Every year, thousands of students face a common dilemma after their JEE results. Imagine a student who gets admission offers from NIT Trichy for Computer Science and IIT Patna for Mechanical Engineering. Family members suggest IIT for its brand value, while seniors recommend NIT Trichy for its strong placement record. This confusion is real and common in 2025.
IITs and NITs are the top engineering colleges in India. They offer quality education, excellent placements, and great career opportunities. However, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Choosing between them is not just about rank. It also depends on the branch, location, fees, and personal goals.
This article will help you make an informed choice. We will compare IITs and NITs in detail—academics, cutoffs, placements, campus life, fees, and more. If you are unsure which path to choose, this guide will give you all the clarity you need.
Is NIT Better Than IIT
No, IITs are generally better than NITs in terms of global reputation, research facilities, faculty, and average placements. However, a top NIT (like NIT Trichy CSE) can be better than a lower or newer IIT (like IIT Jammu Civil) if you get your preferred branch. The right choice depends on your branch preference, career goals, and rank.
Understanding NITs and IITs
IITs and NITs are top engineering colleges in India. They are known for high-quality education, excellent placements, and strong alumni networks. Both are Institutes of National Importance. But they have different histories, admission processes, and reputations.
What Are IITs?
IITs, or Indian Institutes of Technology, started in 1951 with IIT Kharagpur. Over the years, more IITs were added. As of 2025, there are 23 IITs.
The IIT Council governs all IITs. The Ministry of Education (Government of India) oversees them. IITs are fully funded by the central government. Students get into IITs through JEE Advanced. Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from JEE Main can take JEE Advanced. Admission is based on rank, category, and seat availability. IITs are known worldwide. Many IIT graduates work in top global companies or study at famous universities.
| Feature | Details |
| Total Number | 23 IITs |
| First Established | 1951 (IIT Kharagpur) |
| Admission Exam | JEE Advanced (after JEE Main) |
| Governing Body | IIT Council, Ministry of Education |
| Seat Count (2025) | Around 17,760 |
What Are NITs?
NITs, or National Institutes of Technology, were earlier called RECs (Regional Engineering Colleges). In 2002, they became NITs. As of 2025, there are 31 NITs in India.
The NIT Council governs all NITs. Like IITs, they are also under the Ministry of Education. NITs are funded by the central government but often work closely with state governments. Admission to NITs is through JEE Main. Students apply through JoSAA counselling based on their JEE Main rank. NITs offer good teaching and placements. They are important for regional education and development.
| Feature | Details |
| Total Number | 31 NITs |
| First Established | 1959 (REC Warangal, now NIT Warangal) |
| Admission Exam | JEE Main |
| Governing Body | NIT Council, Ministry of Education |
| Global Ranking Presence | Limited |
| Seat Count (2025) | Around 24,229 |
Key Similarities
- Both are Institutes of National Importance.
- Both offer B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD programs.
- Both follow JoSAA counselling for seat allocation.
- Both provide hostel, labs, libraries, and placements.
Key Differences Between IITs and NITs
There are some major differences between IITs and NITs. These include rankings, funding, and student competition levels.
| Factor | IITs | NITs |
| Total Number | 23 | 31 |
| Admission Exam | JEE Advanced (after JEE Main) | JEE Main only |
| Global Rankings | Appear in QS, THE | Not listed in major global rankings |
| Seats (2025) | ~17,760 | ~24,229 |
| Research Funding | Higher (e.g., IIT Madras ₹1,000 Cr) | Moderate (e.g., NIT Rourkela ₹200 Cr) |
| Brand Value | Very High (Global) | High (Mainly India) |
| Flexibility in Courses | High | Moderate |
NITs vs. IITs: Admission Process and Cutoffs
Getting into IITs and NITs is the dream of many students in India. The admission process is highly competitive. Students must write national-level entrance exams. The exams test their understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
This section explains how to get admission into IITs and NITs in 2025. It also compares the difficulty level, cutoffs, and counselling process.
JEE Main vs. JEE Advanced
The main difference between NIT and IIT admissions is the entrance exam. Students must appear for JEE Main to get into NITs. For IITs, they need to first clear JEE Main and then qualify JEE Advanced.
JEE Main (For NITs and JEE Advanced Eligibility)
- Conducted by: NTA (National Testing Agency)
- Frequency: Twice a year (January and April)
- Mode: Computer-based test
- Total Marks: 300 (Physics: 100, Chemistry: 100, Mathematics: 100)
- Number of Candidates (2025 expected): Around 10 lakh
JEE Advanced (For IITs Only)
- Conducted by: One of the IITs on rotation (2025 by IIT Kanpur)
- Frequency: Once a year (May)
- Mode: Computer-based test
- Total Marks: 360 (Two papers of 180 marks each)
- Number of Eligible Candidates (from JEE Main): Top 2.5 lakh
| Exam | For Admission to | Conducted By | Total Marks | Attempts | Difficulty Level |
| JEE Main | NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | NTA | 300 | Twice | Moderate |
| JEE Advanced | IITs | IITs (rotational) | 360 | Once | Very High |
JoSAA Counselling Process
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) handles counselling for all IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Students who clear either JEE Main or JEE Advanced must register on the JoSAA portal.
Key Details of JoSAA 2025:
- Number of rounds: 6
- Mode: Online (choice filling, locking, and seat acceptance)
- Choices: More than 120 institutes
- Important: Once a student gets an IIT seat, they cannot take a seat in NITs in the same year.
| Institute Type | Number of Institutes | Approx. Seats (2025) |
| IITs | 23 | ~17,760 |
| NITs | 31 | ~24,229 |
| IIITs | 26 | ~7,000 |
| GFTIs | 47 | ~13,800 |
| Total | 127 | ~62,853 |
Tips for JoSAA Counselling:
- Lock choices before the deadline.
- Don’t skip mock seat allotment rounds.
- Always prioritize your preferred branch.
- Check category-wise opening and closing ranks for each round.
Difficulty of Admission
Admission to IITs is harder than NITs. This is due to the extra step of clearing JEE Advanced. Also, the number of seats is lower.
| Institute Type | Applicants (Approx.) | Available Seats |
| IITs | 25 lakh (JEE Main) → 2.5 lakh (JEE Adv) → 17,760 | ~0.7% |
| NITs | 10 lakh (JEE Main) → 24,229 | ~2.4% |
This shows how selective IITs are. Even getting into a new IIT is a big achievement.
NITs vs. IITs: Fees and Financial Aspects
Engineering education is a big investment. Students and parents often worry about tuition fees, hostel charges, and other expenses. They also want to know about scholarships and loan options.
In this section, we will compare the cost of studying at IITs and NITs in 2025. We will also look at available financial support and the return on investment (ROI).
Tuition Fees (2025)
The tuition fees at IITs and NITs are fixed by the Ministry of Education. Students from certain categories get full or partial fee waivers. On average, IITs are slightly more expensive than NITs.
| Institute Type | Tuition Fee (₹ per year) | Example Institute |
| IITs | ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 | IIT Madras: ₹2.2 lakh |
| NITs | ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,00,000 | NIT Trichy: ₹1.7 lakh |
Other charges like hostel fees, mess charges, and caution deposits are similar at both IITs and NITs. These range from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per year depending on the institute.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Both IITs and NITs offer scholarships to support students from economically weaker sections. There are also state-specific and private scholarships that students can apply for.
| Type of Student | Scholarship/Fee Waiver |
| SC/ST Students | 100% tuition waiver at IITs/NITs |
| General/OBC (income <₹1L) | 100% tuition waiver (MCM) |
| General/OBC (income <₹5L) | 2/3rd tuition waiver (MCM) |
| EWS (income <₹8L) | Fee benefits under EWS quota |
Educational loans are also available through banks. Many banks offer loans under the Vidya Lakshmi Scheme, which does not require collateral for amounts up to ₹7.5 lakh.
NITs vs. IITs: Placements and Career Opportunities
Placements are one of the most important factors for students choosing between NITs and IITs. Both types of institutes have strong placement records. However, IITs usually offer better average packages, more global job offers, and higher research opportunities.
Let us compare placements in terms of salary, companies, job roles, and long-term benefits.
Placement Statistics (2024–2025)
IITs see higher average and highest salary packages. The top IITs like Bombay, Delhi, and Madras report average salaries between ₹20 to ₹30 LPA. Some students even receive international offers with salaries over ₹1 crore. NITs also offer excellent placements, especially in top branches like CSE and ECE. Leading NITs such as Trichy, Surathkal, and Warangal report average packages between ₹15 to ₹25 LPA.
| Institute | Average Package (CTC) | Highest Package (CTC) | Placement Rate |
| IIT Madras | ₹22 LPA | ₹1.6 Cr (domestic) | 94% |
| IIT Bombay | ₹23.5 LPA | ₹3.67 Cr (international) | 95% |
| NIT Trichy | ₹18 LPA | ₹82 LPA | 90% |
| NIT Surathkal | ₹17 LPA | ₹60 LPA | 88% |
Top Recruiting Companies: Both IITs and NITs attract top recruiters. However, IITs attract more international firms, R&D companies, and top product-based tech firms. Top Recruiters at IITs:
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Goldman Sachs
- McKinsey
- Texas Instruments
- Jane Street
- Amazon
Top Recruiters at NITs:
- TCS
- Infosys
- Amazon
- Deloitte
- Capgemini
- Oracle
- L&T
Although FAANG companies also visit NITs, their offers are fewer and mostly for CSE or related branches.
Branch-Wise Placements
Your branch of study has a big impact on your salary and job options. CSE and IT always receive the highest packages at both IITs and NITs
.
| Branch | Avg. CTC – IITs | Avg. CTC – NITs |
| CSE/IT | ₹30–50 LPA | ₹20–40 LPA |
| ECE | ₹18–25 LPA | ₹15–20 LPA |
| Mechanical | ₹10–15 LPA | ₹8–12 LPA |
| Civil | ₹8–12 LPA | ₹7–10 LPA |
| Chemical | ₹10–14 LPA | ₹8–11 LPA |
Students from core branches usually get jobs in PSUs, manufacturing, or consulting. Software companies may also hire them, but the number of such offers is limited compared to CSE.
Higher Studies and Entrepreneurship
Many students from IITs go abroad for MS or PhD. Common destinations include MIT, Stanford, and ETH Zurich. Around 20–25% of IIT graduates go for higher studies.
At NITs, about 10–15% students pursue postgraduation, either in India or abroad. Top NITs also have incubation centres for startups. These centres support students with ideas, funding, and mentorship.
Some successful startup founders from IITs and NITs include:
- Bhavish Aggarwal (IIT Bombay, founder of Ola)
- Naveen Tewari (IIT Kanpur, founder of InMobi)
NITs vs. IITs: Brand Value and Perception
Brand value plays an important role in shaping careers. It affects job offers, higher education chances, and how society sees your degree. IITs and NITs are both respected in India. But IITs usually have a stronger national and global image. This section compares how IITs and NITs are viewed by companies, universities, and the public.
Global Recognition
IITs are known across the world. Many global companies and top universities recognize the IIT name. IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi appear in international rankings like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE).
In 2025:
- IIT Bombay ranks 118th in QS Global Rankings.
- IIT Delhi ranks 150th.
- Other IITs like Madras and Kanpur are also in the top 300–400 range.
NITs, however, do not appear in most global rankings. They are less known outside India. While top NITs like Trichy and Surathkal have good academic standards, their global visibility is limited.
| Institute | QS Global Rank (2025) |
| IIT Bombay | 118 |
| IIT Delhi | 150 |
| NITs (any) | Not ranked |
Students from IITs often get admits from top global universities like MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and ETH Zurich. IIT alumni also work in global firms and research labs abroad. This builds a strong global brand.
Alumni Networks: IITs have powerful alumni networks. Many IIT graduates hold top positions in business, technology, and government. These include:
- Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google) – IIT Kharagpur
- Arvind Krishna (CEO, IBM) – IIT Kanpur
- Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor) – IIT Delhi
The number of IIT alumni is around 5–10 lakh globally. They help each other through mentorship, job referrals, and networking events.
NITs also have strong alumni, especially in India. Some NIT graduates lead major companies or startups.
For example:
NITs have around 2–5 lakh alumni, and most of them work in India. Their networks are more regional but still helpful.
Societal Perception
In Indian society, IIT is seen as the “gold standard” of engineering. Cracking JEE Advanced is viewed as a major achievement. Many families and teachers encourage students to target IITs first.
Getting into an IIT often brings respect, pride, and recognition. Even those who studied at new IITs are considered part of an elite group.
NITs are also respected, especially in regional areas. Top NITs like Trichy, Surathkal, and Warangal are often treated at par with newer IITs. But for many, the IIT brand still holds more value.
Conclusion
Both IITs and NITs are excellent choices for engineering students in India. They offer strong academics, good placements, and many opportunities for growth. IITs have an edge in global rankings, research output, and brand value. NITs offer quality education at lower fees and are especially strong in core engineering branches.
Choosing between an IIT and an NIT should depend on your personal goals. If you get your preferred branch at a top NIT, it may be a better option than a less preferred branch at a newer IIT. On the other hand, if long-term research, global exposure, or higher studies are your focus, IITs may be more suitable.
In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Think about what matters most to you—branch, location, fees, or brand. Do your research, use JoSAA tools, and talk to alumni. For the latest updates, visit josaa.nic.in and nirfindia.org. Choose wisely and confidently.
FAQs
1) Is NIT as good as IIT for placements?
Top NITs have good placements, but IITs usually offer better salary packages and global opportunities.
2) Can I get into an IIT with a JEE Main rank of 10,000?
No. You need to qualify JEE Advanced. Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main scorers can appear for JEE Advanced.
3) Which NITs are comparable to IITs?
NIT Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, and Rourkela are closest to newer IITs in terms of academics and placements.
4) Is hostel life better at NITs or IITs?
Both are good. Older IITs and NITs have better hostels than newer ones.
5) Should I choose a top NIT over a newer IIT?
If the branch is better at the NIT, choose it. If you get a good branch at the IIT, it is better in the long run.
