A Detailed Comparison of All IITs for IIT JEE Advanced Aspirants

A Detailed Comparison of All IITs for IIT JEE Advanced Aspirants

Every student who begins the journey of preparing for JEE Advanced has one dream in mind, getting into the best IIT. But with 23 Indian Institutes of Technology spread across the country, each with its own history, strengths, and culture, aspirants often wonder: Which IIT is truly the best for me?

The answer isn’t simple. The “best IIT” depends on many factors: branch strength, research opportunities, placements, campus life, and personal goals. For some, IIT Bombay is the dream because of its vibrant campus and top Computer Science program. For others, IIT Madras stands out with its research focus and NIRF ranking. Meanwhile, newer IITs like IIT Hyderabad are fast rising with modern infrastructure and global collaborations.

In this article, we’ll provide a detailed comparison of all IITs for IIT JEE Advanced aspirants. By the end, you’ll have a realistic view of what each IIT offers, how they differ, and how to choose the right one for your journey.

Why IITs Are So Prestigious

The IITs are considered the pinnacle of engineering education in India. Getting in through IIT JEE Advanced isn’t just about securing a college, it’s about entering an ecosystem that values innovation, problem-solving, and excellence.

IIT graduates have gone on to lead global companies, start unicorn startups, and contribute to cutting-edge research. The brand “IIT” itself carries weight worldwide. That’s why competition is so fierce: over 2.5 lakh students write JEE Advanced every year, but only about 17,000 seats exist across IITs.

The Old IITs: Tradition Meets Excellence

The first five IITs, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Delhi are often called the “old guard.” Later, IIT Guwahati (1994) and IIT Roorkee (2001) joined the ranks. These seven IITs are considered the older IITs, with decades of alumni networks and established reputations.

• IIT Bombay: Famous for its Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) program, vibrant campus life, and location advantage in Mumbai. Many consider it the best IIT for placements in tech and consulting.
• IIT Delhi: Known for strong academics, startups, and industry connections. Its location in the capital city brings exposure to entrepreneurship and policy.
• IIT Madras: Topped the NIRF rankings for years. It is strong in Mechanical, Electrical, and research programs. Also known for its beautiful campus.
• IIT Kanpur: A hub for core engineering, especially Aerospace and Mechanical. It has a reputation for rigorous academics.
• IIT Kharagpur: The oldest IIT (established in 1951), with the largest campus and diverse range of departments, from engineering to law and architecture.
• IIT Roorkee: Known for Civil Engineering, being one of Asia’s oldest technical institutions. It has a strong legacy in water resources and infrastructure research.
• IIT Guwahati: Famous for its scenic campus and rapidly growing reputation in Chemical and Design disciplines.

If your rank allows entry into these IITs, they usually offer stronger placements, brand recognition, and alumni networks.

The Newer IITs: Rising Stars

After 2008, the government set up a wave of new IITs, including IIT Hyderabad, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Indore, IIT Ropar, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Mandi, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Patna, and IIT Varanasi (IIT BHU, converted from Banaras Hindu University’s engineering college).

Later, even more IITs were created: IIT Palakkad, IIT Goa, IIT Tirupati, IIT Jammu, IIT Dharwad, and IIT Bhilai.

These newer IITs may not have the decades-long history of the older ones, but they are growing fast:

• IIT Hyderabad: Considered the best among the newer IITs, it has strong ties with Japanese universities, excellent infrastructure, and a fast-growing CSE department.
• IIT Gandhinagar: Known for its modern teaching methods and interdisciplinary research.
• IIT Ropar: Recognised globally in research citations, with a strong focus on academics.
• IIT BHU: Technically a newer IIT, but with an old heritage from BHU. It has strong placements, especially in core branches.

The biggest strength of newer IITs is their modern infrastructure, innovative teaching methods, and lower cutoff ranks for entry into popular branches like CSE or ECE.

Comparing IITs by Academics and Research

• Top for Computer Science (CSE): IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad.
• Top for Mechanical and Aerospace: IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay.
• Top for Civil Engineering: IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur.
• Top for Electrical/Electronics: IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad.
• Top for Research: IIT Madras (interdisciplinary), IIT Kharagpur (broadest departments), IIT Ropar (new IIT but high global ranking for research).

If research is your goal, older IITs usually provide more opportunities due to funding and faculty networks. However, many newer IITs now collaborate with foreign universities, offering global exposure.

Comparing IITs by Placements

Placements vary by branch and location. On average, older IITs attract the highest salary packages because of long-standing company tie-ups. For example:

• IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi see CSE students bag international offers worth crores.
• IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur place students strongly in both core and software roles.
• IIT Hyderabad has recently emerged as a placement hotspot for tech companies.

Even newer IITs have seen strong placement growth in the last 5–7 years, with CSE and ECE students in IIT Indore, IIT Ropar, and IIT Jodhpur landing jobs at major firms.

Comparing IITs by Campus Life

• IIT Bombay: Known for its cultural fest Mood Indigo and tech fest Techfest. Very vibrant campus with Mumbai’s opportunities nearby.
• IIT Delhi: Centrally located, with strong exposure to startups and entrepreneurship culture.
• IIT Madras: Famous for its green campus with deer and blackbucks! Peaceful environment for study and innovation.
• IIT Guwahati: Stunning scenic views, situated near the Brahmaputra river. Considered one of the most beautiful IITs.
• IIT Kharagpur: Largest IIT campus, with diverse opportunities from engineering to law.

Newer IITs are still building their cultural identity, but smaller batch sizes sometimes mean closer student-faculty interactions.

Which IIT Is the Best?

The question of the “best IIT” doesn’t have a single answer. If your dream is the highest-paying CSE job, IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi may be your best bet. If you want research in core engineering, IIT Madras or IIT Kanpur may be ideal. If you want a balance of heritage and opportunities, IIT Kharagpur is excellent. And if you’re looking for modern growth and global exposure, IIT Hyderabad is the rising star.

Ultimately, the best IIT is the one that matches your branch preference, career goals, and rank.

Strategy for Students

When filling JoSAA counselling choices, students often get overwhelmed. Here are three practical tips:

• Prioritise branch first, IIT second. It’s usually better to choose CSE at a newer IIT than Metallurgy at IIT Bombay, unless you are passionate about that core field.
• Research cut-offs carefully. Closing ranks change every year. Use past data to predict realistic options for your rank.
• Stay flexible. Don’t limit yourself to only one or two IITs. Many students thrive in newer IITs with smaller batch sizes and focused attention.

How to Prepare for JEE Advanced With IITs in Mind

If your goal is IIT admission, remember that success starts with JEE Advanced preparation. Students often get caught up in dreaming about campuses but forget the immediate task of scoring enough to qualify.

If you’re in Class 11 or Class 12, now is the time to focus deeply on concepts and problem-solving. If you’re younger in Class 9 or Class 10 then start building fundamentals with NCERT and consistent practice.

Platforms like AllRounder.ai help bridge school learning with IIT JEE preparation, giving you a balanced path to your dream campus.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right IIT is not about chasing names, it’s about understanding what works best for your branch, interests, and long-term goals. The best IIT for one student may not be the same for another. What matters is how you make use of the opportunities once you’re there.

By clearing IIT JEE Advanced, you open doors to 23 world-class institutions. Whether it’s the legacy of IIT Bombay or the modern energy of IIT Hyderabad, each IIT provides a platform to excel. With focused preparation, clarity of goals, and support systems like AllRounder.ai, you can turn your IIT dream into reality.