RF and Microwave Engineering: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on Sep 2, 2024 02:16 IST
Pragati Singh

Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content

RF & Microwave Engineering course is a n field within Electrical Engineering, focusing on devices and systems operating with radio frequencies (RF) and microwaves. In India, pursuing this specialization typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering or a related field, with eligibility criteria usually demanding a minimum percentage in the range of 50-60 percent. RF & Microwave Engineering exams are JEE Main, MHT CET, GATE, and other university-specific exams. 

RF & Microwave Engineering careers include telecommunications, aerospace and defense, electronics manufacturing, and research institutions. Those who are inclined towards research can further their studies with a PhD in the field. Strong skills in programming languages like Python or MATLAB are beneficial, along with participation in relevant projects or internships for practical experience.

Top RF & Microwave Engineering Colleges include IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Guwahati, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), DTU, and National Institutes of Technology (NITs). RF & Microwave Engineering course duration spans 2 years, with opportunities for project work and research in practical RF or microwave systems.

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Details: Highlights

Students can check some of the important highlights RF & Microwave Engineering from the table given below which consists of information such as course structure, course duration, top colleges, top recruiters and top job profiles. Candidates can refer to highlights for a quick reference:

Particulars Details
Course Level Undergraduate
Duration 4 Years
Examination Type Semester
Entrance Exams JEE Main, TS EAMCET, WBJEE, MHT CET
Course Fee INR 1 - 15 Lakhs
Average Salary INR 2 - 7 Lakhs
Top Career Prospects RF Systems Engineers, RF Design Engineer, Associate RF Engineer, Electrical Engineer.
Top Recruiters

Keysight Technologies, Verizon, Intel, Nokia, Microsoft, IBM, Boeing

Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Relevant Information:

JEE Main Exam Previous Year Question Papers

Q:   What is RF & Microwave Engineering?

A:

RF & Microwave Engineering is a sub-branch that includes transmission or receiving a radio wave on all devices under radiofrequency. RF (Radio Frequency) & Microwave Engineering is a subset of electrical engineering. These specialists design, construct and operate devices that transmit or receive radio waves. These devices include radios, wireless equipment, mobile phones etc. An RF (Radio Frequency) & Microwave Engineering programme is most suitable for individuals wanting to develop their expertise and grow in the field of  RF, microwave, millimetre wave engineering.

What is RF & Microwave Course?

RF & Microwave Engineering is a specialized field within Electrical Engineering that focuses on the design, development, and application of devices and systems operating at radio frequencies (RF) and microwaves.

These frequencies range from approximately 3 kHz to 300 GHz.  

Key Concepts and Applications:

  • Electromagnetic Wave Propagation: Understanding how radio waves propagate through different mediums.  
  • Antenna Design: Designing antennas for efficient transmission and reception of radio signals.
  • Microwave Circuits: Designing and analyzing circuits that operate at microwave frequencies. 
    RF Components: Understanding and using various RF components like amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and filters.
  • Wireless Communication: Designing and developing wireless communication systems, including cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
  • Radar Systems: Building radar systems for various applications like air traffic control, weather forecasting, and military surveillance. 

Satellite Communication: Designing and operating satellite communication systems.  

RF & Microwave Engineering Scope Relevant Information:

List of Top IITs in India 2024

Q:   What is the role of a RF Systems Engineer?

A:

RF Systems Engineer focus on the designing new systems and devices which can be used in communication systems for seamless communication. With an increase in use of communication systems across media, noise and signal glitches are common issues which are faced by senders and receivers. Therefore RF Systems Engineer is an important job profile and has a promising career scope. 

RF & Microwave Engineering Eligibility Criteria

For admission into the RF & Microwave Engineering course, the students will have to meet certain eligibility criteria. However, the eligibility criteria may be different for every college.

Course Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate
  • Students should have completed their 12th standard qualifying examination from a recognized board or University.
  • Should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • A minimum aggregate of 50% marks should be scored in the 12th standard qualifying exam.
Postgraduate
  • Students should have a BE/B.Tech degree from a recognized University.
  • Most admissions will be done based on GATE scores, so the students will be required to meet this eligibility.

Important Engineering Resources

Click here for NCERT Solution: 

NCERT Solutions Maths class 12 

Q:   What is the eligibility to pursue RF & Microwave Engineering?

A:

For RF and Microwave engineering eligibility, students should have completed their class 12 qualifying examination from a recognised board or University. They should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects and score a minimum aggregate of 50 percent marks. To pursue PG courses, students should have a BE/BTech degree from a recognised University as well as appear and score good rank in GATE Exam

RF & Microwave Engineering Entrance Exams

For admissions to undergraduate courses, JEE Mains and JEE Advanced are conducted. GATE is conducted for admissions to M. Tech courses on RF (Radio Frequency) & Microwave Engineering. Other state-level and university-level entrance exams include KCET, COMEDK UCET, CCMT, KIITEE, Karnataka PGCET. 

Engineering Exam 2025

Exam Schedule

JEE Main 2025

JEE Main Schedule

JEE Advanced 2025

JEE Advanced Schedule

MHT CET 2025

MHTCET Schedule 

CUET 2025

CUET Schedule

TS EAMCET 2025

TS EAMCET Schedule

BITSAT 2025

BITSAT Schedule

COMEDK UGET 2025

COMEDK UGET Schedule

KCET 2025

KCET Schedule

KEAM 2025

KEAM Schedule

WBJEE 2025

WBJEE Schedule

VITEEE 2025

VITEEE Schedule

GATE 2025

GATE Schedule

Note- This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Relevant Information:

Tips on how to prepare for JEE Main Exam

 JEE Main Exam Previous Year Question Papers

22 Jan ' 25 - 31 Jan ' 25

JEE Main 2025 Exam Date Session 1

31 Jan ' 25 - 24 Feb ' 25

JEE Main 2025 Session 2 Registration

Jan '25 - Mar '25

MHT CET 2024 Application Form

TENTATIVE

9 Apr ' 25 - 17 Apr ' 25

MHT CET 2024 Admit Card PCB Group

2 Jan ' 25

GATE 2025 Admit Card

1 Feb ' 25

GATE 2025 Exam (CS1 | AG | MA | CS2 | NM | MT | T...

Q:   Which entrance examination is popular for admissions into M.Tech RF & Engineering?

A:

GATE is the most popular entrance examination for admissions into MTech RF & Engineering. Other state-level and university-level entrance exams include KCET, COMEDK UCET, CCMT, KIITEE, Karnataka PGCET. 

RF & Microwave Engineering Subjects

Here are the topics that students study in an RF & Microwave Engineering program:

Subjects for RF & Microwave Engineering

Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Microwave Circuit Lab

Advanced Electromagnetic Engineering

Antenna Theory and Design

Microwave Circuits and Systems

Computational Methods for Electromagnetics

Microwave Semiconductor Devices

Antenna Design Lab

Besides the above, students will also be given an option to choose three of the following electives across the 2nd and the 3rd semester.

Electives for RF & Microwave Engineering

RF IC and Microwave Mems

Optoelectronics and Fiber Optic Communication

Millimetre-Wave Integrated Circuits

Wireless Channels and UWB Radios

RF Packaging and Electromagnetic Compatibility

Remote Sensing

Adaptive and Smart Antennas

Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits Lab

Phased Array Antennas

Electromagnetic and Microwave Application of Metamaterials

Satellite Communication    

Note: The above topics will vary from college to college.

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Relevant Information:

Difference between Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Q:   What are the various core subjects taught under RF & Microwave Engineering?

A:

 The various subjects taught under RF & Microwave Engineering includes:

  • Microwave Circuit Lab
  • Antenna Theory and Design
  • Computational Methods for Electromagnetics
  • Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Q:   What are the various electives taught under RF & Microwave Engineering?

A:

The various electives taught under RF & Microwave Engineering include:

  • RF IC and Microwave Mems
  • Millimetre-Wave Integrated Circuits
  • RF Packaging and Electromagnetic Compatibility
  • Remote Sensing
  • Millimetre-Wave Integrated Circuits Lab
  • Electromagnetic and Microwave Application of Metamaterials

Top RF & Microwave Engineering Colleges

Many institutes conduct their own entrance exams for postgraduate programs (MTech) in RF & Microwave Engineering. These exams might test your knowledge of core electrical engineering concepts, aptitude for problem-solving, and sometimes include a specific section on RF & Microwave theory. For some institutes, national-level entrance exams like GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores might be considered for admission.

Engineering NIRF Ranking 2024

Among engineering colleges, IIT Madras has retained the top position for the 6th consecutive year in the overall National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024. Students interested in pursuing BTech can apply in colleges taking into consideration their relevant positions as per the NIRF 2024. The colleges mentioned in the table are listed as per the NIRF Rankings and are primarily government colleges.

College 2022 2023 2024
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Madras 1 1 1
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Delhi 2 2 2
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Bombay 3 3 3
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Kanpur 4 4 4
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Kharagpur 5 6 5
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Roorkee 6 5 6
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Guwahati 7 7 7
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Hyderabad 9 8 8
National Institute of Technology, (NIT) Tiruchirapalli 8 9 9
BHU Varanasi 13 15 10

Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.

BTech Course Information You Might Be Interested In:

NIRF Engineering Ranking 2024; Check Top 25 Engineering Colleges

Top RF & Microwave Engineering Government Colleges

In India, top IITs like IIT Kharagpur and NITs like NIT Rourkela provide RF & Microwave Engineering courses. Refer to the table below for more information on RF & Microwave Engineering government colleges:

College

Tuition Fees

IIT Kharagpur 

20,000 - 10 L

DTU

2.11 L - 3.04 L

NIT Rourkela

1.4 L

IIEST Shibpur

1.7 L

IPU

2 L

Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.

Top RF & Microwave Engineering Private Colleges

Some of the private colleges providing RF & Microwave Engineering courses are given below:

College

Tuition Fees

BIT Mesra

4.27 L

RVCE Bangalore

NA

SVSU

1.63 L

MIT Moradabad

89,700

KIIT School of Engineering

4.68 L

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Relevant Information:

Top Colleges for RF & Microwave Engineering

2 Courses
1.23 L - 1.84 L
13 LPA

#7 India Today

3 Courses
20 K - 10 L
21.28 LPA

#4 India Today

5.0
5.0

#3 India Today

20 K - 10.71 L
12 LPA

#5 India Today

2 Courses
1.4 L
9.3 - 10 LPA

#21 India Today

40 K

#8 The Week

Q:   What are some of the top institutes to pursue RF Systems Engineer?

A:

Following are some of the top colleges to pursue RF Systems Engineering:

  • IIT Kanpur
  • IIT Kharagpur
  • DTU
  • BIT, Mesra
  • IPU

Q:   What is the average fee to pursue RF & Microwave Engineering?

A:

 The average fee to pursue RF & Microwave Engineering ranges from INR 1 Lacs to INR 2.5 Lacs per annum.

Popular Private RF & Microwave Engineering Colleges in India

2 Courses
1.23 L - 1.84 L
13 LPA

#7 India Today

3 Courses
20 K - 10 L
21.28 LPA

#4 India Today

5.0
5.0

#3 India Today

20 K - 10.71 L
12 LPA

#5 India Today

2 Courses
1.4 L
9.3 - 10 LPA

#21 India Today

40 K

#8 The Week

RF & Microwave Engineering Careers, Scope, Jobs, Salary and Top Recruieters

After completing a BTech/MTech in RF & Microwave Engineering, here are the types of job roles/profiles one can expect to get into:

RF & Microwave Engineering Job Job Description RF & Microwave Engineering Salary
RF Engineer Designs, develops, tests, and troubleshoots RF circuits and components used in various applications like wireless communication systems, radars, and medical equipment. INR 4 - 9 LPA
Microwave Engineer Specializes in designing and developing microwave circuits, systems, and devices operating at higher frequencies. They work on components like waveguides, antennas, and microwave transistors. INR 5 - 10 LPA
RF Hardware Engineer Focuses on the hardware aspects of RF systems, designing and building prototypes, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and integration with other hardware components. INR 3 - 7 LPA
Applications Engineer Provides technical support and guidance to customers on using RF and microwave components and systems. They may also conduct training and participate in product development. INR 4 - 8 LPA
RF & Microwave Test Engineer Develops and executes test plans to evaluate the performance of RF and microwave circuits, systems, and devices. They ensure adherence to quality standards and specifications. INR 3 - 6 LPA
Radar Engineer Designs, develops, and maintains radar systems used in various applications like air traffic control, weather monitoring, and military defense. INR 5 - 11 LPA
RF & Microwave System Engineer Designs and integrates complete RF and microwave systems, considering factors like signal processing, antenna placement, and system performance optimization. INR 6 - 12 LPA
RF & Microwave Research Engineer Conducts research and development in the field of RF and microwave technologies, exploring new materials, design techniques, and applications. INR 5 - 10+ LPA

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

RF & Microwave Engineering Course Relevant Information:

What after BTech? Know your Options

Top Recruiters for RF & Microwave Engineering 

Take a look at some of the top companies recruiting RF & Microwave Engineering professionals:

Top Recruiters 

IBM

Qualcomm

BOEING

Keysight Technologies

Intel

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Nokia

Mercury Systems

Microsoft

COMSOL India

Verizon

Raman Research Institute (RRI)

SpaceX

Accord Global Technology Solutions

Engineering Network International

Imagination Technologies

Kyocera International, Inc

Indian Railways

Salary for RF & Microwave Engineering

According to Pay-scale, the average pay of a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer is Rs 250,586 per year. Take at the salary range of an RF & Microwave Engineer in India.

Level

Salary (INR)

Entry-level

INR  2,00,000 LPA

Mid-career

INR  2,50,000 to 5,00,000 LPA

Experienced

INR  5,00,000 to 10,00,000 LPA

RF & Microwave Engineering Careers Relevant Information:

List of NIT Colleges in India 2024 - NIRF Ranking, Courses, Seats, Cutoff, Fees and Placement

List of Top IITs in India 2024: NIRF Ranking, Courses, Seats, Fees & Placement

List of IIITs in India 2024: NIRF Ranking, Courses offered, seats & cut offs

Q:   What are the top job prospects for RF & Microwave Engineering students?

A:

Some of the top job prospects for RF & Microwave Engineering are -

  • Electrical Engineer
  • RF Engineering
  • RF Systems Engineers
  • R&D Engineer (RF)
  • Antenna Engineer
  • Applications Engineer

Q:   Which are the top recruiters for RF & Microwave Engineering students?

A:

The top recruiters for RF & Microwave Engineering students are -

  • IBM
  • Boeing
  • Microsoft
  • Qualcomm 
  • Raman Research Institute (RRI)

Q:   What is the entry-level salary for RF & Microwave Engineering students?

A:

The entry-level salary for RF & Microwave Engineering students is around INR 2 Lakh. The medium-level salary ranges from INR 3 Lacs to INR 6 Lacs per annum

RF & Microwave Engineering Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Take a look at the FAQs for RF and Microwave Engineering courses:

Q:   What are the skills required for RF and Microwave Engineering?

A:

Listed below are some of the skill sets that the candidates are expected to have to excel in the field.

Skillset for RF & Microwave Engineering
Communication SkillsCritical Thinking
Experience in ECAD toolsAttention to Detail
LeadershipManagement

Q:   What are the career prospects of an RF engineer?

A:
Hi Avinash, Radio frequency engineers are specialists within the electrical engineering field. They work with devices that transmit or receive radio waves, including wireless equipment, radios and cellular phones. A background in general electronics, physics and math is needed to design and improve wireless networks. Engineers also must have good communication skills because they may be expected to work in teams or with others outside of their field. The average salary for a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer is Rs 278,683 per year. A skill in Simulation is associated with high pay for this job. Most people move on to other jobs if they have more than 10 years' experience in this career. Experience strongly influences income for this job. Hope it helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful. Wish You Luck!

Popular RF & Microwave Engineering UG Courses

Following are the most popular RF & Microwave Engineering UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular RF & Microwave Engineering PG Courses

Following are the most popular RF & Microwave Engineering PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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