Hello.

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 :

• None of them involves hardwares. You may have to take one or two courses on digital systems where you will study about ICs and logic gates. That’s it. You won’t learn how to repair computers in any of them.
• Most of the courses offered in both the branches are related to programming. You will have to program on a daily basis in both the branches.

Conclusion :

If you can get CS go for it but if you like programming and your rank can’t fetch you a CS seat, then IT won’t disappoint you. If you are hard working, you will get what you need to become a successful programmer from IT branches.

The comparison matters only if you are not hard working and you keep looking for something to put the blame on. There are great programmers from Civil and Mechanical branches also.

Hope this is helpful.

Good luck.