My brother is an IIT Mandi CSE graduate, so I am well aware and can highlight some of the pros and cons of studying CSE at IIT Mandi.

Pros:

• First of all, the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. Given the knowledge that it is very close to Mandi, you would love to be there. But after 4 years it might get monotonous for you. It happens to most of the students.
• There are various opportunities. Since the number of students at IIT Mandi is limited, you will have many opportunities in all fields. My brother was not that good in TT but still got the chance to perform in the IIT fest.
• Faculty and staff are easy to approach. Whereas in big colleges it could take several days for your request to be processed. But here teachers are very helpful and kind, they are very easy to approach. The Director, too, is easily accessible.

Cons:

• The campus itself is a major drawback. But for details, the permanent campus being built in Kamand, 15 km ahead of Mandi, is going to be really good after completion.

• There is a lack of faculty as this is a new IIT most of the teachers here are not much experienced.
• People of Mandi are very conservative and there is no source of entertainment on weekends, such as malls or shopping stores. There's only one theatre and the price is 30-40 rs. per ticket.
• So, in all you're going to spend the weekend either sleeping in the room or talking to friends or visiting the campus just because you need to download some movies or TV series. It will be really good if you make trekking as one of your habits.
• There is no particular culture or college life as you see it. You're not going to be able to get the real feeling of a college life here.

Placements.

• There are very few companies that have come for internships and placements, as opposed to BITS Pilani, where the number is much larger. The main reason is that it is a new IIT and the place is very inaccessible.

• Most companies just refuse to visit the college because it's a 7-hour bus journey from Chandigarh. Although there's an airport in Bhuntar, it is almost non-functional.

Well, in view of all the points in favor and against, I would suggest you one thing. Don't rely on other people's opinions, because everyone has their own perspective. When my brother entered IIT Mandi, people criticized it as a bad choice, but later he ended up in Amazon Development Center, India.

So, set your preferences and then make a decision, because at the end, whatever college you're going to, what will matter is not the college contribution, but the hard work you've done.