IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) are renowned for their high academic standards and are also considered among the best engineering institutions in India. While some of the top branches like computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering often attract the most attention in the context of placements, the lower branches in IITs also offer promising career opportunities. These branches include Civil, Chemical, Metallurgical, aerospace and environmental engineering,
Placement opportunities for students from these branches may not be as abundant as those in most sought after branches, but they are still competitive. Let us read more to understand about IIT lower branches placement in India!
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IIT Lower Branch or Less Popular Branches- Highlights
The table below highlights the lower branches or less popular ones at IITs, where students tend to show less preference compared to mainstream branches like computer science, electrical or mechanical engineering:
IIT Lower Branches- Highlights
| Institute Name | Less Popular Branches | Reason for Lower Popularity |
| IIT Bombay | Agriculture Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Civil Engineering | Students prefer branches with higher job prospects and industry demand. |
| IIT Delhi | Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences | Lack of immediate industry demand or lower industry salaries in comparison to other branches. |
| IIT Kanpur | Environmental Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering | Niche fields with fewer job opportunities or research-focused careers. |
| IIT Kharagpur | Mining Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Engineering | Limited industry exposure or perceived as less lucrative options. |
| IIT Madras | Aerospace Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Biotechnology | Highly specialized fields with fewer job openings and lower pay scales. |
| IIT Roorkee | Engineering Physics, Production and Industrial Engineering, Earthquake Engineering | High academic rigor, but limited industry demand. |
| IIT Guwahati | Design Engineering, Agricultural and Food Engineering, Civil Engineering | Regional preference for more established branches with higher placement records. |
| IIT Hyderabad | Humanities and Social Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Bioinformatics | Emerging fields with limited career opportunities in industry. |
Lower Branches of Top IITs Over Newer Institutes
A noticeable trend among students is the preference for lower branches at the top seven IITs, including Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, and Guwahati. These branches would include Chemical engineering, energy engineering, engineering physics, production and industrial engineering, material science, metallurgy, aerospace, environmental engineering, biotechnology, bioengineering, manufacturing, and textile engineering. Students tend to prioritize these options over core branches at other IITs.
In contrast, IITs established in 2012, such as those in BHU, Dhanbad, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Ropar, Mandi, Indore, and Gandhinagar, mostly see students choosing Computer Science as their preferred branch. After opting for lower branches at older IITs, students only consider other branches at these newer IITs.
Why Students Choose Lower Branch of Top IITs
Students up to AIR 8000 tend to prioritize the lower branches of the top 7 IITs over the core branches in other IITs, primarily due to the highly competitive environment at these institutes. This environment fosters all-round development, allowing students to excel academically and personally.
At these prestigious IITs, students have the added advantage of pursuing a minor in another branch, such as computer science, to enhance their skills in coding and programming and further strengthen their profiles. The focus on major companies for placements at these IITs also contributes to this preference, as these institutes attract many top companies, providing more job opportunities across fields.
Also, the option to change branches based on first-year performance is available in these top IITs, allowing students to transition into core branches or more sought-after fields in their second year. IIT BHU, for instance, offers a branch change opportunity after the first semester. This kind of flexibility encourages students to be admitted to lower branches while prioritizing the campus and opportunities of top IITs.
IIT Lower Branch Placement in India
IIT Bombay – Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Chemical Engineering | Good placements due to the institute’s industry connections and high demand in the energy sector. | ₹12-20 LPA | Google, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Reliance Industries | Software Developer, R&D Specialist, Consultant, Data Analyst |
| Metallurgical Engineering | Placements in metallurgy, mining, and energy sectors. | ₹11-18 LPA | ExxonMobil, Tata Steel, Samsung, L&T | Metallurgical Engineer, R&D Specialist, Consultant |
| Textile Engineering | Specialized roles in textile and fashion technology sectors. | ₹8-15 LPA | Arvind, Reliance, Amazon, L&T | Textile Engineer, Product Manager, Consultant |
| Environmental Engineering | Increasing demand in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors. | ₹10-16 LPA | Schlumberger, TCS, Mahindra & Mahindra | Environmental Consultant, Project Manager, Data Analyst |
IIT Delhi Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Bioengineering | Students secure placements in core biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. | ₹11-18 LPA | Medtro3nic, Johnson & Johnson, Accenture, Amazon | Biotech Researcher, Product Engineer, Consultant |
| Chemical Engineering | R&D, energy, and process engineering roles dominate placements. | ₹10-17 LPA | Schlumberger, BP, Accenture, Microsoft | Chemical Engineer, Research Analyst, Consultant |
| Engineering Physics | Niche opportunities in high-tech and research sectors. | ₹12-20 LPA | NASA, Intel, BCG, McKinsey & Co. | Research Scientist, Software Engineer, Data Scientist |
| Manufacturing Engineering | Strong demand from core manufacturing and automation industries. | ₹9-15 LPA | Siemens, Bosch, Mahindra & Mahindra | Manufacturing Engineer, Operations Manager, Consultant |
| Environmental Engineering | Strong presence of renewable energy companies and environmental consultancies. | ₹9-15 LPA | HCL Technologies, Deloitte, TCS | Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Manager |
IIT Madras – Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Bioengineering | Placements mainly in the pharmaceutical and research sectors. | ₹10-16 LPA | Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft | Biotech Researcher, Product Manager, R&D Engineer |
| Engineering Physics | High-tech companies and research roles are common placements. | ₹12-18 LPA | SpaceX, Intel, Samsung, McKinsey & Co. | Research Scientist, Data Analyst, Aerospace Engineer |
| Aerospace Engineering | Placements in aerospace and defense industries. | ₹11-18 LPA | ISRO, Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin | Aerospace Engineer, R&D Specialist, Project Manager |
| Mining Engineering | Niche sector but with opportunities in mining and resource companies. | ₹8-15 LPA | ONGC, Coal India, Hindalco, Tata Steel | Mining Engineer, Operations Analyst, Consultant |
| Ocean Engineering | Specialized roles in oceanography and maritime sectors. | ₹9-14 LPA | Reliance, Indian Navy, L&T, BCG | Marine Engineer, Research Scientist, Consultant |
IIT Kanpur – Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Industrial Engineering | Strong placements in operations and supply chain roles. | ₹10-15 LPA | SAP, Amazon, Oracle, Cognizant | Operations Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Consultant |
| Aerospace Engineering | Placements in aerospace research and R&D sectors. | ₹10-16 LPA | Boeing, NASA, ISRO, Airbus | Aerospace Engineer, Research Analyst, Design Engineer |
| Environmental Engineering | Increasing focus on sustainability and renewable energy roles. | ₹8-14 LPA | Deloitte, Accenture, Mahindra, Schlumberger | Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Specialist |
| Material Science & Engineering | Placements in materials design and industrial applications. | ₹9-16 LPA | Tata Steel, L&T, ArcelorMittal, Schlumberger | Materials Scientist, R&D Specialist, Consultant |
IIT Kharagpur – Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Mining Engineering | Placements in mining, petroleum, and construction sectors. | ₹8-14 LPA | ONGC, Coal India, L&T, Hindustan Zinc | Mining Engineer, Project Manager, Operations Analyst |
| Architecture | Strong placement in construction, planning, and design firms. | ₹8-15 LPA | L&T, Gensler, Deloitte, HOK Architects | Architect, Urban Planner, Consultant |
| Industrial Engineering | High demand for roles in operations, supply chain, and production management. | ₹9-15 LPA | Siemens, Deloitte, Capgemini, BCG | Operations Analyst, Production Planner, Supply Chain Manager |
| Agricultural Engineering | Growing sector with increasing demand in agro-based industries. | ₹8-12 LPA | Mahindra, ITC, PepsiCo, Reliance | Agricultural Engineer, Consultant, Production Manager |
IIT Roorkee – Lower Branch Placement Trends
| Lower Branches | Placement Highlights | Average Salary | Top Recruiting Companies | Job Profiles Offered |
| Civil Engineering | Placements mainly in infrastructure and construction projects. | ₹9-16 LPA | L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Accenture, HCL Technologies | Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Project Manager |
| Material Science & Engineering | Growing demand in sectors like automotive, aerospace, and steel. | ₹10-16 LPA | Tata Steel, L&T, Hindalco, Dalmia Bharat | Materials Engineer, R&D Specialist, Project Manager |
| Earthquake Engineering | Placements mainly in civil engineering and disaster management. | ₹9-14 LPA | Reliance Industries, L&T, ONGC, National Disaster Management Authority | Earthquake Engineer, Structural Analyst, Disaster Management Specialist |
| Textile Engineering | Placement in manufacturing, design, and textile technology sectors. | ₹8-13 LPA | Arvind Mills, Raymond, ZARA, H&M | Textile Engineer, Product Designer, Consultant |
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Frequently Asked Questions
IITs like IIT Bhilai, IIT Goa, and IIT Dharwad, which were established more recently (2017-2018), tend to have relatively lower placement rates compared to the older, more established IITs.
Civil Engineering remains the least preferred branch among students, with many opting for Chemical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering instead, as these fields offer broader opportunities, higher demand, and potentially better career prospects.
In top IITs, students typically receive packages ranging from ₹10-20 lakh per annum, while in other IITs, the salary packages generally fall between ₹5-10 lakh per annum.
The student who secured a ₹3.67 crore package was from IIT Bombay. This impressive offer came from a prestigious international company, reflecting the high demand for IIT graduates in global firms.
Older IITs like Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, and BHU maintain lower closing ranks (250–1000), while newer IITs like Ropar, Indore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur have cutoffs between 600–3000.