In India, both IITs ( Indian Institutes of Technology) and IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology) are among the top choices for aspiring engineering students. A significant difference between IITs and IIITs lies in their focus and structure. IITs, comprising 23 institutes, are government-established institutions offering courses in engineering, science, and arts. In contrast, IIITs, with 25 campuses, primarily specialize in technical education, especially in Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science (CS) fields.
Both IITs and IIITs are considered prestigious engineering institutions in India, but IITs are often regarded as more elite, with higher rankings and campus life. To learn more about the differences between IIIT and IIT, continue reading this detailed comparison.
IIIT vs IT: Key Differences
Both IITs and IITs are highly regarded and sought after by students, but they differ in various aspects such as their objectives, organizational frameworks, admission processes, rankings, and campus cultures. The table below highlights the key comparisons between IIITs and IITs across different factors:
IIIT vs IT: Key Differences
| Factors | IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) | IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology) |
| Full Form | Indian Institute of Technology | Indian Institute of Information Technology |
| Establishment | First IIT in 1950 (IIT Kharagpur) | First IIIT in 1997 (ABV IIIT Gwalior) |
| Number of Colleges | 23 | 26 |
| Brand Value | More preferred with strong brand value | Lesser branding and rankings compared to IITs |
| Course Focus | Technical, Scientific, and Humanities courses | Primarily IT and Computer Science courses |
| Accepted Exams | JEE Advanced, GATE, IIT-JAM, CEED | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, Institute Level Entrance Exams |
| Average Fees | INR 1.5 lakhs | INR 80K |
| Highest CTC Package | INR 1 Cr | INR 40 lakhs |
| Campus | Lively and extensive campus environment | Less extensive campus compared to IITs |
IIIT vs IIT: Detailed Comparison
A detailed comparison between IIIT and IIT is given below:
IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology)
The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) has gained popularity among students, making them highly competitive. These institutions focus on offering courses related to IT, providing specialized training in information technology and computer science. Admission to any of the 25 IIITs requires students to clear one of the entrance exams, like JEE Main, NTA-NET, GATE, CSIR-NET, or institute-specific entrance exams (where applicable).
IIT (Indian Institute of Technology)
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) consist of 23 autonomous, prestigious colleges in India, specializing in engineering and technology. Established to contribute to India’s economic and social development, IITs select undergraduate students through the Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) held annually. For postgraduate admissions, IITs use exams like GATE, JMET, JAM and CEED.
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IIIT vs IIT: Number of Institutes
Students may find that IITs are always ranked among the top engineering colleges, while IIITs have only a few colleges that have earned a ranking among the top engineering colleges in India. The table provides the complete list of IIIT and IIT colleges:
IIIT vs IIT: Number of Institutes
| IIIT Colleges | IIT Colleges |
| IIIT Hyderabad | IIT Madras |
| ABV IIIT Gwalior | IIT Delhi |
| IIIT Bangalore | IIT Kanpur |
| IIIT Pune | IIT Bombay |
| IIIT Guwahati | IIT Roorkee |
| IIIT Allahabad | IIT Kharagpur |
| IIIT Sri City | IIT Hyderabad |
| PDSM IIITDM Jabalpur | IIT Indore |
| IIIT Kota | IIT Guwahati |
| IIITDM Kanchipuram | IIT Dhanbad |
| IIIT Lucknow | IIT Ropar |
| IIIT Vadodara | IIT Patna |
| IIIT Kalyani | IIT Mandi |
| IIIT Bhopal | IIT Varanasi |
| IIIT Nagpur | IIT Jodhpur |
| IIIT Bhagalpur | IIT Tirupati |
| IIIT Ranchi | IIT Jammu |
| IIIT Surat | IIT Bhilai |
| IIIT Dharwad | IIT Gandhinagar |
| IIIT Kottayam | IIT Goa |
| IIIT Sonepat | IIT Palakkad |
| IIITDM Kurnool | IIT Dharwad |
| IIIT Manipur | – |
| IIIT Una | – |
| IIIT Tiruchirappalli | – |
IIT vs IIIT: Courses Offered
The comparison between IIT and IIIT often extends to the undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate ( PG) courses they offer. While IIITs focus on information technology and related fields, IITs offer a wider range of courses, which include technical, scientific, and humanities subjects. Below are some key course comparisons:
IIT vs IIIT: Courses Offered
| Degree Type | IIT | IIIT |
| Undergraduate Courses | B.Tech, BSc, B.Arch, B.Des, B.Tech + M.Tech Dual Degree, B.Sc + M.Sc Dual Degree | B.Tech, B.Tech + M.Tech Dual Degree, B.Tech + MBA Dual Degree |
| Postgraduate Courses | M.Tech, MSc, M.Des, MBA, M.Phil, M.Sc + PhD Dual Degree | M.Tech, MBA, PhD |
IIIT vs IIT: Admission
The admission process is one of the main factors when comparing IITs and IIITs. Both institutions require candidates to meet specific entrance exam qualifications and also adhere to their respective admission requirements.
IIIT Admission Process
- Application: Candidates must first apply for the entrance exam, like JEE Mains for undergraduate (UG) degrees and GATE or an equivalent exam for Postgraduate (PG) courses.
- Document Submission: Applicants should submit the completed application form along with necessary supporting documents.
- Entrance Exam Cut-off: Candidates need to achieve the minimum cut-off marks set for entrance exam.
- Counseling and Verification: Shortlisted candidates go through counseling sessions and document verification.
- Fee Payment: Applicants must pay the required deposit to confirm their seat in the program.
IIT Admission Process
- Register and complete the application form on the official IIT website, submitting all required documents.
- Admission would be based on JEE Main and JEE Advanced exam results.
- Candidates must meet the cut-off for the entrance exam and 12th-grade scores.
- Selection is based on performance at the entrance exam scores and 12th marks.
- After the merit list is announced, selected students are notified for counseling and also a document verification round.
- To complete the admission process, students must pay fixed college fees and also secure the allotted seats.
IIIT vs IIT: Entrance Exams
Both IIITs and IITs are known for being highly renowned for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Both institutions require a similar entrance test for most programs, but still, there are a few exceptions and different entrance exams required for each. Students can compare IIIT vs IIT entrance exams given below:
IIT Entrance Exams
| IIT Entrance Exam | IIT Course |
| JEE MAIN | B.Tech, B.Sc |
| JEE Advanced | B.Tech, B.Sc |
| CAT | MBA |
| AAT | B.Arch |
| UCEED | B.Des |
| CEED | M.Des |
| GATE | M.Tech |
| IIT JAM | M.Sc |
IIIT Entrance Exams
| IIIT Entrance Exam | IIIT Course |
| JEE MAIN | B.Tech, B.Tech+M.Tech & B.Tech+MBA Dual Degrees |
| CAT | MBA |
| GATE | M.Tech |
IIIT vs IIT: Fees
By comparison, IIIT vs IIT fee structure is an essential aspect of the selection process. A comparison between the fee structures is given below for some of the top colleges for BTech courses:
IIIT Fee Structure
| IIIT BTech Program | Fee Per Semester |
| IIIT Bangalore | INR 80,000 |
| IIIT Hyderabad | INR 1.4 Lakhs |
| IIIT Delhi | INR 1 Lakh |
| IIIT Allahabad | INR 75,000 |
| IIIT Pune | INR 85,000 |
| IIIT Kota | INR 35,000 |
IIT Fee Structure
| IIT BTech Program | Fee Per Semester |
| IIT Bombay | INR 1.2 Lakhs |
| IIT Madras | INR 1 Lakh |
| IIT Goa | INR 1.4 Lakhs |
| IIT Indore | INR 1.3 Lakhs |
| IIT Varanasi | INR 1.3 Lakhs |
| IIT Delhi | INR 1.6 Lakhs |
IIIT vs IIT: Salary & Placements
One must review the placement records while deciding between IIT and IIIT. Students from different career opportunities with IITs offering a wide range of courses and IIITs specializing in IT and related topics. Given below is a comparison:
| Factors | IIT | IIIT |
| Highest Package | INR 1 Cr | INR 30 LPA |
| Average Domestic Package | INR 15 Lakhs | INR 15 Lakhs |
| Average Foreign Package | INR 38 Lakhs | INR 26 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiters | Microsoft, Qualcomm, Amazon, and Morgan Stanley | Samsung, Walmart, Amazon, and Uber |
Difference between IITs and IIITs – FAQs
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are renowned for their prestigious academic reputation, offering diverse engineering and science programs. Known for excellence in research, innovation, and cutting-edge technology, IITs uphold rigorous academic standards, shaping future leaders in science, engineering, and technology across the globe.
IIT graduates typically earn higher salaries compared to IIIT graduates due to IIT’s global recognition and extensive industry connections. On average, IIT alumni can expect starting salaries ranging from INR 10-20 lakhs per annum, while IIIT graduates generally earn between INR 6-12 lakhs, depending on the institution and role.
IIITs and NITs are both prestigious, but IITs generally offer a stronger academic reputation. IIITs specialize in information technology and computer science, whereas NITs provide a broader range of engineering disciplines. While IIITs can be considered better for IT-focused careers, NITs offer diverse opportunities across various fields.
Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) can be either public or private. While many IIITs are public institutions funded by the government, a few are private and self-funded. Public IIITs are typically established under government initiatives, while private IIITs operate with independent management and funding structures.
The highest salary package offered to IIIT graduates varies by institution, but it can range from INR 50 lakhs to INR 1 crore per annum, especially for those from top-tier IIITs like IIIT Hyderabad and IIIT Delhi. These high packages are typically offered by leading tech companies and startups.