GetMyUni's Verdict on IIT Ropar

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“With its rising placement rates and exciting campus life, IIT Ropar has emerged to be among the top-ranked institutes of the country within a short period. It offers almost everything that the brand name stands for.”

Situated in the foothills of Shivalik, IIT Ropar was established in 2008, making it one of the latest IITs in the country. The institute is distinguished from its counterparts' specially designed curriculum that allows students to opt for minors and their mainstream in B.Tech programs. Though there have been issues initially, the institute has maintained its quality across all parameters through the years.

Like all the other IITs, IIT Ropar also has an impressive set of faculty members led by a highly qualified director who was previously a professor at MIT. With its unique programs, students can interact with experts in various fields that support their interdisciplinary learning. Besides, the institute has been ranked among the top IITs for its research possibilities and facilities.

The institute has the world-class world-class infrastructure, including all the necessary facilities and amenities. The institute included well-equipped laboratories in its academic infrastructure to ensure students have a more focused practical learning experience. Apart from that, the placement rates have been maintained, with most students being recruited at prestigious companies, nationally and internationally.

Altogether, IIT Ropar meets the expectations of students who aspire to be a part of the country's premier Engineering institute.

Table of Contents

• Unique & Excellent Academics
• Cream of the Crop Professors
• Newly-Built & Well-Facilitated Infrastructure
• Affordable & Comfortable Housing Facilities
• Enriching & Memorable Campus Experience
• Rising Placement Rates
• Overall Impression of IIT Ropar

Unique & Excellent Academics

Being one of the most reputed Engineering institutes in the country, the institute offers multiple disciplines at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Needless to say, the academic curriculum at the institute is challenging and stimulating. Students are expected to give undivided attention to their classes to ensure they gather the required knowledge in their respective subjects. 

As mentioned earlier, the institute has a specially curated curriculum and syllabus that allows students to gain more practical knowledge in their discipline, which helps cultivate skills and information that can help them in their careers. Despite the demanding academic atmosphere, students will observe positive academic and professional growth as they complete their courses.

Along with the traditional Engineering programs, the institute also offers innovative courses that cater to evolving Technology. Among the traditional programs, the following disciplines in the bachelor's and master's degree levels are highly regarded and have seen successful placement rates in the past decade.

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering

The undergraduate and postgraduate Engineering programs considered groundbreaking and expected to assist students in reaching heights in the up-and-coming fields are as follows.

• B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Engineering
• B.Tech in Engineering Physics
• B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• M.Tech in Biomedical Engineering
• M.Tech in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• M.Tech in VLSI Design.

In addition to the Engineering programs, the institute offers Master of Science programs in the core Science subjects: Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. Admission to engineering programs is based on the marks obtained by the students in JEE examinations, and admission to the M.Sc programs is based on students' marks in the JAM examination. These 2-year degree programs are ranked among the country's top courses and are guaranteed to provide enough knowledge and experience to those students who intend to pursue a career in research and academia. 

Students highly appreciate the research opportunities in different fields available at the institute. They are provided with ample resources and facilities to perform cutting-edge research.

Course Fee Structure

While the courses at the institute are not as expensive as those at private universities in the country, the fee structure is more than that at government-aided institutions. Additionally, the course fees vary depending on the course level, specialisation, categories of the students, and their annual income situation. Those in economically weaker sections also have special considerations regarding their tuition and accommodation fees. 

The semestrial tuition fees for B.Tech programs are the same for all semesters except for the first semester. The overall tuition fee for the 4-year B.Tech program is INR 8,66,200 for General/OBC category students. For students whose families have an annual income between INR 1 to 5 LPA, the tuition fee is INR 3,34,872. The total tuition fees for those who belong to minority categories, SC/ST/PwD and GEN/OBC students whose annual income is less than INR 1 LPA, is INR 66,200.

The course fees for the other programs offered by the institute, such as M.Tech, M.Sc and PhD programs, are INR 27,000, INR 21,020 and INR 15,000, respectively. In addition to the annual tuition fees, students must also pay additional fees for hostel accommodation, mess charges and other expenses. It must be noted that the tuition fees for these programs are subject to change. 

The institute also provides several financial aid schemes, including merit and category-based scholarships to eligible students. Those who showcase exemplary academic performance are awarded scholarships that help them with partial or complete relaxation in their studies. This ensures that deserving students have access to top-notch education regardless of their financial status.

Attendance Policy

The institute encourages students to attend all the theoretical and practical classes to achieve their full potential. However, the students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% in all the subjects, and failing to do so will result in getting an 'F' grade in the particular semester, even if they have scored high marks in the final examination.

There is a separate grading system for the attendance percentages. Therefore, students are advised to maintain good attendance to ensure their final mark certificate is spotless. 

Cream of the Crop Professors

Even though IIT Ropar is among the newly established IITs, the institute does not compromise on its faculty members. In other words, the selection of professors at the institute is at par with the older and established IITs.

A majority of the professors at the institute are PhD holders and graduates from elite international universities who are experts in their fields. Their active participation in the respective fields enables them to impart updated and relevant knowledge to their students. 

The professors are known for their approachability and accessibility to students who wish to pursue higher studies in their fields. They are involved in updating their curricula and syllabi to include the recent developments and advancements in Technology.

Each professor's distinctive teaching style makes their classes more exciting and interactive. The professors are also open-minded and encourage students to be more innovative and invited.

The enthusiasm and passion for their subjects rub off on their students so that even the complex concepts and boring topics are easily understood. Most professors focus on the student's knowledge and experience rather than exam performance. This factor makes it easy for students in the demanding and challenging academic environment to be more self-aware and work on personal development.

Their proficiency in their subjects and immense experience have contributed to making the professors inculcate exceptional teaching skills. The professors are mostly intelligent and patient, and they are always ready to explain the concepts calmly until every student in their class understands the subject in detail. They are also available outside the classroom for the students to clarify doubts and hold helpful discussions about related topics. 

As previously mentioned, the professors are more focused on the student's knowledge, and therefore, they prepare the question papers based on the student's level, which is an added benefit in the competitive atmosphere. Most professors are impartial and treat every student equally, irrespective of their knowledge levels or other factors.

According to the past and present students, the professors can answer every question they pose and employ systematic ways to help students in their academic and non-academic ventures. 

In short, the professors at IIT Ropar play a significant role in keeping the institute's name at the top and creating well-educated and skilled professionals. Students have mentioned memorable experiences with the professors and are grateful for the insightful classes that they have created.

Newly-Built & Well-Facilitated Infrastructure

Located in a scenic background with access to the major cities in Northern India, IIT Ropar has a masterfully designed infrastructure that consists of all the necessary facilities to cater to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students.

Despite shortcomings in the available facilities, the institute has been transferred to a permanent campus with satisfactory infrastructure. Since shifting to the new campus, the institute has rapidly developed its facilities and amenities, ensuring students have access to world-class academic environments.

The academic infrastructure includes spacious classrooms with audio-visual equipment, such as smart boards, projectors, etc., to facilitate interactive learning and comfortable seating. The institute also has lecture halls accommodating more than 100 students simultaneously, providing ample areas for presentations and guest lectures. The seating arrangement in the classrooms and lecture halls is designed to ensure all students have a direct view of the professors and boards. 

The institute has well-equipped laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities to offer students the necessary facilities and equipment to perform cutting-edge research and earn hands-on practical experience. The designated laboratories for each department have updated and modernised Technology to help students stay in touch with the latest developments and advancements at the forefront of their fields. 

The central library at the institute is spread across a sprawling area and is considered a treasure trove of knowledge and information. The vast collection of books, journals, theses, dissertations, research papers, and other reference materials. Additionally, the central library houses numerous digital resources, such as e-books, e-journals and databases. It also has multiple computer systems with internet connectivity, allowing students to access online resources. The contemporary-style seating areas give students the right ambience to read and study peacefully.

The institute has a flourishing sports infrastructure comprising elaborate courts and fields for football, basketball, cricket, badminton, tennis, hockey, volleyball and other sports. It also has facilities for table tennis and athletics. The institute is also working towards developing sufficient facilities for indoor sports. It provides all the sports facilities to satisfy the needs of students interested in pursuing sports and maintaining their physical health.

The campus has three canteens/ cafeterias, which include a Cafe Coffee Day outlet. The canteens have various packaged and cooked food items, a juice centre, and separate stalls for specific cuisines. The more petite cafe on campus is open till 2 AM and serves various kinds of snacks, such as sandwiches, Maggi noodles, etc., which is convenient for those who stay at the hostels. The canteen spaces are well-maintained and clean and hygienic, and the food and beverages are affordable.

Overall, the institute campus has an evolved and well-functioning infrastructure that provides all the necessary facilities to ensure students have a holistic learning experience. It is actively adding new facilities and developing the infrastructure. Based on the students' reviews on online platforms, the institute's infrastructure will soon be ranked among the top lists at its development rate.

Affordable & Comfortable Housing Facilities

As the institute has strict rules regarding the students residing on campus, it provides comfortable hostel accommodation for both boys and girls in four different hostel blocks, two for each. Some hostels are located within the institute campus, whereas some are located outside, known as the transit campus.

All the necessary facilities and amenities are available at the hostels, including water coolers, standard rooms, and indoor games facilities. Besides, every hostel block has separate shops for basic needs and laundry facilities. Students also have access to well-equipped gym facilities available within the hostel buildings.

First-year students are generally allotted four-sharing rooms, second-year students have double-sharing rooms, and in the final two years, students are allotted rooms in separate rooms. The hostels are well-furnished with individual beds, desks, chairs and cupboards.

The welfare of the hostel inmates is taken care of by a separate hostel management board, which consists of the institute's director. Students also have access to high-speed internet through free and unlimited WiFi connections.

The first priority in hostel allocation is given to B.Tech students, and then only the postgraduate and doctoral students are provided with hostel rooms. The institute has strict rules and regulations regarding the conduct in the hostels.

Students must submit the necessary documents during course admission to be eligible for hostel allocation. Additionally, the postgraduate and research students must vacate the hostel once they complete their studies.

The mess and food department is handled by student representatives, and they decide on different menus for each week. Timely meals are provided hygienically in the hostels' clean and well-maintained dining halls. Also, the students can access canteen facilities at the institute campus till midnight, where snacks and beverages are available.

The board of hostel affairs take care of all the activities and is responsible for resolving any issues students are facing in their hostels. Additionally, the board celebrates various events and festivals annually and conducts intra-hostel sports tournaments and cultural events on numerous weekends. Students can participate in different cultural activities and sports, such as tug-of-war, kabbadi, etc., as teams representing their respective hostel blocks.

The safety and security of the students are assured by the security guards placed at all gates, and separate wardens who are readily available to resolve any issues students face are placed at all hostels. 

The hostel fee is the same for all courses and is affordable to students from different backgrounds. In the first year after admission, students must pay a total of INR 12,500, which includes a refundable mess security deposit of INR 6000, a one-time payment of INR 5000 for mess admission, and a hostel establishment fee of INR 1500. The existing students must pay INR 1500 as hostel establishment fees.

Additionally, several private PGs and hostels are located within the institute's premises for students who prefer to stay outside the campus. These PGs are available at different levels based on the students' requirements. The rents vary depending on the amenities and luxuries available at the PGs. 

Enriching & Memorable Campus Experience

As with all the IITs, IIT Ropar offers a vibrant and enjoyable campus life, including various clubs, societies, cultural activities and events. Every student can pursue their interests and hobbies alongside acquiring an excellent education. The institute has separate boards responsible for various clubs and related activities. These boards are primarily for Science and Technology, Cultural Affairs, Sports Affairs, and Literary Affairs. Apart from these boards, the institute has separate student societies for social service programs.

The Science and Technology board has multiple related clubs established under it, including Coding, Robotics, Finance and Economics, Photo and Video Editing, Animation, Astronomy and Computer Integrated Manufacturing. It also conducts an annual tech fest, Advitiya, where students can showcase their innovative ideas and creations.

On the other hand, the Cultural Affairs board organises an annual fest where students can participate in various competitions and perform for different events. Students can be part of the dance, photography, music, fine arts, and drama clubs, which are all handled by the Cultural Affairs club. Apart from the annual fest, these clubs also organise various activities yearly. An added benefit is that the institute has designated rooms for these clubs where students can practice and have discussions. 

 The Literary Affairs board has recently handled all the activities related to literary publications. Although the board is newly formed, the clubs under it have existed since the institute's inception. Students interested in debating, quizzing, movie-making, etc., can be part of this board and the related clubs. The Literary Affairs board is responsible for the publication of the official student magazine and newsletter of the institute.

Apart from the boards mentioned above, the institute also has five separate student societies for students who are enthusiastic about entrepreneurship, programming, and Mechanical Engineering and those who aim to contribute to the country's blood banks. The BloodConnect Society, started initially by IIT Delhi, is an active organisation within the institute that organises blood camps and works to create awareness in society. 

The institute's Sports Affairs board conducts all the sports-related activities on the campus. It organises the annual sports fest through which multiple tournaments and matches are held. 

Overall, IIT Ropar has an exciting campus life to offer, along with exceptional academics. Students are encouraged to participate in various activities and events, which not only help them relax amidst the challenging academics and pursue their interests and hobbies. These clubs and societies also help them fine-tune their interpersonal skills and promote holistic development. Additionally, students can also connect with like-minded individuals and form long-lasting friendships.

Diversity on Campus

IIT is a national institute fostering cultural and regional diversity, so IIT Ropar is no exception. Students from all walks of life are part of the institute and provided with equal opportunities. It boasts a good mix of students from diverse regional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

While there is a lack of representation from minority groups, such as the LGBTQI+ community, the student body and the faculty members at the institute are welcoming and accepting of students irrespective of their background.

Though the gender diversity at the institute is not ideal, there has been an increase in the number of female students through the years. The institute conducts several events and outreach programs to ensure people from rural regions can access ample opportunities and information about the possibilities of different fields. 

No Dress Code

The institute has no defined uniform nor a strict dress code imposed on the students. However, they are expected to wear appropriate attire and respectably conduct themselves.

Rising Placement Rates

Even though the institute is considered among the newly established IITs, it has seen impressive growth in placement records in recent years. According to the past year's records, the highest placement rate was for B.Tech graduates, 82.21% and 56.44% for M.Tech students.

The recruitment offers space across numerous sectors, such as IT, Finance, Consulting, Energy and Manufacturing. The placement records portray its growing reputation as one of the top Engineering institutes in the country with promising career opportunities and strong industry connections.

Based on the records, the highest salary package offered to B.Tech students was INR 55 LPA, and the average package was INR 20.99 LPA. The average salary package for M.Tech students was INR 13.31 LPA. The most successful recruitments were done from specific branches, including Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. 

Though the institute has a weaker alumni network than the older IITs, it is still much better than the private institutes and universities. The brand value it holds also plays a significant role in attracting prestigious companies across the globe.

Overall Impression of IIT Ropar

IIT Ropar is a young and dynamic institute that has managed to be ranked among the top Engineering institutes in the country within a short period. Although there were a few drawbacks in the past, the institute is dedicated to rectifying all the issues and providing the complete IIT experience students dream of.

Its rapid growth and commitment to academic excellence are noteworthy and have impressed many big names in the industry. With its top-notch faculty members and newly built infrastructure, students have all the necessary opportunities to develop new skills and obtain relevant knowledge to help them excel in their fields.

Even though the institute is located in a rural setting, the major cities and amenities are accessible from it. Moreover, the beautiful background ensures a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation among the students while dealing with a complex academic curriculum. 

Students are, however, advised to connect with past and present students and academic experts to learn more about the pedagogy and possibilities of the course program they plan to pursue before they finalise their admission at the institute.

Some of the pros and cons of IIT Ropar are tabulated below for better understanding. 

*Source: iitrpr_iitrpr Instagram