No, IIIT Pune is not better than NIT Kurukshetra. In fact, its unfavorable location has affected the reputation of the college adversely. The institute is nowhere bear Pune city but it's situated in a typical Maharashtrian village. The institute lacks basic amenities such as transport, daily goods, and electricity supply. One of my friends was in a similar dilemma and decided to visit IIIT Pune once. The moment he saw the building and the location, he made up his mind to go for NIT Kurukshetra instead.

Here are some basic differences in the statistics of both the institutes'

The rankings and the placement statistics clearly prove that NIT Kurukshetra is better than IIIT Pune.

I am currently pursuing my B.Tech EE from PEC Chandigarh. It is a well reputed government engineering college, and its Civil Engineering faculty is one of the best.

In terms of college, PEC is much ahead of IIIT Pune. So if you are not particularly interested in a particular branch, I would suggest you consider joining Civil Engineering at PEC Chandigarh.

IIIT Pune is comparatively a very new college, and its first batch passed out in 2020. On the other hand, HBTU Kanpur has a rich legacy. It has completed more than 100 years, and is one of the oldest engineering colleges in India.

As a result HBTU has a strong alumni network, and its graduates are working in different brands all across the world. Reputed MNCs look up to HBTU Kanpur for placements. Location-wise though, IIIT Pune has an upper hand, as Pune is a tech hub. Moreover, IIIT Pune has COEP as its mentor institution. 

I would personally recommend HBTU Kanpur over IIIT Pune, given the former’s rich legacy over all these years. Placement-wise, even IIIT Pune is a good enough choice. 

If you are trying to decide between IIIT Pune-CS, IIITDM Mechanical, and IIIT Lucknow-IT, it's important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each institute before making a decision. Based on your preferences, IIIT Lucknow-IT is likely the best choice for you. Here's why:

• IIIT Pune-CS: While IIIT Pune has a good reputation overall, its computer science program is relatively new and still in the process of establishing itself. If you're specifically interested in computer science, you might be better off looking at other options.
• IIITDM Mechanical: IIITDM Jabalpur is one of the older IIITs in India and has a strong reputation for its engineering programs. However, it's important to keep in mind that the mechanical engineering program may not be the best fit for everyone. If you're not specifically interested in mechanical engineering, it might not be the best choice for you.
• IIIT Lucknow-IT: IIIT Lucknow has a well-established IT program with a strong track record of producing successful graduates. If you're interested in pursuing a career in IT, this institute could be an excellent choice for you.

Here are a few other factors to consider when making your decision:

• Location: All three of these institutes are located in different parts of India, so you'll want to think about which location makes the most sense for you in terms of cost of living, proximity to family and friends, etc.
• Course offerings: While all three of these institutes have strong reputations, they may have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to specific courses or areas of study. Take a look at the course offerings for each institute to see which one aligns most closely with your interests and goals.
• Faculty and resources: Another important factor to consider is the quality of the faculty and resources available at each institute. Look into the faculty members at each institute and their research interests to get a sense of whether they align with your own interests. You may also want to consider factors like library resources, labs, and other facilities that can impact your education.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences. However, if you're specifically interested in IT and looking for a well-established program with a strong track record of success, IIIT Lucknow-IT is definitely worth considering.