A powerful message resonated from the recent PanIIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS) event at IIT Madras: “Students and their parents should get rid of the herd mentality of choosing computer science engineering courses over other streams.” This call, voiced by directors from five leading Indian Institutes of Technology, signals a crucial turning point for India’s engineering education and its future workforce.
For years, computer science has been the default aspiration for top-ranking students and their families. The allure of high entry-level salaries and the prestige of tech jobs have led to an overwhelming preference for this discipline, often at the expense of equally vital engineering fields. Shreepad Karmalkar, director of IIT Bhubaneswar, noted, “Many students opt for computer science over core engineering courses due to the parity in pay packages at entry levels. This herd mentality needs to be got rid of”.
V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, emphasized the broader national need: “Toppers should be encouraged to opt for disciplines other than computer sciences, since the country needs bright minds in other disciplines too”. The panel underscored that India’s growth depends on talent across the spectrum—especially in core engineering, policy-making, and emerging sectors.
KN Satyanarayana, director of IIT Tirupati, highlighted urgent gaps in the workforce: “There is a big vacuum in the battery, semiconductor sectors which are the sunrise sectors. A chemical engineer, or a material scientist is the need of the hour”. The message is clear: India’s ambitions in manufacturing, sustainability, and technology cannot be met solely by producing more software engineers.
The panelists also advocated for engineers to play broader roles in society. Kamakoti suggested that engineering graduates should consider civil services, bringing technical expertise to policy-making and governance. BS Murty, director of IIT Hyderabad, appealed to the youth to “put the country first over their personal aspirations,” while Venkappayya R Desai, director of IIT Dharwad, urged students to use their creativity to improve society.
The panel’s message to students and parents is unequivocal: Break free from the narrow pursuit of computer science. Explore the rich opportunities in core engineering, emerging sectors, and interdisciplinary fields where India urgently needs talent. By doing so, students not only enhance their own prospects but also contribute to the nation’s technological and societal progress.
