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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Business
- 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)
Indian Express
a day ago
- Science
- Indian Express
‘IIT Mandi has given me growth, self-discovery, and friendships that will last a lifetime'
— Divyanshu I am a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Bioengineering branch of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi. I come from Lucknow, but my roots in this journey began in Kanpur, where I studied till Class 10 at KDMA International. I then completed my Class 12 from Lucknow Public School. From an early age, biology always fascinated me – probably because of my father, who is a veterinary doctor. Watching him work sparked a curiosity in life sciences, while my exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Data Science during my JEE preparation deepened my interest in blending biology with computation. These interests came together in the form of Bioengineering, a field I am lucky to now be pursuing at IIT Mandi. I first appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced right after my Class 12 in 2021, but the results didn't meet my expectations. So, I took a drop year and reappeared for JEE in 2022. During that drop year, I prepared on my own using online resources, standard books, and mock tests. It wasn't easy – many of us isolate ourselves from social life, miss birthdays, celebrations, and even our hobbies. But I now tell aspirants that they should not cut themselves off completely. These moments won't come back. Balance is key. As the saying goes, 'Success is important, but so is the journey. Don't lose yourself while chasing your dreams.' Coming to IIT Mandi in November 2022 was my first time living away from home. Initially, I missed the homemade food, my old friends, and my younger sister, whom I am really close to. But everything changed once I found my tribe here, friends including Ayush, Aryan, Vishal, Dhruv, Harsh, Vivek, Vibhu, and Shreyansh. My first semester became one of the most memorable times of my life – late-night project building, hackathons, competitions, and shared laughter. Campus life here is different from other colleges, and not just because it is nestled in the Himalayas, it is the people that make it special. The peer group you find in an IIT inspires you in countless ways. When someone in your circle goes for an internship, course, or competition, it pushes you to think, 'Hey, maybe I can do that too.' Outside academics, I got involved in several clubs – drama, design, Sysadmin, and the Kamand Bioengineering Club. These clubs allowed me to explore areas I'd never tried before and contributed to my personal development. It wasn't easy balancing academics and club work, but the environment here teaches you to manage your time and push your boundaries. The professors here are incredibly supportive. One moment I'll always remember is when our Japanese teacher joined us in a student-organised 'Glow in the Dark' paint-art event. That role reversal, where we were the teachers and she was the student, was unforgettable. Another moment that stuck with me was when I missed the campus bus and a professor offered me a lift to the academic block – it was a small gesture, but it truly showed how approachable and kind the teachers are. Life at IIT has transformed me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I have learned leadership, time management, teamwork, and resilience. But perhaps the most important lesson I have learned here is that everyone is confused. It might seem like some people have it all figured out, but most of us are just trying to find our path. So, once in a while, ask yourself if you enjoy what you're doing. If the answer is 'somewhat yes', keep going. Try out different things – because you don't want to leave college with regrets. In my second year, I participated in the Inter IIT Cultural Meet as part of the Dramatics Club in 'Nukkad Natak', and we secured the second-highest score. Later, I led our contingent, coordinating teams, managing logistics, and learning leadership in a high-pressure but fun environment. My typical day involves morning classes, lab work, and assignments. Evenings are for friends, club events, or walks. I don't play any sport, but I do enjoy watching anime and movies, and going on treks around the beautiful hills that surround us. We hang out at the Village Square, the hostel rooms, play foosball or table tennis, and snack at campus canteens. My favourite food to binge on here is siddu, a local Himachali dish. I support my expenses partly through teaching assistant roles and partly through pocket money from my parents. And while I love the serenity of our hilltop campus, I sometimes miss the buzz of city life – malls, cinemas, and amusement parks. Looking ahead, I see myself going for higher studies, possibly in Computational Biology, Genomics, or Neuroscience. The culture, the food, and the rich history of Lucknow are close to my heart – and yes, I do miss them. But what I miss most is my sister and those late-night food outings. Still, if I had to sum it all up, I'd say that this journey at IIT Mandi has been one of growth, self-discovery, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) Felicitates NEET UG 2025, JEE Main and Advanced 2025 Toppers from Hyderabad at Champions of Aakash Event
Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), the national leader in test preparatory services, has once again exhibited its academic excellence by empowering students to rise above challenges and emerge as true problem solvers. Despite the increased difficulty level and changes in the NEET UG 2025 examination pattern and format as well as the difficulty level of JEE Mains and Advanced 2025, AESL students across the country and the state showcased yet again stellar performances, guided by the institute's focused problem-solving approach. Aakashians have bagged 5 ranks in Top 10 of NEET UG 2025 namely AIR 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10. There are 35 rankers from Aakash in Top 100 and 11 Aakashians have become State Toppers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Daman and Diu. Also in JEE Advanced Aakashians have bagged 9 ranks in Top 100 of JEE Advanced 2025 namely AIR 36, 41, 64, 68, 74, 75, 80, 90 and 99. Says Deepak Mehrotra, MD and CEO of Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), 'At Aakash, we teach our problem solvers how to adapt to new situations. That's why we have so many rankers this year too. NEET 2025 format was not just different, it was tough too. But be it new formats or new challenges, Aakashians have proven yet again, that when you learn the skill of problem solving you can ace any test.' A few shining examples from Hyderabad include K. Nikhi Sai with AIR 297, Kunal Mandhana with AIR 479. Other outstanding achievers are Rutvik Joshi with AIR 557, Tejeshvar Krishnamoorthy with AIR 620, Hamza Nisar Basha with AIR 686, K Rushank with AIR 874 and Sam Alfred with AIR 943 among others in NEET UG 2025. Toppers from JEE Advanced Kotha Dhanush Reddy securing AIR 74, Samhitha Poladi securing AIR 130, Harssh A Gupta achieving AIR 210, Raghavan Epuri with AIR 770, Viswa Navadeep Gunje with AIR 877, Harshavardhan Ravichander with AIR 1539, ShanmukhSai Peddada with AIR 2201, and Bharath Naidu Kilari securing AIR 2629. All the students were today felicitated and honoured by AESL at the Champions of Aakash event organized here for their outstanding result and for representing the spirit of a true problem solver, someone who stayed focused and overcame every hurdle with preparation and clarity. Their achievement not only brings pride to their city and state but also stands as an affirmation to the impact of right strategy, mentorship and perseverance. Addressing the event, Dheeraj Kumar Misra, Chief Academic and Business Head, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), said, 'Our student's success is a moment of immense pride for all of us at AESL. At Aakash, we believe in enabling every student to become a problem solver, someone who remains calm, focused, and solution-oriented even in the face of new challenges, such as this year's exam changes. Our consistent results year after year reflect our strong academic foundation, personalized mentorship, and our commitment to shaping future-ready learners. We congratulate all the students and our achievers who have made us proud.' The toppers shared valuable insights on how students can prepare for exams like NEET in a better way. They also shared tips on time and stress management. Students got a first-hand opportunity to listen and get inspired by their impeccable academic track; How to manage time effectively; How to overcome challenges faced during preparation journey; Ways to keep up the motivation levels and Ways in which Aakash can help students achieve their career goals. The interactive session answered the queries of students and parents and helped students in clarifying their doubts.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Eyes set on IISc, city student tops IISER test
1 2 Kolkata: Dishaanth Basu, a student of DPS Ruby Park, emerged as the national topper in the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), the all-India test for admission to the seven IISERs, IISc Bangalore and IIT Madras. Son of paediatrician Anirban Basu and interior designer Bidisha Basu, Dishaant had sat for IAT to be able to study at IISc Bengaluru so that he can pursue research in quantum physics in future. In fact, he has also cleared JEE-Advanced, which already helped me secure admission to IISc Bengaluru. "IISc is my dream institute, for which I worked hard to get a chance to study there. I appeared for both the entrance tests, the results of which are taken into consideration for admission to IISc. The IAT result was published after JEE Advanced result, and my IISc admission is underway," said Dishaanth. "The all-India top rank gave me a huge satisfaction though the main purpose of sitting for it had already been achieved. " You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Drishaant said he would study for 16-17 hours a day. Unlike many of his generation, he is not on social media. He would instead read books and sketch in his leisure time. Drishaant's mother, Bidisha Basu, said, "He is very focused on his studies. When he was in Class VII, he did have a few games on his mobile, but gradually he set his goal of studying at IISc Bengaluru and started preparing. We never had to worry about his social media or online game habits as he knew what he had to do. We live in a 16-member joint family and every member supported him in chasing his goal. Dishaanth loves books."
India Today
4 days ago
- Business
- India Today
IIT Delhi offers over 120 scholarships for JEE‑Advanced students
IIT Delhi has announced scholarships and fee waivers of up to Rs 1 lakh for students of JEE-Advanced 2025. In the middle of Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, many JEE Advanced qualifiers may worry about tuition costs. IIT Delhi announced a comprehensive scheme of financial support to ensure that no student is denied admission due to financial institute provides MeritcumMeans (MCM) scholarships to around 25% of undergraduates (BTech, MA, MSc, MPP) whose annual family income is up to Rs 8 awards offer Rs 4,000 per month plus full tuition fee waivers. Renewal depends on maintaining at least a 6.0 CGPA and income verification each year. Additional support is available via Institute Free Studentship for another 10% of students meeting the same criteria, offering full tuition fee SC/ST/PwD students at IIT Delhi are fully exempt from tuition help includes free hostel seat rent for families earning under Rs 8 lakh and a Rs 1,000 monthly pocket allowance, ensuring essential needs are met while pursuing SCHOLARSHIPS BOOST OPPORTUNITYThe institute also administers over 120 scholarships funded by alumni, corporations, and foundations. Awards range from Rs 25,000 to 1 lakh annually, based on income, academic performance, discipline, gender, and JEE among these are:Budhwanti Mrig memorial: Rs 1 lakh for first-year female BTech studentsadvertisementButi foundation: Rs 45,000 for first-year BTech based on meritABB and Bina Dewan Singh: Rs 25,000 for discipline-specific excellenceENSURING ACCESS DURING COUNSELLINGWith JoSAA's counselling rounds concluding today, IIT Delhi's financial packages provide crucial relief to incoming institution has reaffirmed its commitment to meritocracy and inclusivity, making top-tier education accessible regardless of financial background.- Ends
