List of Top 10 After Engineering Exams in India 2025
(Best Higher Education & Job-Oriented Exams After B.Tech/B.E.)
List of Top 10 After Engineering Exams : Are you wondering what to do after engineering? Whether you want to pursue higher education, get a government job, or explore opportunities in research, there are several entrance exams you can take after completing your B.Tech or B.E.
This article provides a detailed list of the top entrance exams after engineering in India in 2025, including notification dates, qualifications, age limits, exam patterns, syllabus, selection process, application fees, salary, and job profiles in a structured tabular format.
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🔹 1. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2025
The GATE exam is one of the most popular exams after engineering. It is required for admission to M.Tech, Ph.D., and is also used for recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like IOCL, ONGC, and BHEL.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | August 2024 (Expected) |
| Eligibility | B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc./M.Sc. degree holders |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Exam Pattern | CBT (Computer-Based Test), 3 Hours, 65 Questions (MCQ + NAT) |
| Syllabus | Engineering-specific subjects + General Aptitude |
| Selection Process | Score-based admission/job recruitment |
| Application Fee | ₹900 (SC/ST/PwD/Female), ₹1800 (General/OBC) |
| Salary & Job Roles | ₹6-12 LPA (PSU Jobs like Engineers, Scientists, Research Fellows, etc.) |
🔹 2. Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) 2025
Conducted by UPSC, ESE/IES is for government engineering jobs in Indian Railways, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), BRO, and more.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | September 2024 (Expected) |
| Eligibility | B.E./B.Tech in relevant discipline |
| Age Limit | 21-30 years (Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC) |
| Exam Pattern | Prelims (Objective) + Mains (Descriptive) + Interview |
| Syllabus | General Studies + Engineering Discipline |
| Selection Process | Written exam + Interview |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General), Free for SC/ST/PwD/Female |
| Salary & Job Roles | ₹10-15 LPA (Government Engineers, Executive Officers, etc.) |
🔹 3. Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025
If you want to pursue an MBA after engineering, CAT is the most important exam for admission to IIMs and top B-schools.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | July 2025 (Expected) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Exam Pattern | CBT, 2 Hours, 66 Questions |
| Syllabus | Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability |
| Selection Process | CAT Score + GD + PI |
| Application Fee | ₹2200 (General), ₹1100 (SC/ST/PwD) |
| Salary & Job Roles | ₹10-25 LPA (Marketing, Finance, Consulting, Operations, etc.) |
🔹 4. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2025
Conducted by XLRI, XAT is another top exam for MBA admission in India.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | August 2024 (Expected) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in any field |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Exam Pattern | CBT, 3 Hours, 100+ Questions |
| Syllabus | Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, GK |
| Selection Process | XAT Score + GD + PI |
| Application Fee | ₹2000 |
| Salary & Job Roles | ₹12-30 LPA (Management roles in IT, Finance, HR, etc.) |
🔹 5. Common Eligibility Test (CET) 2025
NRA-CET is a new exam for government jobs in SSC, Banking, and Railways.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 2025 (To be announced) |
| Eligibility | Varies (Graduate, 12th, or 10th pass) |
| Age Limit | Varies by exam |
| Exam Pattern | Online, Multiple-choice |
| Syllabus | General Awareness, Reasoning, Quant, English |
| Selection Process | Score-based recruitment |
| Application Fee | Nominal fee (TBA) |
| Salary & Job Roles | ₹4-8 LPA (Clerks, Officers, etc.) |
🔹 6. Research Entrance Exams (CSIR NET, UGC NET, JEST)
For those interested in research and Ph.D., these exams are essential.
| Exam | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CSIR NET | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professorship |
| UGC NET | Lecturer and JRF in universities |
| JEST | Admission to Ph.D. in Physics/Mathematics/Computing |
🔹 7. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams 2025
For engineering graduates, SSC exams offer stable government jobs.
| Exam | Job Profile |
|---|---|
| SSC JE | Junior Engineer in CPWD, MES, etc. |
| SSC CGL | Government administrative roles |
🔹 8. Banking Exams (IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Grade B)
Banking exams offer high-paying jobs for engineers.
| Exam | Job Role |
|---|---|
| IBPS PO | Probationary Officer in banks |
| SBI PO | Managerial jobs in State Bank of India |
| RBI Grade B | Policy-making roles in RBI |
🔹 9. Railways (RRB JE, RRB SSE)
Indian Railways recruits engineers for technical roles.
| Exam | Job Role |
|---|---|
| RRB JE | Junior Engineer |
| RRB SSE | Senior Section Engineer |
🔹 10. Civil Services (UPSC CSE, State PSCs)
Many engineers appear for IAS, IPS, IFS exams conducted by UPSC.
| Exam | Job Role |
|---|---|
| UPSC CSE | IAS, IPS, IFS Officers |
| State PSCs | State Government Officers |
Conclusion
Engineering graduates have multiple career paths to choose from! Whether it’s higher studies (M.Tech, MBA, Ph.D.), government jobs (ESE, SSC, Railways, CET, UPSC), or corporate careers (GATE for PSUs, CAT for MBA), there is no shortage of opportunities.
✅ Choose your exam based on your career goals and start preparing today! 🚀
FAQs on After Engineering Exams in India 2025
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding career options, entrance exams, and government jobs after B.Tech/B.E.
📌 General Questions
Q1. Which exam is best after engineering?
✅ The best exam depends on your career goals:
- GATE – For M.Tech, Ph.D., and PSU jobs
- ESE (IES) – For government engineering jobs
- CAT/XAT – For MBA and management careers
- UPSC CSE – For IAS, IPS, IFS, and government administration
- RRB JE/SSE – For engineering jobs in Indian Railways
- SSC JE – For Junior Engineer posts in CPWD, MES, etc.
Q2. Can I get a government job after B.Tech?
✅ Yes! Engineering graduates can apply for government jobs through:
- UPSC (ESE, CSE, IFS, CDS, CAPF)
- GATE (For PSUs like ONGC, IOCL, BHEL, NTPC, etc.)
- SSC JE (For engineering roles in CPWD, MES, BRO, etc.)
- RRB JE & SSE (For jobs in Indian Railways)
- State PSC Exams (For State Engineering Services, AE, etc.)
Q3. Is GATE compulsory after engineering?
🚫 No, GATE is not compulsory, but it is useful for:
- Higher studies (M.Tech, Ph.D.) in IITs, NITs, and IISc
- Jobs in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Opportunities in foreign universities (some accept GATE scores)
Q4. Which is better: GATE or IES (ESE)?
✅ GATE is better for higher studies & PSU jobs, while IES (ESE) is better for government engineering services.
| Factor | GATE | ESE (IES) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | M.Tech, PSU Jobs | Govt. Engineering Jobs |
| Job Role | PSU Engineer, Researcher | Government Engineer (Indian Railways, CPWD, etc.) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | Very High |
| Age Limit | No limit | 21-30 years |
| Job Security | PSU jobs depend on vacancies | Highly secure |
Q5. Which exam should I take for MBA after engineering?
✅ You can take:
- CAT – Best for IIMs & top B-schools
- XAT – XLRI & other management colleges
- GMAT – International MBA programs
- MAT, CMAT, NMAT – For private B-schools
Q6. Which exams help engineers get jobs in PSUs?
✅ GATE is the most preferred exam for PSU jobs. Top PSUs that recruit through GATE include:
- IOCL, ONGC, BHEL, NTPC, HPCL, DRDO, ISRO, SAIL, GAIL
Other PSU exams:
- BARC OCES/DGFS – For BARC, NPCIL, and ISRO jobs
- ISRO Scientist Exam – For ISRO research positions
Q7. Can I join Indian Railways after B.Tech?
✅ Yes! You can apply for:
- RRB JE (Junior Engineer)
- RRB SSE (Senior Section Engineer)
- ESE (IES) – For high-level engineering posts
Q8. How can I become an IAS/IPS Officer after engineering?
✅ You need to clear UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which has:
- Prelims – General Studies & Aptitude
- Mains – Essay & Subjective Papers
- Interview – Personality Test
Q9. Which is the highest-paid government job after B.Tech?
✅ Top high-paying government jobs for engineers:
- Indian Engineering Services (IES) – ₹10-15 LPA
- UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) – ₹12-20 LPA
- PSU Jobs (ONGC, BHEL, ISRO, DRDO) – ₹8-15 LPA
- RBI Grade B Officer – ₹12-16 LPA
Q10. Which exams offer research opportunities after engineering?
✅ If you’re interested in research, take:
- GATE + CSIR NET – For Ph.D. in IITs, IISc
- JEST – For research in Physics & Mathematics
- BARC OCES/DGFS – For research in nuclear science
- ISRO Exam – For space research
📌 Specific Exam FAQs
Q11. What is the age limit for GATE?
🚫 No age limit for GATE. Anyone with a B.Tech/B.E. degree can apply.
Q12. Can I write CAT after B.Tech?
✅ Yes, B.Tech graduates can appear for CAT, XAT, GMAT for MBA.
Q13. Is RRB JE easier than GATE?
✅ RRB JE is easier because it has technical + non-technical questions, while GATE is more technical.
Q14. Which government job is best for engineers?
✅ Top government jobs after B.Tech:
- IES (ESE) – High-level government engineer
- UPSC CSE (IAS, IPS, IFS) – Administration roles
- GATE + PSU Jobs – Secure, high-paying engineering jobs
- SSC JE – Junior Engineer jobs in CPWD, MES
- RRB JE & SSE – Indian Railways engineering jobs
Q15. Can I apply for multiple exams after B.Tech?
✅ Yes, you can apply for multiple exams like GATE, ESE, UPSC, SSC JE, RRB JE, CAT, etc., based on your career choice.
Q16. What is the syllabus for GATE?
📌 GATE syllabus includes:
- Engineering subjects (branch-specific)
- General Aptitude (Verbal, Quant, Logical Reasoning)
- Mathematics
Q17. How tough is UPSC CSE for engineers?
🛑 UPSC is very tough but manageable! Engineers excel in CSAT & Optional subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Engineering.
Q18. Which exams help engineers join DRDO or ISRO?
✅ For ISRO/DRDO scientist jobs, take:
- GATE (for research positions)
- ISRO Scientist Exam
- BARC OCES/DGFS
Q19. What is the best career after engineering without GATE?
✅ If you don’t want to take GATE, try:
- IES (ESE) – Government jobs
- MBA (CAT/XAT) – Business & Management
- UPSC (IAS, IPS, IFS) – Administrative roles
- SSC JE, RRB JE – Govt. engineering jobs
Q20. What is the highest salary after engineering in India?
✅ Highest-paying jobs after B.Tech:
- PSU Jobs via GATE – ₹12-15 LPA
- IAS/IPS/IFS Officers – ₹12-20 LPA
- MBA from IIMs (via CAT) – ₹20-30 LPA
- ISRO/DRDO Scientists – ₹15+ LPA
📌 Final Thoughts
There are plenty of career opportunities after engineering! Choose the right exam based on your interests and start preparing today.
💬 Still have doubts? Ask in the comments below! 🚀
