To Lead in Fields from AI to Quantum Computing, More Indians Need to Opt for MTech and PhDs

India’s higher technical education ecosystem is witnessing a worrying trend. Postgraduate engineering seats have hit a seven-year low, with only about 1.3 lakh seats offered in 2023–24 compared to 1.81 lakh in 2018–19. Even more concerning, less than 45,000 students enrolled, leaving nearly two-thirds of MTech and PhD seats vacant nationwide.

This decline reflects a deeper issue beyond numbers — a shrinking pool of advanced thinkers, innovators, and researchers. As India aims to lead in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, having a strong foundation of postgraduate and doctoral talent is crucial.

Several factors contribute to this trend. Many graduates prioritize early employment over extended studies due to industry demand and attractive pay packages available immediately after BTech. Additionally, a significant number of bright students opt to pursue advanced degrees abroad, drawn by better research facilities, scholarships, global exposure, and enhanced career prospects.

To reverse this trend, policymakers, educational institutions, and industry leaders must collaborate to make postgraduate education and research more appealing and accessible within India, fostering a robust talent pipeline for future technological leadership.