Government engineering colleges in India are very important for higher education. These colleges are run and funded by the government and offer good quality engineering education at low fees compared to private colleges.
There are over 1,000 government engineering colleges in India, making up around 20% of all engineering colleges in the country, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20.
In this article, we will talk about the top government engineering colleges in India, including their rankings, fees, and courses. if you are looking for the best government engineering colleges in India or the best govt. engineering colleges in India, this guide will help you choose the right college.
Overview – List Of Top 11 Government Engineering Colleges In India (2025)
Here’s a list of some of India’s top government engineering colleges and their rankings according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
SR.NO. | College Names | Founding Year |
---|---|---|
1 | NIT Trichy – National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Established in 1964 |
2 | NIT Surathkal (NITK) – National Institute of Technology Karnataka Surathkal | Established in 1960 |
3 | ICT Mumbai – Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | Originally founded in 1933 |
4 | DTU Delhi – Delhi Technological University, Delhi | Established in 1941 |
5 | NIT Calicut – National Institute of Technology Calicut | Founded in 1961 |
6 | VIT Vellore | Founded in 1984 |
7 | BITS Pilani | Founded in 1929 |
8 | TIET Punjab | Founded in 1956 |
9 | Jadavpur University | Founded in 1955 |
10 | VNIT Nagpur | Founded in 1960 |
11 | NIT Jalandhar – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar | Founded in 1987 |
Now you know the top engineering colleges in India, let’s discuss each one in detail:
1. NIT Trichy – National Institute Of Technology Tiruchirappalli
NIT Trichy, established in 1964 as Regional Engineering College, was granted deemed university status in 2003. It’s consistently ranked among the top engineering institutes in India, and it is known for its excellent academic programs and research facilities.
College website | https://www.nitt.edu/ |
Contact information | 0431 250 4135 |
Location | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India |

Admission process:
For B.Tech: Through JEE Main rank and counseling process
For PG programs: Through GATE score and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
The fee structure varies by program but generally ranges from ₹1-2 lakh per year for undergraduate programs.
2. NIT Surathkal (NITK) – National Institute Of Technology Karnataka Surathkal
NITK Surathkal is one of the oldest technical institutes in India. It’s renowned for its strong industry connections and placement record.
College website | http://www.pnaf.in/nit-k-surathkal.php |
Contact information | 91-824-2474000 |
Location | Mangaluru, Karnataka |

Admission process:
UG: Through JEE Main rank
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
Fees generally range from ₹1-2 lakh per year for undergraduate programs.
3. ICT Mumbai – Institute Of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
ICT Mumbai is a premier institute specializing in chemical engineering and technology. It has been granted university status and is known for its research output.
College website | https://www.ictmumbai.edu.in/ |
Contact information | 022-3361 2222 |
Location | Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai, |

Admission process:
UG: Through JEE Main rank and state-level exams
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
Fees vary but are generally lower than private institutions, typically ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per year.
4. DTU Delhi – Delhi Technological University, Delhi
Formerly known as Delhi College of Engineering, It’s one of the oldest engineering colleges in India and is highly regarded for its academic excellence.
College website | https://www.dtu.ac.in/Web/About/contactus.php |
Contact information | +91-11-27871018 |
Location | Main Bawana Road, Delhi |

Admission process:
UG: Through JEE Main rank for non-Delhi candidates and state-level exams for Delhi candidates
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
Fees are relatively affordable, typically ranging from ₹1-1.5 lakh per year for undergraduate programs.
5. NIT Calicut – National Institute Of Technology Calicut
NIT Calicut is known for its strong academic programs and research facilities. It’s consistently ranked among the top NITs in India.
College website | https://nitc.ac.in/ |
Contact information | 0495 228 6106 |
Location | Kattangal, Kerala |

Admission process:
UG: Through JEE Main rank
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
Like other NITs, fees for undergraduate programs generally range from ₹1-2 lakh per year.
6. VIT Vellore
VIT has grown to become one of India’s top-ranked private universities. It’s known for its modern infrastructure and industry collaborations.
College website | https://vit.ac.in/admissions/programmes-offered |
Contact information | + 91-416-220 2188. |
Location | Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India |

Admission process:
UG: Through VITEEE (VIT Engineering Entrance Examination)
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
As a private institution, fees are higher than government colleges, typically ranging from ₹2-4 lakh per year for undergraduate programs.
7. Jadavpur University
Established in 1955, Jadavpur University is a public state university known for its strong engineering and technology programs. It’s consistently ranked among the top universities in India.
College website | https://jadavpuruniversity.in/ |
Contact information | +91 33 2457 2227 |
Location | Raja S.C. Mallick Rd, Kolkata |

Admission process:
UG: Through WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination)
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
As a state university, fees are relatively low, typically ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per year for undergraduate programs.
8. VNIT Nagpur
VNIT Nagpur is one of the NITs known for its quality education and research facilities. It has a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.
College website | https://vnit.ac.in/contacts/ |
Contact information | 0712 280 1370 |
Location | Ambazari, Nagpur, Maharashtra |

Admission process:
UG: Through JEE Main rank
PG: Through GATE scores and institute-level entrance exams
Fee structure:
Like other NITs, fees for undergraduate programs generally range from ₹1-2 lakh per year.
9. NIT Jalandhar – Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology
Established in 1987 as Regional Engineering College, NIT Jalandhar was granted the status of a National Institute of Technology (Deemed University) by the Government of India in 2002. It is recognized as an Institute of National Importance under the Act of Parliament, 2007.
College Website | https://www.nitj.ac.in/ |
Contact Information | +91 181 2690301-02 |
Location | Jalandhar, Punjab, India |

Admission Process:
- For B.Tech: Admission is through JEE Main rank and subsequent counseling via JoSAA or CSAB.
- For PG Programs: Admissions are based on GATE scores for M.Tech and CAT/MAT/CMAT for MBA.
Fee Structure:
The total fee for the B.Tech program for the 2025-26 academic year is approximately ₹5,00,000 for the entire 4-year course.
Advantages Of Choosing Government Engineering Colleges In India
Advantages you should know before choosing any college:
- Affordability: Government colleges offer quality education at significantly lower fees than private institutions. For instance, the annual tuition fee at IITs is approximately ₹2,00,000, while private engineering colleges can charge up to ₹15,00,000 per year.
- Infrastructure: Many government colleges boast state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and research facilities. For example, IIT Delhi has over 350 laboratories spread across various departments.
- Research Opportunities: Government institutions often have substantial funding for research projects. 2020-21, IIT Madras secured 213 industry consultancy projects worth ₹130.03 crore.
- Placement Records: Top government colleges consistently achieve excellent placement statistics. For instance, IIT Bombay reported 88% placement for the 2020-21 batch, with the highest domestic package of ₹64 lakh per annum.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: Government schemes like the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Oil School of Nursing offer financial support to deserving students.
- Diverse Student Community: Government colleges attract students from all over India, fostering a rich, multicultural learning environment.
Admission Process For Government Engineering Colleges In India
The admission process for most government engineering colleges in India is as follows:
- Entrance Exams:
- JEE Main for NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs)
- JEE Advanced for IITs
- State-level exams for state government colleges
- Eligibility Criteria:
- 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Minimum 75% aggregate in board exams (65% for SC/ST candidates)
- Counseling and Seat Allocation:
- Based on rank in entrance exams
- Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) conducts counselling for IITs, NITs, and CFTIs
Tips For Choosing The Right Government Engineering Colleges In India
Here are some tips for you to select the right college:
- Research the college’s specialization and align it with your interests
- Check the faculty profile and their research publications
- Analyze placement records and average salary packages
- Consider the location and its proximity to industrial hubs
- Look into the college’s infrastructure and facilities
- Explore opportunities for extracurricular activities and overall personality development
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Conclusion: Choose Top Government Engineering Colleges in India for Quality and Affordability
Top government engineering colleges in India offer high-quality education, excellent infrastructure, and strong career opportunities at a fraction of the cost of private institutions. These best government engineering colleges in India provide advanced research facilities, experienced faculty, and impressive placement records, making them ideal for students seeking a value-for-money education.
By understanding the admission process and exploring programs that match your interests, you can select the best govt engineering colleges in India that align with your career goals. Choosing the right top government engineering colleges in India ensures a well-rounded, enriching, and fulfilling engineering education experience.
FAQs
Some of India’s top government engineering colleges include the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), College of Engineering, Pune, Delhi Technological University (DTU), and ICT Mumbai.
The highest salary packages vary based on specialization, industry, and individual performance. However, branches like Computer Science and Information Technology tend to offer lucrative packages due to high demand in the IT sector.
While top private institutions might have higher average packages, government engineering colleges have strong placement records with reputed companies across various sectors.