Few Engineering Lessons India Must Learn

September 15 is celebrated as National Engineer’s Day in India to honor Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, one of the greatest engineers in our history. He was recognized for his innovations in irrigation and flood control, including the patented automatic floodgates, and for building the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, which transformed Mysore into an industrial state. His pioneering role in economic planning and nation-building earned him the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor. He is remembered as the Father of Indian Engineering.

The State of Engineering in India

Engineering in India has always been considered a prestigious career. For decades, it was seen as the secure path to success, fueled by industrialization and technological development after independence. Today, India produces around 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, making it one of the largest producers of engineering talent in the world. Prestigious institutions like the IITs and the inspiring work of figures like E. Sreedharan, the “Metro Man,” highlight the impactful contributions of Indian engineers.

However, the reality is not as bright. Reports indicate that between 50% to 83% of engineering graduates remain unemployed, depending on the study. A 2025 Times of India report revealed that 83% of graduates had no job or internship, while NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), the Government of India’s premier public policy think tank, reported 48% unemployment in 2024. The root cause lies in the skills gap : a disconnect between academic training and the practical skills required by industry.

Engineers vs. Engineering Graduates

There is a crucial difference between being an engineer and being an engineering graduate. An engineer must demonstrate real skill and problem-solving ability. Without that, a certificate is nothing more than paper. Unfortunately, many colleges in India focus only on academics without real-world training. This has resulted in graduates struggling to find jobs, with many ending up in non-technical fields like banking, logistics, retail, or even food delivery. A 2023 report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), an independent economic research organization, showed that over 32% of food delivery workers were college graduates—a shocking reflection of wasted potential.

The Future of Engineering

The world is changing rapidly, and with it, the demand for engineers. Fields like AI, machine learning, robotics, data science, EVs, semiconductors, and cloud computing are opening new opportunities. But to succeed, engineers must stay updated, embrace environmental issues, and adapt to evolving technologies. Academic programs that combine classroom knowledge with hands-on experience—such as apprenticeships and managed training services—are vital to bridging the gap.

My Personal Journey

I completed my Bachelor’s degree (BE) in Mechanical Engineering in Chennai and later pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Nottingham, UK. When I returned to India, many people were confused about how I could hold an MSc in Engineering, since in India, engineering postgraduates are awarded ME (Master of Engineering).

Despite my education, I struggled to secure a position in major mechanical companies in India. The truth was not that I was overqualified, but that with good education and experience, I could potentially surpass my interviewers. Few are willing to risk their own positions by hiring such candidates. Eventually, I hoped to work as an Assistant Lecturer at my former college, but personal enmity with the principal cut that path short, even though I had cleared four rounds of interviews. Later, I found an opportunity as a Physics teacher and NEET trainer in a school.

This is how someone who returned from abroad with advanced mechanical knowledge ended up teaching Physics instead of working as a mechanical engineer.

Reflection

In earlier times, engineers were rare—sometimes only one per town. Today, nearly every family has an engineer, but while numbers have grown, quality has declined. Engineering should not just produce degree-holders but real innovators who can build, create, and transform society.

That is the spirit of Visvesvaraya’s legacy—to make engineering about solutions, not certificates. On this National Engineer’s Day, let us remember that India does not just need more graduates—it needs true engineers.