Are you a JEE or NEET student but confused about what to pursue: a career in research, engineering or technology? Then you may have definitely come across some of the top institutes in India that offer courses in basic sciences and engineering like Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), the National Institutes of Technology (NIT), and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Are you confused about which one is best for you? So let’s compare these three options based on some important criteria such as academic structure, scholarship, placement, research funding, MSc thesis project, NIRF ranking, seats and entrance examination.
What are IISERs, NITs, and IIST?
IISERs are seven institutes that were established by the Ministry of Education to promote high-quality education and research in basic sciences. IISERs offer 3 types of degree programs: a five-year dual degree BS-MS program, Int.MSc-PhD and a PhD program. 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.The admission to IISERs is based on the performance in the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), or the JEE Advanced rank.
Want to know about the admission process and eligibility criteria? Check our video IAT 2024 Exam- IISc & IISER Admission- Eligibility.
NITs are a total of 31 institutes that were established by the Ministry of Education to provide technical education and research in engineering and allied disciplines. They offer 4-year B.Tech, 5-year B.Arch, and 5-year dual degree programs in various branches of engineering, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, computer science, chemical, biotechnology, etc. They also offer M.Tech, M.Sc, MBA, and PhD programs in these fields. The admission to NITs is based on the performance in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main and the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling.
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 plays a crucial role in advancing India’s capabilities in space science and technology. ISRO, India’s premier space agency, established IIST with the primary mission of nurturing and producing talented individuals in the field of space science and technology.
IISERs V/s NITs V/s IIST:
The following table summarizes the comparison between IISERs, NITs, and IIST in terms of various parameters:-
| Parameter | IISERs | NITs | IIST |
| Type of institution | Research Institutes | Engineering Institutes | Space Institute |
| Academic structure | 5-year BS-MS dual degree in basic sciences | 4-year B.Tech, 5-year B.Arch, and a 5-year dual degree in engineering | 4-year B.Tech, 5-year dual degree, and 5-year integrated M.Tech in space science and technology |
| Scholarship | Inspire scholarship and Disha scholarship | Central Sector Scholarship for eligible students | ISRO scholarship for eligible students |
| Avg. Package Offered | Rs. 5-8 LPA
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Rs.5-10 LPA | Rs. 5-7 LPA |
| Research funding | Moderate research funding from various sources, such as DST, DBT, CSIR, etc. | Low research funding from various sources, such as MHRD, AICTE, etc. | High research funding from the Department of Space and ISRO |
| MSc thesis project | Mandatory MSc thesis project in the fifth year; Opportunity to work with reputed faculty and researchers | Optional M.Tech thesis project in the fifth year; Limited opportunity to work with reputed faculty and researchers | Mandatory M.Tech thesis project in the fifth year; Opportunity to work with ISRO scientists and engineers |
| NIRF ranking | Average NIRF ranking of 30 among universities; IISER Pune ranked 15th in 2021 | Average NIRF ranking of 40 among engineering colleges; NIT Trichy ranked 9th in 2021 | NIRF ranking of 33 among engineering colleges in 2021 |
| Seats | A total of 1808 seats across seven institutes | A total of 23954 seats across 31 institutes | A total of 140 seats in one institute |
| Entrance examination | IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) or JEE Advanced. To find out which exam is easier, click here. | JEE Main and JoSAA counselling | JEE Advanced and IIST Admission Rank List |
Conclusion: Which Institute is better and why?
As you can see from the table, which institute is better depends on your personal preferences, interests, goals, and aspirations. However, here are some important points that may help you make a decision:
- If you are passionate about science and want to pursue a career in research or academia, you should go for IISERs or IIST. These institutes will provide you with a strong foundation in basic sciences and expose you to cutting-edge research in various fields. You will also have the opportunity to work with some of the best faculty and researchers in the country and abroad. You will also have the flexibility to choose your major and minor subjects and explore different areas of science.
- If you are interested in engineering and want to get a degree and a job or pursue higher studies in engineering, you should go for NITs. These institutes will provide you with a solid technical education and training in various branches of engineering and prepare you for the industry or academia. You will also have the chance to participate in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and develop your personality and skills. You will also have a wide range of options to choose from in terms of colleges and courses.
- If you are fascinated by space and want to work in the field of space science and technology, you should go for IIST. This institute will provide you with a unique and specialized education and research in aerospace engineering, avionics, and physical sciences. You will also have the privilege to work with ISRO and contribute to the national space program. You will also have a high chance of getting placed in ISRO or other reputed organizations in the space sector.
Remember that there is no right or wrong option; it all depends on what you want to do and what you are good at. So, do your research, weigh your options, and follow your passion.
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