For decades, the Master of Technology (MTech) degree was seen as a natural academic progression for engineering graduates who wanted to deepen their expertise or move into research and teaching. Today, however, that pathway is steadily losing its appeal. An increasing number of BTech graduates are choosing to enter the workforce directly or pursue opportunities abroad, leaving postgraduate engineering programmes in India struggling to attract students.
A Growing Disconnect Between Curriculum and Industry
Recognising this shift, the IIT Council has acknowledged that structural shortcomings within the MTech ecosystem are discouraging students from enrolling. In recent deliberations, the council identified limited contemporary specialisations and inadequate industry exposure as two of the most significant barriers driving down MTech participation across the country.
One of the central concerns highlighted is that many MTech programmes continue to operate within narrow disciplinary boundaries that no longer reflect how engineering functions in the real world. While industries increasingly demand professionals skilled in interdisciplinary areas—such as artificial intelligence combined with healthcare, data science with manufacturing, or electronics with semiconductor design—many postgraduate programmes remain rooted in traditional silos.
As a result, students often find that the specialisations offered do not align with emerging technologies or evolving job roles. This mismatch reduces the perceived value of investing two additional years in a postgraduate degree, especially when undergraduate graduates are already securing competitive roles in industry.
The council noted that without updating specialisations to reflect current and future technological trends, MTech programmes risk becoming academically strong but professionally disconnected.
Internships: The Missing Link in MTech Education
Another major deterrent is the lack of structured industry internships within MTech programmes. Unlike postgraduate engineering models in many other countries, where industry exposure is an integral part of the curriculum, Indian MTech students often graduate with limited hands-on experience outside academic labs.
This absence of real-world engagement weakens employability outcomes and leaves graduates less prepared for industry roles. Employers, in turn, may prefer candidates with practical exposure, even if they hold only undergraduate degrees.
To address this gap, the IIT Council has emphasised the need to make industry internships a compulsory component of MTech programmes. Embedding internships within the academic structure would not only enhance skill development but also help students understand how advanced engineering concepts translate into real-world applications.
Falling Enrolments Despite Rising BTech Numbers
The concern over MTech enrolments becomes more striking when viewed against broader trends in engineering education. While undergraduate engineering enrolments have rebounded strongly in recent years, postgraduate engineering admissions have continued to decline.
Many engineering colleges report that a significant proportion of MTech seats remain vacant year after year. Experts point to multiple factors behind this trend: limited salary differentiation between BTech and MTech graduates, unclear career advantages, and the growing appeal of immediate employment or overseas education.
For students weighing opportunity costs, the decision is often straightforward. Two additional years of study without guaranteed industry exposure or a substantial salary premium can seem like a risky investment.
A Dual-Track Vision for MTech Programmes
In response, the IIT Council has proposed a dual-track MTech model designed to cater to diverse student aspirations. Under this framework, one track would focus on industry-oriented learning, emphasising applied projects, internships, and industry collaboration. The second track would be research-focused, serving as a pathway to doctoral studies and advanced research careers.
This structure aims to address a long-standing issue: the assumption that all MTech students have similar goals. By clearly differentiating between industry and research pathways, institutions can offer more targeted training and clearer career outcomes.
The council has also discussed introducing multidisciplinary and blended-mode MTech programmes, reflecting the convergence of technologies and expanding access for working professionals.
Institutional Autonomy with Accountability
Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model, the council has recommended that each IIT redesign its MTech programmes in line with its institutional strengths and long-term vision. To guide this process, discipline-based committees dominated by industry experts are expected to play a key role.
A 12-month timeline has been proposed to initiate these reforms, signalling urgency while allowing institutions the flexibility to innovate.
Beyond Curriculum: Funding and Research Constraints
The discussions around MTech reform also revealed deeper systemic challenges affecting postgraduate education. Limited research funding and insufficient overheads in research grants have placed financial pressure on institutions, making it difficult to sustain modern laboratories, industry partnerships, and high-quality postgraduate training.
Council members also raised concerns about how academic and industry experience are valued in faculty recruitment. Strengthening applied learning at the postgraduate level requires mentors who can bridge theory and practice—something that current recruitment frameworks do not always prioritise.
Aligning MTech with National Priorities
The council’s deliberations extended beyond immediate enrolment concerns to the broader role of postgraduate education in national development. Emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and semiconductors were identified as strategic priorities where MTech programmes could play a transformative role.
Reforms, therefore, are not just about attracting more students but about redefining how postgraduate engineering education contributes to innovation, research, and economic growth.
Rethinking Success in Postgraduate Education
To support this shift, the council has suggested engaging funding agencies and developing new mechanisms to evaluate research impact beyond academic publications. Industry-linked projects, patents, and technology development outcomes are increasingly seen as more relevant indicators of success.
Proposals such as strengthening the IIT Council’s research capacity, creating a common digital system to track outcomes, and aligning funding with measurable impact reflect a broader effort to modernise postgraduate education governance.
A Necessary Reset
The IIT Council’s acknowledgement of these challenges marks an important step toward reviving interest in MTech programmes. However, translating intent into meaningful reform will require sustained commitment, industry participation, and a willingness to rethink long-standing academic structures.
If implemented effectively, these changes could restore confidence in postgraduate engineering education and ensure that MTech degrees once again serve as a powerful bridge between advanced learning, innovation, and industry relevance.
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https://educationpost.in/news/education/current-affairs/economy/indias-economic-and-fiscal-reforms-key-developments-on-4-december-2025