GetMyUni's Verdict on IIT Bhilai

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“The newest addition to the premier institutes in the country, IIT Bhilai offers a well-rounded academic environment through its wide array of courses and highly qualified professors. Students are assured of having a well-rounded education, with several doors opening after graduation.”

Considered the best among the youngest IITs, IIT Bhilai was established in 2016. It has successfully delivered a conducive environment for technological and cultural studies within a short period. Though students were apprehensive about joining one of the newer IITs, they were pleasantly surprised with the quality of academics, professors and the general learning environment created by the institute.

It is widespread knowledge that being an IIT student comes with a certain dignity along with numerous academic responsibilities. Though IIT Bhilai falls behind in its infrastructural facilities compared to the other prominent IITs, students are assured of having a well-rounded academic environment with the necessary facilities and resources to build a successful career in their respective fields.

Apart from offering a decent academic atmosphere, the institute also supports extracurricular activities with its cultural and tech events where students can nurture and showcase their talents and innovative ideas. Along with that, the institute has been able to provide students with numerous placement opportunities across different sectors.

Even though there are some shortcomings compared to the other IITs, IIT Bhilai offers everything that students expect from this prestigious chain of institutions.

Table of Contents

• Well-Designed Academic System
• Top Tier Professors
• Constantly Developing Infrastructure
• Decent Housing Facilities
• Thriving & Stimulating Campus Life
• Stellar Placement Records
• Final Verdict on IIT Bhilai

Well-Designed Academic System

As one of the newer additions to the reputed institutes, IIT Bhilai has implemented modern academic systems with well-structured courses and examination systems. Like the other institutes, IIT Bhilai offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various branches of the engineering disciplines. With a strong foundation in basic concepts and advanced learning opportunities, the institute provides students with various course options.

The institute has both traditional and niche programs with specialisations in various disciplines. Some of the more prominent courses at the institute are as follows:

• B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering
• B.Tech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• B.Tech in Mechatronics Engineering
• M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering
• M.Tech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• M.Tech in BioEngineering
• M.Tech in Control and Instrumentation
• M.Tech in Thermal and Fluids Engineering
• M.Sc in Mathematics and Computing/ Physics/ Chemistry.

Apart from the above-mentioned undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute also offers a wide range of specialisations for doctoral students, including significant subjects in Engineering and Science fields and in Liberal Arts.

One of the important reasons for choosing the institute over the other young IITs, apart from the well-structured courses, is the fractal grading system employed by the institute. The fractal system of assessment allows students to appear for the semester examination in three parts within equal time gaps, giving them time to be well-prepared and perform well in their end-semester examinations.

Course Fee Structure

The institute has comparatively an affordable course fee structure, which varies depending on the course type, specialisation, duration and requirements. In addition to that, the course fee is also divided into three, which makes it easier for students from diverse backgrounds to pay their annual fees.

The course fee includes various charges, such as tuition fees, academic registration fees, medical fees, student welfare funds, library fees, and hostel fees. 

Based on the latest course fee structure, the annual fee for B.Tech programs is between INR 46,225 and INR 1,46,950, split into three different semesters. The semestrial fee for M.Sc courses is from INR 23,725 to INR 51,950, and for M.Tech students, it ranges from INR 27,400 to INR 58,100.

The annual fee per semester for PhD programs is around INR 54,500. Each program's course fee per semester is supposed to be paid together at once in the first year. Additionally, the institute offers several scholarship programs to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds who perform well in their academics do not have to worry about course fees. These scholarships are available based on the merit, means and categories of the students. 

The institute offers fellowships for postgraduate students to encourage them to pursue research in their desired areas. It also has other financial aids that provide tuition fee waivers for those who belong to different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Attendance Policy

According to the rules and regulations of the institute, students are mandated to maintain a minimum attendance in the practical and theoretical classes for all subjects. Students can only take leave after their respective faculty members have pre-approved the leave application. In case of emergencies, students must produce medical certificates from doctors.

Top Tier Professors

Even though it is a relatively new IIT, the professors here are at par with the top-tier institutes. All professors at the institute are highly qualified and have doctoral degrees from reputed universities around the globe.

The institute employs a rigorous selection procedure for the professors, which ensures the quality of the faculty members. Apart from being highly qualified, the professors also hold immense experience in the teaching field, which makes their classes more insightful and beneficial.

The professors are known to devise exciting and interactive teaching techniques, which makes it easier for the students to understand even more complex concepts. Along with that, the professors are known to be extremely helpful and approachable to students. They have the liberty to ask doubts during or after their classes, which the professors readily clarify. 

Besides their proficiency in their respective subjects, students are more appreciative of the professors for their patience and availability to discuss matters related to their subjects and beyond. They also encourage their students to explore their disciplines more and be more innovative and creative.

Along with that, the professors are actively involved in research within their fields and strongly connected with the industry leaders. This connection helps them stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and developments in their respective fields, which is reflected in their teaching. The professors ensure that students are equipped with advanced knowledge and relevant skills to excel in the professional world.

In short, it can be presumed that the professors at the institute are the pillars of the academic system here, who play a significant role in building and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Despite being a reasonably new institute, the selection of highly qualified and experienced professors has ensured that the academic excellence at the institute is no less than that of the older IITs.

Constantly Developing Infrastructure

As it is new, the institute is currently functioning from a temporary campus, and the construction of its permanent campus is underway. While the permanent campus is located in the prime area of the city, the temporary campus is also considered to be beautiful. It is consistently undergoing developments to improve its infrastructure. 

In terms of the institute's permanent infrastructure, the campus is said to be spread across a vast area of land with well-designed facilities and amenities. Although there are shortcomings in some areas, the overall infrastructure is well-structured, and the institute is dedicated to providing a well-rounded learning environment for its students.

The academic infrastructure at the institute consists of spacious classrooms that are well-equipped with modern learning and teaching aids, such as projectors, smartboards, etc. The classrooms also have comfortable and connected seating arrangements with air-conditioning. The classrooms are designed in such a way that students have a direct view of their professors and the boards without any obstacles.

Every department has decently equipped laboratories that provide students with a conducive practical learning experience. Apart from the traditional laboratories for the primary branches, the institute also has non-conventional laboratories such as automation and Do It Yourself (DIY) labs. 

The Automation Systems Lab at the institute consists of various advanced technologies, like industrial robots, which allow students to learn robotics in depth. Apart from these labs, the institute is also known for its Digital Fabrication Lab and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) lab, among others. Along with that, the institute also has workshops where students are introduced to different practices, like welding, moulding, laser-cutting, etc.

The central library at the institute is located in its academic building, which boasts a vast collection of printed and electronic resources. The institute has procured numerous resources, such as general textbooks, reference books, and journals, as well as several electronic books, journals and online databases, which can be accessed through the computer systems available within the library. 

Apart from that, the central library has advanced online software for students to collect and return books and keep track of the library resources. The central library is also spacious enough to accommodate a large number of students, with a good ambience in which to read and study peacefully.

While the institute is primarily focused on academics, it has well-established sports facilities, including several courts and grounds for sports like badminton, cricket, football, basketball, and volleyball. It also has several facilities for indoor sports, such as snooker, carom, chess and table tennis. 

Students can access these sports facilities at their convenience as there are no particular time restrictions. Along with that, the institute also has a well-equipped gymnasium in its academic building to encourage students to maintain their physical fitness along with their studies.

Even though the institute currently has a temporary campus, the overall infrastructure is well-maintained and consists of numerous facilities to offer a wholesome campus environment. As the permanent campus is under construction, students are expected to have more improved and modern campus infrastructural facilities. 

Decent Housing Facilities

The institute has four hostels included in its temporary infrastructure, with separate facilities for boys and girls. According to students' reviews on online forums, the hostel rooms are spacious, well-lit and adequately ventilated. Most rooms also have attached balconies. As the hostels are newly built, the rooms and bathrooms are well-maintained and cleaned twice a day to maintain general hygiene. 

Each student is provided with separate beds, tables, chairs and cupboards. Additionally, the hostel buildings have high-speed internet connectivity to ensure students have access to online resources. The separate hostel wings also have centralised cooler ducts, which maintain the coolness of the hostel rooms. 

Apart from the general amenities like shared bathrooms, laundry facilities, etc., the hostels also have recreational facilities, such as pool tables, table tennis courts, and other indoor sports facilities. The hostels also have spacious common areas where students can store their musical instruments and practice for different events. 

The hostels are located within close proximity of the academic buildings, which makes it convenient for the students to access the academic facilities and sports facilities, like the football ground and gymnasium. Besides, the hostels are surrounded by lush greenery, which gives a serene and calm atmosphere for students to relax and study.

The safety and security of the students in the hostels are assured by round-the-clock security guards placed at all corners of the hostel premises. In addition to that, the institute campus is under 24/7 CCTV surveillance. However, there are no strict rules and regulations for the students in the hostels regarding the curfew timings and moving around.

Timely meals are served in the hostels through the mess facilities. Even though the general quality and variety of the food served is subpar, the general cleanliness and hygiene in the mess and dining areas are maintained.

The annual hostel fee for B.Tech students is INR 34,950 for the first two semesters and INR 17,225 for the third semester. While it is the same for M.Sc students, the hostel fees are slightly higher for M.Tech students. It is INR 41,100 and INR 34,150 for the first two semesters and INR 20,900 for the third semester. Similarly, the annual hostel fee for PhD students is INR 37,500 for the first two semesters and INR 21,800 for summer vacation accommodation.

The hostel fees are generally included in the annual course fees, which can also be paid for each semester separately. The hostel fees include admission fees, seat rent, establishment fees and dining fees.

As there are adequate hostel facilities available within the institute's campus, most students prefer on-campus housing to off-campus facilities. However, there are several PGs available near the institute that have different facilities and luxuries. Typically, the monthly rents for the PGs range between INR 1000 and INR 3500 depending on the room type, facilities and amenities available.

Thriving & Stimulating Campus Life

Along with strong academic excellence, the institute also offers an exciting and vibrant campus life to its students, filled with various extracurricular activities and events. It has numerous clubs covering students' interests in all possible fields. The institute has an official student body, the Council of Student Affairs (CoSA), that is in charge of various club and association activities. 

Moreover, the institute organises various academic, cultural, tech and sports events throughout the year through which students can showcase their talents, skills and innovative ideas.

Through the various clubs and associations at the institute, students can pursue their interests and hobbies, such as literature, dance, music, arts, Sci-Tech, journalism, photography, etc. These clubs regularly conduct different activities, competitions and events that allow students to participate.

Such clubs play a vital role in bringing students from different disciplines together and forming a community with like-minded individuals. Being a part of these club activities also helps students nurture their problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership skills.

The institute also conducts annual events for students interested in different activities, which are considered to be the most vibrant and memorable days in a student's life at the institute. Apart from the annual tech, cultural and sports events conducted by the institute, it also encourages the students to participate in inter-college competitions with the other IITs. 

The institute organises an intra-sports league annually where different sports tournaments and competitions are held between different departments. These annual sports competitions bring most of the student communities together to participate in various games. It also offers training and support to those students who are interested in participating in outside tournaments.

Furthermore, the institute conducts various academic activities, such as workshops, seminars, and guest lectures, to which industry leaders and experienced professors are invited. Students can learn more about their desired field of study and gain insights into their career prospects through such enriching academic experiences. 

Overall, the institute offers a wholesome campus environment filled with various activities and events through which students can learn, share and imbibe their views, experiences and knowledge. Such activities play a crucial role in helping students to develop academically, professionally and personally.

Diversity on Campus

As it is one of the premier institutes for Engineering programs, students from diverse backgrounds are part of its student community. Additionally, its active involvement in the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative promotes healthy cultural exchange between different regions of the country, which contributes to the cultural diversity of the campus.

In terms of its gender diversity, the institute has a balanced gender ratio, with students from different communities forming the student body. Moreover, as it offers several scholarships, students from different socioeconomic backgrounds also have access to quality education.

Dress Code

While there is no defined uniform or strict dress code, the institute expects its students to wear decent, modest clothing appropriate for an academic setting. They are expected to wear formal attire for academic and professional events. Apart from that, students are allowed to wear casual and comfortable clothes.

Stellar Placement Records

In spite of the institute's newness, it has managed to acquire a 100% placement rate in a short span. It also has shown a positive trajectory in its placement records in recent years. The institute has an active centre for career planning and services that provide training, guidance, and support to outgoing students so that they perform well in their placement interviews.

In other words, the institute has displayed a promising record of providing students with various opportunities to achieve their career goals.

As it is part of the most reputed chain of institutes in the country, top recruits from various parts of the world participate in its placement drive to offer students successful job opportunities across different sectors. Based on the previous year's statistics, over 100 companies participated in the placement drive held on campus, with more than 130 students receiving placement opportunities.

The highest number of students who obtained good placements were from the Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Data Science and Artificial Intelligence branches. According to the placement records, the highest salary package offered to the institute's graduates was INR 48.64 LPA, and the average package was INR 14 LPA.

Final Verdict on IIT Bhilai

Needless to say, being part of the premier institutes in the country has its own benefits for every student. Though it was recently established, IIT Bhilai offers everything expected of a reputed institute, like strong academic excellence, top-notch faculty members, well-facilitated infrastructure and promising placement opportunities.

While there are minor shortcomings in terms of its temporary infrastructure, it can be overlooked due to its academic reputation.

Although it is relatively more straightforward to get admission to IIT Bhilai compared to the older IITs, only those students who have obtained high marks in the competitive entrance examinations will be eligible for admission to the courses offered here. But, being part of the highly intellectually stimulating crowd can help aspirants gain priceless knowledge and experience. 

Students are, however, advised to connect with the past and present students of IIT Bhilai to learn more about the academic system, followed by the institute and career opportunities available to them after course completion.

Learn more about the pros and cons of IIT Bhilai from the below table.

*Source: IIT Bhilai Facebook and iitbhilai.ac.in