Which are the Most Underrated Engineering Colleges in India?

The current Indian engineering education scenario is upbeat with the presence of ever-reliable IITs, NITs, and several other public and private institutes with enviable performance record and wide acclaim. The flurry of new, promising colleges is consistently adding to the engineering college deluge and keeping the scenario lively. However, often overlooked is the contribution made by low profile colleges towards the growth of engineering education in India.

It is easy to be dazzled by the brilliance and achievements of over hyped engineering colleges. Odds are high that you might not have heard of these low profile institutes, let alone considering them as a stepping-stone for your career. While their illustrious counterparts enjoy their share of well-deserved publicity and acclaim, these colleges are still waiting for the lady luck to shine upon them. Despite a good showing, they neither appear on the ranking charts nor find favour with the mainstream media. However, the fact is that they do exist. Away from the hype, these colleges are consistently contributing towards developing a scientific and technically literate society and supporting the workforce requirements across industries. Here is a painstakingly compiled list of such low profile institutes.

For ready reference, we are providing below a pre-cap into the most underrated engineering colleges in India. Go on reading to get enlightened.  

Pre-cap into the Underrated Engineering Colleges in India:

Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra:

Underrated is a subjective word and the inclusion of BIT, Mesra in the list is a way to prove it. Even though its achievements can rival the IITs, BIT Mesra has always remained under the shadow of its illustrious sister engineering institution, BITS Pilani. In addition to top amenities, an unflinching focus on education and research, elaborate infrastructure, and time served faculty are the hallmarks of the institution. However, they often go unnoticed among career seekers with a preference for more sellable names.

Not many of us are aware of the fact that BIT Mesra was the first Indian institute to come up with the space engineering and rocketry department, and attain autonomous status. History also credits the institute for implementing the concept of entrepreneurs’ park to provide a level playing field to small and medium enterprises. Several young entrepreneurs, thus far, have remained gainful from the project funding and workshop facilities that BIT Mesra has been offering since long.

Programmes Offered:

The list of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that BIT Mesra offers is as wide as it gets. You can consider B-Tech degree in disciplines like Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering (Plastic & Polymer), Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Information Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering.

Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad:

You can find the name Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology in the middle rungs of several prestigious rankings. As well, the prestige of the NIT also works in the institute’s favour. The obvious question is why does the thriving NIT features in a list meant for underrated engineering colleges. The answer lies in its pedigree that is often undermined, if not neglected. Much like BIT Mesra, MNNIT is also overshadowed by another IIT sharing campus in the city of Allahabad.

Recognised by AICTE as a ‘Quality Improvement Programme’ Centre, MNNIT Allahabad has a sprawling campus accommodating everything required for enriched, safe, and industry-oriented learning experience. The credentialed and seasoned teaching faculty has always been setting precedents in learning and evaluating processes. Moreover, MNNIT, in collaboration with Indo-UK REC, has come up with a state of the art Design Centre. Thanks to a progressive approach, the institute has constructed industrial estate accommodating 69 sheds. The rationale here was to help entrepreneurs wheel in additional income. Apparently, MNNIT deserves better acclaim and rankings among the top 10 engineering colleges. 

Programmes Offered:

When it comes to diversity in B-Tech programmes, MNNIT does not disappoint. You can pursue the top of the line programmes, including Biotechnology, Applied Mechanics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Information Technology, Industrial & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Product Design & Development.

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology University:

Erstwhile Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology University is an ideal case study of high achievements yet low recognition. You will more often find the institute’s name only after delving deep into the rankings, which is a sheer injustice to its record of accomplishment. The very inception of the institute defied the norm. It was the first public and private joint venture in the field of advanced technical education. 

Since coming into existence in 1956, TIETU has been rolling out undergraduate and postgraduate courses complying with established norms. The institute’s commitment to academic excellence, along with the focus on fundamental and applied research, has always been epic. TIETU facilitates student’s interaction with industry to ensure innovative results. It has a quality policy in place to churn out professionally groomed, competent, ethical, and innovative engineers who can take the world by storm. Despite being an achiever in all its existence, TIETU is devoid of the richly deserved acclaim.

Programmes Offered:

TIETU reaches out to aspirants with specialisation in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Electronics (Instrumentation & Control) Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Production Engineering, and Electronics and Computers.

R.V. College of Engineering:

Founded in 1963, R.V. College of Engineering is one of India’s first self-financing engineering colleges. It has been reaching out to career aspirants with an array of NBA accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses. One of its redeeming features is a reliable faculty constituted by Ph. D holders from reputable Indian and overseas universities. The presence of VTU recognised research centre underlines RVCE’s commitment towards quality research. Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, the institute merits performance when it comes to intake.

Besides having the largest number of gold medallists among Visvesvaraya Technological University affiliated colleges, RVCE’s Mechanical engineering department is the first one to receive NBA accreditation. Given the extensive campus, excellent infrastructure, twinning programs, and collaborations with prestigious institutes globally, ironical R.V. College of Engineering still linger in the rankings.

Programmes Offered:

Aerospace, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, IT, IET Mechanical Engineering, and Telecommunication Engineering are few of its coveted B tech programmes.