Stream hub
Engineering
Build things, solve problems, ship products.
Engineering covers everything from computer science and electronics to mechanical, civil, chemical and emerging areas like AI/ML, robotics and biotech. It is India's largest UG stream with strong state-level pathways as well as central institutions.
Who this fits
- Enjoy Physics, Math and building/analysing systems
- Comfortable with problem-solving and iteration
- Open to coding, lab work or hands-on prototypes
Typical fees
- Govt. (NITs, IIITs)
- ₹1.2–2.5 L / yr
- IITs
- ₹2.25 L / yr (plus hostel)
- Private Tier-1
- ₹2–5 L / yr
- State govt. engg.
- ₹25 K – 1 L / yr
Indicative. Verify with the institute before enrolling.
UG courses you can pick
B.Tech / B.E. (4 yrs)
4 years
CS, ECE, ME, Civil, Chem, AI, etc.
B.Tech (IIT)
4 years
Via JEE Advanced.
Integrated M.Tech / Dual Degree
5 years
B.Tech + M.Tech at IITs / IISc.
Key exams & timelines
As of Aug 2026 · verify on the official site before applying| Exam | Body | Next date | Application | Eligibility | Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JEE Main Jan Joint Entrance Examination Main - Session 1 Engineering · UG Entrance · National 2026 Session 1 done; Session 2 done Apr 2-9, 2026 | NTA | 2027-01 Annual (Jan) | Oct-Nov 2026 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
GATE Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering Engineering · PG / PSU · National 2026 conducted Feb 7-15; for M.Tech & PSU | IISc / IITs (rotating) | 2027-02 Annual (Feb) | Aug-Oct 2026 | Engg Bachelor's / Science Master's | Visit |
GUJCET Gujarat Common Entrance Test Engineering · UG Entrance · State - GJ | GSEB | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Jan-Mar 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
KCET Karnataka Common Entrance Test Engineering · UG Entrance · State - KA Engineering + other courses | KEA | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Jan-Mar 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
KEAM Kerala Engineering, Architecture, Medical Engineering · UG Entrance · State - KL Eng/Arch (medical is via NEET) | CEE Kerala | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Mar 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
MHT CET Maharashtra Health & Technical Common Entrance Test Engineering · UG Entrance · State - MH Engg + Pharm + Agri | MH State CET Cell | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Jan-Mar 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
VITEEE VIT Engineering Entrance Exam Engineering · UG Entrance · National VIT Vellore, Chennai, AP, Bhopal | VIT | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Dec 2026 - Mar 2027 | 12th with PCM/B | Visit |
WBJEE West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Engineering · UG Entrance · State - WB WB engg/pharm colleges | WBJEEB | 2027-04 Tentative (next cycle) | Dec 2026 - Feb 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
AP EAPCET AP Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy CET Engineering · UG Entrance · State - AP | APSCHE | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Apr 2027 | 12th with PCM/B | Visit |
BITSAT Birla Institute of Technology & Science Admission Test Engineering · UG Entrance · National BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad | BITS Pilani | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Apr 2027 | 12th with PCM 75%+ | Visit |
COMEDK UGET Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka Engineering · UG Entrance · State - KA Karnataka private colleges | COMEDK | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Apr 2027 | 12th with PCM 45%+ | Visit |
JEE Advanced Joint Entrance Examination Advanced Engineering · UG Entrance (IIT) · National For IIT admissions | IIT (rotating) | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Apr-May 2027 | Top 2.5L JEE Main qualifiers | Visit |
OJEE Odisha Joint Entrance Examination Engineering · UG/PG Entrance · State - OD Engg + Pharm + MCA + MBA | OJEEB | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Apr 2027 | Varies by course | Visit |
TS EAPCET Telangana Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy CET Engineering · UG Entrance · State - TG | TSCHE | 2027-05 Tentative (next cycle) | Feb-Apr 2027 | 12th with PCM/B | Visit |
AEEE Amrita Entrance Examination - Engineering Engineering · UG Entrance · National Amrita campuses | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | 2027-Q2 Tentative (next cycle) | Dec 2026 - Apr 2027 | 12th with PCM 55%+ | Visit |
SRMJEEE SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam Engineering · UG Entrance · National SRM campuses | SRM University | 2027-Q2 Tentative (next cycle) | Phase 2 in April 2027 | 12th with PCM | Visit |
SSC JE Junior Engineer Examination Engineering Jobs · Central Govt · National Civil, Mechanical, Electrical streams | SSC | 2027-06 Tentative (next cycle) | Mar-Apr 2027 | Engineering Diploma/Degree; age 18-32 | Visit |
Career paths
Software Engineer
Product, platform, DevOps — highest-hiring role in India.
Tips before you commit
- Pick branch by interest first, college second — the branch you graduate in often shapes your first 5 years.
- Do 1–2 internships (summer + winter) from 2nd year — placements now weigh experience heavily.
- CSE is not the only path — Electronics, Mechanical and Chemical lead to specialised, high-paying niches.
Scholarships: AICTE Pragati/Saksham, state merit-cum-means, INSPIRE for sciences, private corporate scholarships (Aditya Birla, Reliance, Keep India Smiling).
Top colleges (NIRF-ranked)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
New Delhi, Delhi
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Mumbai, Maharashtra
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Kharagpur, West Bengal
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Roorkee, Uttarakhand
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Telangana
top100
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Guwahati, Assam
top100
Read next
After 12th: Engineering vs Commerce — an honest comparison
Both streams can end at the same salary, but the journeys are wildly different. A plain-English compare on cost, difficulty, and 10-year outcomes.
🏆NIRF rankings, decoded: how to read them without getting fooled
NIRF is a great starting point, not a gospel. A short guide to the scoring parameters, common traps, and a better way to shortlist colleges.