Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 18, 2026

The B.Tech (Lateral Entry) in Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad is a full-time programme that allows Diploma holders in Chemical Engineering (or relevant disciplines) to directly enter the second year (Semester III) of the B.Tech programme, effectively completing the degree in 3 years instead of 4. The programme is offered under the Department of Chemical Engineering, which is one of the well-established departments at Nirma University. Admissions are entirely governed by the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC), Government of Gujarat, through the Diploma to Degree Common Entrance Test (DDCET). The tuition fee is Rs. 2,75,000 per annum (same as the regular B.Tech programme), and the total fee for 3 years (6 semesters) is approximately Rs. 8.82 lakh. This route is popular among diploma holders who wish to upgrade their qualifications to a full B.Tech degree from a reputed NAAC A+ accredited university.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are managed by ACPC Gujarat through DDCET 2026. The DDCET 2026 registration was open from February 9, 2026 to March 30, 2026. Counselling and seat allotment are expected in June-July 2026. Candidates must apply separately to ACPC Gujarat at https://gujacpc.admissions.nic.in/.

Key Points

Lateral entry students join directly in the 2nd year (Semester III) of the B.Tech programme, completing the degree in 3 years.
Admission is entirely through ACPC Gujarat via DDCET; Nirma University does not conduct its own lateral entry admission process.
Students admitted through lateral entry must clear three prerequisite courses prescribed by Nirma University: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II.
The Chemical Engineering department at Nirma University is NBA accredited under Tier-I category.
Nirma University is NAAC A+ accredited and has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat.
The B.Tech (Lateral) degree awarded is equivalent to the regular B.Tech degree from Nirma University.

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Fees
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Scholarships
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FAQs

Institute of Technology, Nirma University Ahmedabad Latest Updates and News

11 Apr, 2026 Gujarat ACPC DDCET Engineering 2026 exam date revised. The exam will now be held on May 5, 2026 for BTech lateral entry admissions.

ITNU B.Tech Lateral Chemical Engg Fees

The fee structure for B.Tech (Lateral Entry) at Nirma University is the same as the regular B.Tech programme. Since lateral entry students join in the 2nd year, the total programme duration is 3 years (6 semesters). The tuition fee is Rs. 2,75,000 per annum. Additional one-time and per-semester charges apply as listed below.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	Remarks
Tuition Fee	8,25,000	Rs. 2,75,000 per annum x 3 years
Initial Enrollment Fee	1,000	One-time
Examination Fee	21,000	Rs. 7,000 per annum x 3 years
Seminar, Orientation, Welcome Kit	1,200	One-time
Alumni Association Membership Fee	3,500	One-time
Refundable Security Deposit	7,000	Refundable at course completion
Total Fees (excluding deposit)	8,51,700
Total Fees (including deposit)	8,58,700

The refundable security deposit of Rs. 7,000 is returned upon completion of the programme, subject to no dues.
If an eligibility certificate is required (for candidates from universities other than Nirma University), an additional fee of Rs. 1,000 is applicable.
Fees are subject to approval of the Government of Gujarat and may be revised.
Hostel facility is available on campus (optional). Hostel fees range from Rs. 84,000 (non-AC triple sharing) to Rs. 2,59,000 (AC single room) for 10 months, plus mess charges of Rs. 52,500 and laundry charges of Rs. 5,500 per year. Hostel is not mandatory.

ITNU B.Tech Lateral Chemical Engg Admission 2026

Admissions to B.Tech (Lateral Entry) at Nirma University are entirely managed by ACPC Gujarat through the DDCET (Diploma to Degree Common Entrance Test). Nirma University does not conduct its own lateral entry admission process. Candidates must register and apply through the ACPC portal. The DDCET 2026 registration was open from February 9, 2026 to March 30, 2026, and counselling is expected in June-July 2026.

ACPC DDCET 2026 Admission Dates

Event	Date
DDCET 2026 Registration Start	February 9, 2026
DDCET 2026 Registration End	March 30, 2026
Merit List Publication	May/June 2026 (Tentative)
Choice Filling and Locking	June 2026 (Tentative)
Round 1 Seat Allotment	June/July 2026 (Tentative)
Round 2 Seat Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
Round 3 / Vacant Round	July/August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	July/August 2026 (Tentative)

Note: DDCET is the primary exam for lateral entry admissions in Gujarat. There is no separate JEE Main or GUJCET requirement for lateral entry.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have passed a Diploma in Chemical Engineering or a relevant discipline from the Technical Examination Board (TEB), Gujarat, or a recognised Board/University/Institute approved by AICTE and situated in Gujarat State.
Minimum aggregate marks as prescribed by AICTE for lateral entry to the second year of undergraduate engineering programmes (typically 45% for General category; check ACPC norms for current year).
Candidates who could not be admitted in the immediate previous academic year due to late declaration of results by the respective Board/University may also apply, subject to meeting the minimum marks criteria.

Admission Process:

Register on the ACPC Gujarat portal at https://gujacpc.admissions.nic.in/ (Common Registration for ACPC 2026).
Submit the DDCET application with required documents and pay the registration fee.
Merit list is prepared based on qualifying Diploma examination marks.
Participate in online choice filling and locking on the ACPC portal.
Seat allotment is done in multiple rounds; candidates must confirm admission by paying fees online.
After seat allotment, report to Nirma University with original documents for admission confirmation.
Clear the prerequisite courses (Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, Foundation Mathematics II) as prescribed by Nirma University.

ITNU B.Tech Lateral Chemical Engg Scholarships 2026

Nirma University offers merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students, which are also applicable to lateral entry B.Tech students. Additionally, government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC and economically weaker sections are available through the National Scholarship Portal.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility	Remarks
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 1,00,000 per annum (top 5 students)	Top 5 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7 and attendance
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 90,000 per annum (next 20 students)	Next 20 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 50,000 per annum (next 25 students)	Next 25 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Nirma Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	Rs. 90,000 per annum	Top 25 students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Alumni Funded Scholarship (NITAA)	Rs. 30,000 per year	Branch-wise 2 students; PPI of 7.5; no other scholarship	Once a year
Government Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	As per government norms	As per eligibility criteria	Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)

Scholarship continuation requires a minimum PPI of 7, satisfactory attendance, and no use of unfair means in examinations.
Lateral entry students are eligible for Nirma University scholarships from the year they join (2nd year onwards).
Students from Gujarat may also be eligible for state government scholarships; check with the Gujarat government's scholarship portal.

Institute of Technology, Nirma University Ahmedabad B.Tech {Lateral} Chemical Engineering Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#131 out of 500 in India 2025

#1st in Ahmedabad

#6 in Gujarat

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ITNU B.Tech Lateral Chemical Engg FAQs

Ques. Do lateral entry students get the same B.Tech degree as regular students?

Ans. Yes. Lateral entry students who complete all the required courses and prerequisites are awarded the same B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) degree from Nirma University as regular students. The degree does not mention "lateral entry" and is equivalent in all respects.

Ques. What are the prerequisite courses that lateral entry students must clear at Nirma University?

Ans. Nirma University requires lateral entry students to clear three prerequisite courses: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II. These are in addition to the regular 2nd year curriculum and must be cleared to progress in the programme.

Ques. Can I apply for lateral entry if I completed my Diploma from outside Gujarat?

Ans. The ACPC Gujarat DDCET process is primarily for candidates who have passed their Diploma from institutions in Gujarat State. Candidates from outside Gujarat should check the ACPC eligibility rules carefully. In some cases, candidates from other states may be eligible under specific categories, but this is subject to ACPC Gujarat's current rules.

Ques. What is the intake for B.Tech Lateral Entry (Chemical Engineering) at Nirma University?

Ans. The lateral entry seats are part of the ACPC Gujarat allocation and are typically a fixed percentage of the total B.Tech intake. For Chemical Engineering at Nirma University, the total B.Tech intake is 60 seats (15 ACPC + 36 All India + 9 NRI). Lateral entry seats are typically up to 10% of the sanctioned intake, subject to ACPC Gujarat's annual allocation. Exact numbers are published by ACPC each year.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for lateral entry admission to Nirma University?

Ans. No separate entrance exam is conducted by Nirma University for lateral entry. Admission is based on the merit of the qualifying Diploma examination marks, as evaluated by ACPC Gujarat through the DDCET process. There is no written test or interview at Nirma University for lateral entry.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) from Nirma University for lateral entry students?

Ans. B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) graduates from Nirma University are recruited in sectors such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, oil and gas, food processing, and environmental engineering. Top recruiters include companies like Reliance Industries, ONGC, GSFC, Adani Group, and various chemical and process industries. Lateral entry students have the same placement opportunities as regular B.Tech students.