Students who have just appeared in their SSC and HSC examinations are at a very important junction in their life. They have to select a correct path for their future and also a suitable guide in this journey who can keep them on the right track always. It is very important to enjoy this journey as it is a long one and can be completed successfully only by enjoying it.

IIT is one of the most sought after destinations for which it is necessary to compete with about two lakh students and get one of the approximately 3,500 seats. You can be a winner if you believe in yourself; you know your needs and also the place where these needs can be fulfilled. You as an individual are different than others and hence are your requirements. You may be able to do self-study and need help on few selected topics only. Or, you may be of the kind who needs a start and rest can be managed by you if proper strategy and temperament control assistance is made available to you. Or, you may just need to get tested time to time as you progress on your preparation and availability of some assistance on taking corrective steps may do miracles for you.
 

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Delhi and Guwahati were established as 'Institutions of National Importance' under the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961. Recently, University of Roorkee has been converted to an IIT and integrated with IIT system. The main objective of the IITs is to impart world-class training in engineering and technology; to conduct research in the relevant field; and advancement of learning and dissemination of knowledge.

IITs offer Undergraduate Programmes in various branches of Engineering and Technology; Postgraduate Programmes with specialisation and Ph.D. Programmes in various Engineering and Science disciplines, interdisciplinary areas; and conducting basic applied and sponsored research. At present, IITs offer B.Tech., M.Sc., M.Des., M.Phil., M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees. IITs are maintaining international standards of teaching and research. The Institutes are continuously evaluating and modifying curricula as per the emerging trends in industry. In the higher-technical education system in the country, the IITs play a critical role. These Institutes are responsible for: Producing high quality technical manpower relevant to the needs of our country; Meeting the increasing demand for quality Manpower in IT and related areas, IITs are enhancing their students intake in the emerging areas; Providing an ambience for promotion of research, development and innovation; Ensuring that strong industry-institute interactions are developed; Meeting the growing needs of Indian Industry for which five-year dual degree programmes have been introduced; Enhancing level of activities pursued in the areas of sponsored research project and consultancy works especially through the Technology Development Missions resulted in successful transfer of technologies, filing of patents and execution of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with large number of industries; Contributing to updating the knowledge of faculty of other Engineering Colleges through Quality Improvement Programme and as host institutions under the Early Faculty Induction Programme (EFIP), IITs act as nucleus to cater to the technical requirements of the respective regions; and Updating continuously the knowledge base and skills of working professionals in industry through Continuing Education Programme and enhancing the interaction between the institute and industry.

In recent years, there is substantial increase in students' intake to meet the growing demand for quality technical manpower, especially in the field of Information Technology. Strength of students in the IITs has increased over 40 percent in the last 6-7 years. Computing and networking facilities have been upgraded. Electronic classrooms and video-conferencing are being increasingly used. These facilities are now state of the art. There is greater use of technology in teaching & learning processes in the IITs. This is resulting in transformation of the pedagogy.

IITs have been effective in enhancing the country's techno-economic strength and technological self-reliance. The IITs have distinguished themselves by the excellence of their academic activities and research programmes. Sponsored research for different funding agencies in the public and private sectors, industrial consultancy and continuing education programmes are also areas in which the IITs have made significant contributions.

For IIT, you need to do following:

• You need to build strong concept on theories involved in topics as per the syllabus by studying them, thinking about them, arguing about various alternatives and strong reasoning.
• Application of concepts through practice on conceptual problems of varied difficulty level. Selection of difficulty level is very crucial as non-conceptual difficult questions disturb your preparation.
• Setting the strategies right. How much time to give on different subjects? What topics to be given priority? When to finish the syllabus? How many times revision should be done? What should be done just before the examination? How many questions should be practiced? What to do if you don't enjoy the subject? What books to study and when? How to pace the preparation? How much marks one should target at? You should know the answer to these questions and these answers should not be the general one but should be specific to you.
• Temperament control during preparation phase and examination. Preparation for such a competitive examination over a period of one year, two years or even more will take you through many mood swings. How to stay focused? What should you do to generate positive energy in you and overcome any negative thoughts during the process? Answers are person specific and have great impact on your success.
• Frequent evaluation of progress and taking corrective measures.