Life in an IIT | Civil Services aspirant says why he chose MA Development Studies at IIT Guwahati

After checking several courses and institutions, I came to the conclusion that IIT Guwahati would be a perfect fit for me. I also did not want to leave Assam. I chose MA in Development Studies at IIT Guwahati as the curriculum is as such that it is multidisciplinary in nature. The course is designed in such a way that we get to study economics, sociology, political science, statistics, philosophy and other things. This really excited me because I really like to have a multidisciplinary approach towards my studies which would also help me in my Civil Services preparation. It aligned with my interest letting me choose the programme I am pursuing right now.

Originally, I am from Guwahati but I have done my Class 10 and Class 12 from Assam’s Jorhat. I appeared in Class 10 in 2017 and Class 12 science in 2019. In Class 10, my CGPA was 9.4 and in Class 12, the overall pass percentage was 72 per cent. Both were CBSE syllabus.

After completing my Class 12, I came to Guwahati and joined Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, to pursue BA Honors in Applied Psychology. I secured 8.83 CGPA and passed in first class with distinction. I completed my BA Honours in 2022.

IIT Guwahati selection process

The test to shortlist candidates to the programme is conducted by IIT Guwahati and is held at the institute only. The test generally is conducted in May. Students with an undergraduate degree from a recognised university can register for the MA programme at IIT Guwahati.

The topics in the exam were also based on all the topics that I studied during my competitive exam preparation – history, polity, economics, geography, sociology and current affairs. The question paper comprised multiple choice questions (MCQs) and a descriptive paper. The total marks in MCQs were 20 and the descriptive paper was held for 30 marks.

The department has two masters programmes – one is MA in development studies and the other is MA in liberal arts. The department also offers PhD programmes in all fields of humanities.

I joined the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences to pursue masters in development studies in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati in 2023. I am in the second semester right now.

Food, friends and hostel life

This has been my first time staying away from home. After Class 12, I have been living with my grandmother in Guwahati. Adjusting to a life unattended by my family members bothered my parents more than me.

The mess food was something I did not like in the beginning. It took me a semester to get accustomed to the food.

To speak about my friends, I have gained very good friends here. While three of them are from Assam, others are from Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and other states. We gel really well together despite the cultural differences.

Clubs and societies

Unlike, BTech, where students are required to mandatorily enroll in clubs and societies, we have the option to join any as per our likes and commitments.

In the first semester, I did not join any clubs or society. I was exploring the things at IIT Guwahati and wanted to see what would fit me best. In my second semester now, I have joined the debate club. I even participated in the inter-hostel debate which we had in the institute. I was part of the team which bagged the second place among the 13 hostels that we have.

Contesting elections

We have our student body elections in the institute, called the senate. In that election as well, I contested and I won a seat as a postgraduate senator.

Daily routine at IIT

It does become hectic sometimes to manage studies and everything together but that is what I think life in an IIT teaches us. In my two-semester period at the institute, I have learned to prioritise things, manage everything together without sacrificing anything and do justice to whatever I am doing.

On a normal day, I wake up around 8 am and get ready for the classes after having my breakfast. Our classes start at 9 am and continue till 1 pm. After classes get over, I head to my hostel for rest, have lunch, go out with friends, check things happening with the counsel also.

There are many food courts, and canteens in the campus and there is a market outside the campus with many cafes. I, along with my friends, usually hang out there.

‘I was never a person who could talk to new people easily’

IIT Guwahati has brought several changes in me. I was never a person who could talk to new people easily but now I can communicate with people in a better way. After winning the election, I became more vocal and can now better express myself.

I came out from a closed shell and IIT Guwahati gave me a vast canvas to improve my skills and better myself.