So you gave your JEE Advanced this year but unfortunately didn’t get any IIT. You might be confused about what to do now. What are your options? What other colleges can you get into? Should you drop a year? If you are confused with these similar thoughts, this blog will help you out and will let you decide properly.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Should you take a drop year?
- Other alternatives
Should you take a drop year?
Why not? If you have not appeared for any other exam like the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) for getting into the IISERs or IISc; or the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) to get NISER, it is better to drop a year instead of taking admission in any random college. If you are an engineering aspirant and didn’t get any good NIT, IIIT or BITS, it is better to drop a year and prepare well this year.
You can also take a partial drop, which is difficult to manage as compared to a complete drop year. To know how to manage a partial drop year, check out this blog.
It is far better to drop a year and prepare hard under a good mentor than to join any random college and compromise your dream. Consider this your golden chance if you never knew about the IISERs and NISER before your drop year. There is nothing impossible with hard work. We have many students as an example of this who took a drop and are currently studying in research institutes like IISc, IISERs or NISER.
Other Alternatives:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore:
The IISc is the best institute in India when it comes to science and engineering. It has been ranked top among all institutes in India in NIRF, Nature and many other rankings. It has always produced top scientists and engineers. You can get admission to this institute through JEE Advanced, IAT and NEET. You can prepare well for JEE and IAT in your drop year to get top ranks and get into this institute. Check out this blog to know more.
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs):
There are 7 IISERs in India. IISERs were established parallel to IITs in order to increase the research culture in India. IISERs offer 3 types of degree programs: a five-year dual degree BS-MS program, Int.MSc-PhD and a PhD program in physics, chemistry, maths, biology and earth sciences.
The BS-MS program is designed for students who have completed their 12th standard with science subjects. IISERs are renowned for their groundbreaking research, and some of their exceptional professors have made significant contributions to missions like Chandrayaan, India’s lunar exploration endeavour. Admission to IISERs is based on performance on the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT).
Out of the 7 IISERs, IISER Bhopal provides engineering courses in computer science, electrical and electronics, data science and economics. The placement records of IISER Bhopal and Pune are very excellent. IISERs are outstanding for research, and graduate students go abroad for further studies. Check out our blogs on IISERs to know which IISER is best in physics, chemistry, maths, biology and earth sciences.
Check out this blog to know more.
Indian Institute of Science and Technology (IIST):
IIST is a single institute that was established by the Department of Space to provide education and research in space science and technology. It offers 4-year B.Tech, 5-year dual degree, and 5-year integrated M.Tech programs. It also offers M.Tech, M.Sc, and PhD programs in these fields. The admission to IIST is based on the performance in the JEE Advanced and the IIST Admission Rank List. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) have a close and symbiotic relationship that is crucial in advancing India’s capabilities in space science and technology.
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER):
NISER, or the National Institute of Science Education and Research, stands as a cornerstone in scientific education and research in India. Established in 2007 by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, NISER is committed to nurturing scientific talent and fostering advanced research across various disciplines. NISER is an institute of national importance and one of the best places for science lovers. If you are in 12th and you are planning for alternatives to IIT and AIMS, you must consider NISER.
Click here to learn about the placement opportunities after NISER.
NISER is one of the premium research institutes of India and has several features as listed below:
- Educational Programs: Offers a 5-year integrated M.Sc. program in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical, and Physical sciences. Allows students to choose a major subject and a minor in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics.
- Teaching Excellence: Faculty comprises distinguished scientists and teachers dedicated to providing high-quality education. Strong emphasis on a vibrant academic ambience to facilitate optimal learning experiences.
- Campus and Affiliation: Operates from a well-equipped campus with a modern infrastructure. Degrees awarded by the Homi Bhabha National Institute, a deemed-to-be University within the Department of Atomic Energy.
- Admissions and Reservations: Total of 200 seats available, including reserved seats for SC/ST/OBC/Divyangjan candidates in accordance with government norms. Reserves 2 supernumerary seats for eligible candidates from J&K and Ladakh. Requires OBC-NCL category applicants to provide a valid certificate during admission.
NISER takes admission through a national-level entrance test called NEST.
Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS):
CEBS, or the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, established in 2007, is a unique institute that offers a five-year integrated M.Sc. program in various disciplines of basic sciences, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and earth and environmental sciences. CEBS also offers Ph.D. programs in these disciplines. It is a residential campus located within the University of Mumbai, with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.
Finishing a 5-year integrated MS program at CEBS isn’t just a degree; it’s a ticket to incredible opportunities. Imagine going for interviews at BARC for a scientific officer role or diving into research at places like the Max Planck Institute and the University of California (San Diego). And the best part? The fees won’t break the bank. At less than 15K per year, the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences offers an education that’s worth it.
Admission to CEBS is based on performance in the NEST exam.
Integrated Science Education and Research Centre (ISERC):
ISERC is a less-known but excellent institute for science education in India. It was founded in 2008 upon the recommendation of Visva Bharati University of West Bengal and the President of India in 2006. Visva-Bharati University itself is a well-known university in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, founded by Rabindranath Tagore. ISERC is currently supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The centre offers a Five-Year Integrated M.Sc. programme to teach Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Life Science with equal emphasis during the first two years. Then, the students opt for their major subjects in any of the four subjects, as well as Earth and Environmental Science. Apart from that, the centre also offers a PhD program in those mentioned above five broad areas. The admissions are through your board exam marks.
Conclusion:
You have a lot of alternatives to IIT, and you just need to accept that IIT is not everything and you can achieve your dreams without IITs as well. IISERs, IISc, NISER, etc are a popular alternative to IITs. A drop year helps you eliminate the mistakes you might have made and lets you finish your preparation with more strength. According to statistics, most students admitted to IITs, IISc, and IISERs are droppers. Hence, you must analyse your interests before deciding what you must do after you get your JEE results.
SciAstra could be your best friend during your drop year and journey to the top colleges in science and research. Check out our courses and free materials, and join the preparation now!
FAQs:
Q1: Should I take a drop year if I didn’t get into any IIT?
A1: Yes, if you haven’t appeared for other exams like the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) or the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), it might be better to drop a year and prepare well instead of joining any random college.
Q2: What is a partial drop year, and how does it work?
A2: A partial drop year means continuing your studies in a different program while simultaneously preparing for entrance exams. It can be challenging to manage but allows you to stay academically active.
Q3: What are the alternatives to IITs for engineering and science aspirants?
A3: Alternatives include IISc Bangalore, IISERs, IIST, NISER, CEBS, and ISERC, which offer excellent programs in science and engineering with great placement and research opportunities.
Q4: Can I still achieve my dreams if I don’t get into an IIT?
A4: Absolutely. Institutes like IISERs, IISc, NISER, and others provide excellent education and opportunities in science and engineering, often comparable to IITs.
Q5: How can SciAstra help during my drop year?
A5: SciAstra offers free and paid courses with mentors from top research institutes, providing live classes, study materials, mock tests, and more to help you prepare for exams like IAT and NEST.
About us:
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 in their careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI,ISI IISC Bangalore, etc. teach students in live classes with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7, 10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2025, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store!
