As the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) announces Round 2 allotments for JEE Advanced 2025 counselling, thousands of students are now finalizing their choices among India’s premier engineering institutions. While top scorers have secured seats in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), other highly competitive options include the 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and 47 Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs).
Among the most competitive streams in these institutions is Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). This article compares two notable choices—NIT Karnataka, Surathkal (NITK) and IIIT Pune—to help aspirants evaluate which institute better aligns with their academic and career goals.
Institutional Legacy and Campus Infrastructure
NITK Surathkal, established in 1960 as the Karnataka Regional Engineering College, was granted NIT status in 2002. With over six decades of legacy, it is one of the oldest and most respected engineering institutions in India. The institute is located on a scenic 296-acre campus by the Arabian Sea in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Its longstanding reputation in CSE, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering has earned it national and international recognition.
On the other hand, IIIT Pune is a newer institution established in 2016 under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. It currently operates from a transit campus in Pune city, while construction is underway for a permanent campus at Nanoli Tarf Chakan, on the city’s outskirts. Despite its youth, IIIT Pune is strategically focused on core IT disciplines, with emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and emerging digital technologies.
Rankings and Academic Reputation
In the NIRF 2024 rankings, NITK Surathkal secured the 12th position in the Engineering category and is among the top 55 institutes across all domains. Its consistently high rankings reflect strong academic foundations, a robust research ecosystem, and high employability outcomes.
In contrast, IIIT Pune has not yet been ranked under NIRF 2024 in either the engineering or overall categories. However, its academic growth trajectory remains promising, especially in niche IT domains.
Placement Statistics: 2023–24
NITK Surathkal’s CSE department reported impressive placements for the academic year 2023–24. The highest salary package offered was Rs 55 lakh per annum, while the average package stood at Rs 23.24 lakh per annum. Top recruiters included Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, and Adobe. The overall placement rate for BTech CSE students was 83.59%.
Meanwhile, IIIT Pune’s 2020–2024 CSE batch secured a highest package of Rs 43 lakh per annum, with an average salary of Rs 13.6 lakh per annum. Companies like Oracle, Persistent Systems, and Elastic Run recruited from the campus. While the institute has previously claimed 100% placements for eligible students, official placement statistics for 2023–24 are yet to be released.
Postgraduate and Research Opportunities
NITK Surathkal offers a comprehensive academic portfolio beyond undergraduate education. It provides MTech programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and other engineering domains. Additionally, it runs MBA, MCA, and extensive PhD programmes, contributing significantly to academic research and innovation.
IIIT Pune, in comparison, is gradually expanding its postgraduate offerings. It currently runs BTech programmes in CSE and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), and has introduced MTech courses in AI and Internet of Things (IoT) since the 2019–20 academic session. PhD programmes are also available in select CSE specialisations.
Notably, IIIT Pune has extended the application deadline for MTech (Without Scholarship) admissions for the July 2025 session. The revised deadline is July 5, 2025, and prospective applicants are encouraged to complete their submissions before this date.
Conclusion
Choosing between NITK Surathkal and IIIT Pune depends largely on individual priorities. NITK Surathkal offers the advantages of institutional heritage, high rankings, broader postgraduate options, and strong placement networks. IIIT Pune, though younger, delivers a focused education in emerging tech areas, with improving placements and dynamic academic developments.
For students prioritising legacy, research, and higher studies, NITK Surathkal may be the preferred choice. Those looking for specialised, industry-aligned IT education in a metropolitan setting may find IIIT Pune to be a promising alternative.
