Chemical engineering is a popular choice these days. This field is all about designing, developing, and operating chemical processes. It is used in a variety of industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, food, environmental, and materials.
It combines chemistry, physics, biology, maths, and basic engineering to solve everyday problems. The B.Tech in Chemical Engineering is a four-year program with 8 semesters.
Those students who wish to study M.Tech in Chemical Engineering focus their studies on areas such as biochemical engineering, petrochemicals, process design, nanotechnology, and energy systems.
Chemical engineering offers opportunities for research and doctoral studies in areas such as sustainable energy, waste management, and advanced materials.
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Feature |
Details |
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Course Level |
Undergraduate (B.Tech), Postgraduate (M.Tech) |
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Duration |
B.Tech – 4 years, M.Tech – 2 years |
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Specializations |
Biochemical, Petrochemical, Nanotechnology, Energy Systems |
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Key Subjects |
Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Reaction Engineering, Process Control |
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Career Options |
Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Fertilisers, Renewable Energy, Research & Development |
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Skills Gained |
Process Design, Chemical Analysis, Problem-Solving, Safety Management |
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Average Salary (2025) |
₹5–8 LPA for freshers, higher for experienced professionals |
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Top Recruiters |
Reliance, GAIL, ONGC, Indian Oil, L&T, BASF, Dr. Reddy’s |
It is a branch of engineering that mainly focuses on the design, production, and operation of chemical processes. The Chemical engineering scope is broad and offers many job opportunities.
The Chemical Engineering course offers a variety of specialisations that allow students to focus on specific industries or research. These areas help students gain skills and improve their job prospects. These are -
Chemical Engineering in Biochemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering in Petrochemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering in Nanotechnology
Chemical Engineering in Energy Systems
Chemical Engineering in Environmental Engineering
Chemical Engineering in Process Design & Control
Chemical Engineering in Materials Science
Chemical Engineering in Pharmaceutical Engineering
Chemical Engineering in Polymer Technology
Chemical Engineering in Food Process Engineering
The Chemical Engineering syllabus is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in science and engineering, and how they apply to industry. The program is divided into eight semesters.
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Semester |
Subjects / Topics |
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1st Semester |
Engineering Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Basic Mechanical Engineering, Computer Programming |
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2nd Semester |
Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Material Science, Chemical Process Calculations, Environmental Science |
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3rd Semester |
Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Process Instrumentation, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics |
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4th Semester |
Reaction Engineering, Transport Phenomena, Process Control, Chemical Technology, Analytical Chemistry |
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Semester |
Subjects / Topics |
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5th Semester |
Process Design & Simulation, Biochemical Engineering, Industrial Safety, Elective I |
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6th Semester |
Petrochemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Energy Systems, Elective II |
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7th Semester |
Environmental Engineering, Project Management, Industrial Training / Internship, Elective III |
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8th Semester |
Final Year Project / Thesis, Advanced Process Engineering, Seminar, Elective IV |
Students who want to pursue a chemical engineering degree must meet the basic requirements. This basically depends on the level you choose.
Suppose you want to apply for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering for you to pass 12th with PCM with a minimum score of 50% from a recognised board.
And for the M.Tech Chemical Engineering, you must have a B.Tech or B.E. degree in Chemical Engineering or related streams. You also need to qualify in GATE or other entrance exams, depending on the institute.
The process of applying for the Chemical Engineering course in 2025 is straightforward. Students can apply to Bachelor's or Master's programs according to their interests.
Have a look at the steps to apply for Chemical Engineering in 2025:
You need to meet the minimum grade and course requirements for the program you want.
Then you can apply for exams like JEE Main, GATE, and others that a specific university requires.
And complete the form on the school or university's website. Also, upload the documents and pay the application fee.
Candidates are selected based on exam scores, grades, and whether they meet all requirements.
Students who wish to join Chemical Engineering programs in 2025 must pass the entrance exams. These tests assess their knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Institutions use these exams to select qualified students.
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Entrance Exam |
Conducting Body |
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JEE Main |
National Testing Agency (NTA) |
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JEE Advanced |
Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) |
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GATE (Chemical Engineering) |
IITs / NTA |
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State Engineering Exams |
State Education Boards / Universities |
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Institute-Specific Exams |
Individual Colleges / Universities |
It is a popular branch, and many top colleges in India offer excellent programs. Students in 2025 will benefit from high-quality education, modern labs, and industry exposure at these colleges.
Have a look at the Top Chemical Engineering Colleges in India:
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay – Mumbai
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi – Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras – Chennai
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur – Kanpur
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee – Roorkee
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy – Tiruchirappalli
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela – Rourkela
Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) – Mumbai
Jadavpur University – Kolkata
Anna University – Chennai
Chemical engineering and petroleum engineering share close ties as they both involve processes, chemicals, and energy. Yet, they vary in their focus, core subjects, and career paths. A comparison of the two can help students in selecting a course that aligns with their specific interests and career goals.
|
Feature |
Chemical Engineering |
Petroleum Engineering |
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Focus |
Chemical processes, production, and materials |
Oil and gas exploration, extraction, and refining |
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Core Subjects |
Thermodynamics, Heat & Mass Transfer, Reaction Engineering |
Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Petroleum Geology |
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Duration |
B.Tech – 4 years, M.Tech – 2 years |
B.Tech – 4 years, M.Tech – 2 years |
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Industries |
Chemicals, Pharma, Energy, Food, Materials |
Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Energy |
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Career Scope |
R&D, Production, Process Design, Environmental Management |
Exploration, Production, Drilling, Energy Management |
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Average Salary (2025) |
₹5–8 LPA (freshers) |
₹6–9 LPA (freshers) |
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Higher Studies Options |
M.Tech, PhD, Research in Chemicals & Materials |
M.Tech, PhD, Research in Petroleum & Energy |
