ECD/LED Experiences
Nihaal Appana (LED ‘25) - ECD Preparation
- Analog Electronics: Prof. Shanti Pavan’s NPTEL lectures (“goated playlist”).
- Signals and Systems: Oppenheim book - “the theory there is amazing and there are some wonderful concept-strengthening questions.” Can also use for DSP.
- Circuits: Sadiku book - “really nice sets of questions; almost all of my networks, first-order, second-order preparation is by solving this book’s questions only.”
- Digital Logic: NPTEL lectures (any good playlist). Mostly listened to college classes.
- Solid State Devices / Device Physics: Prof. Ali Hajimiri (Caltech) lecture series on YouTube.
- Solved GATE EC questions playlist (highly recommended by Nihaal)
- Math and Logical Reasoning: Just college classes and assignments.
- Interview: Panel went straight to Maths (calculus) after a brief intro; did not ask about projects at all despite Nihaal mentioning them. “I literally told them they could ask from anything. After that they started asking whatever they wanted.” Notable: “The panel people didn’t let me introduce myself at all” - the interview began with technical questions immediately. Be ready for this. Interview was ECD, from IIITDM Kancheepuram; no backlog is what matters, CGPA was not a concern. What to expect in the ECD interview (based on Nihaal’s experience):
- Drawing circuits on paper and explaining why the circuit does what it does.
- Quick one-liners: e.g. “Is this an LTI system?”
- Definitions: e.g. “What is an LTI system?”, “What is the Fourier series / Fourier transform?”, “When do you use one over the other?”
- Slightly tricky conceptual questions: e.g. “Consider this function - if we do so and so to it, what happens?” - applying concepts in unfamiliar ways.
- Maths questions were more definition-style: e.g. “Give me a function that satisfies these properties.”
- Nihaal’s interview covered only Analog Electronics and Signals & Systems. Others may get questions from different areas - use their experiences as a general guide but don’t expect the same topics.
Jayakanth’s ECD Preparation Guide
Jayakanth M V shares his ECD (LED track) experience and preparation tips:
Background: Jayakanth was from an Electronics/ECE background and cleared LEEE for the ECD (LED) track.
Exam Subjects for LED:
- Digital Electronics: Focus here. Questions from logic gates, K-maps, flip-flops, counters, MUX/DEMUX. Expect 8-10 questions.
- Network Theory (Circuit Theory): KVL/KCL, Thevenin/Norton, mesh/nodal analysis. 8-10 questions.
- Signals and Systems: This is crucial! Expect the most questions ( 10). Laplace transform is the easiest part - know the transform table. Also: Fourier series, Z-transform, sampling theorem.
- Electronic Devices and Circuits (Analog Electronics): MOSFET and BJT questions. Be careful - don’t mix up MOSFET and BJT equations! Many students lose marks here. 8-10 questions.
- Communication Systems: FM, AM, PWM, PPM, digital modulation. Fewer questions (3-5) but still worth preparing. Some years communication has more questions.
Critical Warning: “I made a mistake where in a MOSFET course, for a BJT question I used all MOSFET formulas. I didn’t see the circuit properly so I missed many marks over there. So keep in mind: if you are solving MOSFET questions use its current equations; if BJT, use its equations. Don’t mess up there.”
Recommended Resources for LED:
- PW Gate course (Physics Wallah GATE) - recommended for comprehensive coverage
- GATE previous year questions from GFG
- Analog Electronics: prepare BJT and MOSFET thoroughly
- Don’t skip Semiconductor Physics but it can be done last (low priority)
What was asked in LED written exam:
- Network Theory: Circuit analysis problems
- Signals & Systems: Laplace transform problems, convolution
- Analog Electronics: MOSFET with circuits, BJT biasing
- Digital Electronics: Logic design questions
- Communication: FM/AM modulation (3-4 questions)
- Control Systems: 1-2 questions (though not officially in syllabus)
Key Points for LED Aspirants:
- Signal Systems had the most questions (nearly 10) in the written exam
- Communications had fewer but still important questions
- Leave communications only as a last resort (3-4 questions from it)
- “I left all the communications questions because I didn’t even do communication in previous college, and I turned out fine” - Nihaal
- For LED, qualifications from related branches (Instrumentation, EEE) may be considered but verify officially
EDC-Specific Tips (from Jayakanth)
- EDC syllabus vs. actual exam: The syllabus lists “EDC” (Electronic Devices and Circuits / Semiconductor Physics) but the exam actually tests Analog Electronics - MOSFETs, BJTs, OpAmps, current mirrors, voltage divider circuits. Study analog electronics, not semiconductor physics.
- Specific analog focus: Linear/saturation region current equations for MOSFETs; voltage divider circuits; OpAmps (confirmed examinable); Class A, B, and C amplifiers (explicitly part of the analog syllabus for LED).
- Control Systems: In Jayakanth’s batch, zero questions were asked on Control Systems despite it being listed in the syllabus. Prepare it lightly; don’t let it dominate your preparation time.
- Study materials: Jayakanth used only free online PDFs and PW GATE lecture videos (not purchased books). PW GATE PYQ books accessed via Telegram. “I didn’t buy any books.”
- Foundation warning: “If you didn’t study properly in your previous college, you won’t be able to survive here for sure.” Prior institute knowledge is the bedrock - LEEE and IIITH both reward genuine subject understanding over cramming.
- CGPA vs. knowledge: “The CG is of no use, but the hard work you do is never a waste - it will help you for sure.”
LED Interview Experiences from Community
From the LED session discussion (Nihaal Appana, Jayakanth M V, Ashirbad Sahu):
Nihaal Appana’s LED Interview:
“He went from calculus to oscillators. He made me draw an oscillator circuit on paper and show him!”
Jayakanth’s LED Interview:
“My interview started with them asking what I’m comfortable with. I said Probability and some core subjects. Then the professor asked about calculus. From calculus, we somehow ended up going to electromagnetism! He was asking about linear algebra. From there, we went to electromagnetism. Luckily, I had studied that in 4th semester only, so I could answer that question. So be cautious - whatever you say in the interview, they’ll follow up on it!”
LED Interview Advice:
- Choose subjects you’re strongest in (usually Signals & Systems or Digital Logic)
- Prepare 2-3 subjects thoroughly
- Research labs at IIITH related to ECE: SPCRC (Signal Processing), CVIT (Computer Vision), MLL
- Have a clear answer for “why research in ECE?”
On Projects: “Professors sometimes ask entirely about your project if it’s interesting. If you mention a project, be thoroughly prepared to discuss it in detail. Some seniors had their entire interview be just about their project.”
On Communicating What You Know: “For interview, if you don’t know the answer, try for it and tell them like whatever’s coming to your mind, like how are you approaching that problem. A senior told me to do this and I think it worked for me. Just keep giving your approach. It shows them some sort of research ability.”
Program Details (ECD):
- You join as 2nd year B.Tech ECD
- “We are considered B.Tech ECD” - Jayakanth
- MS by research happens in the 5th year (you start research from 3rd year)
- After completing 2nd year at IIITH you continue 3rd and 4th year + MS
ECD Community Insights (2026)
Intake Numbers (2026 Cycle)
- CSD: 19 selected
- ECD: 9 selected
ECE Labs at IIITH
From community discussion with current IIITH students:
- CVEST (Chip Verification & Embedded Systems Technology): Described as weaker relative to CS labs; relevant for quantum computing and embedded work.
- SPCRC (Signal Processing and Communications Research Centre): Considered stronger among ECE labs.
- CSG (Computer Systems Group): Newer lab; relevant for embedded and low-level systems work.
- CQST (Centre for Quantum Science and Technology): Relevant for quantum computing research.
College Background
- Most people who get selected are not from NITs, only 3 NITians in the entire 2026 LEEE intake.
- Private and local college candidates get selected regularly; panel composition and questions vary.
- “The ones that do [apply from NITs] take a partial drop and leave after first year itself.”
ECD vs CSD Visibility
- IIITH is primarily known for CS/CSD research; ECD has less community visibility and less prep advice available.
- Intake is not strictly capped: if no strong ECD candidates appear, intake can be 0; if many strong candidates appear, it can exceed typical numbers. The panel has full discretion.
- “If they don’t find anyone worthy of joining they’ll take in 0 from ECD - they don’t care.”
Unofficial Path: Intern → MS Conversion
Current IIITH students mention an unofficial but real path to joining IIITH outside of LEEE:
- Secure a research internship at IIITH through any available channel.
- Ask the supervising professor to convert the internship to an MS by Research enrollment.
- This has been done successfully (at least one confirmed case as of 2026).
- This path is not publicised by IIITH and depends entirely on the professor’s willingness.