How good is KNIT Sultanpur?

I am in the B.Tech Electrical Engineering course at KNIT Sultanpur, and I find the curriculum to be pretty standard, but it lacks the practical exposure needed to prepare us for real-world applications. The faculty is a mix; some are very helpful, while others seem less engaged.

The placement scenario is a bit disappointing for core branches, with an average package of around 4-5 LPA. Most of us end up preparing for GATE or similar exams instead of relying solely on campus placements.

KNIT Sultanpur is an autonomous government college affiliated with Abdul Kalam Technical University. It used to be well-regarded, but its standards have noticeably declined over the years. Here's a look at some aspects:

Infrastructure: The infrastructure at KNIT isn't great. The classrooms and their equipment, like desks and electrical appliances, are outdated. Some desks are so old that they have bee hives or are damaged by termites. Air conditioners are rarely found, and when they are, the wiring is poorly managed, especially in the mechanical department. The civil department has it even worse. Writing applications about these issues doesn't seem to lead to any improvements. The classrooms and old hostels are overcrowded, though the new hostels are better equipped and ventilated. However, older hostels are rarely repainted, and then only on the outside.

Drinking Water and Sanitation: Once you join the college, you'll find that cold drinking water is a rarity. Hostels often face water shortages, with the situation being particularly bad in the girls' hostel, where water is only available on the ground floor. Sanitation is lacking, with frequent issues like clogged toilets, especially in Ramanujam Hostel. Although the sewer system was recently fixed, there's no effort to control mosquitoes or pests. The hostel and academic area is often muddy, creating unpleasant smells.

Food: The food quality at KNIT is poor, with hygiene being a common complaint. Mess workers have been seen wiping sweat and then handling food without washing their hands. Utensils often have a white residue, and meals barely meet the basic nutritional needs. The mess secretary, supposedly a student representative, has no real power to address these issues. Complaints are usually ignored, and students are sometimes pressured to give up their mess subscriptions. The mess contract isn’t awarded through a proper tender process, and there are no good canteens or cafeterias.

Faculty and Education: The faculty is crucial to any institution, but at KNIT, the teaching quality is very low. Some students in evening classes teach better than senior staff. Faculty members often rush through the syllabus without covering important topics. Classes start late and sometimes run over. If you've experienced good coaching elsewhere, the difference is stark. Some faculty members don't even bother showing up regularly and grade exams carelessly. Assignments are often copied, yet still accepted. A few faculty members have inappropriate behavior, particularly in the Electronics Department. This has been an ongoing issue for years.

Funds: The college gets funds from TEQUIP and the government, but only a small portion seems to be used effectively. There's a lack of transparency in how funds are distributed. It's a bigger issue than it seems, with a lot of behind-the-scenes problems.

Placements: Placements at KNIT are poor. Besides TCS, very few companies visit the campus. The training and placement office doesn't seem to work efficiently, often creating obstacles for students. Eligibility criteria and tests can change suddenly, with no explanations given.

Students: Students are key to a college, yet many at KNIT seem to have accepted the status quo. While some criticize the administration, few take action to make changes. There's little atmosphere for learning because many students aren't motivated. Nevertheless, a few students do succeed, performing well in exams like GATE and CAT, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Most graduates struggle to find good opportunities after finishing their studies.

I've been trying to answer this question ever since I started at KNIT Sultanpur. I'm in my third year now. The most popular answer on this topic comes from someone anonymous, but I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding in how they've described things.

To start with, almost all the hostels now have an RO plant, and some even have water coolers, so it's not true that there's no drinking water available on campus. Sure, back in my first year, we did have to search for water sometimes.

About the mess food, well, it's typical mess food. I've heard the same complaints from students at IIT Delhi and IIT-ISM Dhanbad — the taste isn't great. But aside from a few incidents, I've never faced hygiene issues in the KNIT mess.

The infrastructure does have its issues and needs attention, but at least in my department (CSE), things are manageable in the classroom and lab.

Placements here are a bit of a gamble and probably will stay that way by the time I graduate.

When I first joined, the initial days were tough, but I got used to it. It's pointless to worry about things you can't change or wish you could have changed. While I sometimes regret not getting into an IIT, I also see the strict rules and problems in some private colleges, and I feel like I'm in between. You might say I'm out of touch with reality, but being satisfied is better than constantly complaining about things I can't fix.

In case you're curious, the fees here are ?67850 plus mess charges.

In my experience as a B.Tech student in Electronics Engineering, the campus life here is quite vibrant, with various clubs and activities. The annual fest, Anubhuti, is a major highlight. However, the placement rates for my branch are not as high as for CSE or IT, averaging around 6 LPA. The fees are pretty manageable at about 73,850 per year, which is good for a government college. Overall, while there are improvements needed in certain areas, it’s a decent place to study if you're focused and willing to put in the effort.

I didn't do well in my JEE Mains 2022, scoring just 90 percentile, and I couldn't clear JEE Advanced because of low marks in math. My choices were to either take a year off or join a local government college through UPTU counseling. I wanted to take a year off, but my parents didn't agree, so I ended up enrolling at KNIT Sultanpur. I wasn't happy about it and wished I had spent my 11th and 12th grades studying harder, possibly landing a spot at an IIT or NIT, but here I am at KNIT Sultanpur.

Infrastructure: The infrastructure at KNIT Sultanpur is decent. For first-year students, you can choose between the Bhabha 3-seater hostel, which is spacious and recently built in 2023, and the Vikram Sarabhai hostel, which is a bit cramped and feels like a storage space. I've heard from friends in IITs that similar situations exist there, except for the top ones. For second-year students, it's Gargi and Ramanujan, and for third-year students, it's Kalam and Aryabhatt.

Facilities: There aren't many facilities. There's no gym except in the final year hostel, but you can find some exercise equipment in the sports ground and alumni park.

Water: Sometimes, there are issues with drinking water, but most hostels now have RO facilities. Just don't expect cold water in the summer, as the coolers work when they feel like it. You'll probably end up buying soft drinks from the nearby Amul canteen or the old coffee shop on campus.

Attendance Policy: This is where things get interesting. There's no strict attendance policy, so missing classes won't hurt your CGPA as long as you show up for midterms, finals, and class tests. Just make sure to get notes from a diligent friend and study a couple of days before exams. Despite skipping most classes, I managed to get a CGPA of 7.9, and it could have been higher if I'd been more like Chatur from 3 Idiots.

Perks: You can enjoy a 20% discount at the Sunday restaurant at the Amul outlet on campus. Other places like KDI and Sunday offer a 10% discount if you show your KNIT Sultanpur ID card.

Restrictions: There aren't many restrictions after the initial 10 to 15 days. You can come and go as you please, even late at night, by finding a way through the back or mess gate. Just be prepared to sleep in until noon the next day.

Mess Food: The food is decent during the induction period but becomes less appetizing afterward, so you'll probably eat out often, like in most college messes.

Life: The Gomti River is behind the college, and you can go there at night to enjoy the cool breeze. The path is from the Maharana Pratap gate. It's a nice spot to hang out.

Peers: You'll meet a variety of people here—some are into music, others excel in sports, and many are studious. In an engineering college, friends are essential for survival, and you'll make lifelong connections.

Cultural Fest: There hasn't been one so far, but maybe there will be in the future. Check with your seniors for updates.

Cons:

• Sultanpur is a small town, so after exploring for a couple of months, you'll find there's not much to do compared to a city like Lucknow.
• There are only a few restaurants, two malls, and some small shops, which isn't great for those who enjoy traveling but is suitable for those preparing for exams like JEE, CAT, UPSC, or GATE.
• You might spend a lot of time in your hostel room.
• Frequent power cuts are common from March to April until the end of the semester.

Distractions: There are plenty here, and the competitive spirit is low. Without strong willpower, you might find yourself wasting time on unproductive activities and not achieving good results in competitive exams.