Are you dreaming of studying at one of the prestigious IITs? If you’re gearing up for JEE Advanced, choosing the right IIT can make a big difference in your future. With 23 IITs across India, each offering unique strengths, how do you decide which one is best for you? Rankings, placements, campus life, and infrastructure all play a role in making this decision.
Whether you’re looking for the highest salary packages, the best research opportunities, or the most vibrant student life, understanding what each IIT offers is crucial. In this article, we will compare IITs based on the latest rankings, placement records, campus life, and more. By the end, you will have a clear picture of which IIT fits your aspirations and how to make the most of your time there. Let’s dive into the details and help you make an informed choice about your future.
Overview of IITs
The journey of IITs began in 1951 with the establishment of IIT Kharagpur, the first IIT in India. The vision behind setting up IITs was to create institutions that could provide high-quality technical education, promote research, and contribute to India’s economic development. The founding of IIT Kharagpur marked the start of what would later become a nationwide network of IITs.
Over time, the government recognized the importance of such institutions and established more IITs across the country. IIT Bombay followed in 1958, IIT Madras in 1959, IIT Kanpur in 1959, and IIT Delhi in 1961. By the late 1960s, IITs had already established themselves as centers of excellence in technical education. The Government of India continued to expand the IIT system, and today, there are 23 IITs spread across the country.
The IITs are autonomous public institutions. While they are funded by the government, each IIT has its own individual administration, governance, and curriculum. This autonomy allows the institutes to develop their own educational programs and set their academic standards while still adhering to the overarching mission of providing high-quality education and research opportunities.
IIT Admission Process
Admission to undergraduate programs in IITs is highly competitive. Students need to clear the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main first, followed by JEE Advanced, which is the final entrance exam for IITs. The JEE Advanced exam tests students’ knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Only the top candidates from JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. This makes getting into an IIT a challenging task that requires exceptional academic performance and preparation.
Once a student clears JEE Advanced, they must go through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling process, where they are allocated seats based on their rankings, preferences, and the availability of seats in various IITs. Admission to postgraduate programs, such as M.Tech, is through exams like GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) for engineering disciplines and JAM (Joint Admission Test for M.Sc.) for science programs.
Which is the Best IIT College in India?
IIT Madras tops the NIRF 2024 rankings for engineering in India, while IIT Bombay leads in the QS 2025 global rankings. Each IIT excels in its own way, offering unique strengths in academics, research, and placements, making them the best choice depending on individual preferences and goals.
IITs NIRF Rankings 2024
The Ministry of Education releases the NIRF rankings every year. These rankings are based on teaching, learning, research, graduation outcomes, and outreach. In 2024, the top 10 IITs in India were:
| Rank | IIT Name | Establishment Year |
| 1 | IIT Madras | 1959 |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | 1963 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | 1958 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | 1959 |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | 1951 |
| 6 | IIT Roorkee | 1847 |
| 7 | IIT Guwahati | 1994 |
| 8 | IIT Hyderabad | 2008 |
| 10 | IIT BHU Varanasi | 1919 |
| 16 | IIT Indore | 2009 |
IIT Madras holds the top position in India according to NIRF 2024. IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay follow closely.
IITs Ranking: QS World Rankings 2025 (Global Perspective)
The QS World University Rankings focus on academic reputation, employer reputation, research, and international outlook. In 2025, the top Indian institutions in the QS Rankings are:
| Institute | QS Rank 2025 | Score |
| IIT Bombay | 118 | 56.3 |
| IIT Delhi | 150 | 52.1 |
| IISc Bangalore | 211 | 45 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 222 | 43.7 |
| IIT Madras | 227 | 43.5 |
| IIT Kanpur | 263 | 39.3 |
| IIT Roorkee | 335 | 33.4 |
| IIT Guwahati | 344 | 32.9 |
IIT Bombay ranks highest globally among Indian institutes. It has a good reputation for research and international placements.
Why QS Rankings Matter
QS rankings are important because:
- They reflect global academic standards.
- International companies use these rankings for hiring.
- They help in research collaborations.
- Students aiming for MS or PhD abroad benefit from globally ranked institutes.
Key Takeaways from Rankings
- IIT Madras is No. 1 in India (NIRF).
- IIT Bombay is the top IIT globally (QS Rank #118).
- The oldest IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur) lead both lists.
- Newer IITs like Hyderabad and Indore are growing fast but are not yet high in global rankings.
Which IIT Offers the Best Salary?: Placement Records (2024)
Here is a table showing the average packages offered in 2024:
| IIT Name | Average Package (2024) |
| IIT Delhi | ₹36.9 LPA |
| IIT Hyderabad | ₹26.51 LPA |
| IIT Kanpur | ₹26.27 LPA |
| IIT Guwahati | ₹25.75 LPA |
| IIT Bombay | ₹23.5 LPA |
| IIT Madras | ₹22 LPA |
| IIT Kharagpur | ₹22.13 LPA |
| IIT Roorkee | ₹18.3 LPA |
Key Insights on Placements
- IIT Delhi has the highest average salary in 2024.
- IIT Hyderabad, although newer, has a strong placement record.
- IIT Kanpur and IIT Guwahati offer better average packages than older IITs like Madras.
- IIT Bombay has many international offers, which may lower the average domestic salary.
Detailed Comparison of India’s Top 10 IITs
| Rank (India) | IIT Name | Established | QS Rank 2025 | Campus Life & Culture | Major Fests | Notable Alumni | Research Strength | Facilities |
| 1 | IIT Madras | 1959 | 227 | Peaceful, green campus in Chennai; eco-friendly and tech-driven environment with a strong community spirit. | Saarang: One of India’s largest cultural fests, featuring music concerts, dance, drama, and events like choreography and fashion shows; Shaastra: Premier tech fest with hackathons, robotics competitions, and workshops on AI and IoT. | Kris Gopalakrishnan (Infosys), Prabhakar Raghavan (Google SVP), Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics), Prem Watsa (Fairfax), Sridhar Vembu (Zoho) | 16+ R&D centres; leads in AI, clean tech, and 5G | Central Library with 1.5M+ books, digital resources; 20+ hostels; sports complex with Olympic-standard facilities; Incubation Cell for startups; Centre for Computational Engineering. |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | 1963 | 150 | Urban lifestyle near Hauz Khas; energetic, competitive vibe with a focus on innovation and diversity. | Rendezvous: Massive cultural fest with celebrity performances, stand-up comedy, and events like dramatics and quizzes; Tryst: Tech fest with coding marathons, robotics, and tech expos. | Raghuram Rajan (Ex-RBI Governor), Vinod Khosla (Sun Microsystems), Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal (Flipkart) | Advanced tech parks; research in policy, energy, and smart systems | Central Library with 300K+ volumes; 15 hostels; sports facilities including stadiums and courts; FIT India innovation hub; Entrepreneurship Development Cell. |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | 1958 | 118 | Vibrant, cosmopolitan campus in Powai; lively student life with a mix of academics and extracurriculars. | Mood Indigo: Asia’s largest college cultural fest, known for concerts, literary arts, and pro-nights with global artists; Techfest: India’s biggest tech fest with drone races, tech expos, and workshops on AI/ML. | Nandan Nilekani (Infosys), Parag Agrawal (Ex-Twitter CEO), Manohar Parrikar (Former Defence Minister), K. Sivan (ISRO) | AI, ML, nanotech, IITB-Monash Academy | Smt. Indira Gandhi Library with 600K+ books; 18 hostels; sports complex with swimming pool and gym; SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship). |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | 1959 | 263 | Residential, close-knit campus; fosters strong student interaction and a collaborative academic culture. | Antaragni: Cultural fest with music, dance, and literary events, attracting thousands; Techkriti: Tech fest with robotics, coding, and aerospace workshops. | Narayana Murthy (Infosys Founder), Arvind Krishna (IBM CEO), Mukesh Bansal (Myntra, Cure.fit) | Advanced labs in aerospace, robotics, and material science | PK Kelkar Library with 500K+ volumes; 13 hostels; airstrip for aerospace research; sports facilities with stadium; SIDBI Innovation Centre. |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | 1951 | 222 | Largest campus (2100+ acres); traditional, self-contained with a strong sense of community. | Spring Fest: Cultural fest with dance, music, and comedy nights; Kshitij: Asia’s largest techno-management fest with robotics, coding, and entrepreneurial summits. | Sundar Pichai (Alphabet CEO), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi CM), K. Radhakrishnan (Former ISRO Chairman) | Massive infrastructure; early leader in entrepreneurship | Central Library with 1M+ books; 20+ hostels; sports complex with multiple fields; Technology Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre. |
| 6 | IIT Roorkee | 1847 | 335 | Historical, serene campus; strong academic environment with a blend of tradition and modernity. | Thomso: Cultural fest with star performances, fashion shows, and art events; Cognizance: Tech fest with AI, IoT, and civil engineering competitions. | Naveen Jain (InfoSpace Founder), Amit Singhal (Ex-Google SVP) | Water resources, civil engineering, disaster management | Mahatma Gandhi Central Library with 400K+ volumes; 12 hostels; sports facilities including aquatic centre; Alternate Hydro Energy Centre. |
| 7 | IIT Guwahati | 1994 | 344 | Scenic, peaceful campus by the Brahmaputra; fast-growing hub for innovation and research. | Alcheringa: Northeast India’s largest cultural fest with music, dance, and literary events; Techniche: Tech fest with coding, robotics, and innovation challenges. | Archit Gupta (ClearTax Founder) | Bioengineering, nanotech, electronics research | Central Library with 200K+ volumes; 12 hostels; sports complex with indoor stadium; Centre for Nanotechnology and AI labs. |
| 8 | IIT Hyderabad | 2008 | NA | Modern campus with Japanese collaboration; research-oriented with a global outlook. | Elan & ηVision: Combined cultural and tech fest with music, dance, hackathons, and robotics competitions. | Mridul Hedau (Indian Air Force Officer) | AI, robotics, data science; Frugal Innovation Lab | Digital library with global access; 10 hostels; sports facilities with modern gym; IITH-Japan Collaboration Centre; Technology Incubation Park. |
| 10 | IIT BHU Varanasi | 1919 | NA | Blend of heritage and modernity; located inside BHU campus with a spiritual-academic vibe. | Technex: Tech fest with coding, robotics, and startup pitches; Kashiyatra: Cultural fest with classical music, dance, and literary events. | Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks CEO), Deepak Ahuja (Ex-Tesla CFO) | Strong in metallurgical, chemical, and ceramic engineering | Vishwakarma Library with 300K+ volumes; 10 hostels; sports facilities shared with BHU; Malaviya Centre for Innovation. |
| 16 | IIT Indore | 2009 | NA | Growing campus with good faculty-student ratio; emphasis on research and interdisciplinary learning. | Fluxus: Cultural-tech fest with music, tech expos, and innovation challenges, attracting diverse participants. | Sandeep Bommireddi (Adonmo Co-founder) | Optical physics, astronomy, nanoelectronics research | Modern library with 100K+ volumes; 6 hostels; sports facilities with multipurpose courts; Centre for Advanced Electronics and Innovation Hub. |
Notes:
- QS Rank 2025: Reflects global standing in the QS World University Rankings.
- Campus Life & Culture: Highlights the unique environment, location, and student community vibe.
- Major Fests: Expanded details include the scale, key events, and unique aspects of cultural and technical festivals.
- Notable Alumni: Leaders in industry, academia, and public service, showcasing the IITs’ impact.
- Research Strength: Key areas of cutting-edge research and innovation.
- Facilities: Includes libraries, hostels, sports infrastructure, and innovation/incubation centres to support academic and extracurricular growth.
Conclusion
Choosing the best IIT is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It depends on your personal goals, whether it’s achieving the highest salary, enjoying a dynamic campus life, or pursuing research opportunities. IITs like Delhi and Bombay stand out for their strong placements and global rankings, while newer IITs like Hyderabad offer modern infrastructure and growing reputations. Regardless of the IIT you choose, each one provides excellent education, a strong alumni network, and a chance to excel in your chosen field.
Focus on your JEE preparation, know what matters most to you, and choose the IIT that aligns with your career and lifestyle goals. Remember, success at an IIT is not just about rankings but about how you make the most of the opportunities available to you. So stay motivated, stay focused, and take the next step toward shaping your future.
