With the emergence of unauthentic educational institutions (including technical educational institutions) on one hand and well advertised institutions offering scholarships, discounts and other privileges, it is pertinent to consider few dilemmas. As anxious parents, guardians, well-wishers, and friends and as successful engineering aspirants in Joint Entrance Exam (JEE), teeming with excitement, confusion and a mixture of both, here are few dilemmas pertaining certain misconstrued ideas and avertable errors. Firstly, what is NIT Nagaland? National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Nagaland is one among 31 other centrally-funded government engineering institutes in India. Along with Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) – the top notch engineering institution in India, NITs are recognized as Institutes of National Importance, by the Government of India. Pertinent to discussion at hand are the following dilemmas:
Private vs. Government Funded Institution Dilemma
It is rather indisputable that private schools and colleges/institutions fare much better in terms of overall quality of education in India. By and large it is true for Nagaland. Privately owned institutions are well known for having better facilities in terms of learning and more professional teachers and efficient administration and academic policies. Hence, the overall performance result is there for us to verify. If at all government owned schools and colleges are favored, it is for reasons like; cheaper tuition fees and sometimes even for an easier escape route to have a degree for some wards. Now, it is in this mindset that one may find it difficult to understand that the scenario in technical institutions in India is almost completely opposite. Centrally-funded government engineering institutes in India bears all the qualities of the above private schools/colleges and the vice-versa. Graduates of government funded institutions (e.g. IITs & NITs etc) stands better chance in terms of recruitment by both government and private employers. It is so, as a result of Government of India’s priority given to IITs, NITs etc in terms of quality, rigor both at the undergraduate, Post-graduate/research level. This is true, from the inception of the technical institutions in India and the privilege these institutions gets to be equipped infrastructural and equipment-wise etc. Hence, our impression on government owned technical institutions (such as IITs & NITs) should not be marred or conditioned by our knowledge about government schools and colleges as we see around. To start off with, stakeholders needs to differentiate between centrally funded technical institutions (such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs), state government funded and private funded technical institutions in India today. This will save many from career jeopardy and unwanted lures.
Home state vs. Studying outside Dilemma
This is a persisting dilemma among youngsters whose choice of educational institution outside one’s home state is based on getting ‘exposure’ and sometimes out of peer pressure/ ignorance etc. Perhaps, this trend needs to be rather critically analyzing given today’s scenario where things have changed. Take for example, NIT Nagaland at present is a Mini-India in terms of the student’s admixture academically and culturally. It is so, since seat allocation at NITs happen at the national level called Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) where individual institutions has no control in terms of preference or policy of students selection. Hence, students from different parts of the country are mandatorily allocated seats in different regions of the country. And this will only increase with the international student add-ons in the near future as policy laid down in NIT council. Therefore, choices to pick private institutions over government institution (like NIT) for the sake of ‘exposure’ outside one’s home state needs to be examined. This of course, in no way discourages students from studying in better NITs or IITs outside Nagaland.
Home state Quota vs. ST Quota Dilemma
Home state quota is a form of quota given to respective states where NITs are established. For NIT Nagaland, it was introduced with its establishment in the year 2010. This also means quota for engineering students to other NITs sent through Government of Nagaland is stopped and in lieu of this, 50% reservation of the total seats in NIT Nagaland is been given to Nagaland students (students passing out 12th standard from Nagaland). This, in effect gives huge advantage to students from Nagaland to study in NIT Nagaland with comparable facilities to other NITs around the country. This Home state quota is over and above ST quota which an engineering aspirant student from Nagaland cannot avail besides NIT Nagaland. Conversely, home state quota for Nagaland is not eligible for Nagaland students who pass their 12th standard from outside Nagaland.
Familiar Intuitional Name vs. NITs (NIT Nagaland)
This dilemma perhaps is compounded especially for North Eastern States of India (besides Assam who has both IIT and NIT from recent past). However, in a typical south Indian home/school, children by their middle school are conscious of these technical institutions and are geared up for coaching and extra classes to get into IITs/NITs through Join Entrance Exam (JEE). For example, in Nagaland, NIIT is a household name whereas many parents and engineering aspirants alike are not aware of NIT Nagaland. Similarly, we see good numbers of private technical institutes and universities which have mushroomed over the years which are catering to Nagaland students – outside Nagaland. These institutions invariably does better marketing and adverting. Whereas, centrally owned government institutions (like NITs) do not consider advertising a prerogative. Therefore, rather than going by familiar institutional name and acquaintance thereof, it is pertinent to consider long term benefits and the value of the institution through proper consultation and verification.
Few specifics
With these dilemmas in mind, NIT Nagaland has opened (along with other 31 NITs all over India) an institutional Help center for all engineering and architecture aspirants for the year 2017. Registration and filling of choices for different NITs, IIITs, GFTIs is open from 15th June 2017 to 26th June 2017 17:00 IST. Hence, aspiring candidates are encouraged to avail the same assistance at NIT Nagaland. All eligible candidates with valid JEE rank needs to register on or before 26th June 2017 17:00 IST. Those intending candidates filling up choices from their respective home and other locations are requested to bear in mind that FILLING OF CHOICES is NOT ALTERABLE once it is locked. Therefore, outmost care ought to be taken in choosing and filling the entry in descending order of preference. Top-most being the most desirable option. It may also be mentioned that candidates can fill in as many choices but each and every choice should be well examined in line with the tidbits and dilemmas discussed here and more.
Help Centre, NIT Nagaland Chumukedima, 797 103
