Computer Engineering emerges as India’s most popular branch: AISHE report

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 10, 2026 07:07 PM IST

Despite the growing popularity of Computer Engineering, traditional branches continue to produce a substantial share of India's engineering graduates. (Image: AI generated)

Computer Engineering has emerged as India’s most preferred engineering branch, recording the highest enrolment among all engineering specialisations, according to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24. The trend highlights growing student interest in careers in software development, artificial intelligence (AI), and other digital technologies. Computer Engineering leads enrolment across engineering branches, followed by Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology.

The report shows that Engineering and Technology enrolment across undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated, MPhil, and PhD programmes stands at 46,33,868 students.

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The trend is also reflected in graduate output. According to the report’s undergraduate pass-out data, Computer Engineering (CE) produced 2,62,408 graduates in 2023–24, accounting for nearly one in three of the 8,33,808 Engineering and Technology graduates. In comparison, Mechanical Engineering recorded 1,13,390 pass-outs, followed by Electronics Engineering (1,11,242), Civil Engineering (88,839), and Electrical Engineering (72,062).

The findings point to changing student preferences as India’s digital economy expands. While core engineering branches such as Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering continue to account for a significant share of enrolment and graduates, computing-related disciplines are attracting the largest number of students. At leading engineering institutions, including the IITs, NITs, and several state and private engineering colleges, Computer Science and allied branches have increasingly become the preferred choice among top-ranking candidates during admissions.

Engineering & Technology Enrolment by Major Discipline (AISHE 2023–24)

Rank

Engineering discipline

Enrolment (Approx.)

Share of Engineering enrolment

1

Computer Engineering

18,40,900

39.7%

2

Electronics Engineering

5,70,400

12.3%

3

Mechanical Engineering

4,44,200

9.6%

4

Civil Engineering

3,60,300

7.8%

5

Electrical Engineering

3,36,200

7.3%

6

Information Technology

2,39,300

5.2%

7

Electronics & Communication Engineering

79,400

1.7%

8

Architecture

69,100

1.5%

9

Chemical Engineering

58,500

1.3%

10

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

53,600

1.2%

11

Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

51,600

1.1%

12

Agriculture Engineering

24,000

0.5%

The undergraduate enrolment analysis further shows that Engineering and Technology remains one of the largest professional streams in higher education, where over 8 lakh students pass out, with Computer Engineering attracting the biggest share of students within the discipline.

Rank

Engineering Branch

UG Pass-outs

Share of Engineering UG Pass-outs

1

Computer

2,62,408

31.5%

2

Mechanical

1,13,390

13.6%

3

Electronics

1,11,242

13.3%

4

Civil

88,839

10.7%

5

Electrical

72,062

8.6%

The shift in higher education mirrors changes in the labour market. LinkedIn’s AI Labour Market Report 2026 found that India recorded the world’s fastest growth in AI engineering hiring, with AI hiring increasing 59.5 per cent year-on-year. Similarly, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Big Data Specialists, and cybersecurity professionals among India’s fastest-growing occupations through 2030.

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The latest AISHE report also underscores the continued expansion of technical education. Overall higher education enrolment reached a record 4.5 crore students in 2023–24, while enrolment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines crossed the one-crore mark, highlighting sustained demand for technical and professional education.

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Neeti Nigam leads the education department at indianexpress.com. She joined the Indian Express in 2015 and has set up the education and job sections in the online department. She covers schools and higher education, entrance and board exams, study abroad, civil services and other career-related news. Prior to that, she worked as a lifestyle and entertainment journalist in The Pioneer newspaper's magazine division. Besides working in the in-flight Air India (Namaskaar) magazine, she was part of the launch team of Indian Railways on-board magazine Rail Bandhu. She has also worked as a city reporter covering north Delhi in Hindustan Times. In 2012, she covered the MCD elections. You can write to her at [email protected] ... Read More

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