Should I Prefer UGEE Exam Colleges like IIIT Hyderabad over New IITs or NITs?

Choosing an appropriate engineering school is a difficult choice that students must make after Class 12. Particularly if you are interested in computer science or research in technology, you may have come across options like IIIT Hyderabad through UGEE, newer IITs, and well established NITs.

But where do you go? Should you take admission through UGEE channel in IIIT-H or newer IITs like IIT Dharwad, IIT Goa, IIT Bhilai and established NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal or NIT Surathkal?

This blog will lay out the differences in terms of academics, research, placements, peer group, campus life, brand value, and future benefits to make an informed decision.

What is the UGEE Exam?

UGEE (Undergraduate Entrance Examination for Research) is a special entrance examination held by IIIT Hyderabad for students interested in research program in Computer Science, like:

• CSD (Computer Science and Engineering – Dual Degree)
• ECD (Electronics and Communication Engineering – Dual Degree)

These are 5-year dual degree programs where you receive B.Tech and MS degree. UGEE is great for students who like math, programming, algorithms, and research.

What Are New IITs?

New IITs refer to those established after 2008. Some of them include:

• IIT Hyderabad
• IIT Gandhinagar
• IIT Ropar
• IIT Bhilai
• IIT Jammu
• IIT Goa
• IIT Palakkad
• IIT Dharwad
  
  

While they have the IIT tag, many of them are still developing their infrastructure, faculty and placement records.

What About NITs?

NITs are among the top engineering colleges in India. NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal and NIT Surathkal are the three most recognized. Other NITs, such as NIT Calicut, NIT Rourkela, and NIT Nagpur have decent placements and academic exposure too.

Comparing IIIT-H (UGEE) with New IITs and NITs

Let’s compare them based on several important factors:

1. Academics and Curriculum

• IIIT Hyderabad (UGEE): The UGEE programmes are based around research and computer science fundamentals, with students immersed into research labs as early as their first semester. You’re not just attending classes as a student, but you’re engaging and working towards solving real-world problems. It is a significant commitment and rigorous, but it is perfect for students with an interest in coding, undergraduate research and/or postgraduate studies.
• New IITs: All the New IITs are still learning to develop their B.Tech curriculum and experience. Some of them are improving in CS and ECE; but frankly they offer limited research opportunities as compared to IIIT-H. Although they do allow flexibility in taking electives and have decent faculties.
• Top NITs: NITs have also architected a similar curriculum for its B.Tech programmes; and while there are great programmes in CS, these students will also not get the Research based experience on par with IIIT-H UGEE programmes.

Verdict: If research and CS depth excite you, IIIT-H UGEE is better.

2. Faculty and Research

• IIIT Hyderabad: Has probably the best research environment in India. Professors are experienced and many have worked in global companies and published papers in top-tier journals. Labs like CVIT, LTRC and RRC are globally recognized.
• New IITs: Have good faculty, but no research culture (research culture is substantially lacking) and resources to perform research whereas IIIT-H has a very rich research culture and labs in CS and ECE. They are too young.
• Top NITs: Faculty are experienced but produced limited research output being that research is not the priority of most faculty. Most faculty have spent most of their professional life focusing on jobs in industry rather than research.

Verdict – For research focused programs in CS or ECE, IIIT-H UGEE takes the top spot.

3. Placements

• IIIT Hyderabad: Placement in computer science is amazing!! Companies include Google, Microsoft, Uber, Facebook and Adobe that recruit students year after year. The average package for a CS/MS student is currently around Rs. 24 LPA. The biggest offers are 60 LPA and up!
• New IITs: A sector improving in placements – even if it is not at the level of older IITs or IIIT-H. You could get placed in decent product companies, but your packages would be lower, compared to IIIT-H seniors.
• Top NITs: The NIT trichy, warangal and surathkal have a strong connection to the industry. CS students have offers from brands like Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle etc. The average CSE package is around Rs. 12-15 LPA.

Verdict: If you are considering placements in the CS sector, IIIT-H will be take the spot.

4. Campus and Student Life

• IIIT Hyderabad: Although the campus is relatively small, it is situated in the middle of Hyderabad. The student life here is academically challenging, with less emphasis on extracurricular activities, and the student body holds several competitions like the ACM-ICPC and Hackathons in higher esteem.
• New IITs: The new IITs generally have decent temporary campuses. All of the college activities: clubs, sports events are part of the campus experience. There is some improvement in the hostels and the infrastructure overall.
• Top NITs: The campus life experience these top NITs give their students is great; especially NIT Trichy, and Surathkal. These NITs bring some great vibes from students through their cultural fests, and other fantastic student activities. The campus life at these institutions is less academic intensity than IIIT-H.

Verdict: If you are looking for campus life vibe, the NITs and IITs seem better in that sense. If someone is looking for an academically serious life in an undergraduate life, please choose IIIT-H UGEE.

5. Peer Group

• IIIT Hyderabad: Although the batch (or student body) is small, you are potentially dealing with a very smart peer group here. Many students either competed in IOI or INChO, or have superb coding backgrounds.
• New IITs: The quality of the peer group is dependent on the JEE Advanced cutoff. Peer group is decent, but not nearly as research-oriented.
• Top NITs: The peer group will be competitive mostly in the CS branches. Students are usually quite bright here, but have more job-preparation orientation than those students mentioned in IIIT-H prior.

Verdict: If you want to be around your peers who want to study computer science, innovation, etc. choose IIIT-H UGEE.

6. Brand Value and Alumni Network

• IIIT Hyderabad:  Recognized as the best private cs college in India and continues to be recognize in global academic circles. Brand recognition is marginal outside of CS or tech roles. 
• New IITs:  Have the IIT tag, which is strong branding both nationally and globally. Alumnin base is still growing. 
• Top NITs:  Older NITs have an effective alumni network.  Companies recognize NITians and value their overall consistency and training. 

Verdict:  If IIT branding means a lot to you, and you aren’t exactly sure about doing cs, new IITs or top NITs is a fair choice.

7. Higher Studies and Research Opportunities

• IIIT Hyderabad:  If you watch IIIT-H’s career fairs, they are excellent about sending students to MIT, Stanford, CMU, ETH Zurich, etc.  Commitment to UGEE research work during their degree adds credibility to your application for MS/PhDs.
• New IITs:  decent amount of research, but are not recognised yet globally. 
• Top NITs:  Often students go for MS in the US, but there are not as many research projects as IIIT-H, since it is newer events. 

Verdict:  If you want to do MS or PHD abroad, IIIT-H UGEE is the best path!

The Role of Origin Educare

At Origin Educare, we guide students through this decision. Our mentors include alumni from IIIT Hyderabad, new IITs, and leading NITs who share honest insights and lived experiences. From mock counseling to institute-specific guidance, we help you make the best choice tailored to your goals.

Final Thoughts: What Should You Choose?

Here’s a simple guide:

Final Conclusion

Deciding on IIIT Hyderabad via UGEE, new IITs, and top NITs is based on your areas of interest, ambitions, and outlook. 

If you are a coder with a hunger to solve difficult problems, enjoy mathematics, and are motivated to contribute to research, then IIIT-H UGEE is clearly the best option. 

If the IIT brand is important to you, you want flexibility across careers, and are comfortable to be involved with your college as it grows, then you should go with the new IITs. 

If you want a balanced college experience, solid record of placements, and large alumni base, then top NITs are great to consider. 

Remember, a college provides you the opportunity, however, the opportunity is as good as you make it.

If you want some advice specific to your performance in JEE Main, Advanced, or UGEE, your aims, or interests, you could also use the services of leading career guides or coaching platforms like Origin Educare, which specializes in this area to assist students with academic decisions.