Survey On Branch Change

The freshie feature panel surveyed their peers to gauge the sentiments about the removal of branch change for their batch and present the findings along with their personal experiences in the following article.

The Ripple Effect: IIT Bombay’s Decision to Discontinue Branch Change Examined Through First-Year Students’ Perspectives

Introduction

In this article, we delve into the perspectives of freshmen regarding the recent cessation of branch change policies. We aim to uncover the motivations behind students’ choices of specific branches and whether their expectations were met. Additionally, we explore the factors contributing to the pressure to achieve a CPI. Through this exploration, we seek to provide insights into the challenges and decision-making processes that freshmen encounter at IIT Bombay.

Note: This survey was not floated to all freshers from the latest batch but only among a small subsection, purely for the purposes of this Freshie Feature article. The survey was conducted in February 2024. Any inferences drawn from the survey are not representative of the views of all the aforementioned freshers.

Survey Insights

Our survey discovered a substantial split upon the discontinuation of the branch change policy, with an unexpected 59 percent indicating genuine interest in changing their branches. This divergence highlights varying perspectives among the freshman cohort regarding the value of the option to switch branches.

Our survey indicates that even without the branch change policy, there are other factors that motivate the freshers to aim for a high CPI. Among the 188 responses, factors such as placement opportunities, engagement in electives and minors, aspirations for higher studies, and peer pressure emerged as significant motivators. These results highlight how both external pressures and personal aspirations play a role in students’ academic performance, showing that achievement here is about more than just learning for its own sake.

Furthermore, when asked about their motivations for choosing IIT Bombay, students provided a range of responses. While 114 respondents cited the institute’s placement statistics as a primary motivator, another 58 indicated a desire for better opportunities within IIT Bombay to secure admission to universities for higher studies. A significant fraction of the students were also drawn by personal preferences such as interest in the chosen branch or proximity to their hometown.

The decision to discontinue branch change at IIT Bombay has elicited mixed reactions among first-year students, indicating the complexity of academic decision-making and the diverse motivations driving students’ aspirations. Understanding these motivations is crucial for effectively addressing academic stress and promoting holistic student development within the institute.

Responses in the survey from students about how they feel about their choice of branch

Some students expressed contentment with the institute’s decision. According to one respondent, “I think this is a good decision from the institute’s perspective because it will reduce the race for CPI which prevailed amongst the freshers in order to get an opportunity for branch change. Due to this, freshers can explore a lot of things other than academics.” Another student shared, “Feeling okay because it could have created even more pressure in the first year, and only a few people get benefits from it.”

Several students provided a fresh perspective on the discontinuation of branch change, viewing it as a positive shift. The ASMC believed this change would allow students to delve deeper into their chosen subjects, moving beyond rote learning for grades.  And if they want to explore other academic opportunities, they can do minors and IDDDP. It would also encourage students to invest more time in exploring various domains beyond academics, such as sports, attending college functions, and learning new skills. 

The idea that the removal of branch change prevents candidates from choosing IITB with the intention of later opting for a different branch received support. “It’s actually a good decision, it prevents candidates from feeling pressurized and also prevents them from choosing a branch that they don’t like, in the hopes of changing it in the future,” remarked another student.

Apart from the positive opinions, there were also others who expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. One student pointed out, “I think branch change should be there because after your DIC (Department Introductory Course) and exploring other options, you may like some other thing, but unfortunately you are stuck in your branch, which you didn’t know much about during JoSAA counselling.”

Another perspective that we came across was the unfairness of basing branch allocation solely on JEE ranks. Multiple responses argued that all students don’t have equal access to resources. This disparity in preparation leads to the rank differences seen in the entrance exam. However, once they arrive at college, everyone starts from a similar baseline. The argument suggests that the opportunity to change branches based on first-year performance could help level the playing field to some extent and allow students to pursue their true academic interests.

Many students raised questions about the rationale behind the policy removal. Last year, the Academic Stress Mitigation Committee (ASMC), was tasked with providing recommendations to the Senate on ways to alleviate stress among first-year students. One of the co- convenosr of the committee, Prof. Kishore Chatterjee, shared with Insight last year, stating, “Students face pressure from their families and peers to secure a desirable branch. Even after admission, this indirect pressure persists, with students still harbouring hopes of switching to a ‘better’ branch.” This observation, among others, prompted the committee to propose the idea to the Senate, which ultimately approved it. Thus, this reasoning formed the basis for the decision.

Click here to read Insight’s full article on IIT Bombay’s decision to remove the branch change policy, published in October 2023. Please note that this article is not a follow up to the detailed article published in October. It is only a small journalistic exercise for leisurely reading.

Conclusion

The decision to discontinue branch change at IIT Bombay has undeniably stirred a range of emotions and opinions among the first-year students. While some appreciate the reduction in academic pressure and the emphasis on exploration, others criticise the move for limiting potential opportunities. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how this policy change will shape the academic journeys and experiences of future IIT Bombay students. 

This article was written as part of Insight’s Freshie Feature program.