For a large number of the top-ranking candidates of the joint entrance examination (JEE), the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), continues to be the most preferred destination.
For a large number of the top-ranking candidates of the joint entrance examination (JEE), the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), continues to be the most preferred destination. This was evident on the second day of counselling at the Powai campus, which was attended by close to 500 students (around 330 from the general category and over 150 from the scheduled castes). IIT Bombay again topped the wish list of the vast majority of students.
The reasons for this are many: some says it’s the institute’s location in the country’s financial hub; for others it’s the vibrant campus life and international exposure. But for most, IIT Bombay is the place that guarantees good placements. Hence, it was not surprising that Nishant R Totla (all-India rank or AIR 2), Pritish Kamat (AIR 21), Kunal Shah (AIR 23), Abhinav Agarwal (AIR 146), and Namit Shetty (AIR 163), all of whom attended the counselling on Wednesday, wanted to study at IIT-B.
Abhinav Agarwal, who wants to pursue computer science or electrical engineering from IIT-B, reasoned that every MNC coming to India wants to set up shop in Mumbai or Delhi. “Even a lower branch at IIT-B gets you better packages than a higher branch at any other IIT. Plus the scope for personality development is really good,” he said. Most toppers, he said, have always chosen IIT-B.
Mukul Gagrani (AIR 513), who gave IIT-B as his first choice owing to its brand value, agreed: “Big companies come to the metros.” Mukul said he feared he may not get the subject of his choice at IIT-B. “I may have to go to IIT Kharagpur. I am undecided if I should choose branch over institute or vice-versa.”
While Tarun Dayna (AIR 285) and Anirudh Seksaria (AIR 391) cited the superior infrastructure at IIT-B for their choice, Rohit Suvarna (AIR 624) said he was willing to pursue even a dual degree as long as he got it in IIT-B.
It’s not just the top-rankers. Students with lower scores were also vying for a seat at IIT Bombay. Mayank Agarwal (AIR 957) wanted either IIT-B or IIT Delhi because they are located in the “most happening” metros. Akhilesh Khope (AIR 1135) too wanted to be part of IIT-B’s “vivacious” campus life.
But there were some like Jimit Majumdar (AIR 1189) who said that though IIT Bombay is the best, IIT Delhi or Madras would do so long as they could get a subject of their choice there.
Most students were uncomfortable opting for the new IITs. Devika Bhimwal, sister of Devanshu Bhimwal (AIR 148), said, “New IITs will bring down the standard. What can the mentors do when they themselves are short of faculty? Also, if everyone says they are IITians, the brand will lose its value.”
Sudeep Kamat, an IIT-B graduate, disagreed. He said many institutes are coming up under the University of California, Berkeley, but this does not hamper the university’s reputation.
b_mihika@dnaindia.net
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