IITs Tighten The Policies On Branch Changes!

Why Are IITs Restricting Branch Changes? IIT Bold Decision to Stop Branch Change After First Year

Indian Institute of Technology is a prestigious institute that is well known for its rigorous curriculum, highly qualified faculty members, and top-notch facilities that ensure that students receive the best possible learning experience. Along with all these facilities, the first-year students also have an opportunity to change their core branch after the completion of the first year. Recently some of the IITs have decided to discontinue the branch change option for first-year students by claiming that it only increases pressure on the students who are already stressed. Different engineering and technology disciplines have distinct curricula, which require specialized knowledge and skills. If students are allowed to change branches midway can lead to challenges in keeping up with the coursework of their new disciplines.

After gaining admission to IIT, around 50% of students wish to change their core branch, but only 10% can do so. To be eligible to apply for a branch change at the end of the first year, a student typically needs a CGPA higher than 7.50 and must have earned more than 32 credits during the first academic session. Additionally, branch changes are granted strictly based on merit, as determined by CGPA at the end of the first year. Ironically, to meet the requirements for a branch change, many students spend the majority of their first year sequestered in their rooms or libraries, dedicating countless hours to their studies. Their goal is to achieve the necessary academic standing to switch to a branch they believe will better align with their future aspirations. Out of the 23 IITs, 9 do not permit branch changes after the first year. From the perspective of these institutions, restricting branch changes helps to promote focus and commitment among students. When students are required to commit to a specific field of study, they are more likely to engage deeply with the subject matter. This focused approach fosters a more cohesive and meaningful educational experience and cultivates expertise in the chosen discipline, better-preparing students for their future careers.

Students often struggle with the branch-changing process due to the limited number of available seats and the high CGPA requirements, which make the competition exceptionally tough. In their pursuit of meeting these rigorous standards, many candidates miss out on once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences, such as freshers' parties, club memberships, extracurricular activities, college fests, and quality time with friends. As a result, the branch-changing procedure can negatively impact students, especially since many engineering students have already spent years focusing on cracking the JEE Main and JEE Advanced examinations after their schooling.

In addition to this, if students despite all their hard work, preparations, and sacrifices not able to get their choice of branch, they feel disappointed and not satisfied throughout their B Tech degree. In conclusion, the discontinuation of the option of branch changing may prompt prospective students to carefully consider their choices before entering IITs, potentially leading to more informed decisions about their academic paths.

Editor’s Note:

The discontinuation of branch change options at IITs represents a significant shift in how these institutions manage academic programs and resources. Students need to be more careful while adopting their core branch so that they have a clear perspective in their mind and work on a fixed goal from the start of their career. IITs aim to enhance the quality of education and provide a more stable and committed learning environment by focusing on specialization, resource management, and administrative efficiency. As higher education continues to evolve, IIT's decision to restrict branch changes reflects a strategic response to emerging challenges and opportunities. This move highlights their commitment to sustaining academic excellence while adapting to shifting educational needs.

Skoobuzz appreciates the IIT's proactive approach to refining its academic offerings and aligning them with contemporary demands, fostering a more coherent and focused educational experience for its students.