SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Engineer
Building and improving machines, software, structures and systems.
Facts checked 17/10/2026
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Physics and Maths compulsory, plus Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology or a technical vocational subject. IITs need Physics, Chemistry and Maths.
- First degree
- B.E. or B.Tech, 4 years.
- Entrance exams
- JEE Main (NTA, January and April); JEE Advanced for IITs; state tests like KCET; BITSAT and university tests.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
What the work is like
Designing, testing and maintaining anything from bridges and power plants to apps and chips. Many branches: computer science, mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, electronics and more.
The path, step by step
- Class 11–12PCM. For NITs, IIITs and similar institutes you need 75% in Class 12 (65% SC/ST/PwD) or a top-20-percentile board rank.
- Class 12JEE Main (no age limit; in the year you pass Class 12 and the two years after). Top 2,50,000 can take JEE Advanced (2 tries in 2 consecutive years).
- AlsoYour state's test (Karnataka: KCET by KEA, with 45% in Physics, Maths and one more science) and private university tests. (reported — check with the official body)
- 4 yearsB.E./B.Tech at an AICTE-approved college. Choose the branch you'll enjoy, not only the one with the highest cut-off.
- AfterA job, M.Tech through GATE, an MBA, or a master's abroad.
Good to know
- The college's labs, faculty and internships matter as much as the branch name.
- Computer science is open to many paths now — B.Sc, BCA and online degrees also lead to tech jobs.
Read more
About pay: it varies a lot by city, employer and skill, and changes year to year, so we don't print salary numbers. Ask us in a session and we'll show you current, sourced figures for your case.
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