‘IIT isn't just an institute; it's a place where people, dreams, and learning come together'
My interest in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) developed gradually. Until Class 10, I was equally inclined towards both mathematics and biology, and initially considered taking physics, chemistry, maths, and biology (PCMB) in Class 11. But I soon realised that it would be more focused and practical to choose a path early. I decided to pursue engineering not just because it aligned with my strengths, but also because it was a more feasible option compared to the long and often expensive journey of becoming a doctor. My biggest inspiration was my software engineer father – I always looked up to him and aspired to follow a similar path.
I did my schooling till Class 10 at DAV Public School, Safilguda, Hyderabad, where I built a strong academic foundation and participated in various co-curricular activities. For Classes 11 and 12, I moved to Pallavi Model School, Alwal. From Class 9 onwards, my focus shifted more towards competitive exams, and I enrolled at Aakash Institute for JEE coaching. Balancing school with coaching was definitely a challenge, but it taught me time management and discipline early on. Those four years, from Class 9 to 12, were crucial in shaping my mindset and academic rigour.
My father is a software engineer by profession and has always been a source of inspiration for me when it comes to logic, technology, and consistency. My mother is a homemaker and the pillar of support for our family. Her encouragement and emotional strength have played a huge role throughout my JEE preparation and beyond. I'm grateful to have grown up in an environment that supported both academic growth and emotional well-being.
As the saying goes, 'No sacrifice, no victory' – My JEE journey truly reflected that. I had a strong academic foundation, having cleared National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Stage 1 and 2, NSEJS, and other Olympiads by Class 10 – but the real challenge began in Classes 11 and 12. I was enrolled in Aakash Institute under the Centre of Excellence (COE) programme, which is an exclusive batch for top-performing students. I followed a rigorous routine – making detailed class notes, revising them regularly after returning home, and solving a wide variety of problems from Aakash modules. I also referred to multiple reference books for chemistry to strengthen my concepts.
Alongside this intense academic schedule, I made several personal sacrifices. I stayed away from social media, avoided YouTube and casual entertainment, rarely hung out with friends, and didn't even own a mobile phone until after JEE Advanced. My life revolved around one mantra – eat, sleep, study, repeat. Despite many ups and downs, I held on to consistency, discipline, and focus – and that's what ultimately helped me achieve my dream of becoming an IITian.
I appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2023 and secured an AIR 527 in JEE Main and AIR 1288 in JEE Advanced. After contemplating several options, I took admission to the Computer Science and Engineering branch at IIT Guwahati. I am currently in my third year.
I joined IIT Guwahati in August 2023, and yes, it was my first time living away from home. It felt like a major transition – stepping into an entirely new world – but it was also something I had been dreaming about for years. Getting into IIT was a milestone, and with it came the experience of independence and self-growth.
I am naturally an extrovert, so I adjusted quite quickly. I genuinely enjoy bringing people together, making new friends, and creating memories – and campus life gave me the perfect space for that. I had been waiting for this phase ever since I set my goal to become an IITian, and once I got here, I made sure to explore every bit of it.
As for the food, being a South Indian, the shift was noticeable – the meals definitely had a more Eastern Indian vibe, and it took me some time getting used to it. But IITs are quite inclusive in their food options, and the mess plans cover a wide variety of cuisines, so overall, it has been a decent and manageable experience.
Being a Computer Science student, academics can definitely get intense – but in our first year, most of the courses were common across departments, so it was relatively manageable. I was able to maintain a decent grade while actively participating in campus life. I joined the organising teams of various major fests like SPIRIT (sports fest), Alcheringa (cultural fest), and Udgam (entrepreneurship summit). My roles ranged from managing the national-level basketball tournament during SPIRIT to working in corporate relations for Alcheringa and Udgam. I had the opportunity to interact with HRs and startup founders, inviting them for internship drives and speaker sessions.
Outside academics and fests, I regularly played basketball, often with the Basketball Club members, and even chose swimming as my Sports Activity course – so that became part of my routine too. Balancing everything requires discipline, but IIT Guwahati provides the perfect environment for that balance.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned at IIT is that 'you grow the most when you're not the smartest person in the room.' Being surrounded by like-minded, passionate, and disciplined individuals constantly pushes you to improve. The environment here challenges you to think bigger, work harder, and learn from those around you. It is this collective drive that creates an atmosphere of continuous growth and transformation.
We have classes five days a week and lab sessions on two of those days, so my weekdays are fairly structured. I make it a point to attend all my classes and maintain over 90 per cent attendance, as I believe in staying consistent. In the evenings, I always make time for at least one sport – usually basketball, swimming, or sometimes even cricket – to stay active and unwind. After dinner, I focus on studying or practicing coding, depending on what's planned for the week.
Weekends are a mix of fun and productivity. I either go out with my friends, spend time relaxing in each other's rooms, or catch up on my academic goals and coding practice. It's a routine that keeps me both mentally and physically balanced.
IIT Guwahati has plenty of great spots for hanging out and unwinding – from parks and lakeside canteens to core canteens and open-air seating areas. These places are perfect for catching up with friends after a long day of classes. The campus is well-connected to the city too, with regular bus services running in and out, so we often head into Guwahati for food, movies, or just a change of scenery. Occasionally, we also plan short trips to places like Shillong, which is not too far and offers a great getaway from campus life.
The faculty at IIT Guwahati is truly exceptional. As the Class Representative for my batch, I regularly interact with professors regarding course-related concerns and suggestions from students. It's a role I value a lot, as it allows me to exercise leadership and communication skills while helping improve the academic experience for everyone.
Our professors are highly experienced, incredibly knowledgeable, and have numerous research publications to their name. Many of them are leading experts in their fields, and interacting with them is always inspiring. They are approachable, and there's rarely a doubt they can't clear – whether it's related to academics or career guidance. Their depth of knowledge constantly motivates me to aim higher.
The biggest difference is the peer group – at IIT, you're surrounded by some of the brightest students in the country, which pushes you to grow every day. In most other colleges, this level of competition and collaboration is rare. Also, IITs offer superior infrastructure, world-class research opportunities, and strong startup culture, which many other institutions lack. Most importantly, there's freedom to explore – you're not forced to chase just grades; you can shape your own path, be it in academics, innovation, or beyond.
Most of my spending goes on food – with places like Domino's, La Pino'z, and CCD on campus, it adds up quickly. I usually aim to stay within Rs 4,000 a month, though it sometimes goes up to Rs 5,000. At the start of each month, I set aside a reserve amount and try to manage with the rest – only using the reserve if needed. It helps me stay disciplined with my spending.
I really enjoy Domino's pizza, but on most days I prefer pasta or fresh fruits from the canteen and juice centre. There's a wide variety of food options on campus, so I don't have a single favourite – I love trying a bit of everything!
Coming from Hyderabad – a busy city with crowded roads, heavy traffic, and a fast-paced lifestyle – Guwahati feels refreshingly peaceful. I love the natural beauty and calmer environment here. There are also some amazing spots nearby like waterfalls, malls, the zoo, and even a ferry service, which make the city fun to explore. But above all, it's the serene and laid-back vibe that I enjoy the most.
For me, life at IIT Guwahati has been near perfect. I haven't really faced anything that made me feel that something needs to change. Everything – from academics to campus life – has been smooth and fulfilling so far.
I've always been good at sports and considered myself an all-rounder since childhood. My strongest games are basketball, swimming, cricket, and badminton, but I genuinely enjoy playing almost every sport whenever I get the chance.
From where I am right now, I see myself working at a good software job after two years. Depending on how my journey goes, I might pursue an MTech or a Master's degree later to deepen my knowledge. Ultimately, I aim to be well-settled as a skilled software engineer, contributing meaningfully to the tech world.
One of the most special things I've experienced at IIT Guwahati is the true unity and diversity of India. I always believed that people from different states live in harmony – but here, I've truly lived it. I have friends from every corner of the country, and there's no sense of division – just pure friendship, mutual respect, and brotherhood. The faculty members, too, come from all over India, not just Assam, which reflects the inclusivity and richness of the IIT ecosystem.
This journey feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm genuinely living my dream here. I'll always be grateful to my parents – none of this would have been possible without their endless support – and of course, my teachers, who guided me every step of the way. IIT isn't just an institute; it's a place where people, dreams, and learning come together in the most beautiful way.
Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
‘IIT isn't just an institute; it's a place where people, dreams, and learning come together'
— Manideep Ram Gunje My interest in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) developed gradually. Until Class 10, I was equally inclined towards both mathematics and biology, and initially considered taking physics, chemistry, maths, and biology (PCMB) in Class 11. But I soon realised that it would be more focused and practical to choose a path early. I decided to pursue engineering not just because it aligned with my strengths, but also because it was a more feasible option compared to the long and often expensive journey of becoming a doctor. My biggest inspiration was my software engineer father – I always looked up to him and aspired to follow a similar path. I did my schooling till Class 10 at DAV Public School, Safilguda, Hyderabad, where I built a strong academic foundation and participated in various co-curricular activities. For Classes 11 and 12, I moved to Pallavi Model School, Alwal. From Class 9 onwards, my focus shifted more towards competitive exams, and I enrolled at Aakash Institute for JEE coaching. Balancing school with coaching was definitely a challenge, but it taught me time management and discipline early on. Those four years, from Class 9 to 12, were crucial in shaping my mindset and academic rigour. My father is a software engineer by profession and has always been a source of inspiration for me when it comes to logic, technology, and consistency. My mother is a homemaker and the pillar of support for our family. Her encouragement and emotional strength have played a huge role throughout my JEE preparation and beyond. I'm grateful to have grown up in an environment that supported both academic growth and emotional well-being. As the saying goes, 'No sacrifice, no victory' – My JEE journey truly reflected that. I had a strong academic foundation, having cleared National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Stage 1 and 2, NSEJS, and other Olympiads by Class 10 – but the real challenge began in Classes 11 and 12. I was enrolled in Aakash Institute under the Centre of Excellence (COE) programme, which is an exclusive batch for top-performing students. I followed a rigorous routine – making detailed class notes, revising them regularly after returning home, and solving a wide variety of problems from Aakash modules. I also referred to multiple reference books for chemistry to strengthen my concepts. Alongside this intense academic schedule, I made several personal sacrifices. I stayed away from social media, avoided YouTube and casual entertainment, rarely hung out with friends, and didn't even own a mobile phone until after JEE Advanced. My life revolved around one mantra – eat, sleep, study, repeat. Despite many ups and downs, I held on to consistency, discipline, and focus – and that's what ultimately helped me achieve my dream of becoming an IITian. I appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced in 2023 and secured an AIR 527 in JEE Main and AIR 1288 in JEE Advanced. After contemplating several options, I took admission to the Computer Science and Engineering branch at IIT Guwahati. I am currently in my third year. I joined IIT Guwahati in August 2023, and yes, it was my first time living away from home. It felt like a major transition – stepping into an entirely new world – but it was also something I had been dreaming about for years. Getting into IIT was a milestone, and with it came the experience of independence and self-growth. I am naturally an extrovert, so I adjusted quite quickly. I genuinely enjoy bringing people together, making new friends, and creating memories – and campus life gave me the perfect space for that. I had been waiting for this phase ever since I set my goal to become an IITian, and once I got here, I made sure to explore every bit of it. As for the food, being a South Indian, the shift was noticeable – the meals definitely had a more Eastern Indian vibe, and it took me some time getting used to it. But IITs are quite inclusive in their food options, and the mess plans cover a wide variety of cuisines, so overall, it has been a decent and manageable experience. Being a Computer Science student, academics can definitely get intense – but in our first year, most of the courses were common across departments, so it was relatively manageable. I was able to maintain a decent grade while actively participating in campus life. I joined the organising teams of various major fests like SPIRIT (sports fest), Alcheringa (cultural fest), and Udgam (entrepreneurship summit). My roles ranged from managing the national-level basketball tournament during SPIRIT to working in corporate relations for Alcheringa and Udgam. I had the opportunity to interact with HRs and startup founders, inviting them for internship drives and speaker sessions. Outside academics and fests, I regularly played basketball, often with the Basketball Club members, and even chose swimming as my Sports Activity course – so that became part of my routine too. Balancing everything requires discipline, but IIT Guwahati provides the perfect environment for that balance. One of the biggest lessons I've learned at IIT is that 'you grow the most when you're not the smartest person in the room.' Being surrounded by like-minded, passionate, and disciplined individuals constantly pushes you to improve. The environment here challenges you to think bigger, work harder, and learn from those around you. It is this collective drive that creates an atmosphere of continuous growth and transformation. We have classes five days a week and lab sessions on two of those days, so my weekdays are fairly structured. I make it a point to attend all my classes and maintain over 90 per cent attendance, as I believe in staying consistent. In the evenings, I always make time for at least one sport – usually basketball, swimming, or sometimes even cricket – to stay active and unwind. After dinner, I focus on studying or practicing coding, depending on what's planned for the week. Weekends are a mix of fun and productivity. I either go out with my friends, spend time relaxing in each other's rooms, or catch up on my academic goals and coding practice. It's a routine that keeps me both mentally and physically balanced. IIT Guwahati has plenty of great spots for hanging out and unwinding – from parks and lakeside canteens to core canteens and open-air seating areas. These places are perfect for catching up with friends after a long day of classes. The campus is well-connected to the city too, with regular bus services running in and out, so we often head into Guwahati for food, movies, or just a change of scenery. Occasionally, we also plan short trips to places like Shillong, which is not too far and offers a great getaway from campus life. The faculty at IIT Guwahati is truly exceptional. As the Class Representative for my batch, I regularly interact with professors regarding course-related concerns and suggestions from students. It's a role I value a lot, as it allows me to exercise leadership and communication skills while helping improve the academic experience for everyone. Our professors are highly experienced, incredibly knowledgeable, and have numerous research publications to their name. Many of them are leading experts in their fields, and interacting with them is always inspiring. They are approachable, and there's rarely a doubt they can't clear – whether it's related to academics or career guidance. Their depth of knowledge constantly motivates me to aim higher. The biggest difference is the peer group – at IIT, you're surrounded by some of the brightest students in the country, which pushes you to grow every day. In most other colleges, this level of competition and collaboration is rare. Also, IITs offer superior infrastructure, world-class research opportunities, and strong startup culture, which many other institutions lack. Most importantly, there's freedom to explore – you're not forced to chase just grades; you can shape your own path, be it in academics, innovation, or beyond. Most of my spending goes on food – with places like Domino's, La Pino'z, and CCD on campus, it adds up quickly. I usually aim to stay within Rs 4,000 a month, though it sometimes goes up to Rs 5,000. At the start of each month, I set aside a reserve amount and try to manage with the rest – only using the reserve if needed. It helps me stay disciplined with my spending. I really enjoy Domino's pizza, but on most days I prefer pasta or fresh fruits from the canteen and juice centre. There's a wide variety of food options on campus, so I don't have a single favourite – I love trying a bit of everything! Coming from Hyderabad – a busy city with crowded roads, heavy traffic, and a fast-paced lifestyle – Guwahati feels refreshingly peaceful. I love the natural beauty and calmer environment here. There are also some amazing spots nearby like waterfalls, malls, the zoo, and even a ferry service, which make the city fun to explore. But above all, it's the serene and laid-back vibe that I enjoy the most. For me, life at IIT Guwahati has been near perfect. I haven't really faced anything that made me feel that something needs to change. Everything – from academics to campus life – has been smooth and fulfilling so far. I've always been good at sports and considered myself an all-rounder since childhood. My strongest games are basketball, swimming, cricket, and badminton, but I genuinely enjoy playing almost every sport whenever I get the chance. From where I am right now, I see myself working at a good software job after two years. Depending on how my journey goes, I might pursue an MTech or a Master's degree later to deepen my knowledge. Ultimately, I aim to be well-settled as a skilled software engineer, contributing meaningfully to the tech world. One of the most special things I've experienced at IIT Guwahati is the true unity and diversity of India. I always believed that people from different states live in harmony – but here, I've truly lived it. I have friends from every corner of the country, and there's no sense of division – just pure friendship, mutual respect, and brotherhood. The faculty members, too, come from all over India, not just Assam, which reflects the inclusivity and richness of the IIT ecosystem. This journey feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm genuinely living my dream here. I'll always be grateful to my parents – none of this would have been possible without their endless support – and of course, my teachers, who guided me every step of the way. IIT isn't just an institute; it's a place where people, dreams, and learning come together in the most beautiful way. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
BCECEB Bihar releases first round seat allotment result for engineering admissions 2025 today at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in
JEE Main-based engineering admissions 2025 begin in Bihar as BCECEB announces seat allotment BCECEB seat allotment 2025: The Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has released the first round seat allotment result for engineering admissions for the 2025–26 academic session. Candidates who participated in the online counselling process can now check their allotment status on the official website — The allotment has been made based on candidates' performance in JEE Main and the preferences they submitted during the choice-filling process. BCECEB Special Officer Anil Kumar Sinha confirmed that admissions into 38 government engineering colleges, one private institute, and select specialised institutions in the state will be carried out on the basis of JEE Main scores only. Over 14,000 seats on offer in government and private colleges A total of 13,860 seats are available across 38 government engineering colleges in Bihar. In addition, 75 seats are being offered at CIPET Bihta, 120 seats at the private institution Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Women's Technology Institute in Darbhanga, and 34 seats in Dairy Technology along with four self-financed seats. This brings the total number of seats available through this round of counselling to 14,093. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo All these seats are being filled solely based on JEE Main scores, as has been the case for the past five years. The Special Officer emphasised that this transparent process ensures merit-based selection for engineering aspirants across the state. Important dates for admission process Candidates who receive a seat allotment can download their allotment letters from July 4 to July 7, 2025. Admissions based on the first merit list will be conducted from July 5 to July 7, 2025. Following this, the second round of the admission process will commence. The provisional seat allotment result for the second round will be released on July 10, 2025. Candidates will be allowed to submit objections between July 11 and July 12, 2025. The final seat allotment result for the second round will be published on July 14, 2025. Allotment letters for the second round can be downloaded from July 15 to July 18, 2025, and admissions will be held from July 16 to July 18, 2025. How to check BCECEB first round seat allotment result 2025 Here are the steps to check the seat allotment result online: Step 1: Visit the official BCECEB website at Step 2: Click on the link titled 'BCECEB Engineering Seat Allotment Result 2025' Step 3: Enter your JEE Main roll number and other required login credentials Step 4: View your allotment status displayed on the screen Step 5: Download and print your allotment letter for future admission procedures Direct link to the official BCECEB website Admission based strictly on JEE Main scores According to BCECEB officials, only students who appeared in JEE Main are eligible for admission. No alternative entrance exams are considered. The use of a national-level examination ensures fairness and uniformity in the selection process. This includes both government colleges and the limited seats available in private and specialised institutions. Students are advised to follow the schedule carefully and complete the document verification and admission formalities within the given timelines to secure their seats successfully. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
Engineering admissions 2025-26: How students can choose between branch, college, and AI-Driven careers
Currently, the admission season for the program for 2025-26 is in full swing. The results of IIT JEE Advanced and entrance tests of most states, as well as those by most of the reputed private engineering colleges, have been released. The second round of seat allotment by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) 2025 for the IITs, NITs, and IIITs was announced, with four more rounds to go. Counseling for the seats in the rest of the institutions is also in progress. While IT-related branches were the most obvious choice until last year, with the disruption of entry-level jobs by AI, coupled with a slowdown in hiring by IT companies, along with stagnancy of salaries for fresh graduates, some students are wary of them. The job market will be uncertain by the time they graduate in 2029. In a recent panel discussion on 'Engineering Education for a New Era' at IIT, Madras, students and parents were advised to get rid of the herd mentality of choosing Computer Science courses over core engineering streams. In this context, the biggest dilemma in the minds of the students is: which branch to select? For meritorious students that have a choice of multiple institutions, the question is, what is more important - the institution or the branch. This article presents a perspective on the branches offered by leading institutions along with the job opportunities for fresh engineering graduates in the next five years in various sectors in India, so as to enable the students to make informed decisions. Availability of seats for 2025-26 academic year JoSAA 2025 is managing the seat allocation for a total of 62,853 seats, which includes about 18,000 in 23 IITs, about 34,000 in 31 NITs and 26 IIITs and balance in 47 Central Government-funded institutions. About 20-25% of the total seats are in IT related branches like Computer Science Engineering (CSE), IT, Data Sciences , and AI/ML , whereas the balance seats are distributed among the core Engineering branches like Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Mining, Electronics and Communications, and more. Private colleges are offering about 14.74 Lakh seats in 2025-26, a 10% increase over 2024-25. About 35-40% of seats in IT related branches, with most of the additional seats approved by AICTE being for CSE-related branches. Wide variety of branches offered In the last few years, due to the burgeoning demand, most of the institutions have been offering a range of branches or specialisations in CSE-related areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Data Science, Internet of Things (IOT), Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Block Chain Technology, and more. A few institutions are offering branches in cutting-edge technologies like Nanotechnology, Computational Engineering, and Quantum Computing. Besides, new branches are being offered in inter-disciplinary areas like Aeronautical, Bio-medical, Bio-technology, Computational Mechanics, Electrical Vehicles, Semiconductor Design and Technology, Robotics and Automation, Smart Manufacturing, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechatronics, Food Technology, etc. With the sustainability theme taking centre stage in recent times, branches like Sustainability Engineering and renewable energy have also been introduced. Recent wars across the world witnessed the critical role of technology, leading to the introduction of Defence Technology as an inter-disciplinary branch by a few institutions. Dual degrees, major and minor branches A number of institutions, including IITs and NITs, have been offering integrated five-year dual degree programs like integrated and or MS. In some cases, the PG degree is in non-technical disciplines like Finance and Management. Recognising the need for providing flexibility in careers, several institutions, including some of the IITs and BITS Pilani, are offering specialisation in a primary engineering discipline, called a major branch, along with a secondary specialisation in another field, called a minor branch. The minor could be another branch of engineering or a non-technical discipline like Management, Economics, Finance, and more. Currently, BITS Pilani offers as many as 23 minor branches, which include innovative non-technical domains like English Studies, Supply Chain Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Film and Media, Water and Sanitation, Finance, Management, Philosophy, Computational Economics and Philosophy, Economics and Politics (PEP), and Public Policy. Job opportunities for fresh graduates in the next five years It is in this context that an analysis of the future potential job opportunities for fresh graduates in various sectors in the next five years is made to present a futuristic perspective rather than being guided only by the immediate past or current demand by the industry. Recruitment of fresh B. Tech graduates by large IT companies in India for traditional roles have been on the decline in the last two years due to the slowdown of the IT sector driven by geo-economic factors. Though marginal improvement is expected in 2025-26, the net increase in recruitment in the years to come may not be large, considering the adverse impact of AI on entry-level IT jobs, particularly for the programming roles. As per a Bain and Company report (March 2025), by 2027, India's AI sector is projected to offer over 2.3 million job openings, versus availability of only an estimated 1.2 million, leaving a shortfall of over one million skilled individuals. The new age disciplines are fuelling demand for new roles like Prompt Engineers, AI/ML Architects, AI/ML Engineers, AI Ethics consultants, Data Engineers, Cloud Architects, Cloud Security Experts, Penetration Testers, IoT Engineers, Blockchain specialists, Robotics Engineers, Data Visualisers, etc. Besides technical skills, employers are looking for people with skills to apply the technologies across sectors in various functions. Demand for core engineering skills A lot of engineering design work is being done in India by Engineering Design Outsourcing Centres (EDOC) for Multi-National Companies (MNCs) in sectors like automotive and aerospace. In the recent past, some MNCs have been setting up their design centres, as Global Capability Centres (GCCs), in India. Both EDOCs and GCCs recruit fresh engineering graduates from core engineering branches, with skills in areas like Computer Aided Design and Engineering, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Embedded Systems. Government initiatives to promote strategic sectors The Government of India has identified electronics and semiconductors as strategic sectors and plans to triple the electronics sector output in the next five years, to $ 500 billion by 2030. Investments of over ₹1.30 lakh crore for semiconductor manufacturing by Tata Electronics, CG Power, and Kaynes Technology were approved under the Semicon India Programme, which will create career opportunities in core engineering disciplines like Electronics, SpaceTech, DefenceTech, Semiconductors, and Mechanical Engineering. Sustainability and green technologies The global imperative to address climate change is driving a significant shift towards Sustainability and Green Technologies, fuelling demand for electrical and mechanical engineers in sectors like smart grids, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, being one of the early adopters of the latest technologies, is offering opportunities to engineers in areas like FinTech, Data Analytics, Cyber Security, financial engineering, and trading in financial markets. Gig Sector opportunities for freelancers As most of the organisations shift to just-in-time recruitment, opportunities for freelancers with deep skills will be on the rise. Besides offering flexibility with regard to time of work, they offer higher salaries than regular employees. Skills in demand by Industry 5.0 Post COVID-19, as the industry transitions from 4th to 5th industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0), the focus is on a collaborative partnership between humans and machines, leveraging human creativity and ingenuity alongside the efficiency and precision of advanced technologies like AI and robotics. In order to succeed in this era, besides skills on development and application of technologies, students need to acquire human skills that AI cannot fully replicate, like problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking and communication. Salaries for fresh graduates While general entry-level salaries for fresh graduates may continue to remain moderate, specialist roles with deep skills in emerging technologies like Generative AI will command higher salaries, highlighting the premium for skills over mere qualifications. Also, interdisciplinary skills, integrating AI with core engineering or with non-technical areas like management and finance will fetch higher salaries. Continuous upskilling and gaining specialised experience will be crucial for fresh graduates aiming to maximise their earning potential in the coming years. Institution or branch: what is more important? There are three major aspects one has to consider while taking the decision on branch – interest/passion of the student, future job opportunities and possibility of getting the branch of choice allocated in the institution. Choosing the branch, aligned with the aptitude and passion of the student is crucial for the long-term professional success and job satisfaction. At the same time, reputation of prestigious institutions like IITs has its value from placement perspective, as they have better quality faculty, infrastructure, stronger industry connections, and more powerful alumni network. However, in view of the industry demand, CSE-related branches, even from tier-two institutions, have been in demand. In such a situation, the best practical decision may be to prioritise the branch of interest which has a strong future potential for jobs and then seek the best possible institution offering that branch. It may also be a good idea to consider the option of minor branch, as a specialisation, along with the major one, as it provides inter-disciplinary skills, thereby offering flexibility in career. It is understood that a number of students at the IITs and BITS Pilani are preferring finance as the minor option due to attractive career opportunities in the BFSI sector, both in India and abroad. Way forward As technologies like AI become more and more integral part of industry and business, the next five years will present a number of exciting job opportunities for engineering graduates from all branches, though their profiles will be far different from now. Indian universities and engineering colleges are offering a wide menu of branches to choose from. While it is important to pursue the branch of one's passion, as the industry is fast moving towards a skills-first hiring model, acquisition and demonstration of hands-on skills will be more important than the branch and institution of study. At times, a student may not be able to succeed in securing the branch or institution of his/her choice. By continuous upskilling and lifelong learning by self, it is possible to achieve professional success, irrespective of the branch and the institution of study. (Dr. O R S Rao is the Chancellor of the ICFAI University, Sikkim. Views are personal)
