Engineering Stream Popularity Trends in the Last 5 Years: Check Details

Engineering Stream Popularity Trends over the last 5 Years: Indian engineering education has dramatically changed within the last five years. Students' interest has moved away from the conventional streams like Civil and Mechanical to newer, technology-based streams like Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science. AICTE and MHRD data of enrolments show that almost 47% of all seats in engineering in 2024 had been filled by Computer Science and its related fields alone, indicating shifts in industry needs as well as shifts in student interest.

The article contains a comprehensive review of trends in the popularity of the engineering stream over the last 5 years as per AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education), AICTE, and MHRD data. If you are looking forward to doing a civil engineering degree, a mechanical engineering degree, or studying mechanical engineering courses or electrical and computer engineering courses, then it is essential for you to know the following trends so that you can make the most appropriate career choice for yourself.

Engineering Stream: Five-Year Enrollment Data Overview (2016–2021)

Between 2016 and 2021, engineering admissions in India changed significantly. Computer Engineering saw the highest growth, increasing from 8.8 lakh admissions in 2017–18 to over 11 lakh in 2020–21, driven by rising recruitment demands in IT and AI sectors. Conversely, admissions in Mechanical Engineering declined consistently from 8.3 lakh to 6.28 lakh in the same period, indicating a deceleration of manufacturing industries. Civil Engineering also experienced declining admissions across the country, with the effects of shifting industry trends and infrastructural issues. Electrical Engineering admissions fell moderately, from 4.4 lakh in 2016–17 to 3.78 lakh in 2020–21, pointing towards changing tastes.

Engineering Stream: Stream-Wise Enrolment Trends (2020–2024)

From 2020 to 2024, student interest in engineering disciplines drastically changed. Computer Science & IT increased from 35.2% to almost half (47%) of total admissions, reflecting the world's fast-growing tech sector. Concurrently, conventional streams such as Mechanical and Civil Engineering experienced consistent declines—Mechanical fell from 14.7% to 9%, while Civil declined from 9.1% to 6%. Electronics & Communication and Electrical Engineering also suffered steady declines. Most significantly, new areas like AI, Data Science, and IoT gained popularity, increasing from 2.1% to 9.3%, reflecting increased demand for new-age tech skills within the industry.

Top 5 Engineering Streams: Career & College Insights

Let's check the top schools and career opportunities for the top five most sought-after engineering streams in India based on the newest trends:

1 Computer Science Engineering

The backbone of today, computer science engineering is an integration of programming, algorithms, networks, and more recent AI technologies. Demand for computer engineers has gone haywire due to startups, multinationals, IT companies, and R&D facilities. Core subjects are programming, data structures, algorithms, OS, networks, AI/ML; favorite due to technological industry growth.

2 Mechanical Engineering

The oldest of engineering courses, mechanical engineering deals with thermodynamics, CAD/CAM, materials science, and auto technologies. Even with a slight decline, it is still a stronghold of manufacturing and heavy industries.

3 Electronics & Communication Engineering

ECE integrates digital systems, communications, and semiconductor technology, crucial for telecom and embedded systems. IIT Roorkee and VIT Vellore are notable for quality education and industry links.

4 Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering is concerned with infrastructure development—bridges, roads, and environmental systems. Premier IITs and NITs have very good programs that develop students for various infrastructure jobs.

5 Electrical Engineering

Electric power, circuits, and control engineering are addressed in electrical engineering, which is essential to the energy, manufacturing, and electronics industries.

Emerging Engineering Stream: Career Scope & Enrolment

With the pace of tech advancements, certain budding streams of engineering in India are becoming extremely popular.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes cross-disciplinary learning, and students are encouraged to double major and minor between electrical and computer engineering courses and mechanical engineering courses for career flexibility.

Engineering Stream: Factors Influencing Stream Preferences

The most significant determinants that have influenced engineering education trends and stream choices are:

1. Employment Market Trends – Niche domains, data science, and AI lead IT stream enrollments.
2. NEP 2020 Framework – Fosters amalgamation of main and secondary specialisations through streams.
3. Government Initiatives – Green energy and infra development boost Civil and Electrical streams.
4. Industry Collaborations – Colleges that provide AI, Digital Engineering minors create incentives for students.

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Engineering Stream: Final Thoughts

AISHE statistics of the years 2016–2021 scrutinized validate that Computer Engineering maintains its grip on the IT and AI job demand basis. Conventional core streams such as Mechanical, Electronics, Civil, and Electrical continue to draw major enrollments. Rising technologies like IT, Chemical, Agriculture, and Aeronautical are becoming popular. Lower-level specialisations required in NEP 2020 serve to diversify students' paths towards becoming multi-skilled based on evolving industry demands.

Through observation of these trends in popularity, students can match their engineering major and school options with long-term career prospects and market demand.