Polytechnic is a skill based professional course that focuses on practical knowledge over theoretical subjects. This course is typically pursued after the successful completion of the board examination, that is after Class 10 or 12th.
Students often ask what is polytechnic? Polytechnic refers to a Diploma in Engineering that is focused on practical and skill oriented training that prepare students for the industry.
State-wise Polytechnic Entrance Examinations
The Polytechnic program in India is a 2 or 3 year course. After completing a diploma, students get a lateral entry into the second year of Bachelor of Technology. Admissions to polytechnic courses in India are directed and managed by the concerned government authorities of different states. Some of the entrance examinations conducted by states are listed below.
States | Entrance Examinations |
Delhi (State) | |
Karnataka | |
Bihar | |
Chhattisgarh | |
Gujarat | |
Haryana | |
Himachal Pradesh | |
Kerala | |
Meghalaya | Meghalaya Polytechnic |
Odisha | |
Punjab | Punjab JET |
Telangana | |
Uttar Pradesh | |
Uttarakhand | |
Tamil Nadu | |
Jharkhand | |
Jammu and Kashmir |
Polytechnic courses, which are available in various engineering and non engineering fields, provide numerous job opportunities in various fields.
Below are some of the most popular diploma courses along with potential career paths:
This course focuses on surveying, planning, construction, designing, and drafting. Diploma holders in this discipline can apply for clerical posts, apprentices, and technicians in various government departments.
Career Options:
Assistant Manager: Recruits, trains, and supervises sales agents.
Field Inspector: Conducts site inspections and prepares reports.
Quality Control Engineer: Monitors construction processes and ensures quality.
This course covers manufacturing, designing, and mechanical mechanisms of automobiles. It is an integral part of vehicle engineering which deals with various mechanical aspects of vehicles.
Career Options:
Automobile Engineer: Designs, tests, and manufactures vehicle parts.
Production Engineer: Oversees safe and timely production processes.
Design Engineer: Creates vehicle designs using CAD software.
It is the study of electronic devices, circuits, and communication systems.
Career Options:
Electrical Engineer: Develops electrical systems and devices.
Network Planning Engineer: Designs and configures network systems.
Professor: Teaches and researches in the electronics domain.
Interior decoration is a versatile profession that includes space planning, researching, programming, design execution, and client communication.
Career Options:
Assistant Designer: Assists senior designers with planning.
Draftsman: Prepares technical design drawings.
Set-Up Designer: Creates stage and exhibition setups.
The courses mainly train students in practical or application-oriented aspects. Apart from pursuing a job, diploma holders can also go for starting their own business or consultancy or pursue B.Tech or BE through lateral entry (direct admission to 2nd year. Many diploma holders also work to qualify for competitive exams required in government jobs roles.
BHEL
Indian Railways
ONGC
Indian Army
NTPC
BSNL
IPCL and other PSUs.
TCS
HCL
L&T
Tata Motors
Siemens
Indigo
SpiceJet
DLF
Hindustan Unilever
These employers recruit diploma holders for junior-level and technical roles.
There are numerous polytechnic job opportunities for students to start a career after polytechnic. With the strong foundation of technical skills many high paying job opportunities are awaiting diploma holders. While a degree offers broader opportunities, skilled professionals with strong practical exposure are highly valued in the industry.
ITI is a technical training programme of technical as well as some non-technical courses. There are a number of colleges that provide diploma courses in a number of streams. These courses help the students to seek career after polytechnic.ITI emphasizes more on workshop related practical knowledge, while poly focuses on theoretical courses.
Yes, if a student is interested in pursuing a diploma course after finishing ITI, he/she can do it through lateral entry. In this case the student has to apply for admission for a lateral entry. It is important for the student to score good marks in 10th as they will be considered during the admission process.
Polytechnic is a professional qualification. Polytechnic provides a better foothold, than a B.Sc degree as it emphasises on practical learning. For a good career growth, students should opt for science or engineering stream. This decision should be based on the interest and the aptitude of the individual.