For the first time, Telangana witnessed a remarkable milestone in the 2024-25 academic year, with engineering admissions crossing the one lakh mark. A total of 1.07 lakh students secured B.Tech seats through both convener and management quotas—an impressive increase of over 16,000 compared to the previous year. When factoring in admissions from private, deemed universities, special institutes like Basara RGUKT, and premier institutions such as IITs and NITs, the number likely approaches 1.5 lakh engineering aspirants.
Interestingly, while traditional core branches like Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering saw a steady rise, the demand for Computer Science and IT-related streams continues to dominate. Experts are closely watching these trends, with questions emerging about whether core disciplines might regain popularity amid shifting industry dynamics.
What’s Driving Demand This Year?
The allure of Computer Science Engineering (CSE) and IT branches remains strong, yet a notable diversification is underway. “The upcoming syllabus revisions—including updates in AI & Machine Learning, Data Science, and Cybersecurity—have sparked interest beyond just CSE,” says Ravinder Reddy, Chairman of Geetanjali Engineering College. He adds, “There’s growing demand for AI & ML courses and a modest uptick in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), likely fueled by the burgeoning semiconductor sector in India.”
With approximately 1.61 lakh students passing the Intermediate MPC exams this year, experts also speculate whether students might now consider regular colleges beyond the elite IITs, NITs, and triple ITs to meet job market demands. Meanwhile, parents are increasingly evaluating the impact of AI on traditional IT roles, prompting a slight resurgence in interest for core branches.
The Rise of Multidisciplinary Education
The future, according to thought leaders, lies in multidisciplinary learning. Acharya Vishnuvardhan, Principal of JNTUH Manthani College, observes, “The landscape is evolving—once dominated by ECE, now CSE and allied streams are taking center stage.” He predicts, “Soon, the distinctions between core, electronics, and computer science will blur. Fields like Medical AI, Robotics AI, and Mechatronics AI will integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines, a direction already embraced by IITs.”
Creating Awareness for a Balanced Future
To guide students and parents through these changing tides, the Council of Higher Education, in collaboration with JNTUH, is organizing an awareness conference. Chairman Acharya Balakishta Reddy emphasizes, “Our goal is to highlight opportunities across all branches, especially the core ones, and demonstrate how minors in AI, ML, and Data Science can complement traditional engineering disciplines.”
As Telangana’s engineering landscape evolves, a blend of emerging technologies and traditional expertise promises to shape a dynamic, future-ready workforce—ready to tackle challenges across sectors and redefine innovation.
