When you join IIT Madras as a fresher, you might expect just to be signing up for classes, grades, and late-night assignments. But you will find much more on this campus. Tucked inside a forest with deer, blackbucks, and monkeys, this place can turn you into the kind of person you would want to become. It’s not just the academics that leave a mark; it’s the people, the festivals, the friendships, and all the small things in between.
Samitis and Sabhas — A Slice of Home
“I still remember walking into the Onam celebration by the Kerala Kala Samiti in my first semester, and suddenly I felt at home”, recollected one of the students. That’s what samitis do.
Every cultural group — be it Telugu, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, North Eastern, or Hindi — has its own samiti or sabha. They throw open their arms for anyone who wants to join in. Whether it’s dancing during Navratri, jamming Tamil songs on a random evening, or dressing up for Diwali, you’ll always find a reason to celebrate and feel like you belong.
The active sabhas and samitis include:
- Telugu Samskruthika Samiti
- SADINER (Student Association for the Development of India’s North Eastern Regions)
- Kannada Sangha
- Marathi Mitra Mandal
- Utkal Association
- Diganto (Bengali Society)
- Hindi Mitra Mandal
- Kerala Kala Samiti
- Hamar Vihar (Bihar and Jharkhand)
- Africa Students Association
- Karka Kasadara Tamil Club
- HaryanWe
- Mayad Community
- Garvi Gujarati Sanghathan
- Christian Fellowship
- Mu’min Students Association
Each group, or Samiti, offers a slice of home, organising festivals, cultural nights, and food fests. They can become one’s sanctuary, where one can speak their mother tongue, share stories, and celebrate traditions.
Independent Student Bodies — Finding People Who Think Like You
While samitis are about cultural belonging, Independent Student Bodies (ISBs) are more about shared ideas and passions. These are student-led communities where you can explore everything from meditation to activism to plant-based living.
- Vivekananda Study Circle: Engages in philosophical discussions.
- ChintaBAR: A space where socio-political debates were encouraged.
- Vannam: An inclusive group advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Plant-Based Society: Advocates for plant-based lifestyles.
- Yogananda Meditation Circle: Promotes meditation practices.
- Jignyasa: Encourages scientific curiosity and exploration.
- The Art of Living Youth Club: Focuses on meditation and stress relief.
- Samskruta Samiti: Promotes Sanskrit language and culture.
- The Yoga Club: Encourages yoga practices for well-being.
- Silent Book Club: A peaceful space where book lovers gather and read quietly.
The Office of the Dean of Students (DoST) recognises these ISBs. These groups aren’t just places to join; they’re places to belong, places to be heard, challenged, and supported.
Fests, Fun, and Finding Yourself
Then there’s Saarang and Shaastra; the crown jewels of IITM life. Saarang is where the entire campus turns into a cultural carnival, and Shaastra is where your inner tech nerd gets to go wild. And let’s not forget E-Summit, the hub of all things startup and innovation, where budding entrepreneurs pitch ideas, attend workshops, and interact with founders and investors. What’s amazing is that everything is student-run. The friends you’ve made in your hostel are suddenly managing events, handling finances, running lights and sound — and you’re right there with them, learning things you’ll never find in textbooks.
In these fests, we found confidence we never knew we had — hosting events, performing on stage, or simply dancing with strangers who soon became friends.
Students Run the Show — Literally
What’s cool about IITM is that students don’t just participate; they lead. From hostel affairs to institute policies, there’s a structured governance system:
- Student Legislative Council (SLC) – elected reps from every hostel and department
- Executive Council – takes care of the cultural, academic, and sports spheres
- SECC & SEC – manage the Constitution and elections
But most samitis and ISBs operate independently, letting you freely express your culture and values.
Inclusivity Isn’t Just a Word Here
One of the things that makes IITM special is how seriously it takes student well-being. There are no tolerance policies for ragging, and initiatives like Mitr and Saathi offer peer and professional mental health support. Groups like Vannam ensure the LGBTQ+ community feels safe and celebrated. And with students from every part of the country and beyond, it becomes a place where difference is not just accepted, but appreciated.
If you’re coming to IIT Madras expecting just academics, you’re in for a surprise. The campus will teach you how to think, and also how to feel, how to belong, how to lead, and how to listen. You’ll cry during farewell nights, cheer for people you barely know during hostel matches, and cook Maggi at 3 AM while discussing life, love, and lab reports.
It’s not just a campus; it’s a community. One where you’ll find your voice, your people, and parts of yourself you didn’t even know existed.