What are the Trends in Indian Engineering Job Market Regardless Branch or Faculty? | Q & A

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Niel Sardesai

I did come across one lacking issue about engineering branch and field awareness in which students are getting admission and also getting degree but they are not getting jobs as there are not that much opportunity in market this fields are very niche and very few industries in this fields are there so not that much scope. and they get confused what next? I need to classify those branches among all. 

may anyone share the light on this?

Nisarg Desai
Nisarg Desai Jul 4

In India, engineering is a popular choice for higher education, but many students unknowingly enter branches where industry demand is minimal or highly specialized. This lack of awareness leads to confusion and career stagnation post-graduation. This guide aims to highlight engineering branches with limited market scope, helping students make better-informed decisions.

Engineering Branches with Low Industry Demand (2025 Perspective)

1. Mining Engineering
  • Market Status: Shrinking due to stricter environmental norms, declining new mining projects, and increasing automation.

  • Approx. Companies: Around 500-600 mining companies, mainly PSUs like Coal India, NMDC, and a few private players.

  • Hiring Rate: Less than 1,000 freshers per year.

  • Key Concern: Limited geographic spread, hazardous working conditions, and high cyclic dependency on commodity prices.

  • Solution:

    • Upskill in environmental management, mine automation, and GIS-based surveying.

    • Shift toward sectors like environmental consultancy, sustainability auditing, and resource management.

  • Source: Ministry of Mines Annual Report 2024, Indian Bureau of Mines statistics.

2. Textile Engineering
  • Market Status: Declining demand for core textile engineers due to automation and outsourcing of key processes.

  • Approx. Companies: Around 800 large textile mills, but few hire dedicated engineers.

  • Hiring Rate: Estimated 1,500–2,000 freshers per year, mostly in spinning and garment units.

  • Key Concern: Industry is highly regionalized (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat) and the majority of jobs are in production supervision.

  • Solution:

    • Transition toward technical textiles, fashion technology, or textile machinery design.

    • Consider starting niche businesses like customized garment production or sustainable fabric solutions.

  • Source: Indian Textiles Journal, Ministry of Textiles 2023 data.

4. Leather Technology
  • Market Status: Very niche, declining due to global anti-animal-cruelty movements and shrinking consumer base.

  • Approx. Companies: Less than 200 significant players, concentrated in Tamil Nadu, Kanpur, Kolkata.

  • Hiring Rate: Less than 500 freshers per year.

  • Key Concern: Growing environmental restrictions and competition from synthetic materials.

  • Solution:

    • Pivot toward sustainable leather alternatives, vegan leather research, and environmental compliance consultancy.

    • Leverage government schemes for sustainable manufacturing startups.

  • Source: Council for Leather Exports (India) reports.

5. Ceramic Engineering
  • Market Status: Limited to tiles, sanitaryware, glass, and select advanced material industries.

  • Approx. Companies: ~500 tile and ceramic manufacturers, primarily in Gujarat.

  • Hiring Rate: Estimated 1,000–1,500 freshers per year.

  • Key Concern: Industry growth is plateauing; automation is cutting workforce needs.

  • Solution:

    • Upskill in materials science for high-performance ceramics, battery materials, or medical implants.

    • Explore entrepreneurship in small-scale sanitaryware or tiling businesses.

  • Source: Indian Ceramics Asia 2024 market report.

6. Petroleum Engineering
  • Market Status: Declining due to global energy transition toward renewables.

  • Approx. Companies: Limited to ONGC, Indian Oil, Reliance, Cairn, and select MNCs.

  • Hiring Rate: Less than 500–700 freshers per year across India.

  • Key Concern: Cyclical market linked to crude oil prices; increasing preference for experienced hires over freshers.

  • Solution:

    • Diversify into renewable energy engineering, energy economics, and energy transition consulting.

    • Pursue postgraduate specializations in carbon management, sustainable energy, or hydrogen technology.

  • Source: IEA World Energy Outlook 2024, ONGC Career Reports.

7. Printing Technology
  • Market Status: Rapidly shrinking with the rise of digital media; print circulation and advertisement volumes are dropping.

  • Approx. Companies: Less than 500 large-scale printers, mostly in packaging and labels.

  • Hiring Rate: Less than 500 freshers per year.

  • Key Concern: Digitalization of publishing, packaging automation, and declining physical media consumption.

  • Solution:

    • Specialize in digital printing technologies or switch to packaging design and digital media production.

    • Develop skills in graphic design, 3D printing, and eco-friendly packaging.

  • Source: All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP), Indian Packaging Industry Review 2024.

8. Marine Engineering (Merchant Navy Specific)
  • Market Status: Declining demand for entry-level engineers due to automation and slow fleet expansion.

  • Approx. Companies: About 100 major shipping companies recruiting in India.

  • Hiring Rate: Less than 700–800 cadets and freshers per year.

  • Key Concern: Long working durations at sea, slow career progression, cyclical hiring trends.

  • Solution:

    • Transition toward offshore maintenance, shipyard management, or logistics operations.

    • Develop certifications in offshore safety, marine automation, or oil rig operations.

  • Source: Directorate General of Shipping, India (2024 Employment Stats).

Key Takeaways
  • Branch Selection Must Be Data-Driven: Students should assess not only the curriculum but also market saturation and future prospects.

  • Low-Demand Fields Aren't Hopeless: Smart skill diversification, entrepreneurship, or interdisciplinary study can unlock new doors.

  • Early Counseling Can Prevent Misdirection: Schools and colleges need to emphasize branch-market fit awareness before admission.

Niel Sardesai

okay than according to you what are the engineering branches that are in demand?

Nisarg Desai
Nisarg Desai Jul 4

Engineering Branches with Strong Job Markets and Broad Future Scope (2025 and Beyond)

1. Computer Science & Information Technology (CS/IT)
  • Hiring Rate: ~100,000+ freshers/year (Private sector + Startups + Global Capability Centers)

  • Key Industries: IT services, product companies, cybersecurity, fintech, AI startups

  • Why in Demand: Digital transformation, AI/ML adoption, cloud migration

  • Future Scope: Very strong—India is a global outsourcing hub; tech will remain essential across industries.

  • Source: NASSCOM 2024 Report

2. Electronics & Communication Engineering (Applied Areas)
  • Hiring Rate: ~30,000–40,000 per year (IoT, embedded systems, chip design, EV)

  • Key Industries: Semiconductor, IoT, EV, consumer electronics, telecom

  • Why in Demand: Surge in EV adoption, 5G rollouts, chip manufacturing under Make in India

  • Future Scope: Strong, especially with India’s push for chip self-sufficiency

  • Source: India Semiconductor Mission

3. Mechanical Engineering (Emerging Domains)
  • Hiring Rate: ~25,000–30,000 per year (EV, automation, aerospace, HVAC)

  • Key Industries: EV manufacturing, defense, automation, HVAC, renewable energy

  • Why in Demand: EV revolution, green buildings, defense manufacturing push

  • Future Scope: Strong if combined with mechatronics, IoT, and renewable energy expertise

  • Source: Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) Outlook

4. Civil Engineering (Modern Infrastructure)
  • Hiring Rate: ~20,000–25,000 per year (urban infrastructure, smart cities, metro rail)

  • Key Industries: Smart cities, metro projects, green construction, high-rise buildings

  • Why in Demand: Ongoing urbanization, government mega-projects

  • Future Scope: Strong with BIM, green certifications, and smart infrastructure integration

  • Source: Smart Cities Mission Progress

5. Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Applied + Renewable Focus)
  • Hiring Rate: ~20,000+ per year (solar, EV, automation)

  • Key Industries: Solar energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, automation, smart grids

  • Why in Demand: Push for renewable energy, electrification, industrial automation

  • Future Scope: Strong with PLC, SCADA, EV charging infrastructure skills

  • Source: MNRE Reports - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

6. Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (Emerging Specializations)
  • Hiring Rate: ~10,000–15,000 per year (startups, MNCs, research labs)

  • Key Industries: IT, healthcare, fintech, e-commerce

  • Why in Demand: Massive AI/ML adoption across sectors

  • Future Scope: Extremely strong—AI engineers are globally sought after

  • Source: NASSCOM AI Adoption Reports

7. Mechatronics Engineering
  • Hiring Rate: ~5,000–7,000 per year (EV, robotics, industrial automation)

  • Key Industries: Robotics, EV, smart factories, 3D printing

  • Why in Demand: Industry 4.0, automation, smart manufacturing

  • Future Scope: Very strong in automotive, electronics, and aerospace sectors

  • Source: FICCI - Industry 4.0 Adoption Insights

8. Chemical Engineering (Specialized Sectors)
  • Hiring Rate: ~3,000–5,000 per year (pharmaceuticals, green chemicals)

  • Key Industries: Specialty chemicals, green tech, pharma

  • Why in Demand: India's growing chemical export market, COVID-driven pharma surge

  • Future Scope: Strong if specialized in green processes or pharmaceutical tech

  • Source: Indian Chemical Council Market Reports

9. Environmental Engineering
  • Hiring Rate: ~2,000–3,000 per year (waste management, pollution control, sustainability)

  • Key Industries: Construction, urban planning, sustainability consulting

  • Why in Demand: Tightening environmental regulations, smart city initiatives

  • Future Scope: Strong due to climate change and ESG mandates

  • Source: MoEFCC - Government Environmental Reports

10. Robotics & Automation Engineering
  • Hiring Rate: ~3,000–5,000 per year (factories, research labs, MNCs)

  • Key Industries: Smart factories, logistics, healthcare automation

  • Why in Demand: Heavy investment in Industry 4.0 and factory automation

  • Future Scope: Growing rapidly in manufacturing, warehousing, and healthcare

  • Source: Automation Industry Association India

Key Takeaways
  • CS/IT, Electronics, AI, and Civil (with smart infrastructure skills) are safe bets for long-term growth.

  • Emerging branches like Mechatronics, Robotics, and Environmental Engineering offer excellent prospects if aligned with current trends.

  • Traditional branches like Mechanical and Electrical remain relevant when adapted to new technologies.

by the way i think nowadays employers not looking for which branch degree you have but they do look for specific skillset and expertise within that on concluding decision on should they hire you or not. and these are very broad faculty so if you don't have those specific skills than its could be that you could not fulfill your dream job criteria so make sure you have those skill set.

Niel Sardesai

alright than which of the skill set according to you in present time are in high demand?

The Forum post is edited by Niel Sardesai Jul 4
Nisarg Desai
Nisarg Desai Jul 4

I think that's the separate question please create different link for this question and discuss in seprate thread.