Top 5 Engineering Colleges In Kerala And Their Admission Criteira – News18

Last Updated:March 10, 2025, 13:34 IST

Check out the top 5 engineering colleges in Kerala as per NIRF 2024, along with their courses and admission criteria.

Engineering is a dynamic field that combines science, technology, and mathematics to design, build, and maintain hardware, software, structures, machines, systems, and processes. It remains a highly sought-after career path for Science stream students after Class 12 due to its diverse job opportunities across industries.

In Kerala, there are 409 engineering colleges offering programmes at various educational levels. Out of these, 252 are private institutions, while 157 are government-run. Based on the NIRF Ranking 2024, here are the top five engineering colleges in Kerala:

1. NIT Calicut (Rank 25)

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut is one of the leading engineering and architecture institutes in India. Established in 1961, it is among the oldest NITs in the country. According to the NIRF 2024 rankings, NIT Calicut is ranked third in the ‘Architecture and Planning’ category and twenty-fifth in the ‘Engineering’ category.

The institute offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across its 15 departments, including BTech, BArch, MTech, MBA, MPlan, MS, and PhD courses. The BTech programme is particularly popular among students.

Admission to these programmes is based on national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main, GATE, CAT, IIT JAM, among others. Candidates who qualify for the JEE Main exam and clear JoSAA Counselling are allotted seats in the BTech programme. Additionally, any remaining seats are filled through CSAB Counselling.

2. IIST Thiruvananthapuram (Rank 51)

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, offers a four-year BTech programme with two major specialisations — Aerospace Engineering and Electronics & Communication Engineering (Avionics).

In addition to the standard BTech programme, IIST also offers a five-year dual degree programme (BTech + MTech), divided into ten semesters. This programme allows students to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously.

Candidates seeking admission to IIST must qualify in the JEE Main and JEE Advanced entrance exams. Shortlisting is done based on their performance in these entrance tests.

3. IIT Palakkad (Rank 64)

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad offers a four-year BTech programme across five major specialisations, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Science and Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering. The institute focuses on providing quality education and hands-on training in these disciplines, preparing students for promising career opportunities in various industries.

The institute has a total intake of 200 seats, with 40 seats allocated to each specialisation. Candidates seeking admission to IIT Palakkad must secure a good rank in the JEE Main and JEE Advanced exams. Admission is finalised through the JoSAA Counselling process. Additionally, applicants must have a strong academic record in their Class 12 board exams.

4. College Of Engineering, Trivandrum (Rank 101-150)

The College of Engineering, Trivandrum (COE Trivandrum) is one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in Kerala. Established in 1939, the institute holds NBA and AICTE accreditations and offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in various disciplines of engineering and technology.

The institute offers over 50 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fields such as engineering, technology, management, and architecture. Additionally, COE Trivandrum also provides lateral entry options for BTech and MTech programmes and offers evening batches for working professionals.

Admissions to COE Trivandrum are based on scores from various state and national-level entrance exams, including KEAM, NATA, GATE, CAT, CMAT, and KMAT. The institute also offers scholarships to meritorious students based on academic performance.

5. GEC Thrissur (Rank 201-300)

The Government Engineering College (GEC) Thrissur is one of the leading government engineering colleges in Kerala. The institute offers a four-year BTech programme across various disciplines of engineering.

The total duration of the course is four years, and it is conducted in full-time mode. Admission to the BTech programme is based on the KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) entrance exam conducted by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala.

To be eligible for admission, candidates must have secured a minimum of 45% marks in their Class 12 examinations (for the General category) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects. Candidates must also have a valid KEAM score to be considered for admission.