BTech Admissions Hit Eight-Year High as Computer Science Leads Surge in Enrolment
India's BTech programmes are witnessing a record surge in enrolments, reaching an eight-year high in the 2024-25 academic session. According to data released by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), 12.53 lakh seats were filled this year, marking a 67% increase compared to 2017-18. The trend reflects the growing interest in computer science and allied fields, driving the popularity of engineering education despite past fluctuations in demand.
Rising Enrolment Numbers Across the Country
The latest AICTE data highlights that vacancy rates in engineering colleges have dropped significantly to 16.36% in 2024-25, the lowest in years. Among the various engineering disciplines, computer science and engineering lead the chart with 3,90,245 enrolments. Other branches following closely include mechanical engineering (2,36,909), civil engineering (1,72,936), electronics and communication engineering (1,60,450), and electrical engineering (1,25,902).
AICTE stated that while computer science has emerged as the top choice due to increased tech-sector opportunities, core engineering branches remain critical and continue to attract a substantial number of students.
Impact of Revised Intake Policies
The approved intake for engineering programmes saw a remarkable rise, reaching 14.90 lakh seats in 2024-25 — the highest in eight years. This growth comes after AICTE lifted restrictions on maximum student intake per institute. Previously, an institute could admit only up to 360 students and required valid programme accreditation to request an increase in intake.
Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, approved intake had declined steadily, mainly due to low demand and government-mandated limits. Enrolments hit a low of 7.22 lakh in 2018-19 but began to rise from 2021-22, showing a revival in engineering education demand.
New-Age Courses Fueling Interest
AICTE attributes this renewed interest to significant curriculum revamps and the introduction of futuristic courses. Programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Space Technology, and Green Energy have added a modern edge to engineering education, making it more appealing to students looking for advanced career prospects.
Former AICTE member secretary Rajive Kumar highlighted that new technologies like AI, AR/VR, and data science have been integrated across both traditional and specialized engineering streams, boosting the attractiveness of BTech courses.
Experts Urge Caution Amid Rising Admissions
While the growth in enrolments is a positive indicator, education experts warn that job opportunities may not keep pace with the increasing number of graduates in 3-4 years. Kumar stressed the need for caution, suggesting that employment rates will depend heavily on future job market conditions.
Echoing similar sentiments, former AICTE Chairman S S Mantha pointed out that the surge is primarily in computer science and allied branches, driven by the perception that these degrees guarantee stable employment. However, given the fast-evolving nature of the tech industry, the long-term sustainability of such programmes remains uncertain.
States Push Back on Excessive CSE Seats
In response to the rapid rise in demand for computer science engineering (CSE) seats, some states have introduced measures to prevent disproportionate growth. Telangana rejected requests from several institutions for additional CSE seats for the 2024-25 session, citing existing vacancies and the need to balance emerging courses with conventional disciplines. The Telangana High Court upheld this decision in May this year.
Similarly, Karnataka considered a cap on CSE seats after instances were reported where colleges converted civil and mechanical engineering seats into computer science slots without long-term planning.
Future Intake for 2025-26 and Increase in Institutions
AICTE has approved 15.98 lakh seats for the 2025-26 academic session, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the previous year. This signals continued optimism in the engineering education sector.
Notably, the number of AICTE-approved engineering institutions, which had been declining since 2020-21, has increased for the first time in six years. In 2025-26, there are 5,875 approved institutions, up from 5,845 last year, though still below the 6,062 recorded in 2020-21.
AICTE attributes this uptick to a "resurgence in demand," particularly in advanced fields like AI, machine learning, renewable energy, robotics, cybersecurity, space technology, and semiconductors, indicating a transformation in the engineering landscape.
Conclusion
The sharp rise in BTech enrolments underscores the growing importance of technology-driven fields and revamped engineering curricula in attracting students nationwide. However, experts advise balancing seat expansion with realistic job market expectations. With AICTE and state governments attempting to maintain equilibrium between traditional and emerging engineering disciplines, the next few years will determine whether this surge translates into sustainable employment opportunities for graduates.
