Watch Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream

Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream is a Netflix documentary series that explores the lives and experiences of students studying at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The IITs are a collection of premier engineering institutes in India that have traditionally been regarded as some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. The documentary takes viewers on a journey through the minds of IIT students and examines the costs and benefits of pursuing a degree at these institutions.

The documentary series is divided into five episodes, each exploring a different aspect of the IIT experience. The first episode, titled 'The Competitive Edge', explores the intense competition that students face in order to get into these institutions. It delves into the stories of several students who have spent years preparing for the entrance exams and highlights the pressure and stress that they are under to succeed.

The second episode, 'Breaking Point', examines the toll that the rigorous academic curriculum takes on students. The documentary explores how students cope with the pressure and stress of the curriculum and how some students are forced to drop out of the program due to a lack of support.

The third episode, 'Insatiable Hunger', takes a closer look at the culture of excellence that is promoted at the IITs. The documentary explores how this culture can be both a source of motivation and a source of anxiety for students, and how it can be difficult to maintain a balance between academic excellence and personal well-being.

The fourth episode, 'The Dilution of Meritocracy', explores the impact of affirmative action policies on IIT admissions. The documentary examines the arguments for and against such policies and looks at how they have affected the composition of the student body at the IITs.

The final episode, 'The Road Ahead', takes a broader perspective and looks beyond the experiences of individual students to examine the role of the IITs in shaping India's future. It explores the contributions that IIT alumni have made to society and asks whether the institutions are living up to their potential as engines of innovation and growth in the country.

Overall, Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream offers a fascinating and thought-provoking glimpse into the world of India's elite engineering institutions. It provides a nuanced portrayal of the challenges and opportunities that students face in pursuing a degree from these institutions and highlights the ways in which the IITs are shaping the future of India.