B-TECH DEGREE PROGRAM LACKS IN QUALITY AND OVERSUPPLY IN QUANTITY COMPARED TO DEMAND
HIGH TIME FOR INDIAN PARENTS TO THINK BEYOND THE HORIZON OF B- TECH ENGINEERING DEGREE PROGRAM AND EVALUATE NEW AREA OF FAST GROWTH IN OTHER FIELD HAVING HUGE DEMAND AND FAST GROWING CAREER OPTION
FACT SHEET:
After the Indian Independence and thereafter in nation building exercise, Engineering Education was one of the areas, which was given big importance to choose as a Career option after 10+2. Every state had limited number of Engineering Colleges in the Government Sector, which used to admit the students after the tough Screening Test (Entrance Exam)and as a result the limited number of students only could get the opportunity for admission. The Engineering College pass outs had a great opportunity in the Government Sector and public Sector Undertakings(PSU) with the lucrative pay Package and facilities with the respective Govt. Department and Public Sector Undertakings(PSU). The Indian parents used to do everything to find an Engineering Degree seat for their beloved siblings to secure their career. The supply of the Engineering Graduates and Job demand were perfectly balanced and there was hardly any unemployed engineer in those days. Engineering Career was the most sought after option to proceed in the higher education, largely due to the Assured Job Guarantee. As a result, the Graduate Engineering Career option spread like wild fire in the Society, even today though, there is hardly any lust left in the B- Tech Engineering Degree Program Education.
The population explosion, which rose from 40 Crores at the time of independence to 140 Crores today, changed the dynamics of Engineering Education in India. The Southern states modified their Legislation and allowed Privatisation in B-Tech Engineering Education Program , opening the flood for new Engineering Colleges, which was followed by all the Indian states to accommodate Private Engineering colleges and Polytechnics to fulfill ever-growing and uncontrolled demand of Engineering Education.
The unchecked growth of the Engineering Colleges exploited the priority of dominating Indian Parents and looted them by charging huge donation for the Engineering seats. The Engineering education in India became a business commanded by the Resourceful Indians, who held the deeper connection in the Government, having big amount of money and power. Due to the lack of vision of the future of those colleges, they remained an attractive architectural marvel, but far from the quality required to shape up an Engineering Education.
This resulted in the sharp decline in the knowledge and quality of the Engineering Graduates, who were termed unfit and largely unemployable by the Indian Industry. The fact and the Government data shows today that every year 1.5 Million (15 Lacs)students get enrolled in the Engineering B-tech Program at a total cost of Ten Lacs per students (Average Spending), suckingINR1500000 Million or INR 150000Crores from the Poor and Medium Class Indian Society. This is unbelievable figure spent every year, unfortunately to generate 12 Million unemployed youths, which have rendered over 120 Million unemployed youths in the last ten years, as not more than 20% get employment. The figure might be looking imaginative and over inflated, but unfortunately, it is a hard fact and Alarm bell for all the concerned to stop and look back, what is happening. Even Educated and Uneducated are behaving alike and majority of them still choose B-tech as a Superior Career for their ward.
The people in the Society pretend to cover their face and close their eyes to run away from the plight of the disastrous career and treat it as a bad dream passed off and ready to take the same decision for their next ward, if they have. This is the kind of loyalty; the Indian Society has got for the B-Tech Engineering Degree, let it be from the worst Engineering College. The Govt. of India has welcomed too late but with the Caution and after the damage is done. After such a huge spending every year by the Indian Society, there is no win-win situation for anyone. Neither the Govt. and Industry gets qualified man power nor the Parents, who spend such a huge money, gets any employment for their ward. Only one to blame is Poor Technical Infrastructure of the Engineering colleges, Less Qualified faculty, lack of appetite for Govt. Accreditation and Easy Policy Loopholes to evade the Quality requirements. This needs to be checked now by taking the hard decisions by the Policy makers on the top to safeguard National interest and weakening of the society, which is the major stake holder in the Engineering Education without any say.
It is just the right time to prioritise the National interest by changing the entire Engineering Education to align with the National priority and need to develop the technical Skill in various Fields to suit the particular skill requirement of the different industries, including Aviation, Defence Production, Space and various other areas of national priority.
AVIATION ENGINEERING:
The Indian Economy is growing with an average @ 5 to 6% per annum and need to achieve Technological excellence is the National Priority. Aviation Engineering is one of the areas, which has enormous potential and great future, as India is desperately trying to bridge the Technological gap in Aviation with the rest of the world to effectively compete in the Geo- Political Compulsions to safeguard its interest. The Indian society, especially the youths need to playa pivotal role with their knowledge and ability to grasp the Aviation Technology at all levels.
Unlike B-Tech Engineering, which is saturated due to changed Industrial Requirements and Engineering graduates for the fact that not more than 23% get the Job out of 15 Million, whereas the Aviation Engineering has just started to catch up with the Engineering streak, considering the steep growth of the Aviation Industry in India and need to bridge the skill gap in Aviation Sector to sustain its growth. The most valuable development of the Aviation Engineering, which is in demand and has a national priority are:
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering:
The aircraft is designed only once, but it needs to be maintained on day to day basis for its safe operation. The aircraft operates in very to Torturous Conditions of very high pressure, low pressure, high velocity, very high temperature and very low temperature, high Air density and Low air density simultaneously. These variations tend to constantly act on the Aircraft Structure, Power Plant, Components and Avionics equipment, requiring it to go through a very comprehensive and Time tested Maintenance Process, set by the Aviation Regulators, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)for a Unified International Standards and Compatibility of the Aviation Professional to work anywhere in the world.
A socially less known career, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is very useful Course and ever-growing in nature in India, due to the Explosive growth in Air-travel, requiring thousands of aircrafts to meet the demand. The very fact that the aircraft cannot operate/fly until the Safety certificate i. e. Flight Release Certificate (FRC) is issued by an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)after carrying out the due Aircraft Maintenance. Therefore, the demand of Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer –AME is going to be very high in the decade to come, due to the rising trend of Air Travel. Currently, India is the fastest growing Aviation Industry in the world and will emerge as the Third Largest Aviation Market in the world after U.S.A. and China. 10+2 pass outs, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, have great future as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), with respectable Pay package and secured future.
Conclusion
While a B-Tech degree was once considered a golden ticket to career success in India, its over-glorification and mass pursuit have led to unintended consequences in the country’s social and economic fabric. The blind race for engineering seats, often driven by parental pressure and societal validation, has resulted in the devaluation of the degree, underemployment, and mental health challenges among youth. Moreover, this trend has stifled diverse talents, discouraged vocational and alternative career paths, and contributed to an imbalanced workforce. It is imperative that Indian society redefines success, promotes varied career options, and encourages skill-based education to ensure holistic national development.
FAQs
- Why is the B-Tech degree considered a problematic trend in India today?
The B-Tech degree has become problematic due to its oversaturation, leading to underemployment, lack of innovation, and societal pressure that discourages exploration of other viable career options. - Are all B-Tech graduates struggling with jobs or career satisfaction?
No, not all B-Tech graduates are struggling. However, a significant number face poor job prospects or take up jobs unrelated to their education due to the sheer volume of graduates versus industry demand. - How does this trend impact students psychologically and socially?
The intense competition, pressure to conform, and lack of interest in the chosen field often result in stress, anxiety, identity crises, and a disconnect between personal aspirations and professional paths. - What alternatives should students consider apart from B-Tech?
Students should explore careers in liberal arts, design, commerce, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and emerging tech fields like AI/UX/UI, data science, etc., depending on their interests and aptitudes. - What can be done to change this trend in Indian society?
Educational reforms, better career counseling, awareness about diverse fields, parental mindset change, and emphasis on skill-based and passion-driven learning can help break the cycle and diversify career choices.
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