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Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘At IIT Bombay, curiosity turned into confidence and questions found direction'
I grew up in the calm and quiet town of Kishangarh, Rajasthan, a place where the sky feels wider, the roads are less noisy, and life moves at its own unhurried pace. That slow rhythm, the simplicity, and the genuine sense of space are things I still miss deeply. After completing my Class 10 there, I moved to Kota – like many others chasing the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) dream – to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). Since childhood, I have had this restless curiosity about science. I was the kid who constantly raised his hand in class, asking 'why' and 'how,' often to the frustration of my teachers. But I rarely found satisfying answers, and that sense of incompleteness became my biggest motivation. That's when I realised JEE preparation was not just a path to an institute – it was a path to deeper understanding. My time in Kota from 2022 to 2024, though intense, was transformative. I did my Class 11 and 12 while preparing for JEE, staying focused throughout. There were tough patches – like falling ill and going home for two weeks – and disruptions to my rhythm when schedules changed. I also struggled with revision; I always wanted to chase the next big concept instead of revisiting the old ones. But with time, I learned to adapt and found my pace again. I appeared for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2024, during my Class 12. When results came out, I had an All India Rank of 7151 in JEE Main and 3909 in Advanced. I wasn't fixated on any particular branch – I trusted the advice of my mentors, who told me not to judge a branch too early. I was only getting core branches in older IITs and had to decide between Civil Engineering at IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. I chose IIT Bombay because of its environment and reputation. Civil Engineering appealed to me because it is interdisciplinary and connects with many sectors. I also considered Chemical and Aerospace Engineering at IIT Roorkee and IIT Madras, but they were lower on my preference list. I took admission to IIT Bombay in the Department of Civil Engineering. I joined in the last week of July 2024. Having already spent two years in Kota, I was used to staying away from home, but IIT Bombay was a different world altogether. The first few days were surreal. Classes were to begin three days after arrival, so I spent time exploring the campus, getting lost in the maze of buildings, and bonding with my roommate and wing mates in Hostel 1 (H1). The mess food seemed okay at first, but like everyone else, I soon turned to canteens and nearby joints to break the monotony. I did not want to box myself into just one club or activity during the first year. I explored everything. I participated in Enbuzz, a startup pitching competition by E-Cell, the Consult Challenge by the Consulting Club, and even joined SilverScreen IITB to make a short film from scratch. That experience of storytelling, shooting, and editing was incredibly fulfilling. I was also part of the organising teams for Techfest and Mood Indigo, two of the biggest campus events. Academically, the first year was light and manageable. Professors were approachable and supportive, and while I did not dive into studies all year, I did put in the hours when exams approached. The Civil Engineering course included a fun bridge and water tank building competition where professors acted as mentors, not just judges. That hands-on, collaborative learning left a lasting impression. Campus life at IIT Bombay is vibrant in a way that's hard to describe unless you've lived it. There's a sense of freedom here – no strict entry or exit times, late-night canteens, a 24×7 shop, and people walking around at 2 am just talking or working on ideas. It's a world full of creative chaos. My daily routine is quite flexible. I usually start with breakfast, then attend labs and lectures until about 5 pm. Evenings are for gym sessions, chilling with friends, or sketching portraits using charcoal and graphite – something I've loved doing since school. Sometimes, I experiment with the piano, playing around with tunes I enjoy. I've been planning another short film too, though those plans are currently on pause. Hostel life brings a different kind of joy – sometimes, 10 of us squeeze into one room, laughing, playing games, or just talking for hours. Those late-night hangouts, spontaneous walks around campus, or trips to the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) building rooftop, Amul store, or the Boat House – they've given me some of the best memories. I've made it a point to try different things. Whether it's cricket and badminton with hostel friends, organising events, or learning to communicate better — each experience has shaped me. I used to struggle with public speaking, but now, after organising events, coordinating with sponsors, and leading teams, I've become more confident. It's still a work in progress, but I've come a long way. Living in Mumbai has also changed me. From the calm of Marine Drive to the chaos of Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the city offers something for every mood. I have grown to love its relentless energy and diversity. As of now, I am still exploring various fields. I might take up a placement offer as a safety net, but my long-term dream is to build something of my own – likely in the tech or Information Technology space. The idea of creating something meaningful, something that solves real problems, really excites me. My journey from the peaceful streets of Kishangarh to the buzzing life of IIT Bombay has been full of learning, challenges, and self-discovery. It's not just about academics or placements – it's about becoming someone who questions more, learns better, and dares to build. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Scholarships: July 19, 2025
Free Coaching for DNT Students under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) An initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Eligibility: Students belonging to De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes willing to pursue coaching for competitive exams such as NEET, JEE Main, CLAT, NDA, TOEFL, SAT, CA-CPT, RRB, Banking, Insurance, State Police, and CPL Courses and have passed Class 12 and have an annual family income must be less than or equal to ₹800,000. Reward: Up to ₹120,000 plus benefits Application: Online Deadline: August 3 Kotak Kanya Scholarship An initiative of the Kotak Education Foundation Eligibility: Girls who have scored 75% or more in Class 12 and have been admitted to the first year of UG programmes for 2025-26 in NIRF/NAAC accredited institutions and have an annual family income of less than ₹600,000 Rewards: ₹1,50,000 a year Application: Online Deadline: August 31 Infosys Foundation STEM Stars Scholarship Programme An initiative of Infosys Foundation. Eligibility: Girls who have completed Class 12 and are enrolled in the first year of UG STEM courses at recognised institutions; second-year students and those pursuing five-year Integrated or Dual Degree programmes; Annual family income must not exceed ₹800,000. Rewards: Up to ₹100,000 a year Application: Online Deadline: September 15 Courtesy:
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
NIT Calicut Vs IIIT Kottayam for CSE: Which one will you choose?
Selecting the right institute to pursue your dream engineering course is a key reason why over a million students appear for JEE Main each year. With India home to numerous top-tier engineering colleges, making an informed decision is both essential and often overwhelming. For those who couldn't clear JEE Advanced, NITs and IIITs offer excellent alternatives. In this article, we compare NIT Calicut and IIIT Kottayam across various parameters to help you make a smart and well-informed choice for your BTech CSE journey. NIT Calicut The National Institute of Technology Calicut (NIT Calicut or NIT-C) is a public engineering institution recognised as an Institute of National Importance under the NIT Act enacted by the Indian Parliament. Founded in 1961, it originally operated under the name Calicut Regional Engineering College (CREC) until its rechristening in 2002. NIT Warangal Vs IIIT Tiruchirappalli for ECE IIIT Kottayam The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam ( IIIT Kottayam or IIITK) is an autonomous technical institution situated in Valavoor in Kerala's Kottayam district. Established in 2015 under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, it was initiated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), with collaborative support from the Government of India, the Government of Kerala, and industry partners. In 2017, IIIT Kottayam attained the status of an Institute of National Importance through the enactment of the IIIT PPP Act. NIT Trichy Vs IIIT Hyderabad in CSE NIT Calicut For the BTech programme at NIT Calicut in 2025-26, students' fees are categorised based on family income and admission quota. Students from the Open, EWS, and OBC (NCL) categories with a family income above Rs 5 lakh per annum need to pay Rs 1,42,600 in the Monsoon semester, which includes Rs 62,500 as tuition fee, Rs 19,100 as other fees, and a one-time fee of Rs 61,000 at the time of admission. NITK Surathkal Vs IIIT Pune for CSE Those with a family income between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh are charged Rs 1,00,934 in the first Monsoon semester, with a reduced tuition fee of Rs 20,834 per semester. For students with a family income less than Rs 1 lakh, and all SC/ST/PwD students, there is no tuition fee, and the total payable in the Monsoon semester stands at Rs 80,100, which mainly covers other institutional and one-time charges. NIT Rourkela Vs IIIT Kalyani for ECE IIIT Kottayam Here is a breakdown of the IIIT Kottayam BTech CSE Fee Structure (2025) as mentioned on the official website. For the BTech in Computer Science and Engineering programme at IIIT Kottayam, the total fee over four years is approximately Rs 11.96 lakh. This includes: –Tuition Fee: Rs 1,45,200 per semester –Hostel and Facility Maintenance: Starts at Rs 34,000 and increases gradually each year –Mess Advance: Begins at Rs 30,750 per semester Additional charges include medical insurance, equipment maintenance, club activities, and one-time fees like caution deposit and convocation fee. The fee may vary slightly based on admission category (e.g., DASA/CIWG) and semester. A student can find the full breakdown of the fee structure on IIIT Kottayam's official admission page. NIT Calicut The Calicut-based institute ranked 25th under the engineering category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2024. The Institute scored 61.19 points in the rankings. On the other hand, in the management category of the NIRF, it ranked 76 with a score of 47.55. IIIT Kottayam The Kottayam-based engineering institute did not rank under the engineering category of the NIRF. The same goes for the NIRF 2023 rankings. NIT Calicut In 2024, the highest package offered to a CSE undergraduate touched an impressive Rs 50.64 LPA, while the average package stood at Rs 19.37 LPA. Across all undergraduate programmes, the overall average salary was Rs 12.41 LPA, and the CSE placement rate soared to 96.77 per cent. Over 208 companies participated in the recruitment drive, resulting in more than 1,080 offers. Firms such as Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Atlassian, and Cisco were among the top recruiters. IIIT Kottayam Over the past five academic years, IIIT Kottayam has shown a consistent rise in both placement offers and salary packages. In the 2020-21 session, the institute recorded a highest CTC of Rs 36 LPA with an average package of Rs 9.07 LPA, offering placements to 44 students and generating 97 job offers. The 2021-22 placements saw an improvement, with the highest package touching Rs 42 LPA, an average of Rs 10.45 LPA, and 67 individual placements out of 212 total offers. The 2022-23 batch achieved a remarkable jump, securing the highest package of Rs 58.93 LPA, an average of Rs 14.32 LPA, 84 individual placements, and 144 job offers. In 2023-24, the highest CTC stood at Rs 45 LPA, with the average package at Rs 12.70 LPA; this session witnessed 128 individual placements and 171 offers. The latest 2024-25 placement cycle recorded a highest CTC of Rs 50 LPA, an average salary of Rs 11.91 LPA, with 178 students placed and 219 total offers made. NIT Calicut Other than BTech and engineering programmes, the Institute has a Department for Humanities, Arts and Social Science (HAS). The Department provides undergraduate students with foundational courses in Economics and English Studies and PhD programmes. The research offerings span a wide array of areas such as Behavioural Economics, Gender and Micro Economics, Early Childhood Education, Queer and Translation Studies, Cultural and Film Studies, Memory Studies, and advanced topics in English Studies. The Institute also has a management programme that offers an MBA and a PhD. IIIT Kottayam The Institute has only engineering-related fields. Apart from BTech and MTech, it offers BTech in cyber security and data sciences as separate courses. It has an option of e-MTech for the students. The Institute also provides an Integrated MTech course for working professionals in AI and data science. The admissions for the Integrated course will start from August 2025.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
JEE vs NEET: What students need to know before choosing
For students finishing Class 10 or entering senior secondary school, one of the biggest career decisions often arrives before the Class 12 board exams are even on the radar. Should you prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) or the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)? Engineering or medicine? In 2025, this question remains as relevant as ever. Both national-level entrance exams are considered among the most competitive in India, and each opens the door to highly respected career tracks. But the choice between the two is not merely about exam difficulty or college reputation. It involves understanding long-term career fit, academic interests, and day-to-day work realities. Here's a comparative view to help students and families make informed decisions. Understanding JEE and NEET: Scope and structure JEE is the national-level entrance test for admission into undergraduate engineering programs like Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or Bachelor of Engineering (BE). It is conducted in two phases: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Qualifying in JEE Advanced is required for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology, while JEE Main is accepted by the National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Information Technology, and many private colleges. NEET is the common entrance test for undergraduate medical programs such as Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), and Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS). NEET scores are mandatory for government and private medical colleges across the country. Subjects and syllabus JEE Main and Advanced: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics NEET: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology While both exams require strong conceptual understanding in science, the focus differs. NEET requires detailed memorisation and application in Biology, whereas JEE places greater emphasis on mathematical reasoning and abstract problem-solving. Students must assess their comfort with numerical versus theoretical learning early on. A student who enjoys logic puzzles and calculations may gravitate more toward JEE, while someone with an affinity for biology and life sciences may find NEET a better fit. Exam pattern and difficulty level JEE Main includes 90 questions across three subjects, with a mix of single and multiple-choice formats. Whereas, NEET has 200 questions (180 to be answered), mostly multiple choice, with more weight on memory-based understanding. In terms of difficulty, JEE Advanced is widely regarded as the more conceptually challenging exam, especially because of its mathematical rigor and the unpredictability of its paper structure. However, NEET is considered tougher in terms of competition due to the high number of applicants fighting for a relatively smaller number of government MBBS seats. In 2025, over 22 lakh candidates appeared for NEET Undergraduate, while JEE Main saw over 11 lakh candidates. The selection ratio, especially for MBBS seats in government colleges, remains significantly lower than engineering admissions. Course duration and career commitment An engineering degree through JEE usually spans four years, after which students can enter the workforce or pursue a master's degree, such as Master of Technology or Master of Business Administration. A medical career, on the other hand, requires a longer academic and training pathway. MBBS takes 5.5 years including the mandatory internship, followed by postgraduate specialisation, which is increasingly becoming essential for career progression. Students must consider their willingness to commit to prolonged academic timelines. Medicine demands long-term dedication, often extending into a decade of study and residency. Engineering offers more flexibility and a quicker path to employment. Lifestyle and work realities Choosing between JEE and NEET also means choosing between two different professional lives. Engineers work across sectors — from software and infrastructure to robotics and energy. Work environments vary between desk jobs, labs, and field roles, often with project-based timelines. Meanwhile, doctors work in clinical settings, hospitals, and public health systems. The profession demands irregular hours, high emotional resilience, and a lifelong engagement with human well-being. It is important that students visualise the day-to-day of both careers, not just the academic entry points. Which one should you choose? There is no definitive answer, and there should not be one. The right path is the one that aligns with your academic strengths (numerical versus theoretical), and your interest areas (technology versus life sciences). Whether it is JEE or NEET, success in either is not only about securing a seat but understanding what the seat leads to. Students and parents must invest time in career exploration, shadowing professionals, and honest self-assessment before committing to an exam path. In an era where education is becoming more modular and careers are evolving faster than syllabi, the smartest decision is one that considers both aptitude and aspiration. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
‘SATHEE' transforms coaching for govt students in Punjab
Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Govt of India, successfully implemented its flagship initiative SATHEE (Self-Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams) across 569 govt non–School of Eminence (non-SOE) institutions in Punjab during the last academic year. SATHEE is a free, technology-driven educational platform developed by IIT Kanpur to democratise access to quality coaching for entrance exams such as JEE and NEET. The initiative already demonstrated a significant academic impact in Punjab. The number of students qualifying for JEE Main increased from 49 in 2024 to 85 in 2025, while the number of NEET qualifiers rose from 335 in 2024 to 497 in 2025—a remarkable improvement within just one academic year. Teachers report that many students who earlier relied on private tuition are now fully dependent on SATHEE for structured coaching and mentorship. Prof Amey Karkare, project in-charge of SATHEE at IIT Kanpur, said, "Through this initiative, we are proving that when given the right tools and guidance, students from all backgrounds can rise to their fullest potential. The success in Punjab is a testimony to what focused, inclusive interventions can achieve." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Tailored for students from economically weaker backgrounds, SATHEE offers a full suite of academic resources—recorded and live lectures by expert faculty, daily practice problems, mock tests, and motivational sessions by mentors from IITs and AIIMS. Its core strength lies in its self-assessment tools, enabling students to evaluate their progress and prepare more effectively.
