Learn about the requirements, eligibility, application process, and entrance exams for engineering colleges after completing your 12th grade.

1. The enrollment of students pursuing science education in their 12th grade or its
equivalent is notably high in India. A significant proportion of Indian students aspire
to become engineers well before completing their 12th-grade examinations. Their
motivations for this career path vary; some are driven by a desire to innovate, while
others aim to secure high-paying engineering positions.
Nonetheless, a substantial number of students lack adequate guidance, rendering
them uncertain about the admission process for engineering colleges after the 12th
grade. Consequently, many may lose focus or miss valuable opportunities to gain
admission to prestigious institutions. This results in the squandering of precious time
that could be better utilized in preparing for the admission process. Those lacking
awareness are ill-equipped to contend with the fierce competition of entrance
exams, making them susceptible to elimination.
To address this issue, we have compiled an extensive guide on how to secure
admission in an engineering college following the 12th grade.
Scope of Engineering:
Before delving into the admission process, it is essential to grasp the scope of
engineering. Engineering comprises numerous specializations, offering a wide array
of career options for prospective students. Graduates from reputable institutions can
pursue careers not only in India but also abroad. They are often offered lucrative
salary packages during campus placements, with esteemed companies consistently
recruiting fresh engineering talent each year.
There are more than 20 engineering specializations available, with some of the
popular ones including:
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering

2. - Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Marine Engineering
- Mining Engineering
Admission in Engineering College after 12th or Equivalent:
Various engineering colleges employ different admission procedures. Most
commonly, students are required to undertake the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)
Main to gain admission to engineering colleges. Some institutions accept a few other
entrance exams, while others rely solely on one.
Admission based on entrance exams:
The JEE Main is the most widely accepted engineering entrance exam for both
national and state-level colleges. Some states conduct their own engineering
entrance exams for admission. Certain colleges reserve seats for students who have
taken national-level entrance exams, while others reserve seats for those who have
completed state-level entrance exams.
Admission without entrance exams:
Private colleges offer seats under the management quota to students seeking direct
admission, circumventing the need to qualify in an entrance exam. However,
students gaining admission through this route are required to pay substantially
higher fees than those admitted via entrance exams.
Admission through the centralized admission process without entrance exams:
Some states do not conduct common entrance exams and admit students based on
their 12th-grade scores. This process is known as centralized admission.

3. Entrance Exams for Admission in an Engineering College
after 12th:
There are primarily two types of engineering entrance exams: national level and
state level. Different states conduct various entrance exams for engineering.
Students who qualify state-level exams can gain admission to colleges within their
respective states.
Students who achieve a high rank in national-level engineering entrance exams
have the opportunity to secure admission anywhere in India. Prominent
national-level entrance exams include:
- JEE Main
- JEE Advanced
- Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE)
- VIT Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE)
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)
Both JEE Main and JEE Advanced are regarded as the most challenging and
competitive entrance exams in India. Every year, more than 10 lakh aspirants sit for
each exam, but there are only a limited number of seats available in the top colleges
throughout the country. JEE Main and JEE Advanced are administered by different
bodies, with JEE Main granting access to national colleges and JEE Advanced
specifically to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Certain prestigious universities conduct their own entrance exams and do not
accept scores from other common entrance exams. Students aspiring to attend
these universities must sit for their respective entrance exams.

4. Eligibility for Admission in an Engineering College after
12th:
Although different institutions accept different entrance exams, the eligibility criteria
for studying engineering are consistent throughout India. To be eligible for an
engineering program, a student must meet the following qualifications:
- Successful completion of the 12th-grade examinations.
- A minimum percentage of 50% in the 12th-grade exams.
- A background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry during the 11th and 12th
grades.
- For those interested in biomedical engineering, a background in biology during the
11th and 12th grades is also required.
Application Process for Admission in an Engineering
College after 12th:
Once the results of the entrance exams are released, the engineering admission
process commences, which is conducted differently by various authorities.
For students who have qualified in the JEE Main exam, the following steps are
necessary to complete the admission process:
1. Register for the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), which manages a
centralized admission process.
2. Attend the counseling session to select the college for which they qualify and
complete the fee payment.
3. Submit verified documents to finalize the admission process.
Students who have appeared for state-level entrance exams must follow a similar
process conducted by the state authorities. Even colleges admitting students based

5. on 12th-grade marks require adherence to a similar process conducted by
respective authorities. It is important for students to remember to register for
counseling in the centralized admission process.
Students who have not taken any entrance exams and seek admission to an
engineering college following the 12th grade can do so by visiting the college's
website and submitting a separate application form. Alternatively, they can
complete the admission process by visiting the college in person and paying the
requisite fees directly. However, it should be noted that the fees for such direct
admissions are significantly higher.
The competition for admission to engineering colleges following the 12th grade is
fierce. As a result, many students dedicate themselves to achieving high rankings in
entrance exams. Some may even opt for additional coaching after the 12th grade to
enhance their chances of gaining admission to prestigious institutions. Students
aspiring to study engineering must be prepared to work diligently in order to excel in
this highly competitive field.