IITs Vs NITs - a holistic comparison

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are two of the most highly sought-after engineering institutes in India. Both IITs and NITs offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses in various fields, including engineering, science, and technology. Given their similarities, there is often confusion regarding the differences between IITs and NITs. In this article we take a closer look at what distinguishes these two prestigious institutions from each other, helping to provide a clearer picture for students looking to make an informed decision about where they should pursue their studies.

IITs vs NITs: A Brief History

IITs - The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are a group of autonomous engineering and technology institutes of higher education established and declared as Institutes of National Importance by the Parliament of India. The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are a group of publicly funded premier engineering institutes in India. Both IITs and NITs are governed by the same act, but they differ in their establishment, funding, and autonomy. 

The first IIT was established in 1951 at Kharagpur. The main aim was to train scientists and engineers after the independence of India so that the country could develop its own technical manpower. The other IITs were subsequently set up at Bombay (1958), Madras (1959), Kanpur (1960), Delhi (1961), Guwahati (1994), Roorkee (2001), Hyderabad (2008), Gandhinagar(2009) and Jodhpur(2020). 

NITs – National Institute of Technology were previously known as Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs). The REC system was established by the Government of India in 1960 with the main aim of expanding engineering education in the country. In 2007, all the RECs were upgraded to NIT status through an act of parliament. There are currently 31 NITs in India.

Number of IITs vs NITs 

There are a total of 23 IITs in India, compared to 31 NITs. Although the number of IITs is less, they are considered to be more prestigious and offer better quality education. This is because the IITs are autonomous institutions that receive financial support from the central government, while the NITs are governed by individual state governments. Here is the complete list of various IITs vs NITs.

Admission Process in IITs vs NITs 

The admission process for IITs is more competitive than that of NITs. Candidates must first take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) to be eligible for admission into an IIT. The JEE is a computer-based test that assesses a candidate's aptitude in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Based on their JEE score, candidates are ranked and allotted a college during the counseling process.

NITs use the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling process to fill seats in their institutes. Seats are allotted to candidates based on their JEE Main scores, preferences, and availability of seats.

Candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria to apply for admission to IITs and NITs. These include having secured a minimum of 75% marks in their Class 12 examinations, or a valid rank in JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Candidates may also be required to appear for an interview or a written test as part of the selection process. 

Course Curriculum in IITs vs NITs

IITs have a very tough entrance exam, and only the top students are able to get into these institutes. Thus, the competition is very high and the curriculum is very demanding. The students have to put in a lot of hard work in order to succeed.

NITs also have a highly competitive entrance exam, but the competition is not as high as that of IITs. Additionally, the curriculum is not as demanding as that of IITs. However, students still need to work hard in order to get good grades. Here is the list of courses offered by IITs vs NITs-