Chapter 30: Engineering and Technology

Introduction

The world “engineering” derived from the Latin word “ingeniare” means “to design” or “to create”. Although the New Oxford Dictionary of English (1999) defines “engineering” as “the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines and structures” and “technology” as the “application of scientific knowledge for practical purpose, especially in industry”, to-day it is no longer possible to draw any such dividing line. This perhaps has prompted the use of the nomenclatures Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and Master of Technology (M.Tech) along with the traditional ones, namely, Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) and Master of Engineering (M.E). The names of colleges and institutions also include such terms as “engineering” “technology” and “engineering and technology”. Whatever may be the nomenclature of the awards or the names of institutions, they encompass both “engineering” and “technology”.

Engineering education in India has a long tradition, the beginning of which goes back to the year 1847. In that year was establishes the Thomason College of Civil Engineering at Roorkee, later to become the Roorkee University (1949), the first engineering university in the country. This was followed by the establishment of the College of Engineering in Pune in 1854 which is still in existence. The Civil Engineering College in Howrah came up in 1856 to impart training to the engineering personnel of the PWD. The first degree examination in civil engineering was held in 1864. In 1921, it was renamed the Bengal engineering College, which was accorded the deemed university status in 1992. In Mumbai, Victoria jubilee Technological Institute (now Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute) was set up in 1887.

Another landmark in the history of engineering education was the establishment of the National Council of Education (Calcutta) in 1908 in the wake of nationalist movement of 1905-06. It established the nucleus of an institution for imparting education in engineering and technology which in 1919, developed into the College of Engineering and Technology. The College, through a State Act, became the jadavpur University in 1955, a unitary university now consisting of Faculties of Arts, Science, and Engineering and Technology.

In 1909 was established the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore which owes its existence to the vision and munificence of the late J.N.Tata. It offers only postgraduate and research programmes. In 1958, it was accorded the deemed university status. Besides engineering colleges, separate colleges of technology, such as, College of Textile Technology, Serampore, West Bengal (1908), Government Central Textile Institute, Kanpur (1914), Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur (1921) University Department of Chemical Technology, University of Bombay (1934) which now enjoys autonomous status, and Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (1942) were also established in the pre-independent days.

It was only after Independence that engineering and technological education got a great boost. The development of technical education has been one of the major achievements of the post-Independence period. The creation of the All-India Council of Technical Education in 1945, and the Report of the Scientific Manpower Committee (1947) has a far reaching influence in this development. The reports of the Engineering Personnel Committee (1956), and the Committee for Postgraduate Engineering Education and Research (1961) gave an impetus to higher level technical education.

The growth of educational facilities has been phenomenal during the last decade. The outturn of graduates in engineering doubled within a span of 10 years from about 30,000 in 1987 to 60,000 in 1996. During the same period, the outturn of polytechnic diploma holders increased from 56,560 to 95,283. A comprehensive account of the progress of technical education since Independence is available in the book Technical Education in Independent India (1947-1997) published by the All India Council of Technical Education in 1999.

Regulatory Authority

As has been discussed in Chapter 7 (Regulatory Authority), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the regulatory authority, among others, for engineering and technical courses. No engineering college or technical institution can be established without the prior approval of the AICTE. The introduction of new courses and increasing the intake capacity in the existing ones also need its approval. It has been cautioning students through frequent public notifications not to take admission into institutions and courses not approved by it. However, there is hardly any source of up-to-date information about approved institutions and courses.

The latest directories of institutions offering degree courses published by the AICTE contain information only up to December 31, 1997. Since then, a large number of new institutions (more than 100 since 1998) have come up and new courses have been introduced in the existing ones. The problem is not only related to the unrecognised institutions, but also to unapproved programmes offered by many recognised institutions. Referring to the recent spate of misleading advertisements in newspapers issued by recognised institutions, the AICTE in a public notification issued in June 2000 advised the students and their parents to verify the status of approval of the training programmes before seeking admissions, either from its website (www.aicte.com) or from its regional offices. Regrattably, the website neither contains complete information nor is it user-friendly.

It may be relevant to mention that the Shipping Corporation of India, which recruits degree holders in mechanical engineering as Trainee Marine Engineers, insists that during the interview, the candidates must produce documentary proof in the form of letters from Principals of colleges where they has studied that the Mechanical Engineering Courses offered by them has the approval of the AICTE. The letter should quote AICTE’s approval letter number and indicate that the validity of AICTE’s approval covered the entire duration of the course.

In view of the large-scale proliferation of institutions, the AICTE is keen to ensure that the quality of programmes offered by them is not compromised with. It has, therefore, set up the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) which has introduced a system of accreditation of each programme offered by the recognised institutions (See Chapter 8-Recognition, Accreditation and Ranking of Institutions). Up-to-date information about accreditation is readily available from AICTE’s website.

Branches of Engineering and Technology

Most of the specialised branches of engineering and technology developed since about the middle of the Eighteenth Century. Before the time, engineers used to construct bridges, buildings, roads, canals or weapons. Civil Engineering is thus the oldest of the main branches of engineering. Two other comparatively older branches are Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. As a result of scientific and technology breakthroughs, to-day new fields of engineering and technology are continually emerging. At the same time, boundaries between various branches are becoming less and less clear-cut. In Annexure 1 is given brief account of some of the broad and more specialised branches of engineering.

Levels of Education

Engineering and technical education is available at five levels. At the lowest level is the training in different trades offered by a large number of Industrial Training Institutes (Its) across the country. The duration and eligibility requirements vary depending upon the nature if the trade. At the next higher level are the three-year diploma courses in different branches of engineering and technology available in polytechnics. The eligibility requirement for admission to diploma courses is a pass in Class 10 examination. In some States, the polytechnics offer post-10+2 diploma and post-diploma courses also. In all the States, both ITIs and Polytechnics are under the administrative control of State Departments of Technical Education. The ITI, polytechnic and similar other courses have been discussed in Chapter 51 (Vocational Education), The first degree programmes leading to B.E/B.Tech degrees are of four-year duration except Architecture (B.Arch) which needs five years to complete. (See Chapter 19 - Architecture and Planning).

The eligibility requirement for B.E/B.Tech and B.Arch courses is a pass in 10+2 examination in the science stream with mathematics as one of the combinations. The postgraduate programmes leading to the award of M.E/M.Tech and M.Arch degrees are of 18 months duration (three semesters). Candidates are required to take up a specialised topic in the branch of their study at the first degree level. IIT Mumbai, IIT New Delhi and IIT Chennai offer integrated M.Tech courses of five year duration. IIT Chennai, IIT New Delhi and IIT Mumbai also offer dual degree programmes of five year duration in several branches (See Annexure 2). In the dual degree programmes, two degrees, viz., B.Tech and M.Tech are awarded. It may be mentioned here, that the nomenclature M.Tech is also awarded for courses offered by non-engineering departments of universities. At the highest level are the research degree programmes (M.Phil and Ph.D), offered by a number of universities. The IITs, some of the Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) and particularly the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) are well-known for their excellent research facilities in a wide variety of specialisation.

A small number of universities offer B.Tech courses of three-year duration mostly in branches of technology open only to B.Sc degree holders. (See Annexure). Watamull Institute of Electronic Engineering and Computer Technology (Mumbai-400018) is the only institute which admits only B.Sc degree holders. In many universities, polytechnic diploma holders are permitted lateral entry to the second year of regular B.E/B.Tech programmes through separate entrance tests e.g., Lateral Entry Engineering Test (LEET) conducted by the Punjab Technical University. Sant Longowal Institute if Engineering and Technology (Longowal-148106, Punjab) admits only Diploma holders to its three-year B.Tech courses. The Institute offers modular pattern of education at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels. There is a provision for Certificate holders to enter the Diploma programme and the Diploma holders to Degree programmes. Admission to B.Tech degree course, however, is made on the basis of an All-India Entrance Test.

Educational Facilities

Engineering and Technology Institutions

According to the AICTE's website, the number of polytechnics in the country is 1171 with a total intake capacity of 201,121. The corresponding figures for institutions offering degree and higher-level courses are 661 and 156,343. The website, however, does not give the reference date. From a comparison with the data as on December 31, 1997 available in AICTE's directories of approved institutions for polytechnic diploma and degree programmes in engineering and technology, it is presumed that they are the latest available data. The table in Annexure 4 based on the website date shows an uneven distribution of facilities for technical education in the country.

The four Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu account nearly 50% of the institutions, both polytechnics and colleges and their intake capacity. In the West, of the 140 engineering colleges, 118 are located in Maharashtra. Of the 215 polytechnics in the region, the share of Maharashtra is 168. The four most populous States, viz., Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, have a total of 94 colleges. All the Eastern (including Orissa) and North-Eastern States taken together account for only 45 colleges.

Apart from the engineering colleges and institutions affiliated to various universities, two categories of institutions viz., Indian Institutes of Technology and Regional Engineering Colleges, deserve mention. A recent trend is the establishment of technical universities. Besides, there are a number of institutions outside the university system which offer courses in engineering and technology at different levels. These are described in the following paragraphs.

Indian Institutes of Technology: Immediately after India attained Independence, the Government of India took the initiative to establish several technological institutions for providing quality education and research facilities. The plan for establishing the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) originated with the recommendations of the Sarkar Committee Report for "rapid extension in the facilities of higher technical education".

The first Indian Institute of Technology was established in Kharagpur in 1950. Therefore, five more IITs came up in Mumbai (1958), Chennai (1959), Kanpur (1959), Delhi (1961) and Guwahati (1994), All the ITIs have been accorded the status of Institutions of National Importance through Acts of Parliament. The admissions to the first degree courses (B.Tech) are made through a joint entrance examination (IIT-JEE) (See Chapter 9 - Admission Procedure). An important feature of the ITIs is that they offer programmes in humanities, social sciences and several branches of sciences also.

Regional Engineering Colleges: In the late 1950s, the Government of India decided to create at least one centre of excellence in every region to provide engineering education. The first one of its kind, Regional Engineering College, was established in Warangal in Andhra Pradesh in 1959 with the technical cooperation of the then Soviet Union. There are now 17 Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs), each one with jurisdiction over specified States and Union Territories (See Annexure 5).

They are affiliated to universities under whose jurisdictions they are located. In each REC, a specified number of seats are allotted to students from other regions. Candidates seeking admissions to one or any other RECs are required to submit only one application. Application forms are to be obtained from and submitted to the Principals of the RECs having jurisdiction over the area from which the candidates have passed the qualifying examination. Admissions are made on the basis of performance in the state-level engineering entrance tests.

Technological Universities: As stated earlier, the Roorkee University, established in 1949, was the first technological university. The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University came into existence in Hyderabad in 1972. As of now, there are ten State technological universities, ten deemed universities, and six Institutions of National Importance (See Annexure 6). Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Punjab Technical University, Rajiv Gandhi Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, U.P Technological University and Visveswaraiah Technical University are affiliating universities. All the engineering and technical institutions located in the concerned States have been brought under them. The others are unitary ones.

Institutions outside the University System: It has been stated in Chapter 5 (The Non-University Stream), that there are a number of institutions outside the university system which offer educational programmes in various branches of engineering and technology at the diploma, post-diploma, and postgraduate levels. Most of the institutions have been established by various departments and agencies of the Government of India. While some of the courses are also available in the university system, some are not. A case in point is the Postgraduate Diploma in Packaging offered by the Indian Institute of Packaging (Mumbai) (See Chapter 52 - A Mixed Bag). Courses in aircraft maintenance engineering are available only in institutions outside of both polytechnic and university systems. (See Chapter 52 - A Mixed Bag) Since these institutions do not come within a purview of the UGC, they award only diplomas. Certain courses of some of these institutions are recognised by universities and degrees are awarded by them. Some are also approved by the AICTE. Annexure 7 gives a list of some of the institutions and courses offered by them.

Part-Time Programmes

Many universities now offer part-time programmes generally of four-year duration in different branches of engineering and technology. The programmes are open to working diploma holders or diploma holders having working experience for specified periods. Admissions are made through separate entrance tests. Part-time M.E/M.Tech programmes (five semesters) are also offered by a number of institutions.

Distance Learning Programmes

Three Universities, viz., Indira Gandhi National Open University, Kota Open University, and Birla Institute if Technology and Sciences, have introduced B.Tech courses in several branches (See Annexure 8) through distance learning mode.

Alternative Routes

Several professional organisations in different branches of engineering and technology conduct examinations, the successful completion of which entitles students to be admitted to their associate memberships. Students can prepare for the examination according to their own convenience through self-study and complete the courses within a specified period. Associate Memberships are equivalent to university degrees in engineering and technology. A number of universities admit Associate Members to the M.E/M.Tech courses. The UPSC has specified Associate Memberships of the Institution of Engineers (India), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (India), Aeronautical Society of India, and the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers as one of the qualification requirements for the Engineering Services Examination. The Special Class Railway Apprentices recruited through the UPSC examination are also required to pass the Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) during the period of their apprenticeship. A detailed account of these facilities have been given in Chapter 31 (Engineering and Technology - Alternative Routes). Courses available.

Courses Available

At the first degree (B.E/B.Tech) level, the most common courses offered by a large number of institutions areArchitecture, Automobile Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering (along with newly emerging Information Technology, Electrical Engineering and Electronics Engineering), (along with their variant forms, such as, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Instrumentation, and Electronics and Telecommunication, Instrumentation, Industrial and Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering. Courses in Mining Engineering and Textile Engineering and Technology are also offered by many institutions. On the other hand, limited opportunities exist in many other specialised fields, particularly in technology (including post-B.Sc, B.Tech courses referred to earlier). Many such specialised courses are mostly available at the postgraduate level. Annexure 9 lists the institution which offer specialised courses at the first degree level.

As stated earlier, at the postgraduate (M.E/M.Tech) level, students are required to select one of the specialised topics in the branches they have studied at the first degree level. A great variety of specialisations in major branches are now available in many institutions. Annexure 10 gives examples of such topics in several branches. In the area of computers, a large number of engineering colleges and institutions now offer Master of Computer Application (MCA) courses also (See Chapter 25 - Computers and Information Technology).

It should be noted that some of the branches of engineering and technology have been dealt with in other Chapters because of their importance and their association with specific disciplines, viz., Agricultural Engineering (Chapter 16 - Agricultural and Animal Sciences), Architecture and Planning (Chapter 19), Computers and Information Technology (Chapter 25), Dairy Science and Technology (Chapter 27), Environmental Engineering (Chapter 31 - Environmental Sciences), Biotechnology (Chapter 4 - Life Sciences).

Management Courses

Traditionally, management techniques have been an essential component of the Industrial and Production Engineering syllabuses. At the postgraduate level, several IITs introduced M.Tech courses in Industrial Management. Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani-333031) offers MS (Manufacturing Management). Two engineering colleges viz., the National Institute of Engineering (Mysore-570008) and the Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (Mysore-570006) started Master of Engineering in Management (MEM) courses. Now a large number of engineering colleges and institutions have introduced Master of Business Management (MBA) courses. Of the IITs, four have introduced management courses: (1) Mumbai - Master of Management (MOM), (2) New Delhi - Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Business Administration (MBA-Technology Management), (3) Kharagpur - Master of Business Management (MBM) and Chennai (MBA). The Indian Institute Science has replaced its. Industrial Management course by Master of Business Administration (MBA) course. In all these institutions, the courses are open to engineering graduates. This has been discussed in Chapter 41 (Management).

Admission Procedures

Now almost all the States have centralised the process of admission to the first degree courses in all the engineering and technical institutions within their respective jurisdictions by conducting common entrance tests. The entrance examinations are generally conducted by designated universities or agencies specifically established for this purpose. The admission process involves qualifying in the tests followed by counselling in respect of institutions to be admitted and the branches of study. A general account of common entrance tests has been given in Chapter 9 (Admission Procedure). Annexure 11 gives a list of tests conducted by different States for admission to engineering colleges.

As has been discussed in Chapter 9 (Admission Procedure), admission to engineering colleges and institutions are governed by rules framed by each State Government which include fulfilment of specified domicile requirements. A certain number of seats are also allocated to students who are not domiciled in the concerned States. They can take admission only to "payment seats". However, a number of universities and institutions admit students on all-India basis (See Annexure 12). These institutions conduct their own admission tests. Valid GATE score (See Chapter 9 - Admission Procedure) is necessary for seeking admission to Master’s degree courses. In some institutions candidates with valid GATE scores are entitled to scholarships and fellowships.

Career Opportunities

Though there is a glut off graduates in some branches of engineering and technology leading to unemployment, the field continues to offer reasonable rewarding career opportunities to the brighter ones. What should, however be noted is that, the standard and reputation of institutions in which the candidates study have a great bearing of their success in the employment market. Products of colleges and institutions which survive on the basis of year-to-year recognition because of their inability to conform to the norms specified by the AICTE in respect of workshops, laboratories, libraries, equipment and qualified teachers, are certainly at a disadvantage in the highly competitive job market.

But choosing the right institution and branch of study having good career potentials are often, beyond the control of individuals. Those who want to enter the job market without entering the portals of engineering colleges can opt for the Special Class Railway Apprentices' Examination conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission. The eligibility requirement is a pass in 10+2 examination with Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry. Successful completion of the apprenticeship leads to the absorption in the Indian Railway Services of Mechanical Engineers. The Department of Secondary Education and Higher Education operates the National Schemes of Apprenticeship Training among others, for engineering graduates. The Scheme, however, does not guarantee any employment after completion of the training.

Both the Central and State governments continue to be the major employers of engineers particularly in such branches as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics Engineering. As regards the Central Government, the Union Public Service Commission conducts an annual Engineering Services Examination for recruitment to the Group A Services and posts in various technical departments and establishments. The Services fall into four categories, viz., Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.

The eligibility requirement is a degree in engineering or Associate Memberships of professional institutions which are recognised by the UPSC as equivalent to engineering degree. Holders of M.Sc degrees or its equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects of study, are acceptable only for certain services and posts.

The near demise of public sector industries, which at one point of time used to absorb a large number of engineering graduates, has considerably shrunken the scope of employment in this sector. Though the corresponding growth in the private sector is not very encouraging, it is still the best bet for engineers seeking lucrative careers.

Since it is the age of specialisation, acquisition of a postgraduate degree (M.E/M.Tech) preferably in newly emerging areas would go a long way in ensuring a satisfying career. For example, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) offers excellent career opportunities for motivated engineering postgraduates in its different units including Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd., and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (Kalpakkam). The activities of the Department being multi-disciplinary in nature, it needs post-graduates in several engineering branches. The Training School of the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (Mumbai-400085) organises annual Orientation Courses for Engineering Graduates and Science Postgraduates (OCES) and Engineering Postgraduates (OCEP) of five-month duration. On successful completion of the course, candidates are appointed in any of the units of the DAE as Scientific Officers grossing about Rs.15,000.00 per month.

Teaching and research careers are no less rewarding. With the proliferation of engineering colleges and technological institutions, postgraduates and doctoral degree holders can join the teaching profession. The profession also provides learning opportunities to enrich one's knowledge base. The major scientific establishments, other than the DAE, such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation with their vast network of research establishments offer research careers in many front line areas of engineering and technology.

Last but not the least, engineers and technologists have the option to migrate to management profession and Civil Services. Both in the prestigious management schools and civil services, there is now a visible presence of engineers and technologists. Needless to mention that successful careers in the field demand that engineers and technologists must be computer-savy.

Update

Fire Engineering: In Annexure 9 (Pages 312-14), which gives a list of BE/ BTech Courses in a number of specialised areas, courses in fire engineering were not included. The following is a list of institutions which offer courses in the subject; (1) National fire Service college (Nagpur 440001)-The college established in 1956 by the Ministry of Home Affairs offers Courses; (i)BE(Fire) Engineering. Duration Three and Half Years Eligibility (a) BSc degree with Chemistry and either physics or mathematics,(b) conforming to the Specified physical standards and (c) Age 19 - 23 years. Selection: All India Entrance Examination; (ii) sub-officers Course; Duration 33 weeks, Eligibility: (a) a pass in 10+2 Examination; (b) conforming to specified physical standards,and (c) Age:19 - 23 years Selection: All Indian Entrance Examination.

(2) Cochin University Science and Technology, undergraduate studies in Engineering (Kochi 682003) - BTech (Safety and Fire Engineering); Duration: Three years Eligibility: a pass in 10+2 Examination; selection: Common Admission Test.

(3) International Institute of Fire Engineering, Safety and Security Management (Pune 411003) - Diploma in Fire Engineering, safety Engineering and Security Management. Duration: 18 months Eligibility: Diploma in Engineering or Graduates with 50% marks; Selection Entrance Examination.

(4) National Institute of Fire Management (Chennai 600008) - Diploma in Fire Engineering. Duration: One year. Eligibility: Degree in any discipline.

Career Opportunities

Early Faculty Induction programme: The All India Council for Technical Education has introduced early Faculty Induction Programme (EFIP) under which the students desirous of taking up teaching after successful completion of postgraduate studies in Engineering and technology, pharmacy and architecture are provided scholarships for doing postgraduate courses. Candidates are required to qualify in GATE for admission to the postgraduate courses.

Indian Air Force: Indian Air Force recruits both male and female engineers in Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics Branch) and Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical Branch). Selections are made on the basic of Engineering Knowledge Test followed by Personality Test. While male candidates are eligible for both Permanent and Short Service Commissions, the Female candidates can enter only into the short Service Commissions. Pre-Final year and Final year engineering male students can also enter these branches under the University Entry Scheme.

Naval College of Engineering (Lonavla 410402): Reference has been made elsewhere about the courses offered by the college which has been established by the Indian Navy. The College is one of the best engineering colleges in the country and only one of its kind in Asia. It prepares officers for careers in the fields of Marine, Electrical, electronics, and Aeronautical Engineering and also in Naval Architecture cadre of the Indian Navy.

Eligibility requirements include a pass in 10+2 examination with at least 70% marks in the aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and 50% marks in English either in Class 10 or in class 12 examination. Selection is made on the basis of the performance of candidates in the class 10+2 examination followed by psychological test, group discussion and interview. Selected candidates are admitted as Cadets and undergo Naval Orientation Course at the Naval Academy (Goa) for six months followed by four years of Engineering courses at the Naval College of Engineering, INS Shivaji, Lonavla. On Successful completion of the course BTech degree is awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University.