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.