IITs and IISERs

Let me introduce myself, I am Yash Bhusare. Currently I am perceiving four years program (2016-2020) of Engineering Physics at IIT Madras. Recently I came across many students going through a dilemma, which is better, IIT’s or IISER. There are many myths about IITs and IISER, some consider that IITs outclass IISER which is not the case (even true in some aspects). Here in this blog I would like to put-up the true scenario. This blog mostly takes into account the students who are confused whether to opt for EP/BS/MS courses from IITs and BS/MS courses from IISER.
   Both these institutes come from a very different background and thus there is no point in comparing the two. One comes from research background while the other brings technical education and a quite popular image with it.

   On a first note I would suggest that if you are getting IISc and you are keen in Research and higher studies, then without a second thought you should go for it. IISc is a highly reputed institute all over the world and is the best that a student can get in India.      

   Let me take all the aspects one by one:

Academics: 

1. In IISER for first two years you will have to study all the subjects (P, C, M, B). From third year only you can start specifically with your subject. So keep in mind that you have to study bio also, but from third year you can choose your electives. You can check the syllabus of IISER (pune) here.
2. At IITs from first year itself you will have branch oriented courses (you do have courses like basic programming from other departments but they are necessary ). After a semester (in some IITs after a year), your curriculum will have core branch courses and electives.
3. In both these institutes you can do minor in some streams other than your home stream (although IISER-P doesn't has any major-minor system but you can take courses from any subjects).
4. EP is much different than physics. It’s not engineering of physics. Syllabus is different at different IITs. At IIT-M it is physics + electrical (electrical + electronics), at some other IITs EP program is only physics oriented, so do check syllabus of EP of the college you are planning to admit for. Syllabus of IIT-M (EP and PH). If you are a person who is confused between EP and physics, if you would like to learn electrical (again I repeat electrical is electrical +electronics), and you want some time for deciding about your carrier than EP is good branch. You get three years of time to make up your mind, you can either go for research, higher studies (in physics) or you can do noncore jobs.
5. Syllabus of BS/MS at IITs and BS/MS at IISER is pretty much similar for a subject, but at IISER you are introduced to other subjects also. 

Infrastructure:

IITs are much older than IISER, so all IITs (old ones) have proper campus, with all facilities (academic as well as co-curricular). IITs have large campus than IISER ( for example IISER-P has campus spread across 100 acres while IIT-M has widespread 617.8 acres of lush green campus).

Placement and future prospects:

1. There is nothing wrong with reading or worrying about placement and future prospective of you branch, rather it is practical thinking, and prerequisite that one should have an idea of placement scenario. Do what you love, but you need to feel secure about your future. Believe me at this age you won't have much idea of what physics or chemistry is. It is miles apart or even galaxies apart than what you have studied for JEE or your plus 2. So I would suggest you to have some sneak peek from these lectures.  
2. You can check where IITians are placed (some previous data for IIT-M and IIT-kgp).      
3. Now there is no shades of placement in your pictures at IISER, student either perceives PhD, joins industries (on their own), or goes for MBA.
4. As of PhD, till now IISER students have admitted to Oxford, Stanford, Born, Princeton and many other prestigious institutes which is also the case with IITs.

 Environment:

1. Environment at IISER is much better than that of IITs for research in pure sciences, as most of people around you are in the same field which is a great good point.
2. This is not case with IITs. Here only a fraction of students are actually interested in research. Students from IITs are more inclined towards tech or MBA, as we have more number of engineering students. Many people come here just for IITian tag.
3. IITs have many clubs like astronomy and physics, computer vision, web operations, aero and many others. They are quite active throughout the year so you a get chance to learn about these things as well.
4. Even IISER has dance, music and other technical club but they are small in number (as compared to IITs).

Funding, Teaching staff:

1. Both IISER and IITs are well funded by Central Government of India (at least for UG Programmes).
2. Both the Institutes have updated and experienced teaching staff (some professors are great, some are okay).
3. IISER have better Student : Teacher ratio than IITs 

Brand Value:

1. After only 10 years IISER have receive good attention from research sector in India .
2. As of now IISER don't have as much reputation as IITs have, in abroad ,but in near future (In 4 -5 years ) this won’t be case .
3. About brand for now IITs are IITs.

IIT stands for Indian Institute of Technology.

IISER is Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research.

  

No one can tell you which college is best for you, only you can. I just told you the current scenario. While writing I have taken only IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata into account (not the OTHER campus). I would highly recommend students NOT to go for other IISERs (other than Pune and Kolkata) at the costs of old IITs, at least according to the current situation of 2017.

Now let me put my opinion in front of you, again it’s my opinion and need not be true. If you are really really interested in pure science or research and are damn sure about it, then first give a shot for IISc (without any second thought) and then go for IISER (Pune or Kolkata) and at last turn for BS/MS at IITs (old one). EP and BS/MS are two different courses and you shouldn't choose places other than IITs (old ones) for EP course.

I will try to cover the differences between EP and PH course in near future. Make sure you follow me for the new updates. Your doubts and suggestions are highly appreciated in the comments below.

 Hope this helps. Make your decisions wisely.

All the Best!!

Cheers!