An engineering degree remains as popular in India today as it was a decade ago. And to pursue an engineering career, you should first find the college that will best help you build your skills.
Which colleges are best for engineering in India in 2024? We’ve compiled a list of the top 25 engineering colleges in India this year, which include not only the premier institutes like the IITs but also privately funded engineering colleges.
These institutes have consistently positioned high in NIRF’s rankings of engineering colleges in India.
Key Takeaways
- India has many good engineering colleges that are recognized on a global level and offer a great alumni network.
- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) fraternity holds the top spot in the country, with IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, and IIT Bombay being some of the best engineering colleges.
- Privately held institutes like VIT, BITS, and SRM Institute are also worth considering, especially if you didn’t score very well in entrance exams.
- JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are some of the most common entrance exams accepted in the country, but some colleges also have their own entrance exams.
- It’s essential to research the specific programs and facilities each college offers, as they can significantly impact your education and career opportunities.
Top 25 Engineering Colleges in India
25. Manipal Institute of Technology
Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the best private engineering colleges in India. It’s a self-funded institute that was set up in 1957 and offers a wide range of engineering specializations.
According to the NIRF, which rates higher education institutions in India, MIT is ranked 61st out of the top 200 colleges in the country.
Some notable alumni of the institute include Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, and Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat.
24. Delhi Technological University
Delhi Technological University (DTU) was founded in 1941 as Delhi Polytechnic and has since grown into a prestigious institution offering a variety of engineering specializations. This government-funded institute consistently ranks among the top engineering colleges in India in the NIRF rankings.
Engineering students from DTU are placed in companies such as Samsung, Microsoft, Zomato, and others. Notable alumni include Vinod Dham, often called the ‘Father of the Pentium chip,’ and Ajit Prasad, former MD of Hyundai Motor India.
23. Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a renowned public university in India, established in 1875. Originally set up as a school, it has evolved into an institute offering a range of engineering specializations.
Students here have landed internships and jobs in big names like IBM, Wipro, and Infosys. The university also has a vibrant student life with various clubs and activities.
22. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT)
Located in Bhubaneswar, KIIT has made a name for itself since its founding in 1992. This private university offers an impressive array of engineering courses and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and labs.
21. SRM Institute of Science and Technology
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), formerly known as SRM University, is a private deemed university located in Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Established in 1985 as SRM Engineering College, it gained deemed university status in 2002.
The campus is equipped with modern infrastructure, including advanced laboratories, research centers, and well-stocked libraries, all designed to enhance both academic and practical learning. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, SRMIST was placed in the 271-280 bracket for Asia.
20. Birla Institute of Technology
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra (BIT, Mesra) is a government-funded tech institute in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Founded in 1955, BIT offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in Engineering, Management, and Applied Sciences.
It was the first institute in India to launch a department for Space Engineering and Rocketry back in 1964.
In the recent 2024 QS World Rankings (Asian Category), BIT, Mesra landed in the 401-450 band.
19. Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IITMD)
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi is a public technical university located in Kamand Valley, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is one of eight new IITs and is recognized as one of the Institutes of National Importance.
Since it’s a government-funded institute, there are abundant resources, state-of-the-art labs, and a particularly impressive campus.
18. Birla Institute of Technology & Science
Not to be confused with the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) is a private institution in India, established in 1964, with campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
BITS consistently ranks among the top colleges In india for engineering. It offers admissions primarily through the BITSAT entrance exam.
17. National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC)
Established in 1961, NITC is a premier technical university located in Chathamangalam, Kerala, approximately 22 kilometers northeast of Kozhikode.
Formerly known as Calicut Regional Engineering College (CREC) until 2002, NITC is recognized as an institute of national importance under an act of the Indian Parliament.
16. Amrita School of Engineering
Amrita Schools of Engineering are part of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, with campuses spread across Amritapuri (Kollam), Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Amaravati.
These top-ranked private engineering schools offer a bunch of programs, including undergraduate, integrated degrees, postgraduate, and doctoral options in various engineering fields.
15. Jadavpur University (JU)
Jadavpur University, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, is a public research and technology university that’s been around since 1906, originally starting as the Bengal Technical Institute. It became Jadavpur University in 1955.
As of the 2024 NIRF rankings, JU is making waves, ranking 9th among universities, 12th for engineering institutes, and 17th overall in India.
14. National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela)
Founded in 1961-62, NIT Rourkela is a leading technical institute located in Rourkela, Odisha, focusing on engineering, science, and technology. Recognized as an Institute of National Importance, NIT Rourkela offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programs.
There are diverse academic departments covering engineering, sciences, mathematics, and architecture.
13. Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore)
IIT Indore, situated in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the newer IITs established by the Indian government in 2009.
The institute offers a range of academic programs across three schools: Engineering, Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences. Students can pursue four-year Bachelor of Technology degrees in eight engineering fields.
12. College of Engineering, Anna University (CEG, Chennai)
The College of Engineering at Anna University, located in Chennai, is one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering colleges in India.
Established in 1794, it’s known for its strong academic programs and research initiatives. It is also the oldest technical institution to be established outside Europe.
11. Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT Gandhinagar)
Founded in 2008 and located in Palaj, Gandhinagar, IIT Gandhinagar focuses on delivering high-quality undergraduate and graduate engineering courses.
All new undergraduate students participate in a five-week Foundation Programme, recognized with the World Education Award in 2013. Nearly 25% of undergraduates gain experience in studying abroad during their studies.
10. National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy)
NIT Tiruchirappalli, established in 1964 as a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, aims to produce top-notch engineers to meet the nation’s technological demands. It gained Deemed University status in 2003 and was officially recognized as an institution of national importance in 2007.
Recently, NIT-T has made a name for itself by ranking first among all NITs and 12th among technical institutes in India, according to the NIRF. The institute has also received accolades for its industry connections and innovative use of ICT tools in education.
9. Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad)
IIT Hyderabad (IITH) has made impressive strides in just 14 years, keeping up with some of the older IITs. It ranks 9th among engineering institutes and 14th overall in India, according to the NIRF rankings, and it’s also in the Top 7 among Indian technical institutes in the QS World Rankings. Recently, it joined the global Top 600 in the QS World Rankings too.
This success is thanks to its 286 young, energetic faculty members (average age 39) who take on challenges head-on, driving R&D innovation. IITH has a solid faculty-to-student ratio of 1:15 and a balanced mix of undergrad, postgrad, and PhD programs (40:30:30). The institute’s research culture is strong, with over 1,700 sponsored projects worth ₹535+ crores ($64.46 million).
8. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati)
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) is a public technical university located in Assam, India. Established in 1994, it is the sixth member of the IIT fraternity.
The institute began its academic programs in 1995 and has since grown to include eleven departments and five interdisciplinary academic centers. The campus is situated on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra River.
7. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee)
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) is the oldest engineering institution in India. It was founded as the College of Civil Engineering in 1847 during East India Company rule.
Today, it is one of India’s 26 Institutes of Technology. The university ranks highly in several indicators, including papers per faculty, where it ranks 10th in India and 16th in Asia, and faculty staff with PhDs, where it ranks 14th in India and 53rd globally.
6. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur)
IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951, is the country’s first IIT and is recognized as an Institute of National Importance. In 2019, it was also awarded the status of Institute of Eminence by the Government of India.
In the latest QS Asia University Rankings, IITKGP ranks 59th. The university excels in its international research network, ranking seventh in India, and in papers per faculty, where it ranks 17th.
5. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, has around 8,500 students. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various fields, including Engineering, Science, and Management.
IITK ranks fourth in India for employer reputation and 18th for papers per faculty, reflecting its strong research output and respect from employers. The campus spans 1,050 acres and features modern facilities, including advanced laboratories and a library with over 500,000 volumes.
4. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
Fourth on our list of top engineering colleges in India is the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), ranked joint 40th in the Asia University Rankings. It is recognized as a leader in engineering education and research, holding first place in both papers per faculty and employer reputation indicators.
Established in 1958 as the second IIT in India, IITB has produced numerous successful graduates, including notable alumni like Parag Agrawal, former CEO of Twitter (now X), and Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and CEO of OLA.
3. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
Taking third place in our list of top engineering universities in India is the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). The university ranks high in India for both academic and employer reputation, indicating that it is well-regarded for its academic output and graduate employment prospects.
In recent years, IIT Delhi has been granted ‘Institutes of Eminence’ status, which provides it greater autonomy over course structures, tuition fees, and academic collaborations. This status also allows for around 30 percent of admitted students to be international students and enables the recruitment of foreign faculty, making up to 25 percent of the faculty’s strength, along with enhanced research funding.
2. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
VIT might seem like the odd one out among all the IITs, especially in the second position on our list, but there’s a reason for that. While IITs require above-average scores in the JEE Mains and JEE Advanced entrance exams, VIT is somewhat more lenient. It’s a great option for those who couldn’t make it to the top IITs and for international students.
The college has an active placement cell that successfully places students in top companies like Google, Microsoft, Palo Alto, and more. Plus, the fees are comparable to those at the IITs. VIT also has its own entrance exam called VITEEE, which is somewhat easier than the JEE Mains and can still secure you a seat at the college.
1. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
IIT Madras is one of the best engineering colleges in India and is also known as one of the toughest colleges in the country to gain admission. In the NIRF 2024 rankings, IIT Madras secured the top spot in both the overall and engineering categories for the sixth and ninth consecutive times, respectively.
It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in fields like Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The campus spans 620 acres and houses advanced facilities for academics and research.
What Are the Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Engineering Colleges in India?
Top engineering colleges in India accept the JEE Mains and JEE Advanced entrance exams.
Students must pass JEE Mains to qualify for JEE Advanced, which is necessary for admission to the top IITs.
Most colleges, including NITs and private institutes, also accept JEE Mains scores. Plus, colleges like BITS and VIT conduct their own entrance exams.
The Bottom Line
There are many good engineering colleges in India, and while IITs hold the top spot, several private institutes are also worth considering.
The best engineering college for you depends on your priorities, whether you seek top-ranked faculty or good placements. Your entrance exam score will also play a significant role in your decision.