Top Engineering Colleges in India Offering Mechanical Engineering: Courses, Placements, Recruiters & More
Mechanical Engineering has stood the test of time as one of the top most trusted and traditional branches of engineering. Even as disciplines like Computer Science have rapidly risen in popularity over the past two decades, Mechanical Engineering continues to attract students who are passionate about innovation in core areas like design, robotics, energy systems, thermal sciences, and manufacturing.
Among India’s premier institutions offering Mechanical Engineering, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) lead the pack with their academic rigor, cutting-edge research, global collaborations, and robust placement records. Here’s a look at the top 10 engineering institutes in India as per NIRF 2024 rankings, with a focus on their Mechanical Engineering departments — the courses they offer, placement highlights, and key recruiters.
Top 10 Engineering Colleges in India (NIRF 2024)
| Rank | Institute | QS World Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IIT Madras | 180 |
| 2 | IIT Delhi | 123 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay | 129 |
| 4 | IIT Kanpur | 222 |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur | 215 |
| 6 | IIT Roorkee | 339 |
| 7 | IIT Guwahati | 334 |
| 8 | IIT Hyderabad | 664 |
| 9 | NIT Tiruchirappalli | – |
| 10 | IIT BHU Varanasi | 566 |
1. IIT Madras – Mechanical Engineering Department
IIT Madras, ranked first in India, has one of the most comprehensive Mechanical Engineering departments with over 60 faculty members and close to 1,000 students across UG, PG, MS, and PhD levels. The department offers specialised M.Tech programmes in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Design, and Thermal Engineering. It is well-known for its strong industry ties with companies like Caterpillar, GE, Rolls Royce India, Tata Steel, and Mercedes-Benz R&D. Students benefit from international collaborations with institutions such as Caltech, RWTH Aachen, Purdue, and University of Tokyo.
2. IIT Delhi – Department of Mechanical Engineering
Founded in the 1960s, IIT Delhi’s mechanical department has over 30 labs, including the Mechatronics Lab, Design Research Lab, and Vibration & Instrumentation Lab, covering everything from robotics to thermal sciences. In the 2024 placement season, the institute recorded 781 unique job offers across all departments. Mechanical students consistently attract offers from both traditional engineering firms and interdisciplinary sectors, thanks to the department’s research-rich environment.
3. IIT Bombay – Mechanical Engineering Department
With its roots dating back to 1958, IIT Bombay boasts one of the largest Mechanical Engineering departments in India. It has more than 1,500 students and over 60 full-time faculty. The department offers B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Tech, and PhD programmes. In 2022–23, 191 students from mechanical engineering secured placements, marking a steady increase from previous years. Graduates often join core industries like automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy.
4. IIT Kanpur – Department of Mechanical Engineering
Established in 1960, IIT Kanpur’s Mechanical Engineering department admits UG, PG, MS (Research), and PhD students — including professionals sponsored by industry. According to 2024 data, the department had a placement rate of 74.6% with an impressive average CTC of ₹19.7 LPA and median CTC of ₹19.2 LPA. The B.Tech programme recorded an 88.7% placement success rate.
5. IIT Kharagpur – Mechanical Engineering Department
As one of India’s oldest IITs, IIT Kharagpur’s mechanical department has expanded into areas like Combustion Modeling, Robotics, Bond Graph Modeling, and Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing. Over 400 recruiters participated in the 2024–25 placement drive. Nine students received packages exceeding ₹1 crore, including international roles in core sectors.
6. IIT Roorkee – Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Dating back to 1946, IIT Roorkee’s department began offering Industrial Engineering in 1974. M.Tech specialisations include Machine Design, CAD/CAM/Robotics, Thermal Systems, and Welding Engineering. In the 2024 placement season, 607 offers were made within the first three days, with top domestic and international packages hitting ₹1.3 crore and ₹1.06 crore, respectively.
Mechanical Engineering: Still a Powerhouse of Opportunity
Despite the recent dominance of Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering continues to be a robust career path, especially for students passionate about tangible problem-solving and interdisciplinary applications. The departments across India’s top engineering colleges are evolving with time — embracing automation, AI integration, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing — while still rooted in the core principles of engineering.
Whether it’s cutting-edge research, global collaborations, or high-paying job offers, Mechanical Engineering in India’s top colleges remains a compelling choice for aspirants with a knack for building, innovating, and solving real-world problems.
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