IIT Ropar’s AI-Data Engineering records highest jump: Most opted courses in 2025

One of the biggest highlights this year is Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, which has emerged as one of IIT Ropar’s fastest-growing programmes. The course registered a remarkable 17.27 per cent rise, increasing from 13,764 choices in 2024 to 16,141 in 2025.

Mathematics and Computing continues its upward trajectory as well, recording a 15.35 per cent increase. (Image: AI generated)

IIT Ropar has recorded a significant rise in student preference across almost all of its undergraduate programmes in 2025, according to the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) choice-count data released this year. At the top of the preference chart is Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), which saw a strong 14.55 per cent year-on-year increase. The programme drew 18,702 choices in 2025, up from 16,326 last year, reflecting the continued dominance of computing disciplines across IITs amid accelerating demand in AI, full-stack development, cybersecurity, and next-generation software roles.

One of the biggest highlights this year is Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, which has emerged as one of IIT Ropar’s fastest-growing programmes. The course registered a remarkable 17.27 per cent rise, increasing from 13,764 choices in 2024 to 16,141 in 2025. The surge underscores the expanding interest in data-driven engineering, machine intelligence, applied ML, and analytics-based careers.

Mathematics and Computing continues its upward trajectory as well, recording a 15.35 per cent increase — from 11,493 choices to 13,257. The programme attracts students looking for mathematically intensive pathways that feed directly into algorithm design, financial modelling, data science, and theoretical computer science.

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Among the core engineering branches, Electrical Engineering surged by 11.49 per cent, rising from 13,402 to 14,943 choices. Mechanical Engineering also exhibited steady growth, increasing by 11.35 per cent, from 11,811 to 13,151, while Civil Engineering witnessed one of the sharpest rises among traditional branches at 12.94 per cent, moving from 9,693 to 10,947 choices. The continued strength of these branches reflects stability in core-engineering job markets and renewed interest in infrastructure, manufacturing, automotive technologies, and sustainability-centric industries.

Chemical Engineering rose by 11.03 per cent, with choices increasing from 9,716 last year to 10,788 in 2025, reaffirming its relevance in process engineering, energy systems, and industrial research roles. Engineering Physics also showed healthy momentum, climbing 12.66%, from 7,134 to 8,037, signalling growing interest in physics-driven technologies such as quantum computing, photonics, and materials research.

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering recorded a 9.37 per cent increase, rising from 7,746 to 8,472, consistent with rising interest in advanced materials, nanotechnology, and manufacturing sciences.

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Two new programmes launched this year also attracted notable attention. Digital Agriculture received 5,705 choices in its first year, indicating strong curiosity in agri-tech innovations, smart farming systems, and sensor-based agricultural engineering. Similarly, the newly introduced Electrical Engineering (Integrated Circuit Design and Technology) drew 11,459 choices, reflecting the rapid national focus on semiconductor manufacturing, VLSI design, and chip-level engineering.

Mridusmita Deka

Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More