IISC

If there is intellectual heaven on earth then it is here.

Time spent at IISc bangalore was exceptional and I can easily say that those were the best days of my life.

IISc makes you a complete person. Let me tell you why

1. If you come from a normal college then 1st semester in going to take a toll on you. But you will have great peers and professors to take help from and work with, this is the reason that everyone sails through this study pressure.
2. Once you have studied at IISc, you are capable of handling any kind of pressure in life.
3. The enjoyment you do inside the campus is also incomparable. It teaches you to work hard and party harder.
4. Your intellectual level increases to the level that whatever comes your way in future, be it job or anything, you will be able to handle it easily.
5. Working in an environment which is totally different than the life outside of campus, gives you a feeling that you are responsible for the future of the country. You are being given the privilege to study at the heaven on earth.
6. It teaches you to live life peacefully without any hustle bustle.
7. Studying there gives you access of great sports facilities.
8. Since it's mainly a PG college. Students are treated with respect, and they are given full freedom. For example there in no restriction of hostel timings. Girls entry is also allowed in hostels.
9. Like other colleges, students don't compete with each other, rather they compete with the world outside.
10. For girls, it's a heaven. In this patriarchal society of India, IISc is a place where girls can reach their utmost potential. The campus is totally safe, they can come back to their hostel from department anytime they want. There is no restriction of hostel timings, unlike other colleges.

Both fun life and study life are at the extreme level.

1. All night playing games in labs and all night solving assignments in labs.
2. All classmates used to attend everyone's birthday at a night canteen.
3. Highly talented people become your friends and learning is at the highest level.
4. Cycling culture is super awesome. 99% of people use bicycles inside the campus.
5. Lot of clubs are there. You can join as per your interest. Being part of these clubs and attending different festival and function celebrations is very interesting.

Being an IISian is a proud in itself, you start witnessing change in your personality. People start knowing you from your college. Your parents also feel proud.

Work hard and be a part of this community.

Peace !

-Nikhil Panwar

Experience at IISc in one sentence

The best you will have in your lifetime.

Expectation Vs Reality:

1. People studying there will be geeks: But the reality is just the other way around. People there are no doubt good in studies but they are equally good in having fun in different activities.
2. The study life will be very difficult: But the reality is that you will have good support of peers, and it will not feel very difficult (but still it will be difficult).
3. Competition among peers: At IISc you don’t compete with each other, rather you grow together.
4. Exams will be serious: Not at all, Your prof will ask the class when do you want to give exams. And even if you get ill, you can take permission of your prof to give exam later in his cabin.
5. Will not find Hardcore Gamers: You will find hard core gamers in your labs. Research in day time and DOTA during night. This was the routine.
6. No time for Cultural Festivals: People from all around India make sure that all the festivals are celebrated with the same vigor and enthusiasm.
7. Hostels will be bad: But they are nice, and food is also respectable as compared to other institutes.
8. After classes you will go to hostel: But after classes you go to your lab and remain there till midnight or late. Even sometimes sleep in lab.
9. Hostel will be fun: But in reality, labs are fun. Maximum time of students goes in labs. Hostels are only to sleep.
10. Life will be boring: But the life is way to exciting and beautiful inside the campus.

To summarize, IISc is a different world. A world of dreams.

Picture Credits: CSA 2011–2013, IISc

-Nikhil Panwar

IISC or IITB?

I will have a totally different perspective in answering this question.

First of all both the institutes are the top notch institutes of India. And if you talk about quality of education, placements, package etc., then both of them are more or less equal.

The real difference which is there is the culture. One of my professors used to tell us that you are not here just to gather the knowledge, it can be gained from the books, online lectures etc. Rather you are here to learn other important life skills, and learn from your peers. Academics is just a path towards your social development at this institute.

Taking forward from the statement of my professor, I will tell my own analysis about both the institutes.

If you are talking about the Bachelors course, then IIT Bombay is a better choice because IISc is still developing its UG course which is considered to be a new feather in its hat (9 years to be precise) as per IISc standards.

But if you are talking about M. Tech or PhD course. IISc will always win hands down. I am not making this statement out of thin air or just because I am from IISc. Let me explain this to you.

The importance of the degree within the institute is the first parameter on which the institute has to be judged for a particular degree.

There is no doubt that UG students of IIT Bombay have cracked a tougher exam than the PG students. It normally gives them a sense of superiority. Even the professors know this reality and they also act accordingly.

Now, it will not be wrong to mention that in IIT Bombay the most valued course is B.Tech. M.Tech people there have to fight for their existence. Also, UG students outnumber PG students by a huge margin. In IIT Bombay, M.Tech people are nick named as “Matka”. It clearly shows the sense of superiority among the UG students.

Now lets get straight to the point that how IISc wins hands down over IIT Bombay:

Each department at IISc has limited number of PG and PhD students. No UG students at all. IISc admits only one batch of UG (60 nos) students every year and they have completely separate department and building for them. That means UG and PG don’t share any resources.

PG and PhD students are more in number than the UG students at IISc. Hence, unlike IITB, PG people are the king of the institute.

Talking about the student-professor ratio. In IISc it is around 7–8 students per professor. which is around 25–30 in IIT Bombay. Hence, in the most important resource for any institute i.e. Professors, IISc is a clear winner.

Talking about the lifestyle. IISc doesn’t restrict its students in any way. Dining halls are common for both men and women. Women entry is allowed inside the boys hostels. There is no late night entry restrictions in women hostels. The freedom you get at this institute is incomparable. Whereas in IITB, PG students will also be treated like kids coming out of school.

Every department has a huge building infrastructure. M. Tech students get a desk for themselves with a desktop PC, just like you get in a corporate MNC. Even all the PG students spend most of their time in their department labs. We used to go to our hostel rooms, only to sleep. This kind of luxury life, you may not get in IIT Bombay.

I have a lot of other things to say as well, but cutting short to conclusion, if you want to spend your 2 years in PG living like a king then you should definitely join IISc. And it is confirmed that you will be second to UG in IIT Bombay. But you will be second to none at IISc Bangalore.

Last but not the least, the best thing you get at IISc is the peace of life. If you are a peace and nature lover, then definitely IISc is a better place to be at.

PS: Since you are making a life decision. I really advice you to visit both the places before taking any decision. And I hope you will yourself get your answer.

--Nikhil Panwar