It has been established beyond doubt that when it comes to joining a technical institute an IIT is the most obvious preference, it being a holy grail of sorts among them all. India today boasts of almost 4000 engineering colleges with a capacity of 15 lakh seats across countless courses approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). In this sizeable population of colleges and engineering graduates, the IIT graduates each year stand out in their accomplishments. This illustriousness can be attributed to one major factor: the selection process. Getting into an IIT requires clearing their entrance examination, JEE Advance, a Herculean task as is considered by the ordinary student. Living up to its name of being the most grueling examination in the country, it requires rigorous training and practice. And why shouldn’t it?
The IITs being tagged as “elitist” could not be more justified. Once you step into the gates of any of the institutes, numerous portals open up; portals which are unfathomable to students from other educational institutions. The quality of education doled out in the IITs is beyond compare. Only the most qualified teachers in the country deliver lectures to students. Nearly all of the faculty members in IITs have a Ph.D. degree. Their research impacts their reading, govern their consultancy methods, and enable their continuing education. Since these institutes enjoy full academic autonomy, their curricula is updated frequently to keep up with modern developments. The infrastructure is a class apart, and the labs are well-equipped with the latest technology available. The libraries are buzzing with enthusiastic students throughout the day. All hostels have high-speed internet connections, counted upon as a blessing by one and all.
It goes without saying that IITs attract the most glorious job-offers. All the renowned companies flock to the IITs for their annual recruitments, accompanied by their hefty pay-packages. Internships are integral to the life of a student in a technical institution. IITians almost always participate in eminent internships programs, most of which are located abroad. Projects undertaken by IITs are laudable. Students from college across the country join these projects as interns. This helps them get the exposure that IIT students are already privy to.
The IITs are not just about trudging from the hostel rooms to the classrooms. They are a hub of cultural and sports activities. All the IITs organize their own annual fests, both technical and cultural. In the run-up to the fests, the air inside the institutes is electric. Excited faces everywhere, the colleges are bustling with activity. The technical fests attract all the brilliant, innovative minds across the nation and beyond to test their skills. Winning these competitions not only fetches massive cash prizes, but also widens internship opportunities. The cultural extravaganza in these colleges is a sight to behold. The annual cultural fest of IIT Mumbai, Mood Indigo, is the biggest festival organized in all of Asia. The extra-curricular scene in these colleges is unparalleled, which makes them all the more enticing.
There are a lot of students with great ideas who feel lost because they didn’t have a pedestal. This is one of the most rewarding benefits of being in an IIT: getting a jumpstart. It doesn’t necessarily have to be academic. Bookstores in every nook and cranny of the country today are flushed with novels penned by IITians. While the books themselves are seemingly ordinary, they’ve gained popularity mostly because people want to hear what an IITian has to say. The brand-value of an IIT is huge. They have acquired a bourgeois-like status in everyone’s eyes. Wherever they go, they command respect.
Seeing that respect for yourself in other people’s eyes is worth every bit of effort that you need to put in before your exams. The exams are fast approaching, but there is still time. Push yourself all you can. The IITs await.
