Departments:
IIT BHU has a bunch of different departments you can choose from, such as Ceramic, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Mining, Pharmaceutical Engineering, and others.

Identity Card:
Once you start, you'll get a temporary ID card in a few days, and you can apply for a permanent one online.

Classrooms:
The classrooms here are spacious and come with projectors, screens, and speakers. They're perfect for learning and can seat about 150 to 200 students.

Hostels:
There are plenty of hostels with lots of food options. You can pick any mess you like and switch at the end of the month if you want. Some of the hostels include Aryabhatta I & II, S.N. Bose, Dr. C.V. Raman, Dhanrajgiri, Dr. S. Ramanujan, GSMC, New Girls Hostel, and many more.

Gymkhana:
IIT BHU focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, not just engineers. The Gymkhana organizes three main festivals: Technex (Tech & Management), Kashiyatra (Cultural), and Spardha (Sports).

Wi-Fi:
The whole campus has fast Wi-Fi, which is super handy.

Library:
The library is made up of the Shreenivas Deshpande Library and five departmental ones. They are open from 8 AM to 1 AM, except on public holidays. After you sign up, you get access to several cool resources like LSDiscovery for smart searches, PressReader for newspapers and magazines, Ouriginal for plagiarism detection, SciFinder for research, Turnitin for checking assignments, Grammarly Premium for writing help, and IEEE Xplore.

SAC (Student Activity Centre):
This place has loads of facilities like badminton and squash courts, a gym, taekwondo and boxing rings, chess, carrom, and yoga spaces.

Fests & Councils:
Each department hosts its own festival, like Codefest for Computer Engineering and Aayam for Electronics. There are also councils for cultural, media, sports, and social activities.

Supercomputing Centre:
This facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019 as part of the National Supercomputing Mission.

No, IIT BHU in Varanasi is definitely not the most bogus IIT.

Some might label IIT BHU as such, mostly because the infrastructure is quite old. It's important to remember that becoming a new IIT takes time, and while it wasn't always an IIT, its standards have always been comparable to others.

Let's dive into what IIT BHU is really about.

Academics:
IIT BHU boasts 13 departments and three interdisciplinary schools. The departments like Metallurgical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Chemical Engineering are recognized as Centers of Advanced Studies by the UGC of India. So, when it comes to educational quality, IIT BHU actually surpasses most of the newer IITs.

Facilities:
IIT BHU offers all the facilities you'd find in any other IIT, plus some unique perks. Students can have their own bikes or scooters on campus, unlike at other IITs. Also, students can take additional courses in finance or learn a foreign language at BHU. Plus, there's the beautiful and well-known Vishwanath temple on campus.

Student Life:
The campus life at IIT BHU is lively, safe, and secure. It's known for being one of the most green, beautiful, and peaceful campuses. The college hosts three major national festivals.

• Technex: This is the annual technical fest dating back to 1939, drawing students from across the country to engage with experts from both academia and industry.
• Kashiyatra: Known as KY, this is the annual social and cultural fest, a three-day event that mixes music, literature, and arts. It has become one of the biggest events in North India with over 25,000 students attending.
• Spardha: This is the annual sports meet with around 3,500 participants from nearly 80 colleges.

Other Activities:
There are various intra-IIT events, and nearly every department hosts its own fest to encourage practical learning and bring together students from different colleges. Some of these events even attract international participation.

Placements:
Global companies are increasingly interested in Indian talent, leading them to IIT BHU. Despite its old infrastructure, the institution has maintained its reputation, attracting top-notch students. This has led to many international placement opportunities, with students landing high-paying jobs just like those from any other top IIT. For example, an IIT BHU student secured a Rs 2.03 crore offer from Oracle.

In conclusion, IIT BHU is definitely among the top IITs in India.

Note: This is just my perspective as a student here.

Infrastructure: 3.5 out of 5

The academic buildings are pretty basic. A lot of the lecture rooms are old-style, using chalk and blackboards, which isn't necessarily bad. Even though some rooms have projectors, they're not often used by professors. The sound quality in these rooms isn't great, so if you're sitting in the back, it can be tough to follow along. Without air conditioning, attending classes during the hot summer months can be really uncomfortable.

The hostels are roomy and surrounded by beautiful green spaces. You might even see peacocks in the gardens of some hostels in the early morning. This connection to nature is something you won't find at many other campuses. While the rooms are on the smaller side, they're still livable. Unfortunately, the bathrooms tend to be dirty, except in a few hostels. The lack of western-style toilets is a problem for students from big cities and can be a real challenge for those with physical disabilities. The common rooms are large and come with a single TV and a couple of table tennis tables, though I'm not sure why they're set up that way.

One major issue is the poor LAN setup in the hostels. At the start of the year, it's a hassle to run LAN cables from the warden's office to your room, and there's always a fuss about who gets to use the limited LAN ports. Then, the internet speed is painfully slow, sometimes just 1 kbps, and any attempts to fix it usually don't work out.

Faculty & Research: 2 out of 5

The faculty, with a few exceptions, are generally mediocre or worse. Compared to other IITs, many professors seem less capable, which leads to poor teaching. A lot of professors seem arrogant and don’t focus on providing quality education, instead often treating students like they're irresponsible or foolish.

The grading system is confusing, with rumors that marks are given randomly or based on handwriting and length rather than content. There's a lot of inconsistency in grades, which frustrates students.

The research output is low, with many faculty more involved in administrative duties than research. The existing research isn't well-recognized internationally, and there aren't many exciting research projects or top-notch facilities. So, if you're looking for a strong research environment, this might not be the best choice.

Facilities: 3.5 out of 5

Here's a breakdown:

a. Library:
Finding the right book can be a challenge because the library is quite disorganized. Books often end up in the wrong sections, like math books in the physics area. Popular course books are limited and often gone quickly, just a week into the semester. There are two sections: one for general students, who can borrow three books, and another for SC/ST students, who can borrow four. This system is a bit puzzling to me.

b. Internet:
Some people say the BHU has one of the best LAN setups in India, but students would disagree. The Computer Center provides the LAN, and the internet goes through proxies. Some proxies block social media and certain content based on keywords. Because these proxies are used in hostels, students often use software to bypass restrictions, leading to a slow network and frequent error pages. The LAN in academic buildings is much better and more reliable.

c. Office Hours:
Unlike other places that offer 24/7 lab access, here you'll find...

I've been at IIT BHU for six years, so I think I have a pretty solid grasp on what life is like here.

• First off, it's not your typical college campus, so don't expect it to look like something out of a movie.
• You can tell which faculty someone belongs to just by watching how they act. It might sound strange, but it's true. See for yourself when you're here.
• The proctors and guards are really nice. In all my time here, I haven't run into a single rude one.
• There are some cool spots like the Temple, Limbdi corner, and Srivastava’s canteen that can really brighten your day.
• At the end of the day, you'll probably find comfort in your laptop and social media. Having friends on campus is great, but be careful about who you choose to hang out with.
• Winters are just amazing. The foggy roads and playing cricket in the afternoon are unbeatable.
• The education system could use some updates. It's one of the top universities in India, but there's room for improvement.
• After spending a few years here, you'll realize the Kulgeet is something truly special.
• Students can use campus buses for free, but they're not always on time these days. Auto rides cost 10 rs., and rickshaws ask for 20 rs. Just a heads-up so you don't get overcharged on your first visit.
• Ever heard of chhola samosa? You will soon enough.

Overall, there are some areas where things could be better. It's a bit sad to see tea stalls always packed while libraries stay empty, but that's just how people are. Despite what some biased media might say about safety issues for girls, trust me, it's totally safe here.

These are just my personal experiences and aren't influenced by any group trying to smear this amazing university. You'll truly love it here, and once you leave, you'll really miss it.

To sum it up, how's life at BHU? It's where life truly thrives! Live long and prosper.

Edit: Rickshaw drivers are charging more than 20 rs. now. (Thanks to the comments for pointing this out)

Edit 2 (Three years later): BHU was founded by a truly great person with selfless intentions. Thanks to his vision, students here often go on to live decent lives. I've seen students from very poor backgrounds achieve amazing things and lift their families out of poverty. So if you're studying here and feeling overwhelmed with exams and practicals, hang in there. It gets better, and one day you'll be grateful to the university's founder for this opportunity.

Jai Hind, Jai Malviya.

I'm in my second year at IIT BHU, so I think I can give you a good idea of what it's like here. Getting into a top engineering college is a dream for many, and being in an IIT is just amazing. I've been here for about a year, and it's been like a dream. If you're eager to learn, IIT offers tons of opportunities in various fields that you might miss during JEE prep. From academics to extracurriculars, there's so much to explore, and I'm excited to chase my dreams and achieve something awesome in the future.

Hostel Life
In our first year, three of us shared a room, and in the following years, it's two per room. Old hostels have big, open spaces with green gardens, while new ones have larger rooms. Each hostel has its own mess and at least one canteen, with regular maintenance and daily cleaning of washrooms. Living in the hostel makes you appreciate family, especially your mom, as you handle daily tasks like cooking, doing laundry, and keeping your room tidy. It's my first time living away from home, and while it was an adjustment, I've gotten used to it. I've picked up some local slang like GPL, GAMCHA, and LC (Limbdi Corner). These 12 months have been incredible, filled with things I couldn't do while prepping for JEE. Late-night badminton with friends is a highlight, though mess food isn't great. You learn to compromise when you realize you'll be here for 5 years. Chatting with friends, watching movies, and playing PUBG are common pastimes, and you often find students hanging out in the hostel corridors even at 2 am.

Academics
Before IIT, my study schedule was pretty set, but here, once you leave for morning lectures, you're out until dinner. We think 1–2 hours of study is enough. Seniors often say "Sab Lite Hai" (everything is chill). You don't have to study daily; just start a couple of weeks before exams and finish assignments on time to do well. Professors are generally very knowledgeable, but some can be a bit dull, leading many students to use their phones or nap during lectures. Procrastinating assignments is common, with the phrase "Kl kar lenge yaar" (I'll do it tomorrow) being said often, but rarely followed through. There's usually one student in each branch who finishes assignments and notes on time, which we then photocopy for exams.

Campus Life
Overall, campus life has exceeded my expectations. The main campus spans 1300 acres, which is huge. There are 5 councils, each with 5-6 clubs, showing that life here goes beyond just Physics, Chemistry, and Math. There are loads of opportunities to explore new interests. We have three main fests—Technex, KashiYatra, and Spardha—with exciting pro nights featuring big celebrities, creating unforgettable memories. Our college recently marked 100 years, an inspiring milestone for our alumni who have greatly contributed to our institution. Success here requires hard work and dedication. Recently, IIT BHU achieved something amazing with the inauguration of the 'Param Shivay' Supercomputer by the Prime Minister. A commemorative postal stamp was also unveiled for our centennial celebration. Thanks for reading, cheers!