A Peek into Student Life at IIT Gandhinagar

“One of my favourite things about IITGN is that they propel you but let you steer your own way,” says Siddharth Doshi, a student at IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN). He is referring to the freedom that students are given to explore themselves through the institute’s broad range of programmes and courses, numerous initiatives and co-curricular activities, encouragement to engage in various cultural activities as much as in research and innovation in a wide range of subject areas, flexible curricula, the ability to cycle around the campus, play sports in one of the country’s best facilities, and more. 

Studying at IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) is nothing short of a unique experience. The institute has well-equipped classrooms, lecture theatres, and world-class auditoriums and lab facilities, providing a seamless experience. It also offers a variety of interdisciplinary programmes and courses and some unique fellowship programmes – all of which equip students to broaden their minds and become responsible community members – which are key leadership qualities! The goal is to help students grow both academically and personally.

Right after joining, students undergo a 5-week Foundation Programme, during which they are expected to do nothing but various non-academic activities like cooking, pottery, craft making, treasure hunts, village visits, visits to the nearby city of Ahmedabad, and ice-breaking with peers. Students are expected to familiarise with the IITGN campus and all that it has to offer! As you can imagine, this is a great way to ease into a new undergraduate programme at a new institute. In fact, the Foundation Programme was recognised with the World Education Award 2013 by the World Education Summit for innovations in engineering education! “Without the foundation programme, I would never have gotten to know my peers so closely. This has subsequently helped me in future projects, which I could carry out through collaborations with them,” says Aadya Arora, a student at IITGN.

One of the best things after academics that the institute has to offer is its sports facilities, which have been named among the best sports complexes in the country, providing access to a wide range of sports and recreational activities, including football, basketball, table tennis, squash, and swimming. Kalash Kankaria, a senior undergraduate in the discipline of Computer Science and Engineering at IITGN admits that the most favourite part of her day is spending time at the sports complex: “Being the women’s aquatics team captain and the women’s basketball team’s vice-captain, you can imagine that the sports complex is the place I spend most of my time after the Academic Block. Sports here has given me so much, especially basketball, and I look forward to my evenings at the complex”.

In fact, the campus is continually buzzing with many activities beyond the classroom, and most of them are organised by students! Be it one of the numerous clubs (e.g., drama club, music club, robotics club, astronomy club) or meets for organising fests (such as the cultural fest Blithchron and technical summit Amalthea), you will definitely find something that aligns with your passion and interests! There are also student council bodies, with representatives from every batch, to help you with any issues that you may face as a student.

Another important aspect of student life is the experience at hostels and canteens, things that are key to making a residential institute feel like a “second home” for most students. IITGN excels in these aspects.

With regard to food, the institute has three canteens in the academic block and multiple food outlets across the campus that stay open until 4 am in the morning. There are also food vending machines placed throughout the hostel and academic blocks and two restaurants right outside the campus. What’s more, the campus has been declared India’s first 5-star campus for ensuring food safety and promoting healthy eating!

Fun aside, the campus also has all basic facilities such as medical facilities, stationery and grocery shops, and a post office. A gynaecologist is also available two days a week to cater to women-specific healthcare issues. It is also worth noting that IITGN actively promotes gender sensitisation and women’s safety and welfare through its Internal Complaints Committee.

In summary, IITGN offers a dynamic, enjoyable, and wholesome student life experience that guarantees the holistic development of a student. “Trust me, the student life at IIT Gandhinagar is spectacular, if I do say so myself,” says Kalash. “And you will love it for sure!”.

Aryan Darad, another student at IITGN, echoes the sentiment of most students when he says “The facilities and experiences here at IIT Gandhinagar are phenomenal. There are so many opportunities here compared to that in other places. These ensure the overall development of the student, who leave not just as great engineers but also as great human beings and leaders as well.”