SKILLED TRADES AND VOCATIONAL (NSQF)

Draughtsman (Civil or Mechanical)

Prepare technical drawings and plans from engineers' sketches using CAD software.

Class 10 Science and Maths helpful After Class 10 Private sector

Facts checked 29/10/2026

Is this for me?

People in this work enjoy

Neat, precise work where small details matter
Turning a rough idea into a clear plan others can build from
Working on a computer and learning new software

It may not suit you if you dislike

Long hours sitting at a screen or drawing table
Frequent changes and tight deadlines from engineers or clients
Pay starts modest, and growth usually needs more skills or a diploma

Class 11–12 subjects: Usually Class 10 with Science and Mathematics for the ITI draughtsman trades. Some institutes ask only for a 10th pass, so check the ITI's notice.
First degree: ITI trade course (Craftsmen Training Scheme), 2 years, 4 semesters of six months each.
Entrance exams: Admission to the ITI is by merit or state counselling. You take a final trade test at the end of the course. Attendance of at least 80% is needed to sit it.
Licence or registration: None needed to start working.

Subjects that keep this door openClass 11–12: Physics + Mathematics.Class 10 Science and Maths 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

Turning engineers' sketches into clear drawings of buildings, roads, bridges or machine parts. Drawing by hand first, then on AutoCAD. Checking measurements and marking up errors. Keeping drawing sets organised for site or workshop use.

A day in the work
A draughtsman usually starts the day by checking the engineer's sketches or the list of drawings due. They spend most of the day drawing plans or part views on AutoCAD, and sometimes by hand. They check measurements with the site or workshop team and mark changes. By the end of the day, the drawing set is saved, printed and labelled for the next person.

The path, step by step

Step 1 · Class 10Pass Class 10 with Science and Mathematics. Most ITI trades accept students from age 14, with no upper age limit in many central institutes.
Step 2 · After Class 10Apply to a government or private ITI for Draughtsman (Civil) or Draughtsman (Mechanical). Admission is usually by merit from your Class 10 marks or by state counselling.
Step 3 · Years 1–2Learn drawing sheets, scales, lettering and geometric construction by hand. Then learn AutoCAD basics, such as layers, blocks and dimensioning. By the final semester, many trainees make simple 3D models.
Step 4 · End of courseSit the final trade test. The ITI trade certificate is the main qualification for junior draughtsman jobs.
Step 5 · After the ITIApply for apprenticeship or junior draughtsman jobs in private firms, PSUs or government departments. The DGT curriculum notes a one-year rebate in apprenticeship for ITI passed-out trainees in this trade.
Step 6 · Government postsMany government notices for Draughtsman posts ask for the ITI trade certificate, and some ask for a diploma or experience. Check each notice's age limit, pay and selection stages. (reported — check with the official body)

Time and money

Stage	Time	Government college or body	Private college	Help available
ITI Draughtsman (Civil or Mechanical) course, 2 years after Class 10	2 years (4 semesters of 6 months)	NSTI Bengaluru: ₹500 total admission fee (general/OBC); ₹275 (SC/ST); no tuition fee. Other govt ITIs: small fees, check the college's fee page	Private ITIs charge more. Check the college's fee page	NSTI Bengaluru: ₹275 for SC/ST students. NSTI Thiruvananthapuram: no tuition or exam fee for women (2026-27). Check your state for women's seat preference
Final trade test (attendance of at least 80% needed)	1 day exam	Check the notice	Check the notice	—
Junior draughtsman job or apprenticeship after ITI	Apprenticeship: one-year rebate for ITI passed-out trainees (DGT)	Paid job: pay Level-4, basic ₹25,500 to ₹81,100 (7th CPC) (reported, JKSSB 2026)	Pay varies by private firm. Check the job notice	Government posts pay a salary; apprenticeships are paid. Pay varies by department and state

Total timeAbout 2 years after Class 10 to first job, plus job search time

Total costCosts are small at government ITIs (NSTI Bengaluru ₹500 or ₹275 total admission fee), while private ITIs charge more; check each college's fee page.

Good to knowMany government draughtsman posts also ask for a diploma or experience; check each notice's age limit, pay and selection stages.

Fees from: NSTI Bengaluru, CTS fees (DGT) · NSTI Thiruvananthapuram, fees 2026-27 (DGT). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

What people earn

Pay is modest at entry. It grows with years of experience, strong CAD and site skills, and government or PSU posts, which often pay more than small private firms.

Myth and fact

Myth: ~~Draughtsman work is just tracing drawings, and computers will replace it.~~

Fact: The trade starts with hand drawing, then covers AutoCAD commands and, by the final semester, 3D models. Engineers still need people who can read and check drawings carefully.

For girls and students with disabilities

Some institutes waive tuition fees for women applicants, such as NSTI Thiruvananthapuram. Some states reserve preference for women in ITI seats; Assam, for example, gives women preference in 30% of seats. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC and disabled candidates follows central or state rules.

Try it now

Class 7–9Practise straight lines, circles and simple shapes with a ruler, compass and set square. Draw the plan of your room to scale.
Class 10–12Search SWAYAM for a free engineering drawing course and complete one week of it. Note how drawings show views and dimensions.Open link ↗
College or afterAsk a local ITI or a small drawing office if you can watch a drafting team for a day. Note how they check and correct drawings.

Good to know

Civil and mechanical are separate ITI trades. Civil drawings focus on buildings, roads and bridges. Mechanical drawings focus on machines, tools and assemblies.
The course is mostly practical. Around 70% of the training time goes to hands-on work, and the rest to trade theory.
You do not need a paid AutoCAD course to start. The ITI syllabus already includes AutoCAD.
Many draughtsmen later move up through a diploma, lateral entry or an instructor course. Check the rules of the institute or state you are in.

Sources: DGT curriculum for the trade of Draughtsman Civil (PDF) · DGT Draughtsman Civil trade syllabus (CTS 2.0, PDF) · NSTI Bengaluru, Craftsmen Training Scheme courses and fees (DGT) · NSTI Thiruvananthapuram, CTS courses and fees 2026-27 (DGT) · Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, Craftsman Training Scheme (Maharashtra page) · JKSSB Draftsman (Civil) 2026 notice summary (secondary report of the notice)