I have a few friends at IIEST and based on what I heard I can say that conclusive developments are taking place at IIEST Shibpur for the CSE course. Projects under the supervision of esteemed faculty were introduced in the second year. The curriculum has been improved to become one of the best in India.

There are also visiting faculty from foreign universities such as Harvard and so on. At present, the faculty is working on projects worth crores.

Abroad Internships are available to CSE IIEST students as early as in the first year.

The CSE department at IIEST is now significantly better than that of top NITs. So in short, IIEST Shibpur CSE is the better alternative.

CSE at IIIT Allahabad wins hands down when the choice is between IIIT-A and BITS Goa. Both institutes have the same coursework for CSE, but IIIT-A offers it for one-third the fee of BITS Goa. Most of the students opt for BITS just for the brand name. The faculty at the BITS campus is not as good as that of IIIT Allahabad as it is funded by MHRD while BITS is a private institute. 

IIIT-A is popular for its coding culture. IT is one of the flagship courses offered there and placement records are at their best. Placement in the software domain is any day better at IIITs when compared to BITS. 

The following table shows a brief overview of the institutes:

IIIT Allahabad is the best choice among the two with good placement records, perfect campus, amazing faculties, and facilities. Being a government-affiliated institute has its own merits when compared to BITS Pilani Goa.

IIT Tag is far more acceptable than NIT. We generally say that NIT and IITs are similar but in reality, it’s exactly the opposite. The first preference is given to IIT and then it is followed by NIT. If you really want to go for a brand then opt for IIT Dhanbad and if not and really want to be a core programmer opt for IIIT Allahabad.

Let’s take a look IIIT Allahabad (IT) and NIT Bhopal (CSE) as they are almost similar. But besides placements there are some other factors, which one should consider and are as follows:

• Infrastructure: When you will compare the infrastructure of these two colleges, IIIT Allahabad has better infrastructures and facilities in all aspects.
• Alumni base: Considering the fact that NIT Bhopal is a 40-50 years old college, it has a strong alumni base. While IIIT-A started in 1999 and is growing exponentially.
• Placements in NIT Bhopal total number of students of (CSE+IT) is 300 and last year 100 companies visited there in campus placement, but in IIIT Allahabad total students (IT) are 270, and 98 companies visited here during campus placements.

According to the above statistics, this should be your choice of preference - IIIT Allahabad (IT)>ISM Dhanbad (CSE) >NIT Bhopal (CSE)

Also, if you are opting for higher studies, then Dhanbad has more opportunities than in NIT Bhopal. Labs and infrastructure are better as compared to NIT Bhopal but Dhanbad has an open campus and anyone can enter there. Considering all these factors, the choice should be - Dhanbad CSE > NIT Bhopal CSE. Also, you just can't neglect an IIT tag yourself.

IT-Business Informatics at IIITA is dominantly a B.Tech IT program with all compulsory subjects of B.Tech. IT is already a part of the B.Tech. and so is the IT-Business Informatics program. The Program while maintaining its core IT structure keeps whatever is mandatory for a Technology Bachelor program as per national statutory bodies specializes at Elective subjects level with Business Informatics specialization as a rather essential part of the program.

• The first Semester is exactly the same for all the branches and all the specializations with an option of internal sliding as per Institute rules.
• The subjects with Business Informatics are included in B.Tech. IT program as specializations in the consecutive semesters with other associated activities like Summer Internships, Project work, etc.

Also, the new program is incomplete consent with national statutory bodies and thus all the opportunities available for B.Tech. IT program shall continue to be available to the B.Tech.

IT-Business Informatics program as well including that of higher education and job-related requirements/skills etc.

There are a number of things you can do to ensure that you have a productive first year at IIIT Allahabad. This would include a wide range of activities covering your basic studying, communicating with your teachers, and most importantly, working on yourself.

• First, you should attend your classes regularly. Submit your assignments on time and aim for an 8.5+ SGPA. This is will secure your grade in your later years even if you scoreless.
• Establish a rapport with your teachers. Ask your doubts, without hesitation.
• Be passionate about your stream. Learn programming if you are from the IT stream. You can try your hand at coding, work in computer labs, read books and online materials and try to build a strong base. You should improve your expertise by participating in SPOJ or Codechef.
• In case you are in electronics, you can do online courses at NPTEL on basic electronics and understand the niche courses and building blocks of the electronics circuit like transistors, diodes, etc.
• You should also take your own class notes and not depend on others for the same. It need not be in English if that is not your language. You can build up your communication skills side by side.
• You should also participate in college fests and join clubs that interest you. The PRAYAAS volunteering program is also quite good.
• Now, as far as placements are concerned, you shouldn’t worry about it too much. You should focus on studying hard and get placed. Focus on nourishing your roots and getting your basics right. Only worry about this in the last semester.
• Don’t waste your time on social media. On weekends you can watch movies. 
• Try to make good friends. Work on your personality, communication skills. 
• Visit home on holidays as much as possible. 

All these points should help you succeed and maintain a disciplined life. 

Yes, you will need a laptop for the 1st year of IT at IIIT Allahabad. Here are the reasons why. 

• As there is coding learning in your course, you will require it.
• If you can’t manage to buy all the books(or get them from the library) or are not comfortable with reading from e-books on your smartphones. You should get a laptop.
• Can you run to the computer labs about a kilometer from your hostel any time you face a question or something tricky? Or would your friends be willing enough to allow you to borrow their laptop whenever you want? If the answer to these questions is no, then certainly it would be important for you.
• And if you have interests in fields other than coding then definitely you should bring it.

I think these points are enough for you to decide.

If you are talking about IIIT-Allahabad, then the answer is Yes, it’s quite easy to take admission. All you need is either a decent JEE rank or a good GATE score.

1. If you want to take admission in B.Tech, your rank should be between 4000 to 7000 depending on the specialization. If your rank falls in the given range, you will get admission easily.
2. For admissions in M.Tech, you have to qualify GATE with a score of 500 and above, and it will be a cakewalk for you from there.
3. If you want to take admission in Ph.D., you have to give the entrance exam and clear the coding round. Once you qualify for the test, you have to undergo some interview rounds and you will be selected.
4. For admissions in i-Mtech i.e BTech and MTech integrated courses, your rank should be under 10K.
5. For admissions in the MTech+Ph.d course, you have to qualify for GATE with a score of 533 and above.

If you have an appropriate rank, you are likely to get admission to IIIT Allahabad.