Dreaming of getting into an IIT or NIT? You’re not alone. Every year, lakhs of students prepare for JEE with the hope of joining these top engineering colleges. But what’s the real difference between IITs and NITs? Which one is better for you?
Both IITs and NITs are among the best in India. They offer great education, placements, and campus life. But they differ in admission process, teaching style, research, fees, and even student life. Choosing the right one can shape your career.
This article breaks down everything you need to know in simple terms—how IITs and NITs were established, how to get in, what life is like on campus, how placements work, and more. We’ll also bust common myths and help you decide what’s best for you if you don’t make it to an IIT. Let’s start with a closer look at the IITs..
What is The Difference Between IIT and NIT?
IITs are India’s premier engineering institutes, known for top-tier research, faculty, and global recognition, consistently ranking higher in NIRF (e.g., IIT Madras at #1). NITs are also prestigious, offering quality education and solid placements, but they generally rank lower in NIRF (e.g., NIT Warangal at #21).
Overview of IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology)
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are the most prestigious engineering colleges in India. These institutes are known for their high academic standards, excellent faculty, and great placement records. Many students across the country dream of studying at an IIT.
History and Establishment
The idea of IITs came after India gained independence. The first IIT was established in Kharagpur in 1951. It started in a former detention camp and was later developed into a full-fledged engineering college. Soon, more IITs were set up in different parts of the country to promote technical education.
Over time, IITs earned a strong reputation for producing skilled engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Due to their impact on the country’s development, the Indian government gave them the status of Institutes of National Importance. This status means they play a key role in shaping India’s future in science and technology.
Growth and Expansion
After IIT Kharagpur, more IITs were established in cities like Mumbai (IIT Bombay), Chennai (IIT Madras), Kanpur, and Delhi. These were the first-generation IITs. Later, more IITs were added in phases. Some new IITs were created by upgrading existing colleges, while others were set up from scratch. As of 2024, there are 23 IITs spread across different states.
Complete List of IITs with Nirf Ranking 2024
| No. | Institute Name | IIT Since | State/UT | NIRF 2024 |
| 1 | IIT Madras | 1959 | Tamil Nadu | 1 |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | 1961 | Delhi | 2 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | 1958 | Maharashtra | 3 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | 1959 | Uttar Pradesh | 4 |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | 1951 | West Bengal | 5 |
| 6 | IIT Roorkee | 2002 | Uttarakhand | 6 |
| 7 | IIT Guwahati | 1995 | Assam | 7 |
| 8 | IIT Hyderabad | 2008 | Telangana | 8 |
| 9 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 2012 | Uttar Pradesh | 10 |
| 10 | IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 2016 | Jharkhand | 15 |
| 11 | IIT Indore | 2009 | Madhya Pradesh | 16 |
| 12 | IIT Gandhinagar | 2008 | Gujarat | 18 |
| 13 | IIT Ropar | 2008 | Punjab | 22 |
| 14 | IIT Jodhpur | 2008 | Rajasthan | 28 |
| 15 | IIT Mandi | 2009 | Himachal Pradesh | 31 |
| 16 | IIT Patna | 2008 | Bihar | 34 |
| 17 | IIT Bhubaneswar | 2008 | Odisha | 54 |
| 18 | IIT Tirupati | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh | 61 |
| 19 | IIT Jammu | 2016 | J&K | 62 |
| 20 | IIT Palakkad | 2015 | Kerala | 64 |
| 21 | IIT Bhilai | 2016 | Chhattisgarh | 73 |
| 22 | IIT Dharwad | 2016 | Karnataka | – |
| 23 | IIT Goa | 2016 | Goa | – |
Newer IITs include those in Goa, Jammu, Bhilai, and Palakkad. Although newer IITs are still developing, they follow the same academic standards and admission process as the older ones.
Importance and Recognition
IITs are not just famous in India. They are also respected worldwide. Many IITs rank among the top engineering colleges in global rankings like QS World Rankings and Times Higher Education. Their alumni work in top companies, universities, and research labs around the world.
Getting into an IIT is considered a big achievement. It shows that a student has strong problem-solving skills, dedication, and discipline. That’s why IITs have become a symbol of academic excellence in India.
Government Support
The government of India supports IITs with a large budget. They receive funds for research, infrastructure, and scholarships. This allows students to learn in a well-equipped environment with modern labs, libraries, and high-quality teaching.
Overview of NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are a network of public technical universities in India that offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, technology, and sciences. These institutes play a vital role in the Indian educational ecosystem, aiming to provide world-class technical education to students across the country. Established by the Government of India, NITs are regarded as among the most prestigious institutions for engineering education in the country, second only to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
NITs Establishment and Growth
The NIT system was established in 1959 with the creation of the first NIT, NIT Warangal (previously known as REC Warangal). Over time, the success of the initial institutes led to the creation of many more, and by 2002, several of these institutes were designated as National Institutes of Technology (NITs) by an Act of Parliament. In addition to being recognized as autonomous institutes, NITs have been given the status of Institutes of National Importance (INI), similar to IITs, providing them with significant autonomy in academic, administrative, and financial matters. The NITs have evolved significantly over the years, with each institute becoming a hub of innovation, research, and academic excellence.
NITs Structure and Governance
NITs are primarily governed by a Board of Governors, which oversees the overall functioning and development of the institutes. The President of India, being the visitor to these institutes, plays a role in their governance, ensuring that the institutes meet the standards of national importance. Each NIT is headed by a Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and implementation of academic and research goals. The NITs function under the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development) of the Government of India, which provides funding and guidelines for their development.
The NITs are spread across India in various states, including key regions such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Some NITs are well-established institutions, while others have only recently started operations. The diverse geographical locations ensure that students from across the country have access to quality technical education, regardless of their region of origin.
NIT Courses and Programs
NITs offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with the majority of students enrolled in Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and Master of Technology (M.Tech) programs. The B.Tech programs at NITs are particularly popular, and admissions are primarily based on the JEE Main exam, a national-level entrance test that evaluates students’ knowledge in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. NITs also offer M.Tech programs, which require candidates to clear the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). The institutes also offer Ph.D. programs in various engineering disciplines and interdisciplinary fields, contributing to advancements in research and innovation.
In addition to technical programs, NITs are increasingly expanding their offerings in areas like management, applied sciences, and humanities, responding to the growing demand for interdisciplinary education. Some NITs have also introduced dual-degree programs that allow students to earn both a B.Tech and an M.Tech degree in a shortened time frame.
Research and Innovation
One of the key features of NITs is their focus on research and innovation. Many NITs have established research centers in specialized fields such as renewable energy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology. These institutes collaborate with both industry and academic research organizations to develop cutting-edge technologies and solutions to real-world problems.
Complete List of NITs with Nirf Ranking 2024
| No. | Name | Established as NIT | State/UT | NIRF Rank (2024) |
| 1 | NIT Shibpur | 2014 | West Bengal | 49 |
| 2 | NIT Warangal | 2002 | Telangana | 21 |
| 3 | NIT Bhopal | 2002 | Madhya Pradesh | 80 |
| 4 | NIT Nagpur | 2002 | Maharashtra | 41 |
| 5 | NIT Durgapur | 2002 | West Bengal | 43 |
| 6 | NIT Jamshedpur | 2002 | Jharkhand | – |
| 7 | NIT Karnataka | 2002 | Karnataka | 12 |
| 8 | NIT Srinagar | 2002 | Jammu and Kashmir | 82 |
| 9 | NIT Allahabad | 2002 | Uttar Pradesh | 60 |
| 10 | NIT Surat | 2002 | Gujarat | 65 |
| 11 | NIT Calicut | 2002 | Kerala | 23 |
| 12 | NIT Rourkela | 2002 | Odisha | 16 |
| 13 | NIT Jaipur | 2002 | Rajasthan | 37 |
| 14 | NIT Kurukshetra | 2002 | Haryana | 58 |
| 15 | NIT Tiruchirappalli | 2002 | Tamil Nadu | 9 |
| 16 | NIT Silchar | 2002 | Assam | 40 |
| 17 | NIT Hamirpur | 2002 | Himachal Pradesh | 128 |
| 18 | NIT Jalandhar | 2002 | Punjab | 46 |
| 19 | NIT Patna | 2004 | Bihar | 56 |
| 20 | NIT Raipur | 2004 | Chhattisgarh | 70 |
| 21 | NIT Agartala | 2004 | Tripura | 91 |
| 22 | NIT Arunachal Pradesh | 2014 | Arunachal Pradesh | 171 |
| 23 | NIT Delhi | 2014 | Delhi | 51 |
| 24 | NIT Goa | 2014 | Goa | 90 |
| 25 | NIT Manipur | 2015 | Manipur | 95 |
| 26 | NIT Meghalaya | 2015 | Meghalaya | 72 |
| 27 | NIT Mizoram | 2015 | Mizoram | – |
| 28 | NIT Nagaland | 2015 | Nagaland | – |
| 29 | NIT Puducherry | 2015 | Puducherry | 136 |
| 30 | NIT Sikkim | 2015 | Sikkim | 173 |
| 31 | NIT Uttarakhand | 2015 | Uttarakhand | 131 |
| 32 | NIT Andhra Pradesh | 2015 | Andhra Pradesh | – |
Key Differences Between IITs and NITs
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are two of the most prestigious engineering institutions in India. While both offer world-class education and have contributed significantly to India’s technological growth, they differ in several key aspects, including their history, admission processes, academic structure, infrastructure, faculty, and placement opportunities. Understanding these differences can help prospective students make informed decisions when choosing between IITs and NITs.
1) History and Establishment
The IITs were established much earlier than the NITs and have a longer history of excellence. The first IIT, IIT Kharagpur, was established in 1951, with the primary aim of providing high-level technical education to meet the country’s needs in industrial growth. The IIT system expanded over time, with more institutes being set up in different parts of the country.
In contrast, the NIT system was established later, with the first NIT, NIT Warangal (originally known as REC Warangal), coming into existence in 1959. Over the years, the Indian government designated several institutes as NITs by upgrading existing Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs), and in 2002, they were granted the status of National Institutes of Technology. In 2007, NITs were recognized as Institutes of National Importance (INI), similar to IITs.
Thus, while both IITs and NITs are top-tier institutes, the IITs have been around longer and have had more time to build their reputation as India’s premier engineering institutions.
2) Admission Process
The admission process to IITs and NITs is one of the most significant differences between the two. IITs admit students primarily through the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) exam, which is considered one of the most difficult entrance exams in India. To appear for JEE Advanced, candidates must first clear the JEE Main, a national-level entrance exam. The number of seats in IITs is limited, and the competition is intense, with only the top-performing candidates in JEE Advanced securing a seat.
NITs, on the other hand, admit students through the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main). JEE Main is also a highly competitive exam but has a relatively larger pool of seats in comparison to IITs. The cut-off ranks for NITs tend to be lower than those for IITs, making it a bit easier to secure admission to NITs, though the competition is still fierce.
Additionally, NITs offer reservations based on state quotas, which can influence the admission process. Each NIT gives preference to students from its respective state, though there are also provisions for candidates from other states to apply.
3) Academic Structure and Courses
Both IITs and NITs offer undergraduate (B.Tech), postgraduate (M.Tech), and doctoral programs in various engineering disciplines. The academic structure in both institutions is similar, with a focus on theoretical knowledge, practical application, and research. However, IITs have historically been more research-oriented and have a broader range of specialized programs and cutting-edge research opportunities.
IITs are known for their strong emphasis on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. They often have more advanced laboratories, better-funded research projects, and a stronger focus on interdisciplinary education. In recent years, some IITs have expanded their course offerings to include fields like management, design, and social sciences, enabling students to gain knowledge beyond traditional engineering fields.
While NITs also focus on providing quality education, they generally have fewer resources for research and innovation compared to IITs. The academic curriculum at NITs tends to be more traditional, with a greater focus on undergraduate education, although many NITs are working to increase their research output and encourage student involvement in innovation.
4) Faculty and Research Opportunities
IITs are known to attract top-tier faculty from across the globe due to their international reputation and substantial research funding. Faculty members at IITs are often involved in groundbreaking research and hold significant positions in national and international academic communities. The availability of large research grants and collaboration with global institutions provides IIT students with more opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research.
NITs, while having a good faculty pool, do not always offer the same level of research opportunities as IITs. Many NITs are still in the process of developing their research infrastructure and collaborations with industry and international universities. As a result, while NIT students receive excellent teaching, research exposure may not be as extensive as at IITs.
5) Infrastructure and Campus Life
IITs are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced research laboratories, cutting-edge technology, and world-class libraries. IIT campuses are generally larger and better equipped, with modern hostels, sports facilities, and recreational areas to support a well-rounded campus life. The focus on infrastructure at IITs is aimed at creating a conducive environment for research, innovation, and academic excellence.
On the other hand, NITs, while generally well-equipped, tend to have slightly smaller campuses and less advanced infrastructure in comparison to IITs. However, many NITs have made significant strides in improving their facilities, and several now boast state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and hostels. Campus life in NITs is lively, with numerous clubs, events, and sports activities, though it may not match the scale of activities found at IITs.
6) Placements and Career Opportunities
Placements at both IITs and NITs are highly competitive, with top companies from India and abroad recruiting students from these institutions. However, IITs tend to have higher placement packages and a wider variety of job offers. Graduates from IITs are often recruited by the world’s leading technology firms, consulting companies, and research institutions, with some IITs offering packages that rival global standards.
NITs also boast impressive placement records, but the average salary packages tend to be lower than those offered at IITs. While NIT graduates still secure lucrative positions in both the private and public sectors, the sheer number of IIT graduates and the associated global brand recognition give IITs an edge in terms of placement opportunities.
Conclusion
Both IITs and NITs are excellent choices for engineering students in India. IITs are more competitive to get into, have higher global rankings, and usually offer better research and placement opportunities. But that doesn’t mean NITs are far behind. Many NITs provide quality education, good infrastructure, and strong job offers.
What matters most is how you use the opportunities given to you. Whether you study at an IIT or an NIT, your hard work, passion, and consistency will shape your future. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t crack JEE Advanced. NITs still offer great value, strong alumni support, and a bright career path.
In the end, both IITs and NITs help you build a strong foundation for your career. Focus on learning, growing, and making the best of your college years. Success comes from what you do, not just where you study.
