What is better, metallurgical in the old IIT (Kharagpur/Roorkee) or electrical in the new IIT (Ganghinagar/Mandi)?
Posted On - Mar 16, 2021I was in the same position as you last year. I too had the same options for my Bachelor and I chose IIT Roorkee due to the following reasons:-
- Some of the older IITs like Roorkee boast a longer legacy and are highly esteemed for imparting quality engineering education.
- Opting for Metallurgical Engineering at one of these older IITs, if your interest lies in materials science or the manufacturing industry
- Metallurgical Engineering can open up distinctive career pathways in areas like metallurgy, mining, manufacturing, and even research.
- IIT Roorkee/Kharagpur is ranked 5th/6th in the NIRF ranking while IIT Gandhinagar/Mandi is Ranked 18th/33rd.
- IIT Roorkee Metallurgical branch has an Average Package of 21 LPA with IIT Gandhinagar/Mandi EE branch at 24 LPA.
- Old IITs have better infrastructure and college life as compared to new IITs.
I am a second year B.Tech Metallurgical student at IIT Kharagpur. According to me, Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur is a really good choice. The curriculum is designed keeping in mind the current industry requirements and the need for innovation.
At IIT KGP, you will learn what it means to create your projects and how to accomplish the hardest tasks with ease. The placement records of IIT KGP are amazing as well. Around 1821 students got placement opportunities during the campus drive of 2023, with top companies like Oracle, BOSCH, Tata Steel, Accenture, Indian Oil, CapGemini and more hiring students.
You will get to intern at top companies because of the reputation of IIT Kharagpur. Other than that, you will get the opportunity to pursue higher studies at reputed universities in India and abroad.
I would recommend you consider opting for B.Tech Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.
Both metallurgical and electrical engineering are highly respected fields of study. The choice between them will depend on your personal interests and career goals. The old IITS like Kharagpur and Roorkee has a long-standing legacy in metallurgical engineering, whereas the new IITs like Gandhinagar and Mandi have strong electrical engineering programs.
However, personally, I feel metallurgy in Kharagpur or Roorkee is a better option than joining EE in newer IITs. Here are a few points that support my stance
- The exposure, culture, opportunities, peer groups, and overall campus life you will experience at IIT Roorkee cannot be compared to that of newer IITs which are still growing and have a long way to go.
- The branch does matter to a certain extent, but if you look at the bigger picture, the Institute’s brand and opportunities overshadow the drawbacks of a less preferred branch.
- Those who are desperate can always opt for a branch change at the end of the first semester.
Ultimately, the choice between metallurgical engineering at an old IIT and electrical engineering at a new IIT will come down to your personal inclinations and career goals.
Nobody knows what you truly desire better than you.
Brand matters, infrastructure matters, and the people around you matter, but what matters most is what gives you happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment when you walk out of even an old IIT campus with a successful degree in your hands. So, rather than succumbing to the short-term allures of branding, follow your passion.
Neither metallurgy nor electrical engineering is bad at IIT KGP. Only you can determine what is best for you. After all, you are an IITian, capable of making sound decisions. It will be easier for you if you pass JEE Adv.
Among the above choices, choosing metallurgical engineering in an old IIT (Kharagpur/ Roorkee) is the better option, keeping in fact the culture and experience an older IIT gives.
The table below gives a brief level of comparison among the departments of the specified institutes.
|
Particulars |
IIT Kharagpur Metallurgical and Materials Engineering |
IIT Roorkee Metallurgical and Materials Engineering |
IIT Gandhinagar Electrical Engineering |
IIT Mandi Electrical Engineering |
|
NIRF ’20 Ranking |
5 |
6 |
24 |
31 |
|
Total Fees |
Rs. 8.38 Lakhs |
Rs. 10.5 Lakhs |
Rs. 8.71 Lakhs |
Rs. 8.33 Lakhs |
|
Median Salary Offered |
Rs. 14.2 LPA |
Rs. 14.51 LPA |
Rs. 7.25 LPA |
Rs. 10 LPA |
|
Total no of seats |
62 |
112 |
42 |
68 |
|
JEE Advanced cut-off |
5454 |
6607 |
3299 |
5366 |
Key Highlights:
- It is obvious that electrical engineering is better and has more scope than metallurgical engineering in the industry. But, going to an old IIT, there are several things one can learn from and experience the culture, being a part of an institute like IIT Kharagpur or Roorkee. This experience helps a lot in the future.
- After coming to an IIT, the overall outlook of how people see IITs changes, and students get to experience the true essence of IITs, which is not limited to the branch, but 100 more things to explore and witness.
- In addition to these facts, there is a chance of switching between branches in the 1st year, based on the first semester performance.
Therefore, IIT Kharagpur or Roorkee is definitely the better option to choose among the above institutes, irrespective of the branch one gets.
