The frenzy for
GATE 2014 is just about to start on September 2, 2013 when the online GATE 2014 applications will be available. To be conducted by IIT Kharagpur for 2014, GATE 2014 will be the gateway to many aspiring engineers and would be scientists to join the M.Tech or MS by Research courses.
Who wants to write the GATE Exam?
It is commonly known that the
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is the entrance examination to give if:
- One wanted to pursue Post Graduation namely M.Tech or MS by Research.
- If one wanted a good secure job in the Public Sector Units (PSUs) Check this
Some Facts about GATE 2013:
To get an idea for
GATE 2014, one can check the facts and figures of GATE 2013. The official stats say that 12,00,728 students registered for GATE 2013 and only 82.02% namely 9,84,855 candidates actually appeared for it. Now for the crucial part- only 13.88% ie. 1,36,699 candidates qualified for it.
Other PG Entrance Exams:
Many universities and institutes take the GATE scores but some have their own exams. Common ones are
AP PGCET: Conducted by the University College of Engineering, Osmania University on behalf of the APSCHE, this exam offers admissions to the PG courses in colleges of Andhra Pradesh.
Karnataka PGCET: Conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority, the entrance offers admissions to the various PG courses across the state of Karnataka.
PGEE: Conducted by the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, this exam allows admissions to the M.Tech programmes at the institute.
VITMEE: VIT University conducts this for selection and admissions to the M.Tech programmes at the university.
TANCET: Conducted by Anna University, this exam is for the admissions to the PG courses in Tamilnadu.
Benefits of M.Tech:
- A carry forward of the technological knowledge that comprises B.Tech can happen with M.Tech. Part research and part study makes it more lucrative rather than simply studying which is what happens for most undergraduate programs.
- Another fact is that students pursuing M.Tech are generally paid stipend which may be low by industry standards but covers up expenses and is pretty useful unlike undergraduation when students are completely dependent on their parents.
- Expenses of studying M.Tech is also comparatively low with around 40K per semester on an average inclusive of hostel fees and other expenses.
- Good Placements are one benefit but only if the candidates have good grades. Most companies do prefer good and technologically sound people who are accustomed to deadlines and tight work schedules.
M.Tech Courses and Quality of Education:
The
GATE 2014 lists out 22 papers for which candidates can appear and pursue M.Tech or MS. As the figures for GATE 2013 show, it is not at all easy for candidates to qualify. The entrance examinations to M.Tech courses are by themselves tough.
A common myth is that quality of education is not good especially for
M.Tech students other than IITs. There are questions about the infrastructure too. First and foremost, yes, the IITs do have excellent faculty but so do the many other colleges/universities. The NITs and other centrally funded institutes possess good faculty too. Many private universities have made it a point to offer good facilities and teaching faculty. Some states have well established deemed universities as well as private colleges that possess good infrastructure.
Note: An important point to be noted is that the institute to study in definitely matters. Since not everyone can get into an IIT, M.Tech aspirants should also keep other options open after careful research.
Is M.Tech too tough?
M.Tech improves the technical knowledge of candidates while preparing them with a practical aspect through research. To gain all this, candidates have to work hard. Though factors that play a role are the effort s of the candidates, the courses chosen, projects done and such. Good scores denote the strength of the candidate in the chosen field and that is never easily available. To say that studying will be rigorous or too easy is generalizing and not at all applicable to everyone.
In fact, the truth is that by the time a candidate reaches the post graduate level, the understanding of the various subjects and their role becomes clearer. An
M.Tech qualification comes with better understanding of the subjects and application of the same to the projects done.
Can M.Tech Qualifications Assure Good Placements?
The myth that
M.Tech qualified people are found to be teaching only is just what it is - A Myth. Most professors who teach at the top universities and good institutes are people who have chosen teaching as their careers and many have become guiding forces for their students. The other fact is that they also have further qualifications in the form of Ph.D which they do to improve their skill sets in turn bestowing the additional knowledge to their students.
The IITs and many top institutes have an excellent track record for placements of M.Tech qualified people. The deterrent as it may seem comes with the fact that placements are never separate for the Post graduates or the Undergraduates, though the preference is always for the post graduates. Still, with a slight advantage of qualification and good scores, a good placement can be achieved with better chances of growth on account of the
M.Tech qualification.
It is also a fact that candidates have to clear the selection criteria of the companies that come in to recruit as per their requirements. Merely possessing the M.Tech qualification does not give any candidate an advantage.
Further studies after M.Tech?
Candidates who are interested in further studies can go in for Ph.D in India or abroad. Good qualified people are appreciated by all universities and it is only to their advantage to have a well qualified M.Tech candidate researching for them. The R & D area is very much under rated and under developed in the country. Many companies are seriously recruiting people with Ph.Ds for their R & D division. So a good placement is one advantage along with a good career chart.
Therefore it is advisable to go for an
M.Tech only if one is serious about it in terms of study, effort and time. Candidates who do so end up with qualifications that are sought out not just in India but abroad too.
