Are you a science enthusiast who wants to pursue higher education in India? If yes, then you might be wondering which institute is the best for you. You might have heard of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), which are known for their excellence in engineering and technology. But did you know that there is another option for you if you are more interested in pure science and research? Yes, we are talking about the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), which are relatively new but equally promising institutes that offer a unique curriculum and environment for science lovers.
In this article, we will compare and contrast these two institutes and help you decide which one suits your interests and goals better. We will also provide you with some useful information about the admission process, the courses offered, the faculty, the facilities, and the placements of both IITs and IISERs. Do you know one of the professors of IISER Kolkata Dr. Sujan Kumar Saha, was involved in the development of the Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer instrument. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what makes these two institutes different and why students choose one over the other.
Before that here is a quick phrase that will summarise the difference:-
Students get IITs to study, Students go to IITs to teach as professors.
Case 1: A senior from NISER (similar to IISER is now a faculty at IISc)-
Case 2: Faculty at IIT-Kanpur-
IIT’s:
IITs have been around since 1951 and are known for teaching engineering and technology. The original IITs were in places like Kharagpur, Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati, and Roorkee. These institutions have produced some of India’s top engineers and entrepreneurs. To get into an IIT, you need to pass the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which is highly competitive. This means only the very best students can get in. Graduates from IITs often have excellent job opportunities, thanks to a vast network of successful alumni.
IISER’s Unique Approach:
IISERs on the other hand, are relatively new, starting in 2006. They focus on teaching science and research from the undergraduate level. There are seven IISERs across India, one in each state. One interesting thing about IISERs is that they accept students through two routes: Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) and IAT. This allows students with a wide range of scientific interests to attend. IISERs encourage students to explore different areas of science.
Is IISERs Better than IIT: What Influences the Choice?
1. Admission Process-
The admission process for both IITs and IISERs is highly competitive and requires a lot of preparation.
(i) IITs-
The main entrance exams for IITs are JEE Main and JEE Advanced, which test the student’s aptitude in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and logical reasoning. The JEE Main is conducted twice a year, in January and April, while the JEE Advanced is conducted once a year, usually in May. The JEE Advanced is only open to those who qualify for the JEE Main cut-off. The JEE Advanced rank determines the admission to various IITs across the country.
(ii) IISERs-
The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) is an annual academic examination held in India. The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research organise it through a Joint Admissions Committee. Apart from the JEE-Advanced, it is one of the routes to gain admission to IISER’s BS-MS dual degree programmes and BS degree programmes. To know more about IAT, you can refer to our blog: IISER Aptitude test 2024 – ( Preparation, strategy )
2. Courses Offered-
The courses offered by both IITs and IISERs are diverse and cater to different interests and aspirations of the students.
(i) IITs-
The IITs offer mainly engineering courses at the undergraduate level, such as B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology), B.Des (Bachelor of Design), etc. The duration of these courses is usually four years, except for B.Arch which is five years. The IITs also offer some science courses at the undergraduate level, such as BS (Bachelor of Science), BS-MS (Bachelor of Science – Master of Science) dual degree, etc. The duration of these courses is usually five years.
(ii) IISERs-
The IISERs offer mainly science courses at the undergraduate level, such as BS-MS (Bachelor of Science – Master of Science) dual degree, integrated MSc-PhD, and PhD. The duration of these courses is usually five years. The BS-MS course is the flagship program of the IISERs, which allows the students to choose their major subject after two years of common foundation courses in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and humanities.
3. Faculty: Professors and Research-
The faculty of both IITs and IISERs are highly qualified and experienced in their respective fields of expertise. They are involved in teaching, research, and mentoring the students. Both IITs and IISERs also have some visiting faculty who are eminent experts from other institutes or industries, who come to teach or collaborate with the regular faculty on specific topics or projects.
(i) IITs-
The faculty of IITs are mostly engineers and IISER graduates who have graduated from top institutes in India or abroad and have done their postgraduate and doctoral studies in engineering or related fields.
(ii) IISERs-
The faculty of IISERs are mostly scientists who have graduated from top institutes in India or abroad and have done their postgraduate and doctoral studies in science or related fields. Students in JEE exams go to IITs to learn, while those from IISER and NISER go to IITs to teach.
4. Campus and Facilities-
The facilities provided by both IITs and IISERs are state-of-the-art and conducive to learning and research. Both institutes have well-equipped laboratories where the students can conduct experiments and projects under the guidance of the faculty. The laboratories have modern instruments and equipment, high-speed internet connectivity and access to online databases and resources. Both institutes also have well-stocked libraries where the students can access books, journals, magazines, newspapers, e-books, e-journals, etc. on various topics of engineering and science.
5. Career Opportunities-
(i) IISERs-
IISERs have better placements than the IITs in terms of research prospects and quality of education. The majority of IISER graduates opt for higher studies in India or abroad after completing their degree. They get admitted to some of the best universities in the world such as MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.
(ii) IITs-
Many students pick IIT because they think it offers more job opportunities. IITs have strong connections with industries, good campus placements, and a strong brand name.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
The decision to go for IIT or IISER depends on your goals, interests, and dreams. Both have their strengths. IITs are known for engineering and technology, while IISERs are for those who love scientific research. Ultimately, it’s all about what suits your interests and ambitions best. Whether you go for IIT or IISER, you’ll get a good education that can set you up for a great career in science and technology.
Conclusion:
Do you know that many IIT professors are alumni of IISER or NISER? Yes, that’s right. These institutes are the best places to pursue your passion for science and research. If you want to know more about these institutes and how to get admission into them, you should check out SciAstra, the ultimate platform for science aspirants.
Sciastra will provide you with full guidance and information about the entrance exams, courses, scholarships, and career opportunities of these top institutes. So, what are you waiting for? Contact Sciastra today and take your first step towards your future.
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SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students pursue careers in science.
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