Computer science engineers are involved in many aspects of computing, from the design of individual microprocessors, personal computers and supercomputers to circuit designing and writing software that powers them.

Information Technology deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to store, protect process, transmit and securely retrieve data.

This answer is relatively more suitable for Indian audience.

Let me first discuss the technical differences.

CS takes a more balanced approach between theory and application while IT focuses more on application

CS offers you an opportunity to learn variety of topics related to computers. IT offers you an opportunity to discovers innovative uses of those fundamental concepts.

CS generally require a decent background in math while use of math in IT is limited to data analysis / processing / statistics, etc

You may call IT as one of the sub-divisions of CS, however there are certain things that are unique to IT like integrated programming, system administrations, maintenance, etc.

While these differences exist on paper, in India the line of difference between IT and CS courses is very blurry.

Here are the similarities

Many might argue that the number of seats in CS branch should be increased rather than establishing a new branch. I agree with that argument to an extent. But I guess, cost management and operation is easier if there are two branches of 100 students each rather than 200 students in the same branch. Moreover, originally these two branches were supposed to be much more different than they currently are

I am not aware of any engineering college in India, that offers only IT and not CS. Whenever IT exist, CS also exist while the reverse is not true. Edit : IIITA has only IT

CS and IT have more common courses in Indian universities than those outside India. Both the branches are offered a lot of common electives also.

Several other aliases like Software Engineering and Information Systems have popped up.

In elite colleges like NITs, IIITs, DTU, etc. the number of opportunities available to IT and CS is exactly same. In my entire 4 years of engineering,

Students joining tend to believe that IT is inferior to CS. May be it was. But now youll only be limited by your hard work and your potential. Not your branch.