Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT
It's admissions season for the 2024-25 academic year and students nationwide are facing the consequential decision of choosing their career path. Most aspiring engineers are aiming to secure a spot in prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIITs. However, it's always wise to have a backup plan. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of top-tier engineering colleges in India, apart from the IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Keep scrolling to find out more.
Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT
What are the top engineering colleges in India other than IITs, NITs and IIITs? We have got you covered here. In India, there are a total of 5868 engineering and technology institutions that are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The total number of IITs, NITs and IIITs is 80 (23 IITs, 31 NITs, and 26 IIITs), and most of the engineering aspirants chase the number 80.
As per the recent All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report, a total of 23.20 lakh candidates are enrolled in BTech courses across the nation. This means more than 23 lakh students opt for BTech admissions and most of them look out for seats in IIT, NITs and IIITs that offer a total of 57,152 seats as per JoSAA 2023 seat matrix.
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Also, every year almost 9 lakh candidates appear for JEE Main which is the gateway for NIT and IIIT admissions. Out of JEE Main candidates, the top 2.5 lakh candidates are selected to apply for JEE Advanced, the entrance exam for IITs. Of the 2.4 lakh candidates, around 44,000 candidates qualify for IIT admissions.
Explore colleges based on JEE Main
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.These data show how tough the competition in engineering admissions is, especially to grab seats in the IITs, NITs and IIITs. Thus, all the class 12 board students who want a career in engineering must have a Plan B, that is a selection of colleges other than the IITs, NITs and IIITs.
Also Read: BTech Admission Through CUET 2024: College List, Cutoff, Eligibility Criteria
List of Top 20 Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT
Here is an extensive list of colleges that have been ranked among the top engineering colleges in the nation by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023. NIRF rankings are based on parameters like Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR); Research and Professional Practice (RP); Graduation Outcomes (GO); Outreach and Inclusivity (OI); and Peer Perception. Therefore, NIRF rankings cover all perspectives of a good college making it very reliable.
Check below the list of top colleges in India apart from the IITs, NITs and IIITs, based on NIRF 2024 rankings in the engineering category.
| Name of the institute |
NIRF Rank |
Mode of admission (UG) |
Mode of admission (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |
|||
| 12 |
|||
| 13 |
|||
| 14 |
|||
| 20 |
GATE |
||
| 23 |
AEEE / JEE Main |
GATE |
|
| 24 |
JEE Main |
||
| 26 |
SAAT / JEE Main |
SAAT |
|
| 27 |
GATE |
||
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Deemed-to-be-university), Punjab |
29 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
| 30 |
10+2 score / JEE Main |
BTech scores |
|
| 32 |
CUCET |
||
| 33 | AMU Entrance Test |
||
| Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation University (K L College of Engineering), Andhra Pradesh |
35 |
KLEEE / JEE Main / JEE Advanced / AP EAMCET / State Level Engineering Entrance Exams across India |
BTech scores |
| 36 |
10+2 and JEE Main |
GATE |
|
| 37 |
KIITEE | KIITEE | |
| Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy, Tamil Nadu |
38 |
JEE Main and 10+2 |
BTech scores / GATE |
| Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu |
46 |
10+2 scores |
GATE / UG Merit |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, West Bengal |
49 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
| 51 |
JEE Advanced |
GATE |
Read More: Engineering Stream Popularity Trends in Last 5 Years
To get a more extensive list of top engineering colleges in India other than the IITs, IIITs and NITs, let's list out the colleges zone-wise.
List of Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT in South Zone
As per the recent AICTE data, almost half of all the engineering seats in India are located in the five states – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Check below top engineering colleges in the southern part of India:
| Name of the institute |
NIRF Rank |
Mode of admission (UG) |
Mode of admission (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu |
11 |
VITEEE |
VITMEE |
| Anna University, Tamil Nadu |
14 |
TNEA |
CEETA PG |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Tamil Nadu |
23 |
AEEE / JEE Main |
GATE |
| S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu |
13 |
SRMJEEE |
SRMJEEE (PG) |
| Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy, Tamil Nadu |
38 |
JEE Main and 10+2 |
BTech scores / GATE |
| Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Tamil Nadu |
36 |
10+2 and JEE Main |
GATE |
| Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation University (K L College of Engineering), Andhra Pradesh |
35 |
KLEEE / JEE Main / JEE Advanced / AP EAMCET / State Level Engineering Entrance Exams across India |
BTech scores - PG |
| Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu |
46 |
10+2 scores |
GATE / UG Merit |
| 51 |
JEE Advanced |
GATE |
|
| 69 |
KCET / JEE Main | BTech scores | |
| International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad, Telangana |
74 |
KCET, COMEDK UGET, JEE Main - UG |
GATE/ KPGCET |
| 56 |
MET | MET | |
| 67 |
TNEA |
CEETA PG |
|
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Tamil Nadu |
53 |
TNEA |
CEETA PG |
| 66 |
TNEA / SAEEE |
BTech Merit - PG |
|
| 70 |
NA |
GATE |
|
| International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore, Karnataka |
74 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
| Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Tamil Nadu |
83 |
TNEA |
GATE |
| 75 |
KCET / COMEDK |
GATE / Karnataka PGCET |
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List of Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT in North Zone
Check below top engineering colleges in the northern part of India:
| Name of the institute |
NIRF Rank |
Mode of admission (UG) |
Mode of admission (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Deemed-to-be-university), Punjab |
29 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
| Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani, Rajasthan |
20 |
BITSAT |
GATE |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi |
24 |
JEE Main |
JMI Entrance Test |
| Delhi Technological University, Delhi |
27 |
JAC Delhi Counselling |
GATE |
| Amity University, Uttar Pradesh |
30 |
10+2 score / JEE Main |
BTech scores |
| Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh |
33 |
AMUEEE |
AMU Entrance Test |
| Chandigarh University, Punjab |
32 |
CUCET | CUCET |
| 50 |
LPUNEST / JEE Main |
LPUNEST / GATE |
|
| 42 | UPESEAT / JEE Main / 10+2 |
BTech Merit |
|
| 52 |
JEE Main - UG |
NA |
|
| 78 |
GATE / Banasthali University Aptitude Test |
||
| 85 |
JAC Delhi Counselling |
PGCAT - IIIT D / GATE |
|
| 64 | JEE Main scores / MET |
MET / GATE |
|
| Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Uttar Pradesh |
80 | JEE Advanced / JEE Main |
GATE |
| 89 |
JEE Main + Counselling and IPU CET/ CUET-UG (for BTech Biotechnology) |
IPU CET / GATE / CUET - PG |
|
| 94 |
JEE Main - UG |
NA |
Q: What score is needed for admission to various courses offered at NIT Trichy?
NIT Trichy is a government university and the admission to this university is based on merit and entrance exam scores. The accepted entrance exams are JEE Main. Candidates must give as many mock tests as possible for admission through the JEE Main exam. Do check the JEE Main exam pattern, and attempt as many JEE Main questions papers as possible. For particular score related details candidates must visit the official website or can even check the JEE Main College Predictor.
Q: Will IIT seats increase in 2025?
Probabaly, as the seats increase every year. Last year, there has been a notable surge in the number of available seats for BTech courses at IITs. In 2024, the total number of seats available were 17,740. In 2023, the number of Btech seats in IITs were 17,385. The number of seats to be available in 2025 will be notified with the JoSAA counselling details.
Q: What minimum marks are required in JEE Advanced to get a seat in IITs?
It's difficult to predict the minimum marks required to get selected in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in JEE Advanced as it depends on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of students appearing for the exam, and their performance. However, to give you an idea, the minimum marks required to get selected in the IITs vary from year to year and also differ based on the category of the candidate. In general, the cutoff marks for the general category candidates range between 80-90 marks out of 360, while for the reserved categories, it may range from 45-70 marks out of 360. It's important to note that the cutoff marks are just an indication, and the actual cutoffs may vary depending on the factors mentioned above. It's always advisable to aim for a high score in the JEE Advanced exam to increase your chances of getting selected in the IITs.
List of Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT in Eastern Zone
In NIRF ranking 2023, there are 6 engineering colleges from the eastern zone of India, they are as follows:
| Name of the institute |
NIRF Rank |
Mode of admission (UG) |
Mode of admission (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jadavpur University, West Bengal |
12 |
WBJEE |
GATE |
| Siksha `O` Anusandhan, Odisha |
26 |
SAAT / JEE Main |
SAAT |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal |
49 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Odisha |
37 |
KIITEE | KIITEE |
| 48 |
JEE Main |
GATE |
|
| 96 |
CGET / JEE Main |
CGET / GATE |
List of Top Engineering Colleges in India other than IIT, NIT and IIIT in Western Zone
In NIRF ranking 2023, there are 3 engineering colleges from the western zone of India, they are as follows:
| Name of the institute |
NIRF Rank |
Mode of admission (UG) |
Mode of admission (PG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | JEE Main / MHT CET |
GATE |
|
| 63 | NA | GATE | |
| 77 |
MHT CET |
GATE |
Q: What are JEE Main participating institutes?
The participating institutes of JEE Main are the colleges that participate in the JoSAA counselling for admission in various Engineering, Architecture and Planning courses. Besides JEE Main participating institutes, many colleges offer admission based on the scores of JEE Main but are not a part of JoSAA. Such institutes organise their counselling process for admission.
There are a total of 31 NITs, 25 IIITs and 19 other GFTIs that participate in JoSAA counselling. The number of seats in these institutes can be checked below. Other institutes which offer admission based on JEE Main scores are from the states which do not conduct their entrance exams for engineering admission and include U.P., Bihar, M.P., Delhi, among others.
Q: How many seats are there in IITs?
According to the JoSAA 2024 seat matrix, the total seats in IITs are 17760, while the number of seats in NITs and IIITs is 24229 and 8546, respectively. According to the official data, this year 355 seats are increased in IIT, including 20 in IIT Bhubaneswar, 12 in IIT Bombay, 30 in Kharagpur, 84 in Patna, 30 in Gandhinagar, 10 in Guwahati, 40 in Bhilai, 10 in Tirupati, and 75 in Dharwad. In 2023, the IIT seat count was 17385.
Read More: JoSAA 2024 Seat Matrix
Q: Is a domicile Certificate required for admission to NITs?
Q: What should be my rank in JEE Advanced to get admission in top IITs?
Q: How much rank in JEE Advanced is required for IIT Delhi?
The IIT Delhi cutoff 2024 has been concluded for admission to the BTech and Integrated BTech courses. As per the JEE Advanced 2024 cutoff for the Last Round, the closing rank for BTech ranged between 116 and 4849 for the General AI category students. The toughest course to get into IIT Delhi was CSE. So, candidates seeking admission at this institute must aim to secure up to 4850 rank to be eligible for BTech admission. The required cutoff ranks will vary based on the categories you fall into. To get an idea of the category-wise JEE Advanced cutoff range for BTech admission at IIT Delhi, refer to the table below:
| Category | JEE Advanced Round 1 | JEE Advanced Last Round |
|---|---|---|
| General | 116 - 4754 | 116 - 4849 |
| OBC | 89 - 3068 | 89 - 2749 |
| SC | 48 - 1765 | 50 - 1780 |
| ST | 23 - 991 | 23- 991 |
| EWS | 33 - 1139 | 35 - 1215 |
| PWD | 5 - 159 | 5 - 159 |
What to Look for in a Good Engineering College?
Apart from the rankings, while curating the list of top colleges offering engineering courses, candidates must take into note the following factors:
- ROI: The amount of money that students receive as a placement offer in exchange for investing a sizeable sum of money to attend a college and complete a degree of study is known as return on investment, or ROI. Thus candidates must look for a college that has a good ROI record.
- Academic Rigor and Reputation: A good engineering college should have a strong academic reputation and offer a challenging curriculum that prepares students for the rigours of engineering practice. The faculty should be highly qualified and experienced, and the college should have a strong track record of placing graduates in top engineering positions.
- Industry Connections and Hands-on Learning: Engineering is a hands-on field, so engineering colleges need to provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. This can be done through internships, co-ops, research projects, and other forms of experiential learning. Strong industry connections can help students secure these opportunities and gain valuable experience.
- Infrastructure and Resources: A good engineering college should have the necessary infrastructure and resources to support its academic programs. This includes modern labs, equipment, and technology, as well as access to libraries, research facilities, and other resources.
- Student Support Services: Engineering students often face a lot of academic and personal challenges. A good engineering college should provide students with comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, career counselling, tutoring, and mental health support.
- Diversity and Inclusion: A diverse and inclusive engineering college will provide students with a richer learning experience and better prepare them for the global workforce. The college should be committed to attracting and retaining students from all backgrounds and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion.
- Location and Environment: The location of an engineering college can also be a factor in its quality. A college in a vibrant city or near major industries may offer students more opportunities for internships, research, and networking. Additionally, the overall environment of the college should be conducive to learning and personal growth.
In addition to these general factors, some specific factors may be important to consider when choosing an engineering college. These factors may include the college's specialization in particular engineering disciplines, its research opportunities, its alumni network, and its overall fit with your personal and academic goals.
Read More:
- JEE Main 2024 Chapter wise Weightage: Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics
- JEE Main 2024: Tips to boost the preparation in the last month
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which college is best other than IITs, NITs, and IIITs?
Apart from the IITs, NITs, and IIITs there are many colleges that the candidates can take admission into. These colleges are also at par with the education quality provided by the IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Some of the top colleges other than the IITs, NITs, and IIITs are as follows. For a complete list, candidates can read the above article.
- Jadavpur University, West Bengal
- Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu
- Anna University, Tamil Nadu
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Tamil Nadu
- Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Rajasthan
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Siksha `O` Anusandhan, Odisha
- Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Deemed-to-be-university), Punjab
- Delhi Technological University, New Delhi
- S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu
What happens if you don't get admission to an NIT, IIT, or an IIIT?
Candidates must note that apart from JEE Main and JEE Advanced and IITs, IIITs, and NITs there are many other institutes to get admission and have a good career in engineering. Candidates must know that the JEE Main score can also fetch them admission to top private institutes apart from IIT and NIT. Candidates will be able to avail similar learning experiences studying at these institutes. Also, there are other entrance exams like AEEE, VITEEE, BITSAT, MET, SRMJEEE for admission to top-notch Indian engineering colleges.
Which state has the most number of engineering colleges in India?
Tamil Nadu is recognized for having the highest number of engineering colleges in India. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, has a significant presence of engineering institutions and is home to several renowned engineering colleges and universities.
How many engineering colleges are there in India?
In India, there are a total of 5868 engineering and technology institutions that are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The total number of IITs, NITs and IIITs is 80 (23 IITs, 31 NITs, and 26 IIITs).
What is NIRF ranking of Institutes?
In India, the Ministry of Education releases college and university rankings through the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), established in September 2015. NIRF provides rankings to universities and colleges in India based on scores obtained by them in five parameters:
- Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR)
- Research and Professional Practice (RP)
- Outreach and Inclusivity (OI)
- Graduation Outcomes (GO)
- Perception (PR)
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