Should I opt for IIT Kanpur or IISER Pune for pursuing BS MS programme? I am interested in physics.

There are many reasons I recommend students opt for IISER Pune, especially because of the unique approach it has towards education like no other institution. 

IISER Pune unlike any other Institute doesn't let you choose your major up until the 4th semester. After studying a number of courses spread across various fields during the initial 1.5 years, you get to choose your major until you have to study 5 different subjects. Now this might be a major setback for some, but trust me, it’s one of the best decisions IISER Pune has ever made. The fact that you don’t select your major initially, gives you more than enough time to explore your area of interest rather than making a hasty decision. Many times students who seem interested in Physics, go for its major and later realize that it’s not their cup of tea. You cannot truly know if you are interested in a particular field until you try your hands at it. IISER also gives you enough freedom to choose what you want to study from an ocean of courses. 

IIT Kanpur and most other engineering colleges, provide education through a core curriculum that is more engineering oriented. It lacks the disciplinary element of IISER. You have to choose a major at IIT Kanpur irrespective of the fact if you are sure about your inclination or not. Whereas in IISER you can keep doing interdisciplinary courses till the end.

So basically, I am not claiming IISER is better than IIT Kanpur. All I am saying is that the approach it has adopted is new and should be considered especially by those who aren’t sure of their passion yet.