Engineer the right course
Engineering is essentially an art of transforming human lives by using scientific principles, technology and human intelligence for generating innovative or better solutions to address real-world challenges.
It has remained the most preferred career choice of students for decades as a career in this field ensures job security and social status andplenty of avenues for career growth.
Selecting the right branch and college remains one of the main concerns for students as well as for parents. When it comes to getting a degree, IITs (Indian Institutes of Technologies) are considered the gold standard for aspiring students. To get admission in one of the premier engineering institutions in the country is not a cakewalk. Against a total of 17,740 seats offered by 23 IITs across various engineering programmes, more than 12 lakh candidates appeared for JEE Main Entrance Exam (JEE), in January 2025.
The emergence of new courses often leave students more confused and in need of guidance to select a programme that will get them a good package in a good company after graduation.
While the core engineering branches, or the umbrella branches as they are popularly called, such as Civil Engineering, Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering have remained popular among students for decades, with the evolving needs of the industry and rapid advancements in the world of technology, the demand is for more specialised engineers and as a result the sub-branches which were earlier taught as part of the core engineering branches have now become full-fledged engineering branches of their own now.
Let’s look at some of these emerging fields of engineering and job prospects they hold for the graduates:
Mechanical
This branch focuses on the designing, manufacturing and maintaining machines and mechanical systems that apply the principles of physics, materials science and mathematics to provide innovative solutions in industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and energy among others. Due to rapidly evolving technological advancements, the need for more specialised engineers has resulted in creation of full-fledged engineering sub fields of this branch. These are:
Automobile Engineering: It focuses on the design, manufacturing and maintenance of automobiles and their components.
Job roles: Automotive Engineer, Automotive Designer, Production Engineer and Quality Engineer.
Aerospace Engineering: This focuses on designing, development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft with two main branches: Aeronautical Engineering (flights within Earth’s atmosphere) and Astronautical Engineering (space travels).
Job roles: Aerospace Engineer, Aircraft Design Engineer, Propulsion Engineer and Flight Test Engineer.
Mechatronics: This branch combines mechanical, electrical and computer engineering to design and develop intelligent systems and machines.
Job roles: Robotics Engineer, Automation Engineer, Control System Engineer and Software Engineer.
Production & Industrial Engineering: This combines manufacturing technology, management science, engineering sciences and optimisation techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial processes and systems.
Job roles: Manufacturing Engineer, Production Engineer, Quality Engineer, Industrial Engineer and Plant Engineer.
Civil Engineering
This core branch focuses on design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, buildings and water systems. Apart from core civil engineering, technological advancements and career specialisation in specific areas have attracted many students to pursue a degree in the subfields like: Environmental Engineering: This focuses on protecting and improving the natural environment, including pollution control, waste management and sustainable development.
Job roles: Environmental engineers, environmental consultants, environmental project manager, and environmental policy analysts.
Construction Engineering: This applies innovative practices and technological advancements in the construction process.
Job roles: Construction Manager, Project Manager, Construction Superintendent, Field Engineer and Surveyor among others.
Structural Engineering: Structural Engineering primarily focuses on design, analysis and construction of structures to ensure safety, stability and durability.
Job roles: Structural Engineer, Design Engineer, Project Manager and Research Analyst, etc.
Electrical Engineering
This branch focuses on the study, design and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The sub-fields of Electrical Engineering are:
Power Engg: It focuses on the generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation of electric power that involves designing, operation and maintenance of electrical grids, power plants and power distribution networks.
Job roles: Power Systems Engineer, Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Control System Engineer and Project Engineer.
EV Engg: This sub field primarily focuses on the design, development, implementation and maintenance of electric vehicles (EV).
Job roles: EV Engineer, Battery Engineer, Charging Infrastructure Planner, Data Scientist for EV Analytics and Regulatory Affairs Specialist.
The writer is Pro Vice-Chancellor
(Engg), Chandigarh University, Gharaun
Computer Science Engineering (CSE)
CSE is a field that combines computer science with engineering principles that jointly focus on the design, development and maintenance of computer systems and networks. CSE graduates can take up the job roles of a Software Developer or Software Engineer, Web Developer, System Administrator, Network Engineer and System Analyst among others.
While CSE has remained the most preferred career choice among students for decades, over the years technology has evolved at a rapid pace triggering a demand for more specialised engineers in this field. And as a result many IT applications which were earlier taught as part of the CSE, have now become full-fledged engineering branches of their own. These include emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, IOT, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Cyber Security and IT Engineering, which offer lucrative salaries and innovation-driven career opportunities. Here’s a look at these courses and job prospects:
Information Technology (IT): Focuses on the application of technology to solve problems and manage information systems; it involves designing, maintaining and implementing computer software, hardware and managing networks and databases.
Job roles: Software Developer, Information Security Analyst, Software Engineer, Full Stack Developer and Network Engineer.
IOT (Internet of Things): There is a high demand for IoT engineers in the job market today, which is driven by the growth of connected devices and the increased dependence on data-driven insights across various industries.
Job roles: IoT Software Developer, Network Engineer, Data Analyst, IoT Embedded Engineer, IoT Security Specialist and IoT Data Scientist.
Cyber Security Engineering: The high demand for these engineers is driven by the increased cybersecurity threats.
Job roles: Cybersecurity Analyst, Network Security Engineer, Security Consultant, Ethical Hacker, etc.
Artificial intelligence & Machine Learning
There is a growing popularity among students to pursue a degree in AI & ML Engineering today which can be attributed to the high demand of the cutting-edge technologies and lucrative job prospects they offer. Graduates of this branch can take up job roles that of a Machine Learning Engineer, AI/ML Software Developer, AI Research Scientist, AI Engineer, Deep Learning Engineer, AI & ML Architect, NLP Engineer and AI Product Manager among others.
Electronics and Communication
ECE is a branch that focuses on the design, development and testing of electronic devices and communication systems. Today, many students prefer to pursue a degree in sub-fields of this branch rather than the core engineering itself, which include:
Robotics & Automation Engineering The focus here is on designing, building and operating robots for various applications. It combines principles from mechanical, electrical, software and artificial intelligence engineering.
Job roles Robotics Engineer, Robotics Technician, Robotics Programmer and Robotics Machine Learning Engineer.
Materials Engineering With a focus on electronics applies principles of engineering and science to manufacture and improve materials, including aerospace, biomedical, electronics and construction industries. The graduates in this domain can take up Job roles: Materials Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Process Engineer, R&D Engineer and Quality Control Engineer among others.
University
Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
Estd: 2008 | Website: www.iitrpr.ac.in
In NIRF 2024, it is ranked 22nd in Engineering and 48th overall. Additionally, it is ranked 45th in Research by the NIRF.
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala
Estd: 1956 | Website: https://www.thapar.edu/
Ranked 29th in the NIRF 2024 Engineering category. They also received a ranking of 44th in the Management category.
Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
Estd: February 2009 | Website: https://www.iitmandi.ac.in
In the 2024 NIRF rankings: 31st in the Engineering category and the 72nd in the Overall category and 8th in the Innovation category.
University Institute of Engineering (UIE),
Chandigarh University, Gharaun
Estd: 2012 | Website: www.cuchd.in
Ranked 32nd (All India Rank) in NIRF 2024 and QS World University Rankings (by subject)-2025: 231st (World Rank), 11th (India Rank)
PEC University of Technology, (Deemed to be
University), Chandigarh
Estd: 1921 in Lahore (In Chandigarh since 1953)| Website: pec.ac.in
The institute has maintained strong rankings over the years, securing the #101-150 rank in the ‘Engineering’ category in NIRF 2024.
LPU Faculty of Engineering, Jalandhar
Estd: 2005 | Website: www.schools.lpu.in
50thby NIRF 2024& 3rd in Times Higher Education (India) (World University ranking by subject 2025)
National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
Estd: 1963 | Website: www.nitkkr.ac.in
In NIRF 2024, the institute ranked 81st in Engineering category.
Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and
Technology (CUIET), Rajpura
Estd: 2002 | Website: https://www.chitkara.edu.in
In 2024 NIRF CUIET is ranked 94th in the Engineering category and its Architecture School was ranked 35th
National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, HP
Estd: 1986 (as REC) | Website: www.nith.ac.in
In the 2024 NIRF rankings, the institute was ranked within the 101-150 band for Engineering. Its Dept of Architecture was ranked 32nd among all Architecture colleges.
GND Engineering College, Ludhiana
Estd: 1956 | Website: www.gndec.ac.in/
Autonomous college under UGC Act, NAAC ‘A’ Grade, and NBA accreditation to various programmes. All courses are approved by AICTE.
University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
Estd: 2004 | Website: https://www.uietkuk.ac.in
(Based on inputs from The Tribune sources)
2024 NIRF Top 10
1Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
2Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
3Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
4Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
5Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
6Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
7Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati
8Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
9National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
10Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi
Simple formula to choose stream
The best and simple criteria to choose stream in engineering is based upon your liking of core subjects that you have studied in Class XII that is PCM. For those with a preference for physics, Electronics and Communication, Electrical Engineering are the ideal streams. But if your strengths are in physics and mathematics combo, then Civil and Mechanical Engineering is what you should opt for. For those good in mathematics only, Computer Science is the stream, while a penchant for chemistry should make you opt for Chemical Engineering.
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