GetMyUni's Verdict on NIT Srinagar

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"Though it has a mesmerising campus that is nothing less than a paradise, the academic and placement scenario at NIT Srinagar is affected by the political conditions in the city. Yet, it hS managed to maintain its reputation over the years."

Previously known as Regional Engineering College, NIT Srinagar is one of the oldest NITs that was established in the 1950s. However, in terms of academics, students have mentioned that the institute has not met their expectations as the quality of professors and overall pedagogy is not like that in the top NITs, which makes getting admission to the institute much easier than the other national institutes. Students with lower marks in the entrance examination have good chances of getting admission to the institute. 

As per student reviews on online platforms, there are fewer classes and other academic events held at the institute due to the occasional campus closure caused by the political scenario in the city. These issues also limit the opportunities for students to be involved in extracurricular activities and organise cultural events. The location of the institute also makes it difficult for students to get good placement opportunities from reputed companies. 

Nonetheless, NIT Srinagar undoubtedly has one of the best campuses, situated against a picturesque backdrop of snow-covered mountains and well-facilitated infrastructure. Though there are a few drawbacks, students who graduate from the institute have more career opportunities awaiting them, thanks to the NIT tag. 

Table of Contents

• Availability of Core Branches & Satisfactory Academics
• Inconsistency in the Quality of Professors
• Decent Infrastructure With Mesmerising Views
• Clean Hostels With Latest Facilities
• Limited Extracurricular Activities & Events
• Comparatively Lesser Placement Opportunities
• Overall Impression of NIT Srinagar

Availability of Core Branches & Satisfactory Academics

Similar to the other national institutes, NIT Srinagar also offers numerous courses across various disciplines in the Engineering field. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in these disciplines. The institute predominantly has traditional programs in the field with innovative specialisations for postgraduate programs. Additionally, the institute also offers M.Phil and PhD programs with specialisation in Allied Sciences, Social Sciences and Management fields along with all the Engineering branches. 

Some of the areas of excellence and innovative courses offered by the institute at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are listed below.

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Communication and Information Technology
• Geotech Engineering
• Mechanical System Design
• Structural Engineering.

According to the majority of the students, the well-appreciated departments at the institute that are known for the quality of faculty members and maximum rates in placement records are the Civil Engineering, Metallurgy, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Technology and Electrical Engineering departments. 

The overall quality of the curriculum and pedagogy of these branches are said to be at par with the other reputed Engineering institutes in the country. Apart from the courses mentioned above, the Civil Engineering branch is said to have great scope in the state; hence, most of the students who hail from Jammu and Kashmir pursue the same. 

Besides the postgraduate courses in engineering, the institute is also popular among students for its other disciplines. The highly regarded postgraduate programs in the non-engineering spectrum are below.

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• M.Sc Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics

Most students are impressed with the well-structured course curriculum that is regularly updated to include relevant information based on the current industry requirements. It also has a fine balance between theoretical and practical knowledge, which helps students to be well-equipped to excel in their respective fields.

However, as mentioned earlier, students have reported that due to the occurrence of various issues due to the political conditions in the state, classes are often cancelled. The harsh weather conditions also disrupt the overall academic environment, with long winter breaks and other holidays. These frequent class cancellations make it difficult for students to explore more about their fields of interest, and they are mostly forced to learn by themselves without access to the professors. Therefore, students are advised to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary resources to study on their own and score good marks in the exams despite these hindrances. 

Nevertheless, some of the unique aspects of the institute in terms of its academics include its industrial collaboration, exposure to the professional world, research facilities fun, ding opportunities and sponsored projects. The institute invites industry leaders to conduct guest lectures that are insightful for students, through which they can learn more about the career prospects of their respective fields. 

Course Fee Structure

The course fee structure at the institute is relatively nominal compared to private universities in the country. The tuition fees across different disciplines vary based on the course level, specialisation, category of students and the annual family income. The tuition fee is exempted for B.Tech, M.Tech and PhD students who belong to SC/ST/PWD categories and whose annual family income is less than 1 lakh. However, no fee exemptions exist for students pursuing M.Sc, MBA and PhD programs. 

The semestrial tuition fee for B.Tech students who belong to General/OBC-NCL/EWS categories is INR 62,500 for those who belong to families with annual income above INR 5 lakhs and INR 20,833 for students who belong to families with annual income between INR 1 lakh and INR 5 lakhs. The tuition fee per semester for the M.Tech program is INR 35,000 and INR 7,500 for PhD programs, respectively, for students in the General/OBC-NCL/EWS categories. The semestrial fees for M.Sc, MBA and PhD students are INR 40,000 and INR 1,00,000, respectively. 

In addition to the tuition fees, students must pay additional fees for the various facilities, such as laboratory, library, sports and extracurricular activities, etc. The institute offers numerous scholarship programs to make it easy for students who belong to economically weaker sections based on their merit and various other factors.

Attendance Policy

All students are advised to maintain 100% attendance across all the theory and practical sessions of each subject. However, they must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% for all courses. In a special case scenario, students are allowed condonement and waiver of the 15% absence. Generally, students who fail to maintain the minimum attendance requirement will not be allowed to appear for the end-semester exam.

Inconsistency in the Quality of Professors

While there are highly qualified and well-experienced faculty members at the institute, some professors are not up to the mark, making it a diverse tapestry of educators. The unavailability of a proper number of classes also causes the professors to rush through their curriculum without being able to explain the topics or have interactive discussions with the students. Most professors at the institute hold considerable industry experience with doctoral degrees from reputed universities and are capable of providing students with ample knowledge and practical insights. 

Students have specified that certain professors, especially from the Computer Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments, are highly appreciated for their expertise in their respective fields, which helps in inculcating real-world applications to students. Such professors are well-connected with the industry and are actively involved in research projects, which helps them provide relevant and updated information regarding the development of various sectors across industries.

While most of the professors are considered to be excellent in their forte, as per the students' reviews on online forums, some professors lack the kind of experience or knowledge in the field as they are fresh out of college. Thus, the teaching quality is inconsistent across departments or even within the same branch, making the learning process uneven for students. However, most professors are supportive of the students and willing to go the extra mile to guide students beyond the confinement of curriculum or textbooks. They are dedicated to creating a nurturing learning environment for the students. 

Several professors are lauded for their passionate and engaging teaching styles that include innovative methods and interactive sessions, which keep students captivated and active throughout the learning process. However, some professors are known to employ traditional and outdated teaching methods, which students find it difficult to follow as they are more used to the interactive and technology-driven learning environment. Also, good quality professors equip students with the required information and resources for self-learning as there are repeated incidents where the scheduled classes are cancelled, and students are forced to study themselves.

Overall, like in all universities and colleges, the professors at NIT Srinagar are also a mixed lot with some inexperienced and well-seasoned faculty members. Yet, most professors encourage students to pursue research and utilise the various facilities and benefits available to them for advanced learning. Aspirants are advised to connect with past and present students to learn more about the quality of professors in their respective fields.

Decent Infrastructure With Mesmerising Views

A major highlight of being a student at NIT Srinagar is its breathtaking campus, along with unique and aesthetically pleasing architecture. Beyond the scenic background, the institute has a well-facilitated infrastructure that has the necessary facilities and amenities to cater to the academic and recreational needs of the students. Although students have raised concerns regarding the inaccessibility or poor maintenance of some academic facilities, the institute has managed to renovate and improve those facilities, and it is still in the process of making the necessary changes in its infrastructure. 

The institute has modern and spacious classrooms, well-equipped with audio-visual aids, such as smartboards and projectors, and comfortable seating that creates a conducive learning environment. The classrooms have elevated seating arrangements and a platform for the professors, which makes it easy for the students and professors to interact with each other better. 

Though the laboratories for the primary departments were in bad condition in the past, with outdated equipment and poorly maintained facilities, the institute has since made the necessary improvements and upgrades to ensure students have access to the latest facilities and technology to enhance their practical learning experience. The laboratories provide a well-rounded learning environment with proper hands-on training. 

The institute has an extensive collection of books, journals, periodicals, theses and other resources in its central library that caters to the diverse academic needs of its students. The library is spacious and can accommodate a large number of students. The reading rooms within the library are quiet and offer a perfect environment for peaceful reading and focused study sessions.

The sports complex at the institute is well-established with facilities for a variety of sports, such as football, basketball, cricket, badminton and others. Though students have a keen interest in using these facilities, they have less time to utilise them due to the harsh and inconsistent weather conditions and occasional class cancellations. The institute also has a well-equipped gymnasium, which provides students with an avenue for physical and recreational activities.

The canteen at the institute is famous for its delicious food, which is available at affordable prices. Despite there being online reviews often mentioning the inconsistencies in the quality of food, it has generally been satisfactory. The menu at the canteen encompasses a decent variety of dishes with multi-cuisine options. The kitchen and dining areas at the canteen are maintained with reasonable hygienic standards. 

In short, the institute's infrastructure is a unique blend of natural beauty and modern facilities, with some areas for improvement. It implements various eco-friendly initiatives to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among the students. However, students have mentioned that it takes some time to get adjusted to the uneven climatic conditions, where students have even experienced four different types of weather within a single day. Therefore, the aspirants are advised to be well-prepared to survive in extreme conditions.

Clean Hostels With Latest Facilities

The institute has new and innovative housing facilities, along with some poorly maintained older hostels. The newly constructed hostels are said to offer better facilities and a comfortable living environment. Typically, students are allocated triple occupancy rooms with attached washrooms in the new hostels and four-sharing rooms with common bathroom facilities in the older hostels. There are single rooms available with attached washrooms in specific girls' hostels, along with shared options. 

Based on students' feedback, the old hostels have fewer amenities, and the new hostels are considered to be a more desirable option. However, the hostel rent is lower for older hostels. Some hostels also have balconies within the rooms, common areas, laundry and sports facilities. Additionally, the rooms in the older hostels have limited space, which makes them cramped with less storage space. The overcrowding can result in a noisy atmosphere, where students might find it difficult to study or relax peacefully. 

Along with the other issues mentioned above, students have reported that water supply disruptions occur occasionally in some buildings. Apart from such minor inconveniences, the hostels have a scenic view, with a community of students from diverse cultural backgrounds enriching the living experience. 

Each hostel has a separate mess through which timely meals are served hygienically. While the mess provides various options, there have been issues regarding the limited menu options and uneven food quality. Nonetheless, the mess and dining areas are cleaned and well-kept by the hostel staff. An added benefit is that the mess operates on a swipe-card system, which provides students with the flexibility to choose meals and manage their expenses at their convenience. However, the mess has fixed working hours, which may be inconvenient for students when accessing food at irregular intervals. They also have limited access to outside food during such hours.

The safety and security of the students are assured by the stringent security measures taken by the institute, with security guards patrolling the campus regularly and 24/7 CCTV monitoring. The hostels also have strict rules and regulations regarding curfew timings, outsiders visit, etc., ensuring the safety of the students.

The on-campus housing facilities are considered to be much cheaper than the off-campus facilities. The hostel rent is also the same for all courses. The standard hostel rent for students across all programs, namely B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc, MBA, and PhD courses, is INR 8000. 

However, there are additional mess charges yielded annually, with a one-time non-refundable mess registration fee. The semester mess charges are INR 20,000, and the single-time payable registration fee is INR 1000. In total, students must pay a sum of INR 28,000 for hostel and mess charges per semester after registration to avail the on-campus accommodation.

Although limited, there are private PGs and hostels available near the institute for students who prefer to stay outside the campus for a more free living experience. The monthly PG rents vary depending on the luxuries and facilities available. Typically, the monthly PG rent ranges between INR 6000 and INR 25,000. 

Limited Extracurricular Activities & Events

As previously mentioned, the irregularity in the class schedules makes it difficult for students to be involved in extracurricular and recreational activities. Nevertheless, the institute has numerous clubs and societies students can be a part of through which they can pursue their interests and polish their skills. Alongside that, the institute also organises annual cultural, technical and sports events where students can showcase their talents and skills. 

The departmental societies from each branch organise subject-related activities, such as guest lectures, workshops, talks by industry professionals, and other academic activities that help students navigate their education and gain insights into various career prospects available across the disciplines. 

Apart from the departmental societies, the institute also has multiple student-led clubs for various cultural and tech-related activities, such as dance, music, drama, literature, debating, photography, programming, gaming, robotics, etc. These clubs conduct different competitions and events where students are given the platform to showcase their innovative ideas and talents. 

When compared to the other NITs located in metropolitan areas, there are fewer events and fests organised due to the lack of time and opportunities. However, students have high regard for the annual tech fest, where they are encouraged to exhibit their technical skills and innovative ideas. This fest also gives students the space for networking and connecting with like-minded people to create new projects. Along with that, as there are no interdisciplinary projects in the institute, these events also provide them with the opportunity to interact with students from different branches.

The institute also has an active sports culture where multiple competitions and tournaments are held between different disciplines. This instils a sense of healthy competitive spirit among students. Utilising the sports facilities also helps students maintain general discipline in life along with a rigorous academic curriculum. 

Diversity on Campus

Though it is located in the extreme northern part of the country, students from various states are part of the student body at the institute. Hence, the student population at NIT Srinagar is a rich tapestry of languages, cultures and traditions. Regarding gender diversity, the female representation is not uniform across different disciplines. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of female students in the institute over the years.

As the tuition fee is exempted for underprivileged categories, there is a rich representation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, the institute provides scholarship programs to ensure more representation is maintained.

However, there might be issues regarding the language barrier as most of the students and professors interact in the Hindi language. However, the institute is dedicated to erasingerasing the differences by organising various events and celebrating different cultural festivals, which shows the country's diversity. 

Dress Code

The institute does not have a defined uniform or a strict dress code. However, students are required to dress appropriately, avoiding overly revealing or offensive clothing. Students are allowed to dress according to their religious beliefs as well.

Comparatively Lesser Placement Opportunities

As compared to the other NITs, NIT Srinagar offers fewer placement opportunities to its students, mainly due to its location, which is inaccessible to many companies. Still, it has relatively better career prospects for students in comparison to the private Engineering colleges in the country. Students from the core branches, such as Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Civil Engineering programs. Though the overall placement rate varies every year, there has been considerable growth in the records with successful placements for students across different branches.

The unique security situation in the state also deters some companies from visiting the campus for placement drives. This affects the overall placement rates and the availability of good opportunities. However, the core branches have consistently achieved good placement rates, ranging from 70-80%, which indicates the strong demand for students with relevant knowledge and skills in the respective fields. 

Moreover, the institute organises seminars, workshops and training sessions for students to prepare them with the technical skills to perform well in the placement interviews. The placement cell also works towards inviting more companies every year. Additionally, the institute has a strong alumni network that provides fresh graduates with career guidance and connections. The alumni also take the initiative to offer potential internship and job opportunities to eligible students. 

Based on the previous year's records, the highest salary package offered to students was INR 8.5 LPA, and the median package was INR 6.5 LPA. Thus, it is evident that the placement opportunities are lesser in comparison to its contemporaries. The top recruiters of the other institutes rarely visit the institute. Even then, some reputed companies regularly visit the institute for placement drives, among which are the following.

• Infosys
• Wipro
• HCL
• Tata Consultancy Services
• Vedanta
• Tata Elxsi.

Overall Impression of NIT Srinagar

It can be concluded that NIT Srinagar has several drawbacks due to the ongoing issues in the state and the inaccessibility of its location. However, it delivers the academic excellence and infrastructure facilities its brand stands for. Despite the drawbacks, it stands out among the other institutes in the country because of its breathtaking scenery and the unique blend of traditional and modern architecture. While the extreme climatic conditions make it difficult for students from other parts of the country to adjust, the winter snowfalls and snow-capped mountains as their backdrop give students an international feeling. 

Owing to the issues and distance from urban life, the inconsistency in the quality of professors also plays a significant role in its lack of providing quality education. However, students are well-equipped to self-prepare with access to numerous resources and facilities. The lack of good extracurricular engagement may also disappoint students who wish to have a holistic college experience. In any case, graduating with the NIT tag always has a certain reputation within the industry that helps students grow and achieve their career goals.

Some of the pros and cons of NIT Srinagar are mentioned below for better understanding.

*Source: nitsriofficial Instagram & NIT Srinagar Facebook