Like other developing economies, the Indian economy, which is riding the wave of success, is also largely dependent on its industries. In the recent years, India has emerged as an automobile manufacturing hub which has made it a potential job market. The Indian automobile market has crossed the million marks in the annual four wheeler productions in the year 2004, which is a big reward in itself.
India is now on the way to become the leading car manufacturer in the world and thus requires talented and skilled professionals to work for the Indian automobile industry. Seeing such immense growth opportunities in the Indian market, youngsters have now started to opt for automobile engineering from good colleges.
In the simplest terms, automobile engineering in that branch of technology that deals with design and development of automotive which are used in transportation in our day to day lives. To work in the automobile industry as an automobile engineer, the candidates need to pursue B.Tech, M.Tech and Diploma courses in automobile engineering colleges in different branches of automobile engineering such as power train, electronics, control systems, fuel technology and emissions, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, rapid prototyping, vehicle and pedestrian safety, supply chain management, etc.
The automotive segment can be mainly divided into three segments which are car manufacturing, heavy vehicle manufacturing and two wheeler manufacturing. With the increased investments of the foreign companies in the heavy industry and the car manufacturing segments, the Indian automotive market is expected to boost in the near future and attract more and more foreign automobile giants to invest in.
Eligibility Criteria
For B.Tech / B.E courses: To pursue the graduate courses in automobile engineering, the candidate must have completed his/her 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Math from a recognized institution. The selection is based on the specified percentage of marks in Science subjects and the percentage acquired during the engineering entrance test. The course is of duration of 4 years and for the integrated courses, it is 5 years.
For M.Tech / M.E courses: A B.E / B.Tech (Automobile / Mechanical / Mechatronics / Electrical) degree is a must. Selection for the postgraduate courses is based in the marks obtained by the candidate during the engineering entrance test. The applicants having work experience are preferred over others. Duration of the postgraduate courses is 2 years.
The candidates with an engineering degree in electrical or mechanical can opt for M.Tech / M.E courses in automobile engineering.
Some of the best known automobile engineering colleges in India include:
1. SCMS School of Engineering and Technology (SSET), Cochin
2. PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
3. Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai
4. SRM University, Chennai
5. N.C. College of Engineering, Panipat
Job Opportunities
The automobile engineers have tremendous job opportunities in the automobile industry, particularly in the vehicle manufacturing and assembling plants. Such opportunities are available in private and public domains, service stations, private transportation companies as well as defense.
State transportation authorities and a number of insurance companies also look out for automobile engineering professionals. Those who are interested to put in their money in the market can start up their own garages or workshops and earn lakhs with due course of time.
The job demands higher level of dedication and focus, along with lots of hard work. The industry prefers skilled automobile engineers who have through knowledge about the automobile components and systems.
