A question that may arise in the mind of every student undergoing 12th standard is that which is better IIT or NIT?
Every student who wants to pursue his/her higher studies whether it is graduation or post-graduation from IITs and NITs must have gone through this thought at least once in his/her life.
Well this blog is all about the difference between IIT and NIT that can be measured on such major crucial factors such as – Education Standard, Hostels, Extra-Curricular Activities, Sports, Culture, Infrastructure, Placements, etc.
Both the institutes are well-known for the standard of their excellent academics. It is a dream of almost every student to be a part of IITs or NITs. Both the institutes have paid off an outstanding contribution to the education structure in India.
Currently, there are 23 IITs and 31 NITs situated across the country. These IITs and NITs contribute to the growth of the country in the field of Science & Technology.
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Let’s discuss the major difference between IITs and NITs.
There is a number of points that may be considered while showing the difference between NIT and IIT, below we have mentioned some of the major differences.
Point 1:- IIT vs NIT – Total Number of Institutes
In India, there are 23 IITs and 31 NITS, so it is clearly seen that NITs give more opportunities to the students in comparison with the IITs. Here is the complete list of IITs and NITs.
| S. No. | Indian Institutes of Technology | National Institutes of Technology |
| 1. | IIT Kharagpur | National Institute of Technology, Agartala |
| 2. | IIT Mumbai | Motilal NIT Allahabad |
| 3. | IIT Kanpur | Maulana Azad NIT Bhopal |
| 4. | IIT Madras | NIT Calicut |
| 5. | IIT Delhi | NIT Durgapur |
| 6. | IIT Guwahati | NIT Hamirpur |
| 7. | IIT Roorkee | Malaviya NIT Jaipur |
| 8. | IIT Bhubaneswar | Dr. B. R. Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar |
| 9. | IIT Gandhinagar | NIT Jamshedpur |
| 10. | IIT Hyderabad | NIT Kurukshetra |
| 11. | IIT Jodhpur | Visvesvaraya NIT Nagpur |
| 12. | IIT Patna | NIT Patna |
| 13. | IIT Ropar | NIT Raipur |
| 14. | IIT Indore | NIT Rourkela |
| 15. | IIT Mandi | NIT Silchar |
| 16. | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | NIT Srinagar |
| 17. | IIT Palakkad | S V NIT Surat |
| 18. | IIT Tirupati | NIT Karnataka, Surathkal |
| 19. | IIT Dhanbad | NIT Tadepalligudem |
| 20. | IIT Bhilai | NIT Trichy |
| 21. | IIT Goa | NIT Warangal |
| 22. | IIT Jammu | NIT Arunachal Pradesh |
| 23. | IIT Dharwad | NIT Sikkim |
| 24. | – | NIT Goa |
| 25. | – | NIT Meghalaya |
| 26. | – | NIT Nagaland |
| 27. | – | NIT Manipur |
| 28. | – | NIT Mizoram |
| 29. | – | NIT Uttarakhand |
| 30. | – | NIT Delhi |
| 31. | – | NIT Pondicherry |
Point 2:- IIT vs NIT – Admission Criteria
If we talk about the admission procedure for the engineering degree program there were two separate entrance exams that were conducted for taking admission in NITs and IITs. These exams were IIIT JEE and AIEEE respectively.
But, in past few years, the authorities have modified the exams. Instead of taking two exams, there is a combined exam that is conducted: JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
The candidates who clear the JEE Main exam are eligible to take admission in the NITs but not for IITs. To take admitted to IITs, students should clear the JEE Advanced exam. This is for the engineering and architecture admissions.
Point 3:- IIT vs NIT – Educational Standard & Courses Offered
It is obvious that the educational standard of IITs are far better than those of NITs as they cover courses from scratch to the end. The faculty members have different & innovative teaching styles that benefit the students with a new version of learning.
Both the IITs and NITs stand in a same position in terms of educational programs. It is mandatory for every student from both the IITs and NITs to opt for a course from the department like – Humanities, Social Science, and Management after the completion of 1st year.
The difference between IITs and NITs can be done in every aspect even if we talk about the subjects and courses offered by both institutes.
Let’s have a look at the courses that are offered by the IITs and NITs
| Degree Type | IIT Courses | NIT Courses |
| Under Graduate | B-Tech | B-Tech |
| Dual Degree M.Sc. | Dual Degree Integrated Courses | |
| Dual Degree MA | BA | |
| B.Sc. | ||
| B-Arch | B-Arch | |
| Post Graduate | M-Tech | M-Tech |
| MBA | MBA | |
| M.Sc. | M.Sc. | |
| M-Arch | M-Arch | |
| MS | MS | |
| Master of Design | MCA | |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Information and Technology (PGDIT) | – | |
| Master in Medical Science & Technology (MMST) | – | |
| Post Graduate Diploma (PGDIPL) | – | |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Operation & Management (PGDMOM) | – | |
| Doctorate | PhD | PhD |
Point 4:- IIT vs NIT – Infrastructure & Facilities
The infrastructures of IITs are wider and equipped with the latest technologies in comparison with NITs. The practical labs and classrooms are enough to show how all the IITs are technically advanced.
In comparison with the NITs the infrastructure is quite updated. That doesn’t mean NITs are lesser in the facilities and infrastructure. There are so many NITs that are older than that of the IITs and are well known for their academic excellence and infrastructure.
Point 5:- IIT vs NIT – Extra Curricular Activities
Every year so many activities are conducted in both the IITs and NITs. There are so many amazing activities that are organized in both the IITs and NITs.
IITs and NITs both conduct inter-hostel sports and extra-curricular competitions every year, sounds amazing! It is really a great opportunity for the students to showcase their best talent by taking participating in such activities.
Every hostel has its own band, dance groups, sports team for various sports, drama teams & so many more.
Every hostel takes part and plays as a team in every sport and extra-curricular activity with great enthusiasm. The main aim of students is to take part, enjoy and learn new experiences from these activities.
One more interesting thing that IITs offer is the CLUBS. Clubs are more active and they have one or two representatives each club from every hostel. Name of some of the clubs are-
- Drama
- Dance
- Literature Club
- Music
- Quizzing
- Hindi Samiti
- Student Welfare
And many more.
Point 6:- IIT vs NIT – Sports & Cultural Fests
Both the institutes encourage sports and cultural activities as essential ones! As result, they discover the talent of many skilled people who can contribute to the country while playing at the National and International levels.
Similar to sports activities, cultural fests are also held on large scales in IITs and NITs. There are many inter-college sports and cultural competitions that are held in both institutes but still, IITs conduct more events in comparison with the NITs.
Some of the Cultural Fest that are held in the IITs and NITs are listed below:-
| S.No. | Cultural Fest | |
| IITs | NITs | |
| 1. | Shaastra | Advaitam |
| 2. | Kshitij | Saptrang |
| 3. | Techfest | Utkansh |
| 4. | Cognizance | Utkarsh |
| 5 | Nvision | Confluence |
| 6. | Technex | Aarohi |
Point 7:- IIT vs NIT – Placements & Salary Packages
Placement and Salary Package than the role of the institutes is only to take you to the door of opportunities and create your initial reputation. No matter from which institute you completed your education, it is only up to you how you will showcase your skills to grab the job that matches perfectly with your dream job and expectation.
Job opportunities in both the IITs and NITs are quite good. Students from both institutes get placed with a good package in MNCs located in India or across the world.
So, which institute do you want to join? IIT or NIT? Hope this information will help you. But you have to work hard to get selected for both the institute.
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Happy Reading!!
