What is it like to study at IISc Bangalore?

IISc - Indian Institute of Science - seems like a different world. There are many elite institutions and universities in India, but IISc is one of its kind.

The first thing every student feels after entering the serene and green campus of IISc is belongingness. Every student immediately connects to this beautiful campus. The vision of Jamsedji Tata and the advice of Swami Vivekananda, combined with the generosity of Maharaja of Mysore state Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar lead to the formation of IISc. There is a statue of Jamsedji Tata that overlooks the main building of the institute.

Most of the students join IISc owing to a genuine interest in their respective subjects and fields. Being mainly a research institution, IISc attracts post-graduate and doctoral students across numerous fields of science and engineering streams. There are over 25 departments that belong to either pure sciences, applied sciences, or engineering streams.

The atmosphere is very calm and ideal for academics. There is hostel accommodation inside the campus. The food provided in the hostel is hygienic and is also food joints near the campus.

Students enjoy academic freedom thoroughly here. It is not uncommon to find a student of electrical engineering sitting in a class of advanced mathematics. Even professors do that. They attend classes and take notes along with the students. Students are free to sit in any lecture (though, with the permission of the advisor, who generally obliges). One can see students from different departments discussing their work, sharing ideas, and even collaborating. There are also public lectures that students can attend.

There is a placement cell, but several students, including Masters degree holders, opt to go for jobs that are inclined towards research, and not the usual high-paying corporate jobs.

Apart from research, a lot of campus activities are there. There are plenty of student clubs, such as Literary Club, IISc Cycling Club, IISc Gymkhana, etc. The institute organizes a technical and cultural fest, Pravega.