National Institute of Technology - [NIT], Srinagar

As a non-Kashmiri student, you’ll deal with some tough times at NIT Srinagar.

NIT Srinagar is located in Hazratbal near Dargah. Despite this, it constantly witnesses strikes and curfews. So, you’ll get much more holidays than any other engineering college. This is a huge blow to academics. Traveling to and from home becomes difficult due to frequent curfews. 

Kashmiri students are polite and calm in nature. But they maintain a safe distance from non-Kashmiris at NIT Srinagar. They don’t socialize or hangout with others. The localities are polite but they also hesitate in mingling with outsiders.

The Assistant professors and contractual teachers aren’t qualified enough to solve student doubts. On the other hand, the professors show a lack of interest in teaching. The teachers are more generous while marking Kashmiri students, providing them with better CGPAs.

Dramas, skits, debates, etc. are discouraged. The college lacks clubs and cultural fests. Playing cricket unites all the students.The techfest of NIT Srinagar, Techvaganza, is quite good. It offers good seminars and workshops. 

Despite its associated negatives, NIT Srinagar offers one of the most beautiful college campuses in India. Here you will have ample time to work on your skills. You can visit beautiful places on weekends like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgham, Shikara and even Ladakh.

Though NIT Srinagar is challenging for non Kashmiris, it will offer you a completely different perspective on life.

As an alumnus of NIT Srinagar, here is my opinion of my institution.

Kashmir is perfect for personal growth. Kashmiris are polite and helpful. They never badmouth non-Kashmiri Indians, though they have their own issues with the army. Kashmir is the right place if you love nature, and enjoy exploring. Srinagar is a mesmerizing city, and you’ll never forget it, even long after graduating. 

NIT Srinagar is placed 82nd in the 2023 NIRF Engineering Rankings, which is a decent rank. Hostel and mess facilities aren’t great. The campus life isn’t too hectic, and you’ll get ample time to learn new skills.

Overall, NIT Srinagar is a decent college for your engineering studies. 

I have spent four years as a B.Tech student at NIT Srinagar. Here are a few things about life at my college-

1. Srinagar is amazing. The weather remains cold for most part of the year, so you’ll forget what average Indian summers feel like.
2. NIT campus is fully secured, and surrounded by Dal Lake.
3. During winter, everything is covered in snow. It is an absolutely mesmerizing view. 
4. The hostels are clean and provided with all the facilities. 24*7 Wi-Fi facility is available. Mess is separate for each hostel, and the food is decent.
5. Students depend mostly on self-studies. 
6. Students are sent by the college to other Indian cities (for example, Ghaziabad) for industrial training purposes.
7. You will be provided with decent sports and gym facilities. There are college clubs which you can join. The IIED Center offers opportunities for self-exploration.
8. The placements are good, especially for CSE/IT. ECE, Mechanical, and CIV also enjoy good placements. Non-CSE/IT students usually sit for GATE or other competitive exams and perform well in them. 

NIT Srinagar is a wonderful college that offers a one-in-a-kind experience. 

I am a student of NIT Srinagar. Here are some things you should know about my college.

Like all other NITs, even NIT Srinagar is filled with talented and aspirational students, most of whom are from middle-class background. They work hard towards academic excellence.

NIT Srinagar will expose you to a variety of ideas. Over here, you will experience a different socio-cultural setup. This will open your mindset, and prepare you for a better professional life. Though it is not situated at some prime location, the college will offer you ample opportunities for growth and development.

The campus and surrounding areas are beautiful, and there’s a lot to explore. Placement-wise, CSE is the best course to opt for. CSE/IT has a good placement record. 

Overall, NIT Srinagar is a one-of-a-kind experience that you can definitely consider for your higher studies.

Speaking objectively, every technical institute in India is as good as long as you make the most out of it. NIT Srinagar has a good reputation, especially for its core engineering branches like Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. The remaining departments were established much later and haven't reached the NIT standards as of now. So, if you want to join one of the core branches, especially EE, NIT Srinagar is a decent choice.

NIT Srinagar's current ranking doesn't do justice to its real image. The survey conductor never visited the campus personally so the rankings are forged and not credible at all. However, it is true that NIT Srinagar has many deficiencies that are being constantly worked upon to improve the academic quality of the institution and help it regain the honor it had when it was REC Srinagar. However, its progress depends on the economic conditions as well as the geographical location of the state it is situated in. NIT Srinagar has one of the most beautiful campuses but its geographical location poses hindrances to conferences, seminars, and tech events. But the bright side is that you can establish a good bond with the faculty. The faculty at NIT Srinagar in the core engineering branches is intellectually motivated, professionally scrupulous, and academically blessed.

As for the second part of your question, there are only a handful of Tamilians here. But this isn't exactly disappointing as not many Jammu and Kashmir students go to the South Indian colleges so you and expect the same from them. Still, there are around 10-15 which is more than expected. 

My brother shared his first-day experience at NIT Srinagar. He reached the campus at around 5 in the evening and was escorted to the DH-1 where the admission process was going on. He saw many other students in the hall and felt a sense of relief. He was informed that he wasnt late for the admission as the date had extended and he felt relief. He made a call home and updated them about the situation.

He then approached a security guard who told him to go to the Indus Hostel. He carried his heavy luggage all alone all the way to the 3rd floor. Most of the rooms were occupied by his batchmates. He then took a bath and got ready to explore. He interacted with a few seniors who came as friendly. It was hard to find a vacant room and when he did, he realized the fan wasnt working. Nevertheless, he lay down and fell fast asleep as he was extremely tired after the journey. Luckily, he made a few friends on the same day who asked him to share the room with them. 

Overall, the first-day experience was a mix of all emotions, nervousness, and happiness and is a fresh memory to date. 

The best part about NIT Srinagar is its unique location in the heart of Kashmir almost 1730 meters above sea level. The institute has a beautiful infrastructure which can be understood better through the picture below

Another unique aspect is the winter it experiences which is like no other NIT.

Further, you will be amazed by the drastic climatic changes. It can go from +20'C to 0'C, on the same day. The photo below shows two different climates observed on a single day

Look at the scenic snow-clad mountains below

You can also see the famous Dal Lake 

So, the breathtaking surrounding and climate is what sets apart NT Srinagar from other NITs.

It's just a preconceived notion that Srinagar is an unsafe place to study in. The media has portrayed the wrong image and harmed the reputation of the institute. There are regular classes from 9-5. Students can be seen strolling around the campus and visiting Dal Lake, Lal Chowk. The issues the public is concerned about usually happen around the border areas. Such minor issues can be found in every state so I believe it's the media that has instilled in the mind of the public that NIT Srinagar is not a safe place. The reality is you will enjoy your time here and feel absolutely safe!