Evolution of Engineering Education in India: Trends and Challenges

For millennia, engineering has stood as the nucleus of transformative change in civilizations. Ongoing advancements in technologies, engineering systems, and products persist as the focal point of progress across various sectors. The realization of ambitious sustainable development goals hinges on a substantial elevation in engineering endeavors, often necessitating the integration of new technologies and a forward-thinking mindset. 

Growth

The inception of formal technical education in India traces back to the mid-19th century. During the pre-independence era, notable policy initiatives were undertaken, including the establishment of the Indian Universities Commission in 1902, the issuance of the Indian Education Policy Resolution in 1904, and the Governor General's policy statement of 1913, emphasizing the significance of technical education. 

Key developments during this period encompassed the founding of institutions like IISc., Bangalore, the Institute of Sugar, Textile and Leather Technology in Kanpur, and the NCE in Bengal in 1905, along with the establishment of industrial schools across provinces. Milestones included the constitution of the Technical Education Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABA) in 1943, the preparation of the Sergeant Report in 1944, and the formation of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in 1945 by the Government of India.

The Job Market for Engineering Graduates

The employment landscape for engineering graduates comes with its unique set of challenges. Numerous recent graduates, particularly in fields like civil engineering, encounter obstacles in securing positions directly aligned with their academic specialization. This difficulty may arise from a scarcity of job opportunities, heightened competition, or a disparity between the skills possessed by graduates and the specific requirements of the job market.

As per Statista's data, the employability rate for Indian engineering graduates stood at approximately 57 percent in 2023, marking an increase from the 46 percent recorded in 2021. Despite this positive shift, the overall employability rate for the country's youth remained relatively stagnant, persisting at around 46 percent for the preceding four years.

The challenges faced by Indian engineering students extend beyond the realm of academia, encompassing the job market, where they frequently discover a lack of readiness to meet the expectations set by potential employers.

Even with the introduction of numerous new academic programs, engineering education continues to be a highly appealing choice for students worldwide. A substantial number of students still opt for engineering courses, drawn by the promising career prospects offered by Industry 4.0 and the technologies driving the transition to a net-zero future.