All over the net, discussion forums discussed about lack of transparency in IIT admission procedures and selection criteria. Others fumed that IITs are not the only way to go anymore, they are facing tough competition from engineers graduating from other colleges. Figures and statistics, they claimed, were a proof that IITs are losing their grip on the minds and hearts of the country’s youth.

There were others who stated that students are less and less interested in being IITians anymore, for all they have is an inflated ego. According to them, there is no substantial proof to prove their superiority over others. Well, there were lots of counter replies too, and if we are talking about a past and current track record of the achievements of IITs and IITians, Wiki offers some good consolidated information on successful IIT alumni.

Well, the trends again reversed in 2008. Around 3.2 lakh students appeared for IIT JEE, showing a steep rise in the number of applications since 2007. The student to seat ratio was calculated to 36:1 overall; 45:1 for IITs, IT-BHU, and ISM; and 56:1 for IITs only. According to Hindustan Times, 3.95 lakh applications have been received for the academic year 2009-2010, again highlighting a substantial increase in the number of IIT JEE applicants.

IIT JEE 2009 is scheduled to be held on April 12, 2009. With all the six new IITs are proposing an intake of 120 seats each, the total number of seats available in 13 IITs, IT-BHU, and ISM will be around 7,000. So, on an average, 56 students will be competing for the same seat. Thus, it is not likely that the popularity of IITs is on a decline.

Youngsters are more aware of the opportunities available today, and are more confident of their decisions. Internet provides them a good opportunity to search information on virtually anything and everything in the world and they are better equipped to follow your dreams. Traditional education is not the way to go anymore, as the youth of today are getting ready to carve a new path for themselves.

IITs have always encouraged free radical thinking and have offered a support system that allows students to give wings to their dreams. It is this trait of IIT educational system that has given a liberating feeling to many budding geniuses. IITians have made their mark in almost everything – be it technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, writing or politics.

It is this aura of IIT campus that makes IITians so fond of it. The bonds they forge in IITs are unforgettable. It is this unrestricted farming of intelligence and excellence that seduces so many youngsters to become IIT aspirants. The numbers may dwindle or increase; it is the determination and attitude that take true IIT aspirants to unprecedented heights.

There are a number of sites online that offer tips and tricks to crack IIT JEE. There are blog posts and discussion forums, where IIT aspirants can interact with those studying in or graduate from IITs. Askiitians.com offers you free interaction with IIT alumni, who can tell you about their first-hand experiences at one of the IIT campuses they graduated from. They can offer you insight of what makes IITs so special.

If you need IIT mentors willing to help you crack IIT JEE 2009 or IIT JEE 2010, askiitians.com offer these services for free. Created to motivate and help IIT aspirants, the website also offers free test series and study material to download along with affordable online coaching for IIT JEE.