Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The B.Tech Lateral Entry programme in Mechanical Engineering at the Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad is a 3-year full-time on-campus programme (Semesters III to VIII) designed for diploma holders in engineering who wish to upgrade to a degree-level qualification. The programme covers core areas such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing processes, machine design, CAD/CAM, heat transfer, robotics, and industrial engineering, with strong emphasis on project-based learning and hands-on laboratory work. The total intake for Mechanical Engineering (regular B.Tech) is 120 seats (30 State Quota ACPC + 72 All India + 18 NRI/NRI-Sponsored), with lateral entry seats governed by ACPC, Government of Gujarat via the DDCET. Fees for the All India category are Rs. 2,75,000 per annum, making the total programme cost approximately Rs. 8,51,700 (excluding refundable security) over 3 years. The programme is popular among diploma engineers in Gujarat seeking a reputed private university degree with strong industry connections and NBA-accredited curriculum.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently in progress. The DDCET-2026 registration window opened on February 9, 2026 and closes on March 30, 2026. The DDCET exam is scheduled for April 26, 2026. Candidates must apply separately to ACPC, Government of Gujarat via the official portal (gujacpc.admissions.nic.in). Seat allotment and counselling rounds are expected to be conducted from June to August 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points:

Lateral entry students are admitted directly into Semester III (Second Year) of the B.Tech programme, saving one year compared to the regular 4-year route.
Students admitted through lateral entry must clear three mandatory pre-requisite courses prescribed by the Institute: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II.
All B.Tech programmes at ITNU are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) under Tier-I category.
The Mechanical Engineering department has well-equipped laboratories including CAD/CAM lab, fluid mechanics lab, heat transfer lab, manufacturing lab, metrology lab, and robotics lab.
Students can pursue interdisciplinary minor specialisations in Computer Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Robotics, and Entrepreneurship alongside the core ME curriculum.
The department has an active MESA (Mechanical Engineering Students Association) and SAE Collegiate Club, enabling participation in national competitions like SAE BAJA and Robocon.
Lateral entry students are eligible for all institute scholarships, subject to meeting the prescribed academic criteria.
The 85% attendance requirement applies strictly to both lectures and lab sessions.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
Ranking
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 ME Fees

The fee structure for B.Tech Lateral Entry (Mechanical Engineering) at Nirma University follows the same structure as the regular B.Tech programme, since lateral entry students join from Semester III. For the All India category, the tuition fee is Rs. 2,75,000 per annum, while ACPC State Quota students pay Rs. 2,05,000 per annum (Rs. 1,02,500 per semester). The total programme cost over 3 years (6 semesters) for All India category students is approximately Rs. 8,51,700 excluding the refundable security deposit.

Fee Structure

Category	Per Annum
All India	Rs. 2,75,000
ACPC State Quota	Rs. 2,05,000
Total (All India, 3 years)	Rs. 8,51,700

ITNU B.Tech Lateral ME Admission 2026

Important Dates

Event	Date
DDCET-2026 Registration Opens	February 9, 2026
DDCET-2026 Registration Closes	March 30, 2026
DDCET Exam	April 26, 2026
Seat Allotment and Counselling	June to August 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Admission Process

Admissions to the B.Tech Lateral Entry (Mechanical Engineering) programme at Nirma University are primarily conducted through ACPC, Government of Gujarat, via the DDCET (Diploma to Degree Common Entrance Test). The DDCET-2026 registration is currently open and closes on March 30, 2026. Candidates must register on the ACPC portal and appear for the DDCET exam on April 26, 2026. Seat allotment is done through online counselling rounds conducted by ACPC after the results are declared. As per AICTE rules, Diploma Engineering candidates can apply to any Degree Engineering discipline, including Mechanical Engineering, irrespective of their diploma branch.

ITNU B.Tech Lateral ME Scholarships 2026

The Institute of Technology, Nirma University offers a comprehensive range of scholarships for undergraduate students, including lateral entry students, to support meritorious and financially needy students. Scholarships are renewed annually based on academic performance (minimum PPI of 7.0) and overall conduct. The MYSY (Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana) scholarship by the Government of Gujarat is also applicable for eligible students admitted through ACPC.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility
Institute Scholarships	Meritorious and financially needy students; minimum PPI 7.0
MYSY Scholarship	Eligible ACPC admitted students

ITNU B.Tech Lateral ME Placement 2026

The Mechanical Engineering department at Nirma University has a strong and consistent placement record, with students being placed across diverse sectors including automobile, design and manufacturing, process and chemical, and software companies. The department has dedicated placement faculty coordinators and maintains active industry connections with leading companies. For lateral entry students completing the programme in 3 years, placement opportunities are the same as for regular B.Tech ME graduates.

The ME department placement data reflects consistent performance with 100+ students placed each year and a growing average salary package. Key recruiters include Tata Motors, L&T, Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Thermax, Suzuki Motor Gujarat, CEAT Tyres, Hyundai Motor India, and many more.

Placement Statistics

Metric	Details
Students Placed Annually	100+
Average Package (2023-24)	Rs. 6.59 LPA
Highest Package (2023-24)	Rs. 14.91 LPA
Key Recruiters	Tata Motors, L&T, Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Thermax, Suzuki Motor Gujarat, CEAT Tyres, Hyundai Motor India, and many more

Institute of Technology, Nirma University Ahmedabad B.Tech {Lateral} Mechanical 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 ME FAQs

Ques. I have a Diploma in Civil Engineering. Can I apply for B.Tech Lateral Entry in Mechanical Engineering at Nirma University?

Ans. Yes. As per AICTE rules, Diploma Engineering candidates from any branch can apply to any Degree Engineering discipline, including Mechanical Engineering, through the ACPC DDCET process. The merit list is prepared based on the DDCET-2026 score, not the diploma branch. However, you should be aware that the curriculum from Semester III will be core Mechanical Engineering subjects, so some self-preparation may be needed.

Ques. What sectors do Mechanical Engineering lateral entry graduates from Nirma University typically get placed in?

Ans. ME graduates from Nirma University are placed across diverse sectors including automobile (Tata Motors, Hyundai, Suzuki Motor Gujarat), design and manufacturing (L&T, Harsha Engineers, Milacron), process and chemical (Reliance Industries, Thermax, Adani Group), and software companies (TCS, Infosys, Accenture). The average package for ME graduates was Rs. 6.59 LPA in 2023-24, with the highest package at Rs. 14.91 LPA.

Ques. Do lateral entry students at Nirma University have to attend the first year again, or do they directly join the second year?

Ans. Lateral entry students are admitted directly into Semester III (the second year) of the B.Tech programme. However, they are required to clear three mandatory pre-requisite courses prescribed by the institute: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II. These are additional courses that must be cleared alongside the regular curriculum.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for B.Tech lateral entry male students at Nirma University?

Ans. No, on-campus hostel accommodation is NOT available for B.Tech (including lateral entry) male students at Nirma University. Hostel facility on campus is available only for female students on a 100% basis. Male students need to arrange their own off-campus accommodation. The institute provides a bus transport facility from various routes in Ahmedabad on a payment basis.

Ques. What is the DDCET exam pattern for lateral entry admissions to Mechanical Engineering?

Ans. DDCET (Diploma to Degree Common Entrance Test) is a Paper-Based Test (PBT) with 100 questions carrying 200 marks, to be completed in 150 minutes (2.5 hours). It has two papers: BE 01 (Basics of Science and Engineering - 50 questions) and BE 02 (Aptitude Test - Mathematics and Soft Skill - 50 questions). Each correct answer carries 2 marks, and there is a negative marking of -0.5 marks for each wrong answer. The merit list is prepared based on the DDCET-2026 score as per ACPC Admission Rules.

Ques. Can a lateral entry Mechanical Engineering student at Nirma University participate in competitions like SAE BAJA or Robocon?

Ans. Yes, lateral entry students joining from Semester III are fully eligible to participate in all student activities, clubs, and competitions. The Mechanical Engineering department has an active SAE Collegiate Club and MESA (Mechanical Engineering Students Association) that regularly participates in national-level competitions like SAE BAJA, Robocon, and Mitsubishi Electric Cup. These competitions provide excellent hands-on engineering experience and are highly valued by recruiters.