To become a qualified engineer one must have a graduate degree (B.E / B.Tech) or atleast a diploma in any one of the several branches of Engineering.

The basic eligibility criteria for a BE / B.Tech is - 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. For some disciplines such as Computer Science, and Agricultural Engineering, the additional subject qualification may also be necessary.

Selection : Selection to all Engineering courses is on the basis of : (a.) merit / marks secured in the final exams of 10+2 (with science subjects) ; (b.) through the means of entrance exams (joint entrance exam / JEE for the IIT's and separate state level and national level exams for other institutions). Engineering courses are available at two levels. There are the degree and postgraduate degree courses offered by the engineering colleges and Institutes of Technology (IITs), and, the diploma courses available at polytechnics.

The six Indian Institutes of Technology ( IITs) at Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur and Guwahati, and the Institute of Technology (BHU) at Varanasi, conduct the Joint Entrance Examination for admission jointly.

Competitive examinations on an all-India basis for admission to a B Tech / B E course are also conducted by The Birla Institute of Technology, at Pilani, Rajasthan, and at Ranchi; the University of Roorkee, UP; Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal; the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, among others.

There are also 17 Regional Engineering colleges all over the country which offer admission in various branches of engineering, on the basis of marks obtained in the Class 12 examination.

There is also the (AMIE) Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers which enables working people in the private and public sector, or diploma holders to acquire a Bachelor's degree through distance education, for career advancement.