After clearing the JEE Main, students must choose the right engineering college. With top options like NITs (National Institutes of Technology), IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology), and GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes), it can be confusing to pick the best fit.
Each of these institutes has strengths, specialisations, fees, placement outcomes, and campus experiences. This guide compares NIT, IIIT, and GFTI to help you decide which one best suits your goals, interests, and future plans.
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NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI – Important Highlights
| Feature | NIT (National Institutes of Technology) | IIIT (Indian Institutes of Information Technology) | GFTI (Government Funded Technical Institutes) |
| Total Institutes (2025) | 31 | 26 (5 CFTIs + 21 PPP Mode) | 38+ |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Education, Govt. of India | Ministry of Education / Public-Private Partnership | Various Central/State Govt. bodies |
| Admission Through | JEE Main + JoSAA Counselling | JEE Main + JoSAA Counselling | JEE Main + JoSAA/CSAB Counselling |
| Popular Branches | CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical | CSE, IT, ECE | Varies widely (Core, Allied, and Niche branches) |
| Main Focus Area | Core Engineering + Research | Computer Science, IT & Emerging Tech | Diverse focus – Engineering, Science, Design etc. |
| Degree Awarded | B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Tech | B.Tech (mostly in CSE, IT, Data Science) | B.Tech, B.Sc, B.Arch, B.Des etc. |
| Top NITs | NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal | IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore | NSUT, PEC, IIEST Shibpur, JMI, etc. |
| Fees (Approx) | ₹5–10 Lakh for 4 years | ₹6–15 Lakh for 4 years | ₹2–8 Lakh for 4 years |
| Average Package (Top Institutes) | ₹10–20 LPA | ₹12–25 LPA (IIIT-H, IIIT-B) | ₹5–12 LPA (varies by institute) |
| Campus Life & Infrastructure | Well-established, government-funded | Varies (some new, some advanced tech infrastructure) | Varies significantly across institutes |
| Scholarships | Central & State Govt. Schemes + Institute-based | Limited in PPP-mode IIITs | Available in most GFTIs |
| Alumni Base | Strong and widespread globally | Growing, esp. in tech/startups | Depends on age and reputation of institute |
NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI : Number of Institutes and Seats Available
Here’s a quick overview of the number of institutes and total undergraduate (BTech) seats available across NITs, IIITs and GFTIs for the 2025 academic session:
Number of Institutes and BTech Seats: NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI
| Institute Type | Number of Institutes (2025) | Approx. BTech Seats (2025) |
| NITs | 31 | ~23,000 |
| IIITs | 26 (5 CFTIs + 21 PPP Mode) | ~8,000 |
| GFTIs | 38+ | ~10,000 |
Admission Process: NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI
- Common Entrance Exam: All three- NITs, IITs, and GFTIs- admit students through the JEE Main exam conducted by NTA.
- Counselling Authority: Admission to all is managed by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) based on JEE Main ranks.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- NITs and GFTIs: Minimum 75% marks in class 12 (or top 20 percentile)+ valid JEE Main rank.
- IIITs: Generally follow the same 75% criteria+ valid JEE Main rank, but some private/ public-private IIITs may have additional requirements.
- Seat Allotment Rounds: Conducted through multiple JoSAA rounds (usually 6 rounds), followed by CSAB special rounds for vacant seats.
- Category and State Quotas:
- NITs: 50% seats for Home State candidates, 50% for Other States.
- IIITs/ GFTIs: Usually have All India quotas, though some GFTIs may have state-specific quotas.
- Document Verification & Admission: Post seat allotment, candidates must complete online reporting, fee payment and document verification at reporting centers.
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NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI-Top Branches Offered
| Institute Type | Top Branches Offered |
| NITs | – Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)- Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)- Mechanical Engineering (ME)- Civil Engineering (CE)- Electrical Engineering (EE) |
| IIITs | – Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)- Information Technology (IT)- Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)- Artificial Intelligence (in select IIITs) |
| GFTIs | – CSE and IT-related branches- Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering- Aerospace, Chemical, and Metallurgical Engineering (in select GFTIs)- Architecture (in schools like SPA Delhi) |
Placements and Average Salary Packages
| Institute Type | Average Salary Package (Approx.) | Placement Highlights |
| NITs | ₹10–18 LPA (Top NITs)₹6–10 LPA (Tier-2) | High placement rates in CSE, ECE, and EE. Top companies: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. |
| IIITs | ₹12–30 LPA (IIIT-Hyderabad)₹8–12 LPA (Others) | Excellent tech placements, especially in coding and software. Strong startup and research exposure. |
| GFTIs | ₹5–8 LPA (Varies by course & location) | Decent placements, better in CSE/IT branches. Top recruiters are mostly national firms. |
NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI: Pros and Cons
| Parameter | NITs | IIITs | GFTIs |
| Pros | – Government-funded and well-established- Strong alumni network- Good infrastructure and faculty- High brand value (especially top NITs) | – Excellent for Computer Science & IT- Strong industry connections- Focus on coding, research & innovation- High placement packages (especially IIIT-H) | – Diverse courses and locations- Some institutes have niche specializations- Less competition for admission- Decent ROI in select institutes |
| Cons | – Tier-2 NITs have lower placements- Limited global exposure- Competitive branch change policies | – Mostly tech-focused; limited branches- Some are PPP model with high fees- Campus infrastructure may be developing in newer IIITs | – Lower placements than NITs/IIITs- Lesser-known among recruiters- Limited funding & resources in some institutes |
Final Verdict: NIT vs IIIT vs GFTI – Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs depends on your career goals, preferred branc,h and placement expectations.
| Criteria | Choose NIT If | Choose IIIT If | Choose GFTI If |
| Academic Focus | Balanced mix of academics and extracurriculars | Strong focus on Computer Science, IT, AI, and Data Science | Offers niche or less common specialisations |
| Preferred Branches | Core Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical | Primarily CSE, IT, and emerging tech fields | Varies by institute; some offer unique programs |
| Campus Life | Well-rounded education with active student life and alumni network | Tech-oriented, research-driven, often limited in non-tech activities | Basic facilities; varies across institutes |
| Placements | Strong placements across branches, especially in top NITs | Excellent placements for CSE/IT branches in top IIITs | Moderate placements with decent ROI in select GFTIs |
| Fee Structure | Moderate (varies by category and program) | Higher in PPP-mode IIITs | Generally lower and cost-effective |
| Admission Criteria | JEE Main + JoSAA | JEE Main + JoSAA | JEE Main + JoSAA |
| Best For | Students seeking a balance of academics, extracurriculars, and campus experience | Students aiming for tech careers and top software roles | Students with lower JEE ranks seeking government institutions with specialisations |
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Frequently Asked Questions
IIITs, especially IIIT Hyderabad and IIIT Bangalore, are top choices for Computer Science due to their strong coding culture, industry exposure, and placements. However, top NITs like NIT Trichy, Warangal, and Surathkal also offer excellent CSE programs.
Yes, some GFTIs like IIEST Shibpur and Assam University have good infrastructure and faculty. While placements may not match top NITs/IIITs, GFTIs can offer solid academic foundations and are more affordable.
No. Placement quality varies significantly between top-tier and newer institutes. Older NITs (like Trichy, Warangal, and Surathkal) and established IIITs (like Hyderabad, Delhi) have better industry connections and placement records.
