ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Cloud and DevOps Engineer
Sets up and manages cloud servers and automated pipelines to run software reliably.
Maths and Computer Science helpful After a degree Private sector
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Solving problems step by step, especially when a live system breaks and must be fixed
- Automating repeated tasks with scripts so people do not have to
- Learning new tools, since the field changes quickly
It may not suit you if you dislike
- On-call duty: alerts can come at night or on weekends
- Pressure during outages, when many people are waiting for the fix
- Years of self-study and certifications before the work feels secure, and tools keep changing
- Class 11–12 subjects
- For a B.Tech in Computer Science or IT, Class 12 with Physics and Maths is the usual route. BCA and MCA have their own rules, and many colleges accept Maths or Computer Science in Class 12. Check each college's eligibility page.
- First degree
- B.Tech in Computer Science or IT (4 years), BCA (3 years) or MCA (2 years after a degree). Cloud and DevOps skills are added through practice, projects and certifications.
- Entrance exams
- For B.Tech, JEE Main (NTA) for NITs and IIITs, or state engineering entrance tests. BCA and MCA usually use university tests or merit, depending on the college.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
Subjects that keep this door openClass 11–12: Physics + Mathematics.Maths and Computer Science helpful.Way back: You can add the missing subject later as an extra subject (for example through NIOS) and still apply, but check the exam's and college's rules. A longer road, but open.Check your subjects against every career
What the work is like
Setting up cloud servers, storage and networks on platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud. Writing scripts and automated pipelines that build, test and release software. Watching systems for faults, and keeping security and cloud costs under control.
A day in the work
The day often starts with checking dashboards and alerts for any server or pipeline that failed overnight. You might review a colleague's change to deployment scripts, then update the cloud setup for a new app environment. Mid-day may bring a quick call with developers about a slow release or a security patch. The day often ends with a planned change, made when fewer users are online.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 9–10Build a solid base in Maths and get comfortable with computers. Try simple coding and learn how networks and the internet work.
- Step 2 · Class 11–12Take Science with Maths if you aim for B.Tech. Learn basic Linux commands and Python using free material. Prepare for JEE Main or your state entrance test.
- Step 3 · 3–4 yearsDo a B.Tech, BCA or MCA. Pick subjects like operating systems, computer networks and databases. Look for internships in IT firms or college labs.
- Step 4 · During or after the degreeStart with a foundation cloud certificate such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Then move to a hands-on one. The CKA Kubernetes exam is performance-based and is run from a command line.
- Step 5 · First jobEntry roles are often cloud support, junior DevOps or systems roles. Practise tools like Git, Docker and CI/CD pipelines in real projects you can show to employers.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (Science with Maths) and JEE Main or state entrance prep | 2 years | Your school's fees. Free NPTEL and Python material; no extra cost named on the page. | — | Free study material (NPTEL, free Python and Linux resources). |
| B.Tech CSE/IT at a government college (e.g. NIT) | 4 years | About ₹1.25 lakh per year (reported, NIT B.Tech tuition); check the college's fee page. | Check the college's fee page | Scholarships and fee concessions depend on the college and category. Check the college. |
| B.Tech CSE/IT at a private college | 4 years | — | Check the college's fee page (reported figures on Findmycollege are not official) | Depends on the college and category. Check the college. |
| Foundation cloud certificate (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner) | During or after the degree | AWS exam fee is paid; check the AWS page for current price. | AWS exam fee is paid; check the AWS page for current price. | — |
| Hands-on certification (CKA Kubernetes exam) | Check the notice for exam timing | $445 as listed by CNCF. | $445 as listed by CNCF. | — |
Total timeAbout 4 years after Class 12 for a B.Tech, plus time for certifications and first job search
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowCertifications are paid, and NPTEL courses are free, though the optional proctored certificate exam is ₹1,000 per course.
Fees from: NPTEL cloud computing course page (exam fee) · CNCF CKA page (exam cost). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Pay depends on experience, certifications, city and employer. Entry jobs pay much less than senior cloud roles, and large product companies and cloud-focused firms often pay more than small service firms.
Myth and fact
Myth: You must be a top coder from a top college to become a cloud engineer.
Fact: People enter through BCA, B.Tech and other routes, then build skills through practice and certifications. Clear basics in Linux, networks and scripting matter more than the college name.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Ask a teacher or parent to help you try a basic Python or Linux tutorial for an hour a week. Make one small program that does a task you find boring.
- Class 10–12Browse the free NPTEL course list on SWAYAM and pick one introductory programming or operating systems course. Enrolment is free; only the optional certificate exam costs money.Open link ↗
- College or afterEnrol in a free NPTEL cloud computing course when its enrolment window is open, and learn the basics of how cloud services are built and run.Open link ↗
Good to know
- A certificate helps you get noticed, but employers also look at projects, practical skills and how you explain a problem you fixed.
- Some cloud certifications need renewal or have a validity period. Check the provider's current rules before you plan your budget.
- A diploma in computer engineering followed by cloud certifications is also a route into this work, though it is slower for many firms.
- Cloud errors can be expensive for companies, so good engineers learn to check costs and security before they change anything.