IIT Gandhinagar continues to remain a strong choice for engineering aspirants appearing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The latest data from the 2025 Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) highlights an interesting trend in course preferences among students. Some branches have shown impressive growth in popularity, while a few others have seen a dramatic decline. The data gives a clear indication of student interest shifting between conventional and new-age technology courses.
Below is a detailed breakdown of which programmes at IIT Gandhinagar attracted the highest student interest and why these trends are changing.
Why Is IIT Gandhinagar Still Considered a Top Choice for JEE Aspirants?
IIT Gandhinagar continues to secure a spot among the most preferred institutes for BTech programmes. The campus has gained recognition due to its academic structure, interdisciplinary approach, industry exposure, and modern curriculum.
The 2025 JIC report shows that almost all four-year BTech courses at IIT Gandhinagar witnessed a rise in the number of candidates selecting them. This consistent growth reflects the institute’s increasing credibility, evolving curriculum aligned with emerging technology trends, and better placement performance.
Which Course Saw the Highest Interest Among Students in 2025?
The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) programme retained its position as the most-preferred course. In 2025, a total of 21,739 students selected CSE as their first choice at IIT Gandhinagar. This reflects a 14.74% increase from the 18,947 candidates who opted for it in 2024.
This continues to be aligned with national trends, as students increasingly prefer CSE due to its promising career prospects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud technology, and data analytics. With rising demand for tech-based roles across industries, CSE continues to enjoy unmatched popularity.
Is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programme Becoming More Popular Than Before?
Yes, Artificial Intelligence has emerged as the second most-preferred course at IIT Gandhinagar. The number of students choosing AI increased from 16,223 in 2024 to 18,808 in 2025, marking a 15.93% growth.
The rise in AI interest reflects the global demand for AI experts across healthcare, fintech, automation, robotics, research, and IT sectors. Students now understand that AI is not limited to software alone but influences a wide range of industries, thus boosting the programme’s appeal.
Which Course Recorded the Sharpest Increase in Demand at IIT Gandhinagar?
The Integrated Circuit Design and Technology (ICDT) programme registered the steepest rise in popularity. Candidate preference increased from 8,335 in 2024 to 10,529 in 2025, showing a 26.32% jump - the highest among all courses.
This spike aligns with India’s narrowing focus on semiconductor manufacturing and chip design. Government initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and rising industry investment in chip fabrication have inspired students to explore this domain. With IIT Gandhinagar enhancing its research capabilities in electronics and circuit design, ICDT is now viewed as a high-potential future-tech course.
Are Core Engineering Branches Still Relevant for Students?
Yes, the 2025 data shows a positive rise in interest for traditional engineering streams such as Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering.
The statistics below highlight the growth:
| Subject | 2025 | 2024 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | 11,768 | 10,599 | 11.02% |
| Civil Engineering | 11,884 | 10,469 | 13.52% |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 21,739 | 18,947 | 14.74% |
| Electrical Engineering | 16,859 | 14,835 | 13.64% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 15,193 | 13,553 | 12.10% |
| Integrated Circuit Design and Technology | 10,529 | 8,335 | 26.32% |
| Artificial Intelligence | 18,808 | 16,223 | 15.93% |
| Materials Engineering | 8,583 | 7,583 | 13.19% |
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering saw a rise of 13.64% and 12.10%, indicating continued trust in core branches. Civil and Chemical Engineering also grew by 13.52% and 11.02%, respectively. Students still value core engineering due to stable job prospects in PSUs, infrastructure, manufacturing, R&D, and government sectors.
Why Did the 5-Year Dual Degree Courses Register Zero Entries in 2025?
An unexpected trend is visible in the dual-degree courses. The five-year BTech + MTech programmes in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science Engineering reported zero candidate entries in 2025. These programmes previously had good participation, with 7,787, 9,031, and 11,848 students opting for them in 2024, respectively.
Possible reasons for this decline include:
- Students preferring four-year programmes for quicker graduation and job readiness.
- Increased interest in pursuing separate MTech, MS abroad, or MBA after BTech.
- Perception of dual-degree courses limiting flexibility in career choices.
This trend may push IITs to reconsider the structure and appeal of integrated degree programmes.
What Does the Data Suggest About Future Course Trends at IIT Gandhinagar?
The 2025 JIC data indicates a balanced preference between core engineering and modern tech-driven courses. While CSE and AI still dominate, programmes like ICDT and Materials Engineering are gaining momentum due to national initiatives and future industry scope.
The interest shift shows that students are becoming more informed, research-oriented, and aware of future-centric fields, rather than choosing mainstream courses blindly.
FAQs About JEE Main 2026
Which course is most preferred at IIT Gandhinagar in 2025?
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is the most preferred course with the highest number of student choices.
Did AI course popularity increase at IIT Gandhinagar?
Yes, the Artificial Intelligence course saw a rise of over 15% in student interest compared to last year.
Which IIT Gandhinagar course saw the highest growth in 2025?
The Integrated Circuit Design and Technology (ICDT) programme recorded the highest growth with over 26% increase.
Are core engineering branches still in demand at IIT Gandhinagar?
Yes, branches like Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering all saw a rise in student preference.
Why are students choosing ICDT at IIT Gandhinagar?
Students are opting for ICDT due to rising semiconductor industry demand and India's focus on chip manufacturing and design.
Did the dual-degree courses at IIT Gandhinagar receive any applicants in 2025?
No, the five-year dual-degree programmes in CSE, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering recorded zero entries in 2025.
What is the reason for decline in dual-degree course demand?
Students now prefer 4-year BTech programmes for more flexibility and faster job opportunities rather than longer integrated courses.
Is AI becoming more popular than traditional engineering fields?
AI is gaining popularity quickly, but core engineering fields still remain relevant and preferred by many students.
Why is CSE the top choice among students?
CSE remains the top choice due to high career opportunities in AI, data science, software development, and tech industries.
What does the 2025 JIC data reveal about student trends?
The data shows a balanced shift towards both modern tech courses and traditional engineering fields at IIT Gandhinagar.