Best IIT for CSE 2025: Rankings, Placements & Cutoffs

A comprehensive look at IIT’s most coveted branch, blending data with real insights

Introduction

Every engineering aspirant dream of cracking into an IIT, but for many, the real prize is a seat in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). Why? Because CSE is not just a branch anymore, it’s the passport to the most exciting careers in software, data science, AI, startups, and global tech giants. But here’s the tricky part: all IITs are not the same. Each campus has its own culture, strengths, placement trends, and even cut-off patterns. While IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi are often as the “dream catcher,” institutes like Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, and Guwahati are also world-class coders and innovators. So, if you’re confused about which IIT is best for CSE in 2025, this blog is for you. We’ll compare the seven oldest IITs across factors such as demand, placements, academics, campus life, and flexibility. So, you can make a choice that feels right for your future.

Choosing the right IIT for Computer Science isn’t just about cutoff ranks; it’s about culture, opportunities, and long-term promise. Let’s explore how each of the sevenoldest IITs stands out in CSE, across five key dimensions, so you can write your blog with confidence, clarity, and authority.

How to Compare: The 5 Simple–Yet–Impactful Parameters

1. Demand: Cut-off Ranks (JoSAA 2025, General Category)
2. Placement Highlights & Career Reach: (2023 – 24/25)
3. Academic Strength & Research Culture: (NIRF-2024 rankings)
4. Campus Life & Location Edge
5. Flexibility & Interdisciplinary Exposure

Here’s a down-to-earth comparison of CSE across the 7 oldest IITs, based on five key factors:

Whether you’re just starting your IIT journey or refining your list, deciding on the right campus for Computer Science is about more than just cut-offs. To truly understand your options, let’s walk through how each of the 7 oldest IITs shapes up based on demand, placements, academics, vibe, and flexibility. 

Section 1. Demand: Cut-off Ranks Tell a Story

This isn’t just a list it’s where students fight to land.

Target IITs	Opening Rank (CSE, General)	Closing Rank (CSE, General)
IIT Bombay	AIR-1	AIR-66
IIT Delhi	AIR-79	AIR-171
IIT Madras	AIR~160 (estimated)	AIR~180 (estimated)
IIT Kanpur	AIR-147	AIR-270
IIT Kharagpur	AIR-238	AIR-450
IIT Roorkee	AIR-271	AIR-535
IIT Guwahati	AIR-504	AIR-699

Source: Data compiled from JoSAA Round 6 cutoff tables and coaching portals.

Alongside the table:

• IIT Bombay (1–66): Clearly, it dominates in demand; It’s the dream college for top rankers of JEE Advanced, getting in feels like winning the first battle.
• IIT Delhi (79–171) & Madras (160–180): Follow as elite choices, still intensely competitive, shaping themselves as powerhouses in tech and research.
• Kanpur (147–270): Highly coveted, but just a notch more down-to-earth.
• Kharagpur (238–450) & Roorkee (271–535): Respectable still offer strong CSE programs, but with more accessible cutoffs.
• Guwahati (504–699): Emerging quietly, yet delivering stronger-than-expected outcomes, often a smart sleeper choice.

This spread reflects not only just academic prestige, but also personal ambition. Students flock to IIT Bombay first , it’s the dream choice for many. Delhi and Madras follow closely, while Kanpur is in striking distance. Kharagpur, Roorkee, and Guwahati are more accessible and still offer solid programs.

Section 2. Placements & Career Reach (2023–24/25): Where the Career Journey Begins

Let’s place numbers beside promises: High, Average, and Median salary packages along with the placement rate of CSE in various IITs. 

The data shared in the table below is for the 2023-24/25 placement season for the Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) branch at the target IITs, compiled from the information available in various official reports.

Target IITs	Highest Package	Average Package	Median Package	Placement Rate
IIT Bombay (CSE)	Not Officially Disclosed	₹23.9 LPA	₹17.92 LPA	90.70%
IIT Delhi (CSE)*	₹1.68 Cr (PA)-International	₹32.0 LPA	₹20.0 LPA	86.92%
IIT Madras (CSE)	₹1.30 Cr (PA)-Domestic*	₹52.32 LPA	₹37.50 LPA	92.00%
IIT Kanpur (CSE)	₹1.90 Cr (PA)-Domestic	₹52.8 LPA	₹40.7 LPA	95.90%
IIT Kharagpur (CSE)*	₹2.14 Cr (PA)-International	₹24.14 LPA	₹28.9 LPA	92.00%
IIT Roorkee (CSE)*	₹1.30 Cr (PA)-Domestic	₹34.05 LPA	₹30.5 LPA	90.00%
IIT Guwahati (CSE)	₹2.05 Cr (PA)-International	₹39.91 LPA	₹34.50 LPA	90.76%

Note:

• Data marked with a star is not officially released by the institute.
• Some data is compiled from students’ feedback, media reports, and open sources such as newspapers and educational portals.
• This table is intended to provide an indicative picture only. We do not claim 100% authenticity of the data.
• Most IITs publish placement data in a combined format for all branches, not separately for each branch. 
• Please interpret the table with caution; official institute reports remain the most reliable source.

A few important Points of Observations and Data Authentication

• Official vs. Reported Data: IIT Guwahati and IIT Madras are among the few institutes that provided the most transparent, branch-specific data for their BTech CSE programs.
• IIT Bombay & Delhi: These institutes have stopped publishing detailed branch-wise statistics to reduce student pressure. The figures available are often overall institute averages or widely circulated estimates from reliable but unofficial sources.
• Highest Package Nuance: The “Highest Package” is often the most misleading metric. It can be an outlier, including international allowances or stock options. Hence, average or median data is more reliable.
• Median vs. Average: The Median Package is a more realistic and better indicator of student success than the Average Package, as the average can be biased by a few exceptionally high offers.

• CTC vs Salary: Most of the “highest” packages are CTCs, not in-hand salary.
• Branch-wise Gaps: Not all IITs release branch-specific salary stats publicly every year. In such cases, institute-wide or aggregate sources have been marked with a star.

Section 3. Academic Strength & Research Culture

Academic strength and research culture define the long-term reputation of any IIT. Consistently ranked at the top, IIT Madras exemplifies leadership in AI and advanced computing research. IIT Kharagpur, the country’s first IIT, carries a legacy of pioneering labs and interdisciplinary focus. IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur are recognised for faculty engagement and innovation centres, while IIT Roorkee and IIT Guwahati continue to expand their research footprint. Together, these institutes reflect the academic depth and research diversity that sustain IIT’s global standing.

Target IITs	Score (As per NIRF-2024)	Rank in Academics & Research
IIT Bombay	83.09	Rank-3
IIT Delhi	86.66	Rank-2
IIT Madras	89.46	Rank-1
IIT Kanpur	82.79	Rank-4
IIT Kharagpur	76.88	Rank-5
IIT Roorkee	76.00	Rank-6
IIT Guwahati	71.86	Rank-7

These numbers reflect faculty strength, research funding, labs, and academic rigor. So, campuses like IIT-Madras, Bombay, and Delhi thrive on innovation and global exposure, others draw strength from heritage and scholarly depth, while newer ones are rapidly scaling momentum. Together, they showcase the diverse academic character across the IIT system.

Section 4. Campus Life & Location Edge

For Computer Science and its allied branches, the IIT experience goes beyond classrooms. Location plays a huge role: urban campuses like Bombay and Delhi provide unmatched access to startups, corporates, and policy hubs, while Madras blends research heritage with a vibrant incubator culture. Kanpur and Roorkee offer quieter, academically intense environments-perfect for deep-tech exploration. Kharagpur’s vast Campus with modern labs, while Guwahati offers scenic calm with growing exposure to the Northeast’s emerging tech scene. Together, these campuses shape not just coders but innovators, giving each CSE student a distinct edge.

IIT-wise Snapshot (Target CSE)

• IIT Bombay – Urban energy meets CSE opportunity. Proximity to India’s financial hub fosters startups, internships, & alumni networks. Which include Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola) and Parag Agrawal (ex-Twitter CEO).
• IIT Delhi – National capital advantage: access to ministries, think-tanks, consultancies, and top corporates. Civic, tech, and policy exposure enrich CSE students’ career paths.
• IIT Madras – Strong academic legacy and incubator ecosystem (IITM Research Park). Chennai’s IT and manufacturing base adds career diversity for CS aspirants.
• IIT Kanpur – A quieter, research-driven campus. Strong engineering culture and coding societies make it ideal for a deep-tech focus.
• IIT Kharagpur – Expansive campus with historic labs, IoE status, and a collaborative, close-knit CSE community. Affordable living enhances focus on research.
• IIT Roorkee – Engineering heritage in a compact town. Robotics and AI societies give CSE students a hands-on, lab-first experience.
• IIT Guwahati – Picturesque setting with rising CSE visibility. Growing startup and research activity gives students a “frontier of change” vibe in the Northeast.

Section 5. Flexibility & Interdisciplinary Exposure

For CSE and its allied branches, flexibility will matter as much as core coding strength. IITs today are increasingly blurring boundaries students explore electives beyond computing, dive into entrepreneurial ventures, and take up minors that connect technology with society. While some campuses lead with structured interdisciplinary programs, others thrive on student-led initiatives. This cross-pollination—whether through electives, hackathons, or incubators creates engineers who are not just coders, but problem solvers across domains. The CSE experience at IITs is thus defined by freedom, breadth, and the ability to bridge technology with real-world challenges.

IIT-wise Snapshot (Target CSE)

• IIT Madras – Strong elective culture, vibrant incubators (Research Park, Nirmaan), and synergy with Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem.
• IIT Bombay – Buzzing entrepreneurial vibe; hackathons (Hack Bombay), E-Cell, and startup studios encourage students to experiment outside the classroom.
• IIT Delhi – National capital advantage with easy access to think-tanks, AI labs, and interdisciplinary research centres across the city.
• IIT Kanpur – Known for innovative minor programs like AI + Ethics and cross-disciplinary labs; quiet, research-oriented freedom to explore.
• IIT Kharagpur – Offers nationally recognized interdisciplinary centres and niche programs; legacy labs enable collaboration across domains.
• IIT Roorkee – Students rely on robotics, AI, and coding clubs to build cross-disciplinary projects, often outside formal curriculum.
• IIT Guwahati – Compact, collaborative environment with energetic coding collectives and project-based learning hubs; students often create their own pathways.

Summary Table: CSE at a Glance

This table brings together the cut-off ranks, placement outcomes, research reputation, and campus culture of the top IITs for Computer Science. It highlights both official figures and reported estimates, offering students a clear, comparative snapshot of opportunities, strengths, and unique advantages across each institute’s CSE program.

Target IITs	Cut-off Rank	Placement Highlights	Academic Rank (NIRF)	Campus Vibe	Flexibility / Exposure
Bombay	1 – 66	Avg. ₹23.5 LPA	3	Urban ecosystem + Startups + Alumni hub	High-Hackathons, E-Cell, Electives
Delhi	79 – 171	Avg. ₹32.0 LPA	2	Capital access, High exposure	High-Think tanks, Strong-internship hubs
Madras	160 – 180	Avg. ₹52.3 LPA	1	Academic-rich, Innovation culture	Strong – varied electives, Research Park
Kanpur	147 – 270	Avg. ₹52.8 LPA	4	Calm campus, Research driven	Growing minors (AI + Ethics), Labs
Kharagpur	238 – 450	Avg. ₹24.1 LPA	5	Historic campus, Legacy labs	Moderate-research centres, Interdisciplinary consortia
Roorkee	271 – 535	Avg. ₹34.1 LPA	6	Compact campus, Robotics & AI clubs	Traditional tech exposure, Hands-on project culture
Guwahati	504–699	Avg. ₹39.9 LPA	7	Remote beauty, Rising NE Tech hub	Emerging — student-led tech/startup gathers

Final Thoughts

IIT Bombay, Delhi, and Madras remain the elite choices for CSE offering immediate industry access, cutting-edge research ecosystems, and powerful alumni networks. IIT Kanpur and Kharagpur serve as strong middle-ground options with slightly less cut-off pressure but excellent academic rigor. Roorkee holds its traditional, disciplined edge, while Guwahati emerges as the surprise performer—boasting robust placements and a serene, innovation-friendly environment.

Choosing the best IIT for CSE in 2025? Here’s your shortlist:

• Bombay, Delhi, Madras: Brand value, recruiters, diverse pathways these are your rockets.
• Kanpur: A realist’s dream: strong placements, calm academic focus, and great returns.
• Kharagpur & Roorkee: Dependable choices with solid labs, disciplined learning, and research depth.
• Guwahati: The sleeper hit; top-class placements, growing prestige, and future-forward campus life.