Life at IIT — Hostel Packing, Monthly Budget & Education Loan Guide
You got in. Now prepare for what comes next — with IIT-specific information, not generic college advice.
Hostel Packing
IIT Hostel Packing List — What to Actually Bring (IIT-Specific)
300K+ searches/month
Quick Answer
Most IITs provide: bed frame, mattress, study table, chair, ceiling fan, WiFi. You bring: bedsheets (2 sets), pillow, towels, toiletries, power strip, laptop lock, and all original documents (10th/12th certificates, Aadhaar, Allotment letter, 10 passport photos).
Climate: the most important variable
IIT Madras (Chennai): extreme heat year-round — pack light cotton. IIT Roorkee: cold winters — pack woolens. IIT Kharagpur: hot and humid + cold winters — pack for both. IIT Bombay: year-round humidity, mild temperature.
Documents: the highest-stakes category
Forgetting even one document can delay your admission. Non-negotiables: Allotment letter, JEE Advanced scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates (originals + 5 copies each), Aadhaar, PAN, 10 passport photos, category certificate if applicable.
What students wish they had brought more of
Good quality power strip with surge protection (rooms have 1–2 sockets)
Cable lock for the laptop (theft in hostels is not uncommon)
Prescription medicines for 3 months
A physical door lock (some hostels have low-quality built-in locks)
The tuition fee is low. The monthly living cost is moderate. But the first year has significant one-time costs (deposits, bedding, electronics) that many families don't plan for. First semester often requires ₹20,000–30,000 in one-time purchases.
The city multiplier
IITs in metro cities cost more outside-hostel. Food, travel, and outings cost 40–60% more in Mumbai/Chennai than in Kanpur or Guwahati. The hostel fee is the same; the discretionary spending is not.
The semester registration trap
Semester fees (tuition + hostel + mess advance) are collected upfront — often ₹1–1.5 lakh at once. Families that plan monthly get a shock at registration time. Save monthly from June onwards.
IIT Education Loan Guide — Which Bank, How Much, What EMI
150K+ searches/month
Quick Answer
SBI Scholar Loan covers IIT students up to ₹40L at ~8.15% p.a. with no collateral required. Moratorium period: full course + 12 months. For ₹10L at 8.15% over 7 years post-moratorium: EMI ≈ ₹15,600/month.
Why IIT students get preferential loan terms
IITs have near-100% placement rates at high salaries. Banks view IIT admissions as near-zero credit risk — hence no collateral required. SBI, HDFC Credila, Axis Bank, and PNB all have IIT-specific schemes.
The moratorium period explained
You don't repay during your degree + 12 months after graduation. Interest accrues during this time. For a ₹10L loan, by repayment start (4–5 years later), outstanding balance may be ₹14–15L. Calculate this upfront.
Documents needed for education loan
JEE Advanced admit card and scorecard
IIT allotment letter (provisional admission)
Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
Family income proof (ITR, salary slips)
Aadhaar and PAN of student + co-applicant (parent)
Should I take a loan or use savings?
Taking a loan at 8% while your first job salary is ₹8–12 LPA is not a burden. EMI is typically 15–20% of starting salary. Most IIT students clear their loan within 3–4 years. The cost of NOT going to IIT for lack of funds is far higher than the loan interest.