Is the lateral entry programme of IIIT Hyderabad worth it?

The lateral entry program of IIIT Hyderabad offers admission into the B.Tech+MS by Research dual degree. 

Dual degree students face some disadvantages when it comes to placements. First of all, the research tag makes companies fear that the MS student might leave soon to pursue higher studies. Secondly, DD students do not get as much time to prepare for placements as other students. Choose a dual degree only if you are interested in research. You will work with the best brains in the country at IIIT Hyderabad, but you will spend a lot of time on this course. 

Though officially the lateral entry program at IIIT Hyderabad allows you to complete your dual degree in 4 years, usually your MS will take at least a year more. You will also get admissions after completing two years of your B.Tech/ related degree at another institution and will have to study the 1st year curriculum before getting into the 3rd year curriculum.This will take a total time of at least 7 years.

A better option is if you continue with your B.Tech degree from your own college and then go for an MS degree at IIIT Hyderabad. You will complete all this in a total of 6 years and end up spending a year less or at most, an equal amount of time as in the lateral program.