Do you think that IISERs will become IIT-equivalent institutes for science in India?

Disclaimer: I know very little about IISERs, so much of this might simply be optimistic thinking on my part! For the love of higher education in this country, I actually hope that the IISERs eventually become much more to basic science education in India, than IITs are to engineering. Someone mentioned that the basic sciences are not considered attractive as a career option in our country, and therefore the best minds will not be attracted to theIISERs. I contend that this is not true. It might actually work to the advantage of IISERs, since they will probably end up getting the quiet, motivated students who are really committed to basic sciences, in spite of everyone and their uncle telling them to do engineering or medicine. Indeed, having been a student at IIT not very long ago, and currently teaching in one, I feel that many of the problems that face the iit UG student population have to do with this simple fact: many students don't know what they are signing up for; many (not ALL) are in IIT doing engineering simply because they were made to take an exam, and they had a good outing on that one day. This is one problem that the IISERs would not have, since most students are there because they want to do science, and *they know it*. Another reason for my optimism is the following. Nobody can deny that there is a terrible vacuum in our country when it comes to quality undergraduate science education. Indeed, it appears that with the exception of West Bengal, the quality rot is nearly complete. In spite of this, there are plenty of kids who want to do basic science. So far these people had very few "quality options"; many simply learn by themselves, and hope that they would end up in IISc or an IIT for their MSc. There are also good students who get into IIT, and realise that their true love lies in Physics or Math. Imagine what the IISERs can do with all this talent pool! If IISERs get their act together in the long run, I believe they can be assured of a steady supply of bright, motivated students who are committed to doing science. Sure, they may still not generate the razzmatazz and social aura associated with the IITs, but they sure can produce good science! I'll take that.

Many points to discuss, as I'm an IISERian, and also due to the fact that this is one of the profound questions hovering ever since IISERs came into being.. 1) IISERs are not IITs, and neither are we trying to be so... 2) Though many people say we are being over-ambitious ( i have had experiences ) , we hold on to our belief that we will create a new benchmark for scientific research here... 3) As the entire system is in its infancy, very few people venture into it, because something like research demands legacy and lots of history and all those what the mob say, but lemme say, with these few who have come & joined these 5 centres, and with all the hurdles in front of us, we have already achieved real heights... ( True, legacy is some REAL thing, but all legends were infants sometime..) 4) As it can prove to be a safe haven for all research-oriented minds, sametime one should also take into account the amount of stress & work behind creating a haven, and residing in it with peace; so heartiest welcome to all those minds ! 5) since i have started to go a bit off the topic, lemme conclude by saying that the motives with which IISERs have been established, shall well be accomplished , but it will take time, no doubts on that... Whatever happens, lets all hope IISERs would serve their purpose, and better, if we stop this creepy idea of comparing IISERs to IIT, IITs to MIT and what not... Each institute is unique , as is each person, and let us hope & work to see 5 IISERs, rather than 5 "IIT-equivalents in science" ..

UK, USA, Singapore, Germany, Sweden, Israel…all these have one thing in common, they all have great universities and don't waste time to discriminate between basic science ends and where technology begins. So, why are we bothering? As a present student at IISER Kolkata reforms that I think should be done are : 1. Check on student intake, to see quality students get through. 2. Allow and encourage students to go out and make a mark. IISER need it desperately to promote themselves. 3. Basic research is shit, if that can't be utilized. So, encourage industries to come to campus, and support research, take students, consultancy.. 4. Don't be over obsessed with science and research. A 18 year year old kid knows nothing, when he opted to join IISER, so in case he/she feels out of the board, let him allow to take up other careers. Imagine….500 IISER grads each year, each of them doing science, no diversity, no variety, soon going to perish! Even IISER can't offer all of them a PhD position, and on top of that, how do you expect young people to come for science, in  a country when a 23-28 year old young man/woman is paid only 20 K INR and a prof of same project given a Lac rupees. No other country in this world has this much level disparity! Let's keep fingers crossed and hope for the best for IISERs! P.S: Indian School of Business (ISB), established in 2001, and now within 12 years, is amongst top 15 B Schools of the world, So, a ray of hope is still there :)

A2A. I don't know much about them as of now. If they are really good as they are supposed to be, they might achieve that status. It will eventually depend on the kind of students who choose to join them. We anyway need good research institutes as IITs presently fail to cater to that requirement. IITs mostly make corporates, not researchers except for a few exceptions.

With the current rate of development, the IISERs have the capability to have status of IIT equivalent in science. The IISERs are growing institutes and problems do arise due to lack of infrastructure. However, such drawbacks are acceptable for a budding institute. The IITs are more than 50 years old and so it is unfair to make a comparison on grounds of infrastructure. I agree with Mrinal that science is not a lucrative career in India. In spite of this fact, most students who are driven by their passion and want to pursue a career in science join IISERs. This brings only a pool of dedicated students in these institutes. Will the IISERs become like IITs? This depends entirely on the impression of research activities in these institutes and the reputation that IISER alumni build in the scientific community. I am positive about the government of India's step of setting up institutes dedicated for research in the field of pure sciences. Once these institutions are well established in a few decades to come, they will surely serve their purpose.

Now a days ..it is not  a matter of thinking but truely iiser are more efficent than any iits in basic science . I dont want any debate.....Government of india try hard for increasing the research quality and thus they are invest lot of money...than any iits , in IISER has more research facilities.but for a short of time what IISER have done its truely great.....And the future of IISERs in terms of their contributionto scientific research in India looks promising.....this is the latest overview of this.....http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/110/03/0307.pdf