commission, which addressed broader knowledge-sector reform.

A blanket denial does not apply since a specific chairperson is on record.

The Kakodkar report urged the IITs to expand, raise faculty numbers and reduce government control.

It also recommended a large rise in doctoral output to strengthen research and teaching.