As an engineering aspirant, your primary focus is on clearing JEE Main, JEE Advanced and other entrance exams so that you are able to get a good engineering seat. But, you should also keep in mind that the engineering branch you choose will have major implications on your career. We have compiled a list of all the major Engineering branches along with a brief overview of each branch. In this list, all core branches and emerging branches have been covered. Go through them without any bias and see if your interests and goals align with a branch before you choose one-
One of the most trending disciplines among the Engineering aspirants, Computer Science deals with the study of computer programming languages, software development, algorithm design, networking etc. A student taking CSE as discipline would have knowledge of design and management of information system of both hardware and software aspects. Various technical institutions all over the world offer the course at undergraduate and post-graduate levels awarding B.Tech / B.E. and M.Tech / M.E. degree in CSE respectively. The candidates pursuing the course can go for specialization in Artificial Intelligence, Computer and Network security, Human-Computer Interaction etc.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed class 10+2 examination from CBSE or equivalent recognized board with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student should have completed his/her graduation in the same discipline with a minimum passing mark in aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest disciplines of Engineering which uses principles of physics and material science for analysis, design and manufacturing of mechanical system or a machine. It is a very broad engineering discipline in which expects the understanding of core concepts of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, structural analysis and materials science from the students. A student taking Mechanical Engineering as discipline would have understanding of designing of automobiles, turbo-machinery, aircrafts and other heavy machineries. The discipline is offered by various technical Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in mechanical engineering respectively. The candidates pursuing mechanical engineering can go for specialization in Automotive, Robotics, Manufacturing, Fluid mechanics, Thermal science, materials etc.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed class 10+2 examination from CBSE or equivalent recognized board with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student should have completed his/her graduation in the same discipline with a minimum passing mark in aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Being a broad discipline, there are various domains like automobile, power, cement, steel, hydraulics, mining etc. in which a mechanical engineer can choose to work. Generally it can be said that a mechanical engineer designs and analyze a system which goes into manufacturing and tests it for feasibility and efficiency to carry out improvement processes. A mechanical engineer can also opt for Engineering Services under the government.
Civil Engineering can be arguably said the oldest discipline of engineering as all the wonders like the Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Egypt etc what we see today would not have been possible without the civil engineers. The engineering discipline deals with the planning, designing, construction, maintenance and operation of infrastructure. A student taking the discipline would get an understanding of strength of materials, designing of structures like bridge, tall buildings etc. The discipline is offered by various technical Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in civil engineering respectively. The candidates pursuing civil engineering can go for specialization in Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Bridge Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Environment Engineering etc.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed class 10+2 examination from CBSE or equivalent recognized board with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student should have completed his/her graduation in the same discipline with a minimum passing mark in aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
NOTE: Some Institutes also offer diploma in Civil Engineering which can be done after passing class X.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Civil Engineers mainly get recruited by construction firms as structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, site engineers, construction engineers etc. Other than this they also have opportunity under public sector like CPWD, Defense Forces Development Board, Municipal bodies etc. They may also be recruited in quality testing, laboratories or military as consultants.
The discipline deals with the development of electronic devices like transistors, printed circuit boards, integrated circuits which are used in computers, mobiles, MP3 players, TVs etc. It involves the transmission of information across channels like coax cables, optical fibers. A student pursuing degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering will gain ample knowledge of digital electronics and logic design, fundamentals of communication engineering, electronic circuits, signals and system, applied electromagnetic theory, integrated circuits, power electronics, computer architecture, VLSI and control systems. The discipline is offered by various technical Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Electronics& Communication Engineering respectively. The candidates pursuing electronics and communication engineering can go for specialization in Embedded Systems, Wireless Communication, VLSI System Design, Communication System and Design etc.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed class 10+2 examination from CBSE or equivalent recognized board with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as core subjects. Also, the student should have a minimum aggregate mark of 60% in above mentioned subjects combined.
For Postgraduates: The student should have completed his/her graduation in the same discipline with a minimum passing mark in aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Electronics and Communication Engineers may choose a career path in consumer electronics, radio and television industry, hospital diagnostic equipments, communication, electricity generation and distribution and offshore industries. One of the basic work of their job involves research and development of satellite design, cable system, mobile phones, internet etc.
The graduates also work on cross functional engineering branch projects to develop new systems, circuits and devices or develop existing technology.
Electrical Engineering is that discipline of engineering which involves the study of electromagnetism and development and maintenance of electrical systems. A qualified electrical engineer designs electric circuits and equipment for various uses like production and distribution of power. Students who opt to study electrical engineering study about the semiconductors and microprocessors and their applications. The discipline is offered by various technical Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Electrical Engineering respectively. The candidates pursuing Electrical Engineering can go for specialization in Power and Energy systems, Control Systems, Signal Processing, Electromagnetics etc.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed class 10+2 examination from CBSE or equivalent recognized board with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student should have completed his/her graduation in the same discipline with a minimum passing mark in aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Jobs in Electrical Engineering is not only limited to power industry but electrical engineers are also recruited in telecommunication, navigation, railways, automobile, aerospace defense etc. As electricity is an important source of energy for almost all industries, requirement of electrical engineers is everywhere. They are recruited by various public and private firms for role of Design Engineer, Control and Instrumentation Engineer, Broadcast Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Systems Analyst etc.
A candidate with wishing to pursue a degree in Information Technology will be responsible for operating computer systems, servers, software, computer networking. Many a times, IT is confused with Computer Science but they are different. Computer Science is about the design of microprocessors or writing software while IT is about the use of electronic computers and software to store, process, transmit or protect information from anywhere anytime. The discipline is offered by various Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E, BCA, BSc, M.E./M.Tech, MCA, MSc in Information Technology.
For BE/BTech in IT: The student must have passed class 10+2 in Science stream from a recognized board or university
For BCA: The student must have passed class 10+2 in Science stream or Commerce stream from a recognized board or university
For M.Tech in IT: The student must have a degree of BE/BTech or MSc in relevant branch.
For MCA: The student must have a Bachelor's degree in BCA, B.Sc. (Information Technology / Computer Science) with Mathematics as a course at 10+2 level or at Graduate level
For BSc in IT: The student must have passed class 10+2 in Science stream from a recognized board or university
Minimum Eligibility criteria for MSc in IT: The student must have completed a Bachelor's degree in relevant branch with Mathematics as a subject at 10+2 level or at Graduate level
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
IT graduates are employed by IT service provider companies which are interested in development of software, its application and testing. The job roles offered to them are Programmers, Software Developer, Quality Analyst, Graphical Designer, Technical Consultant etc. An IT graduate may also get into research and development or Networking & Security Administrator in any IT industry.
Automobile Engineering was earlier a part of mechanical engineering but with the growing influence of automobiles, automobile engineering has become a separate discipline. It deals with the design, development, fabrication, testing and repairing of automobiles like cars, truck, buses etc. Safety Engineering, Quality Management and Control, Automotive Analytics are some of the integral features of this discipline. This discipline is not yet as popular as other discipline but offered by some Institutes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Automobile Engineering.
Undergraduates: The student must have passed 10+2 with minimum qualifying marks in aggregate with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as core subjects.
Postgraduates: The student must hold a B.E. or B.Tech degree in mechanical engineering or automobile engineering with minimum qualifying marks and qualification through engineering competitive exam.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
As the discipline itself says, automobile engineers are majorly recruited by automotive companies for various roles like design engineer where they design the electrical, hydraulic and mechanical system of automobiles, development engineer where their role is to look after the processes in fabrication of vehicle, quality control executive who looks after the improvement of efficiency of existing vehicles. An automobile engineer graduate may also be hired as Safety Testing Specialist, Material Processing Specialist, Research and Development Engineer etc.
Chemical Engineering is concerned with the design and development of processes by which raw materials or chemicals are processed to valuable forms. It involves the study of operations of machines and plants which alter the physical and chemical states of materials. This discipline of engineering also covers areas of biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers, petroleum refineries etc. The discipline is offered by various technical Institutes across the globe at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Chemical Engineering respectively. The candidates pursuing Chemical Engineering can go for specialization in Petroleum Engineering, Food Engineering and Ceramics etc.
For Undergraduates: The student must have passed 10+2 with minimum qualifying marks in aggregate with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student must hold a degree in Bachelor of Engineering/B.Tech along with a qualification score in engineering competitive exams organized by Institutes. Candidates with an MSc degree in chemistry are also eligible for the M.Tech programme in Chemical Engineering
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Graduates in chemical engineering have opportunities in manufacturing and service industries like food, Tyre manufacturing, plastics, materials and minerals based industries, petrochemicals, synthetic fibers and pharmaceuticals etc. There are also opportunities in public sector and the candidates can get a job in Engineering Service after clearing the examination conducted by UPSC or any other agencies. They are deployed in atomic power plants, healthcare projects, power conservation projects etc.
Construction Engineering is concerned with the designing, planning and management of infrastructure. This discipline is a blend of Civil Engineering and Construction Management. The major difference between Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering is that Civil Engineering is more focused on the designing aspects while Construction Engineering includes management of construction projects. This discipline is not yet as popular as other discipline but offered by some Institutes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Construction Engineering.
For Undergraduates: The students must have passed 10+2 with minimum aggregate marks and should have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics as core subjects.
For Postgraduates: The students must have completed BE/BTech in Construction Engineering/Civil Engineering with a minimum passing percentage in an aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Construction Engineers are hired by construction companies for various roles like structural engineer who designs and assess projects like construction of dams, buildings, bridges etc, transportation engineer who operates maintains everyday systems like highways. Graduates in Construction Engineering are also selected for positions like Supervisory Engineer, Division Head, Project Manager, Consultants and Quality Analyst etc.
Biomedical Engineering is a blend of principles of engineering and medical sciences. It focuses on tissue engineering, molecular level biology with mathematics. A qualified Biomedical Engineer is expected to design equipment like artificial internal organs, machines to diagnose medical problems, evaluate safety and effectiveness of biomedical instruments etc. This discipline is not yet as popular as other discipline but offered by some Institutes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Biomedical Engineering. The candidates pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering can dive into research to find out the engineering aspects of biological system of living beings.
For BTech/BE: The student should have passed their 10+2 education in science stream from a recognized board.
For MTech: The student has to complete their graduation in Biomedical Engineering/ Biotechnology or equivalent discipline from a recognized university/institute.
NOTE: A candidate who possesses an MBBS degree can also pursue a post-graduate course in Biomedical Engineering.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Biomedical Engineers are recruited for positions like:
The discipline is concerned with the processes of production of paper and its products from pulp or wood. It emphasizes on principles of chemical engineering and basic science for paper and pulp manufacturing. It enables the student to learn the manufacturing process of paper from raw material to its processing with heat, chemicals, electricity etc. This discipline is not yet as popular as other discipline but is offered by some Institutes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels awarding B.Tech/B.E. and M.Tech/ M.E. degree in Pulp and Paper technology.
Very few Institutes offer this course and they have their own eligibility criteria for enrollment in the course.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Graduates in Pulp and Paper Technology may opt for post-graduation for further research. Other than this, graduates are hired in pulp and paper factories, newspaper industries, publishing industries, paper mills etc.
It is a specialized discipline of Engineering that is concerned with the design and development of aircrafts and spacecraft. It also includes new technologies of space exploration. It covers a great part of mechanical engineering and subjects like mathematics, physics, aeronautics, electricity, robotics etc. It is said to be a tougher course in comparison to others and is available at a limited number of Institutes. The discipline is offered by some Institutes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level awarding B.E./ B.Tech and M.E./M.Tech degree in Aerospace Engineering respectively.
For Undergraduates: The student should have passed 10+2 examination from recognized board with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as core subjects. The candidates should also fulfill minimum qualifying marks in aggregate of the subjects.
For Postgraduates: The student should have a Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering with a minimum passing percentage in the aggregate of the subjects studied at undergraduate level.
The curriculum may vary from Institute to Institute but some of the important courses are:
Aerospace Engineers are recruited by public and private sector companies for designing of aircrafts, spacecraft and missile systems. They are also responsible for the assembling, maintenance and proper functioning of these systems. It is an evergreen field which is continuously growing and welcoming advancement of technologies thereby creating large number of opportunities in the production and functioning of aircrafts and spacecraft.
The engineering discipline concerned with the machinery and systems of ships and other marine vehicles and structure. Marine engineers are responsible for the design and selection of equipment and systems, for installation and commissioning, for operation, and for maintenance and repair. Marine engineers are likely to have to deal with a wide range of systems, including diesel engines, gas turbines, boilers, steam turbines, heat exchangers, and pumps and compressors, and electrical systems. Many marine engineers become involved with structural issues, including inspection and surveying, corrosion protection, and repair.
Marine engineers are generally mechanical engineers or systems engineers who have acquired their marine orientation through professional experience, but programs leading to degrees in marine engineering are offered by colleges and universities.
Undergraduates Level: Candidates must have successfully passed their senior secondary examination with at-least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM). They should also have secured a minimum 50% marks in English in Class X or Class XII. A minimum and a maximum age limit are different for different engineering institutes. Some institutes like MANET might examine candidate's medical fitness.
Postgraduates Level: Aspirants must have passed their 10+2 examination from a recognised school. Candidates must have completed their graduation with BE/BTech in Mechanical/Marine engineering from a recognized university and should have secured an aggregate marks of 50% to 60% in their bachelor studies.
Genetic Engineering, or genetic modification, is the process of manipulating an organism’s genome using biotechnology. The process involves inserting a new DNA into the host genome. This is done by first isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence. Another way is to synthesize the DNA, and then insert it into the host organism. BE or B.Tech in Genetic Engineering is a four-year program. Research, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine are some of the fields that use Genetic engineering techniques. Genetic Engineering studies the method in which traits and characteristics of an organism are transmitted through generations. Genetic Engineering graduates get the opportunity to work in medical and pharmaceutical industries, agriculture industries, research, and development to name a few.
An individual aspiring to pursue a professional degree in Genetic Engineering can begin the BTech course after his/her 10+2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology. Admission to BTech in Genetic Engineering is made through entrance tests conducted in-house by various universities or through the scores of national engineering entrance examination like JEE for IITs/NITs & CFTIs across the country.
Food Technology deals with a blend of physical, chemical or microbiological techniques and processes for transforming raw ingredients into food and also other forms in food processing industry. Food processing refers to converting the raw ingredients into edible components or transforming food into other edible forms. BE/B. Tech in Food Technology is a 4-year program. Food Technology deals with the various chemical processes that food products undergo to make them consumable and ready to market. Food processors typically take clean, harvested crops or butchered animal products and use them to produce attractive, marketable food products with long shelf-life. Similar processes apply to animal feed. You can pursue M. Tech in Food Technology after successful completion of BE/B.Tech.
Undergraduates Level: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with minimum qualifying marks in aggregate with Physics, Chemistry, Biology as core subjects. Independent entrance tests for this program are also held by the various state, central, and private universities which mostly require 50% as the prerequisite to appear for the test.
Postgraduates Level: Candidates must hold a degree in Bachelor of Engineering/B.Tech in Food Technology/Food and Processing Technology or BSc (in Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry) along with a good score in entrance tests held for PG program held by the various state, central, and private universities.
Petroleum Engineering is a branch of science which deals with the study of extraction of crude oil and natural gas present on the deposits found below the surface of Earth. Petroleum engineering needs a knowledge of many other disciplines such as geophysics, petroleum geology, formation evaluation, drilling, economics, reservoir simulation, reservoir engineering, well engineering, artificial lift systems, etc. B. Tech Petroleum Engineering is an interesting field of engineering offering various specialization courses that deal with the production of hydrocarbons, which can either be natural gas or crude oil.
An individual aspiring to pursue a professional degree in Petroleum Engineering can begin the BTech course after his/her 10+2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Maths.
For a PG degree in Petroleum Engineering, an individual should possess a B.Tech in the above stream.
Industrial and production engineering is concerned with the optimization of complex processes, systems and organization by developing, improving and implementing integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy and materials. It eliminates waste of time, money, materials, energy and other resources. Industrial Engineering is also known as Operations management, Production Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering depending on the viewpoint or motives of the user. In lean manufacturing systems, Industrial engineers work to eliminate wastage of time, money, materials, energy, and other resources.
To become a production and industrial engineer one needs to do at least BE (Production and Industrial Engineering) of four years duration. A candidate who have passed his/her 10+2 or equivalent with science as a subject is eligible for admission to the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering. The method of selection include entrance test and interview. Some institutions offer admission on merit basis also. Industrial engineering is also taught as a special subject after BE mechanical / electrical.
For admissions to PG courses in Industrial Engineering/ Management, candidates should have a Bachelor's Degree in any branch of engineering/technology (BE/BTech) or equivalent with first division. Some institutes are also offering admissions based on CAT/GATE score. The duration of PG Diploma in Industrial Engineering is 2 years, and selection is through GD & Interview.
Environmental Engineering is an emerging branch of engineering that applies the principles of science and engineering to improve the environmental factors like air, water, and/or land resources from the harmful effects of pollution and to provide healthy resources for one and all. This Engineering branch will suit students who have an interest in renewable energy, preservation of nature and environment and sustainable development. And the good news is that the number of Colleges and Institutes offering this course is increasing each year. The branch is relatively less saturated also.
The basic eligibility criteria for BE / B.Tech in Environmental Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics. Admission to these 4 years courses is made on the basis of the +2 marks.
Bachelor's degree holder in any branch of engineering can go for 2 years post graduate degree course (i.e. M.E/ M.Tech.) in environmental engineering. The admission is through Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)/ written examination conducted by respective institute and personal interviews.
Robotics Engineering is referred to that branch of engineering which deals with the designing, construction, and application of Robots and how computers are used to operate Robots. Robot Programming is one of the most important aspects of robotics because without it robots cannot move or do particular tasks. Robots are being highly used in various sectors for mainly two reasons i.e to increase work and output rate and to ensure human safety. It uses the principles of other engineering branches like electrical engineering, computer science engineering and mechanical engineering to play with robots that may resemble humans in appearance or work.
For UG you can apply for a bachelor’s degree (B.Tech) in Robotics Engineering after passing 12th examination. Candidates must have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects in the 12th standard.
For PG students must have a bachelor’s degree (B.E/B.Tech) or any other related branches of engineering. B.Tech /BE in Electronics /Mechanical /Electrical /CSE/ electrical and Electronics Engineering are eligible to take admission in M.Tech programme.
This branch of engineering primarily deals with properties of matter and applications of materials in various domains of science and engineering. Materials Engineering is an interdisciplinary field and makes hot career choice for students, because of its vastness of applications. A course in materials engineering or materials science teaches relation between structure of matter at atomic or molecular scale and macroscopic properties of materials. Coursework in materials engineering includes applied physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering.
10+2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English is mandatory for admission into Materials Engineering course.
To pursue M.E. or M.Tech one needs to qualify GATE or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering.
RF (Radio Frequency) & Microwave Engineering is a subset of electrical engineering. These specialists design, construct and operate devices that transmit or receive radio waves. These devices include radios, wireless equipment, mobile phones etc. An RF (Radio Frequency) & Microwave Engineering programme is most suitable for individuals wanting to develop their expertise and grow in the field of RF, microwave, millimetre wave engineering. It provides a theoretical basis from which the design, construction and operation of satellite and cellular radio communications can be understood.
A background in general electronics, physics and mathematics is a must to pursue a postgraduate degree in RF & Microwave Engineering. Besides this, candidates must also have completed their BE/ BTech or equivalent degree in relevant disciplines (preferable in electrical engineering), with aggregate marks of at least 60%.