Which course would be better becoming a complete scientist, IISER or IIT.

Ending up in IT with a good package is not really an option in IISERs. They are totally dedicated towards research and would serve you well if you focus in that particular area.



Considering your circumstance, I would recommend basic sciences at IITs, provided you get in.

The benefits are

1. The first year you will learn everything from Civil to Programming and can atleast get a feel of what each branch holds.

2. There is an option of branch change in most IITs and hence you can always change to the branch you like after first year. (P.S. You require a very high CG for a branch change)

3. Even if you like basic sciences, and cant take a call on whether job or research, you can continue in that stream and in the end can sit in job placements of companies that are open for all IT being one of those fields.

4. Lastly, you will brandish an IIT tag which is pretty well recognized and your future father in law is more like to have heard of IIT than IISER.



But if you are fairly certain to take up research, then go for IISER, because the faculty there is young, have excellent CVs, most of whom are either from Max Planck or EPFL or ETH or top 20 colleges in the US and can give recommendations that will propel you a long way. Moreover with a research driven curriculum you will be doing hands on projects from 2nd or 3rd year which will also give a boost to your CV.



Thus if you are confident about research go for IISER, if you are confused go for IIT. The others are just compromises in case you dont get into either one of these.

Have a good day.

Both are the best. However IISER gives you an edge on research than most IIT's. You can go for IISER.