Distance courses are always a preferred option especially in the present scenario where offline physical classes are not possible. Sikkim Manipal University offers distance education through SMU (DE) in both the courses like MCA/MSc while BVP offers only the MCA program. The prominent details are described below.

Academics Structure:

Both the courses are post-graduate courses but their duration varies according to the institute.

• Sikkim Manipal University offers an MCA program with a duration of 3 years while MSc (IT) program completes in 2 years.

• BVP offers the MCA program for 2 years.

Curriculum:

Distance courses generally are chosen on the strength of their curriculum as they normally provide more insights into the concepts of the subject.

Sikkim Manipal:

It follows a credit mechanism for both its courses. The credit distribution for the MCA program is as follows.

Sem 1	20 Credits
Sem 2	40 Credits
Sem 3	60 Credits
Sem 4	80 Credits
Sem 5	100 Credits
Sem 6	120 Credits

Bharati Vidyapith:

It has a 72 credit system with a complete project and practical work timeline. The entire MCA course is summed up in 4 semesters through great structural alignment.

Fee Structure:

• Sikkim Manipal offers the MCA course at a fee range of Rs. 18,250 per semester. MSc course is offered at Rs. 20000 per semester.

• BVP offers the MCA course at Rs. 60, 500 for 2 years.

Eligibility:

Since the courses offered are of post-graduation level, the minimum eligibility stands at graduation scores from relevant universities.

• MCA establishes a mandatory requirement of graduation with mathematics as a compulsory subject in the case of Sikkim Manipal University.

• BVP has a requirement of a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences or any other graduation degree with mathematics as a subject.

Placement Scenario:

Sikkim Manipal:

• More than 400 corporates participated in the placements drives.

• 40000 candidates walk-in for drives. More than 8500 offers were made

• Alumni work in companies like Tech Mahindra, Rakuda, Aegis, Amazon, Airtel.

Bharati Vidyapith:

• According to the placement statistics of 2020, the average CTC received by the students is 7 LPA. While the highest is 12 LPA.

• Some of the top recruiters at the institute are TCS, Amazon, JP Morgan, HDFC Bank, etc.

Both the institutes offer good options for learning but Sikkim Manipal exceeds the expectations due to its features like dedicated academic advisors, technology-driven learning, and the development of skills holistically.

By NIRF, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology is ranked 101-150 band and by India Today, 2nd among Private Engineering College (East Zone) whereas out of 300, NIRF has ranked Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology at 250.

Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT):

Admission:

• The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in CSE.

• The selection criteria for B.Tech is based on a valid score in JEE/MET/SMIT offline test while for M.Tech it is based on a valid score in GATE/ Screening Test/ Manipal University Entrance Test.

• The eligibility required for B.Tech is 10+2 with at least 50% marks and for the reserved category 45%. M.Tech requires a minimum of 55% marks in graduation and 50% for the reserved category.

Placements:

The institute has retained the consistency of 90% placements. This is achieved due to the presence of a training and placement department that provides training to the students as well as arrange final semester projects in distinct industries.

• From the 2020 batch, till 2019 more than 80% of students were already placed in renowned companies such as Dell, Microsoft, Shell. Nomura, Wipro, Ericsson.

• The highest package offered is INR 18 LPA and an average package of INR 4.95 LPA is offered.

The institute offers scholarship schemes and the student can avail only one type of scholarship.

Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology:

Admission:

• The institute offers a B.Tech program in Computer Science and Engineering

• The selection criteria are based on the JEE Mains and to be eligible requires 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subject.

Placements:

MSIT has a placement department that creates huge opportunities for students to get their dream jobs by organizing different placement activities throughout the year.

• For the academic year 2020, by far 745 job offers have been made with the highest package offered of INR 43 LPA by ADOBE (MTS).

• Some of the top recruiters include Infosys, TCS, MUSIGMA, ZS, Accenture, Google, Jaro Education, and Comviva Mahindra.

Scholarships:

As financial assistance, MSIT provides scholarships to only meritorious students of INR 13,000 annually based on their performance and a reduction in the fees up to INR 50,000 for the students from economically weak backgrounds.

Both MSIT and Sikkim Manipal offer good CSE programs with decent placement opportunities. So choose according to your convenience.

Opting for Computer Science Engineering from Sikkim Manipal University over SRM is a better choice as the university has better opportunities for its students in terms of placements. A friend of mine recommended Sikkim Manipal University.

Listed below are some relevant facts regarding Computer Science Engineering from both of these universities:

Particulars	Sikkim Manipal University	SRM Ramapuram
Engineering Entrance Accepted	JEE/SMIT Offline Test	JEE Main/ SRMJEE
Entrance Criteria	10+2 exams (PCM) with minimum of 50% marks	10+2 exams with minimum of 50% marks
Total Seats	180	600
Average Salary Package (recent)	INR 4.8 LPA	INR 4.85 LPA

Placements at Sikkim Manipal University (SMIT)

• If you score a good or above-average CGPA, there are chances you get loads of opportunities when it comes to internships or even placements.
• Companies frequently recruiting from Sikkim Manipal University (SMIT) include recruiting giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, Dell, Infosys, TCS, JLL, Wipro, etc.
• Despite the various periods of recessions, SMIT has certain MNC’s often recruiting students from their campus. 

Some of the recruiting companies that visit SRM Ramapuram include Google, Hyundai, DBS, Cisco, HSBC, Amazon, etc. Sikkim Manipal University definitely has better opportunities in store for you. All of the above factors are the reason for me recommending Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology over SRM Ramapuram.

Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology seems a better choice to go with. Having cracked the SRM University Entrance Test, some of my friends still chose ECE with Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology. SRM has an edge in terms of placement opportunities due to it being located in the city. 

Tabulated below are some relevant facts about both of these universities:

Particulars	SRM University- Vadapalani	Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology
Courses Offered	Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral	Undergraduate and Postgraduate
University Type	Deemed to be University	Private
Engineering Entrance Accepted	SRMJEEE (UG)	JEE/ MET/ SMIT Offline Test
Highest Salary Package (recent)	18 LPA	18 LPA

Few specific Highlights about Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology –

Faculty:

• The faculty members are supportive as well as encouraging. They provide the required guidance to the students.
• On being approached to guide on a project my friends were working on, the faculty was helpful in commencing the project and also gave guidance on completing an IEEE research paper.

Location, Campus, and Facilities:

• The campus of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology is situated in the middle of the Himalayas. It has a true serene charm of its own. Away from the hustle-bustle of city life, this place is calm and gives you the chance to explore new things.
• Also, there are many options to party and have a good time for that much-needed break around the college campus.
• A stellar sports complex is being built on the campus for all the sports enthusiasts with facilities such as a fully automated temperature-controlled swimming pool, bowling alley, squash courts, and much more.

Student Clubs:

• There are various student-run clubs in Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology where you can learn and discover many things.
• Some of these clubs include The Movie Club, SMITMUN (on the concept of United Nations), Reverbs (a socio-literary club), etc.

Placements:

• There is a dedicated Training and placement cell to help you grab good placement opportunities.
• The placements are more inclined towards IT Companies, some of the recruiting companies include TCS, Dell, Wipro, Sony, etc.

All of the above factors are the reason for my inclination in recommending Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology. The students get a chance to participate in off-campus drives of other colleges. The placement rate at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology is 80-85% with the efforts of their stellar TnP Cell.