Updated on Jan 28, 2025 03:35 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

Aeronautical engineers use their artistic skills to design and build airplanes that take people places and curate every step for a successful flight defying gravity. At the forefront of this technology lies an impeccable science of Aeronautical Engineering in India driving students towards learning design, construction, and maintenance of aircraft and other missile systems. 

The primary job of an Aeronautical Engineer is to devise aircraft and propulsion systems, but with time, the engineer is given many more responsibilities to carry out, such as testing aircraft systems and their maintenance. Aeronautical Engineering career in India can prove to be extremely promising for students after they complete their Aeronautical Engineering course.

Popular Aeronautical Engineering jobs for freshers include Aerodynamics Engineer, Avionics Engineer, Propulsion Engineer, Flight Test Engineer, Missile Systems Engineer, Aeronautical Research Scientist, etc. There are a plethora of job opportunities for aeronautical engineers in India with decent salary packages being offered by top recruiters in the country. The average Aeronautical Engineering salary in India is approximately INR 11 LPA, which varies on the basis of experience, skill set, and academic qualification.

Relevant Links for Aeronautical Engineering Career in India:

Aeronautical Engineering Salary in India vs Worldwide

Aerospace Engineering Career

 

Top Aeronautical Engineering Job Profiles

Aeronautical engineers are experts in creating and maintaining aircraft and aircraft-related technologies to enhance the functioning of the defense and aviation industry. Aeronautical Engineering courses offer a wide range of career options in India. Candidates can seek a career in the government and private sector as well as big MNCs. Aviation and defense are the top sectors that offer rewarding career options to Aeronautical Engineering graduates. Students can go through some of the popular job options along with the average salary figures below:

Aeronautical Engineering Jobs

Average Aeronautical Engineering Salary

Aerospace
Aerospace Engineer INR 12.1 LPA
Aerodynamics Engineer INR 9.8 LPA
Structural Engineer (Aerospace) INR 8.2 LPA
Flight Test Engineer INR 4.5 LPA
Avionics Engineer INR 6.7 LPA
Propulsion Engineer INR 7 LPA
Defense
Military Aircraft Maintenance Engineer INR 13.8 LPA
Missile Systems Engineer INR 15 LPA
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Engineer INR 12 LPA
Airlines
Airline Maintenance Engineer INR 13.8 LPA
Airline Systems Engineer INR 14.4 LPA
Airline Operations Engineer INR 4 LPA
Research & Development
Aeronautical Research Scientist INR 11.6 LPA
Aeronautical Simulation Specialist INR 12 LPA
Aeronautical Composite Materials Engineer INR 4.2 LPA

Note- The above salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com, and hence may vary.

 

Useful Link for Careers in Engineering:

Why Engineering is Still a Highly Paid Career Stream?

Aeronautical Engineering Scope in India: Jobs, Salary, and Further Education

Aeronautical Engineering courses help students explore many work profiles as mentioned before. Students can also become air traffic controllers and maintenance technicians as they get hands-on experience in aircraft manufacturing, mechanics, and engineering. Aeronautical Engineering being a technical skill requires professionals with keen observation and strong calculative skills. Aeronautical Engineering courses can also be pursued at the postgraduate or doctorate levels, which will help professionals to gain promotions.

Courses after Graduation in Aeronautical Engineering

Students in India with an Aeronautical Engineering degree or even a well-settled job in the aviation sector have various options to advance their professional career and areas of expertise. Following are some of the course options, they may choose after completing Aeronautical Engineering courses at the undergraduate level:

Courses

Course Description

MTech in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering A two-year postgraduate level programme where students get exposed to the advanced-level theoretical knowledge and practical aptitude in aircraft and spacecraft design, testing, and maintenance. This could get students placed at a high-paying position across sectors like defense, aviation, and research.
PG-Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering A one-year professional programme for providing detailed information regarding all aircraft-related verticals, including cutting-edge technologies, component manufacturing, maintenance, etc.
Specialized Certificate Courses in Aeronautics and Space Science These specialized short-term courses can lead to advancement in career prospects with enhanced technical expertise and analytical efficiency regarding space technology and aeronautics. Recruiters prefer such professionals, offering them excellent salary packages.

Aeronautical Engineering Core Industries and Top Recruiters

Nowadays, India is one of the countries in the world with talented and diligent young people who may choose the aeronautical field for their future career progress. Students who have a strong academic record and technical expertise in the field of Aeronautical Engineering are hired by top recruiters in India who are ready to offer handsome salary packages. A few core industries who provide Aeronautical Engineering job opportunities are given below:

Core Industries

Aircraft Manufacturing

Missile and Space Systems

Avionics and Electronics

MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul)

Below are some of the top recruiters from each popular industry:

Aircraft Manufacturing

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Tata Advanced Systems Limited

Mahindra Aerospace

Bharat Forge Limited

Missile and Space Systems

ISRO

BrahMos Aerospace

Bharat Dynamics Limited

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Avionics and Electronics

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)

Tata Power SED

Godrej Aerospace

MRO

Air India Engineering Services Limited

Tata Airlines Engineering Services Limited

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Indo-Asian Services Limited

Note: This information is taken from external sites, and hence may vary.

 

Best Aeronautical Engineering Colleges for Placements in India

Aeronautical Engineering Colleges

Av. Salary (in INR)

Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh Placements

INR 12 LPA

Dr. Ambedkar Institute Of Technology (AIT), Bangalore Placements

INR 6 LPA

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science Placements

INR 4.2 - 4.5 LPA

Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education Placements

INR 6.75 LPA

Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Hyderabad Placements

INR 4.5 LPA

Manipal Institute of Technology Placements

INR 8.48 - 8.88 LPA

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Table of contents
  • Popular Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Aeronautical Engineering UG Courses
  • Popular Aeronautical Engineering PG Courses

Popular Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India. Learn more about these Aeronautical Engineering colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
3.46 L
8.4 L
7.07 LPA

Aeronautical Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
29 K
2 Courses
8.04 L - 12.12 L
10.05 LPA
4.72 L
4.0
1 Course
4 L
6.75 LPA

Popular Private Aeronautical Engineering Colleges in India

20 L
9 L - 9.75 L
7.78 LPA

Aeronautical Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

2.76 L - 12.48 L
6 LPA

Aeronautical Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
3.9 L
4.5 LPA
2 Courses
8.25 L - 12 L

Aeronautical Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

1.26 L - 2.52 L
5.3 LPA

Aeronautical Engineering Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Aeronautical Engineering. Students interested in pursuing a career on Aeronautical Engineering, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

5 May ' 26

JEE Main 2026 paper 2 result session 2

4 May ' 26

JEE Main 2026 paper 2 final answer key session 2

To Be Notified:

MHT CET 2026 Result for 1st Attempt PCM Group

To Be Notified:

MHT CET 2026 Session 2 PCM Final Answer Key

Jun '26

Web-based Choice Filling Starts

TENTATIVE

6 Jun ' 26

KCET Result 2026

19 Jun ' 26 - 28 Jun ' 26

TS EAMCET 2026 MPC Counselling Phase 1 - Registra...

22 Jun ' 26 - 29 Jun ' 26

TS EAMCET 2026 MPC Counselling Phase 1 - Certific...

Popular Aeronautical Engineering UG Courses

Following are the most popular Aeronautical Engineering UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Aeronautical Engineering PG Courses

Following are the most popular Aeronautical Engineering PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

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Answered Yesterday

Many students get puzzled between Aerospace engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. Aeronautical engineering only deals with the aircraft that fly in the atmosphere, like planes and helicopters and Aerospace Engineering deals with aircraft and also spacecraft. Mostly in Pune, colleges offer Aerona

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, listed below are some colleges that don't require JEE:

  • MIT Manipal — takes MET (Manipal's own exam)
  • Amity University — has its own entrance test
  • SRM University — takes SRMJEEE
  • Chandigarh University — accepts CUCET
  • Hindustan Institute of Technology, Chennai — direct admission based on 12th marks

 

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, IITs do not offer Aeronautical Engineering as a separate branch. However, the top IITs offer Aerospace Engineering — which is a bigger and better version of the same field. It covers not just aircraft, but also rockets, satellites, and spacecraft.

IITs with Aerospace Engineering:

  • IIT Bombay
  • IIT Mad

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 weeks ago

Hi,

Pick Aeronautical if -

  • You are obsessed with airplanes, jets and propellers.
  • You want to work in commercial aviation or defense.
  • You like aerodynamics and air-breathing engines.

Pick Aerospace If

  • You are interested in rockets, satellites and space.
  • You want to study orbital mechanics and vacuum-friend

...Read more

K

Kanishk Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Round 1 closing rank in Aeronautical Engineering was 56,940 in 2025. By the final round, the closing rank was 97,687. It suggests that, though easier than Computer Science and Engineering, Aeronautical engineering is a popular specialised course.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a month ago

As per popularity basis by shiksha.com, Amrita School of Engineering emerged as the no. 1 Aeronautical Engineering college in India followed by other top colleges like Lovely Professional University (LPU) and SASTRA.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Starting salary of aeronautical engineer in India is between INR 3.5 and INR 6 lakh/ year. It is much less than salaries in developed countries.

Graduates of top universities worldwide get decent salary offers. SpaceX, NASA, and Airbus are some of the top recruiters.

A

Aayushi Dhawan

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

To become an Aeronautical Engineer after 10th, focus on Science in 11th/12th (Physics, Chemistry, Maths), pass entrance exams like JEE Main and then pass B.Tech/B.E. in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering.

Or you can take a 3-year Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering after 10th to start early. 

Hope thi

...Read more

M

Mamona Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Apart from IITs, there are many Aeronautical Engineering colleges in India with great placement package. Some of them are mentioned below with their average salaries -

Top CollegesAverage Salary
LPUINR 7.07 LPA
Amity University, NoidaINR 6 LPA
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and EducationINR 6.75 LPA
IISTINR 8.5 LPA - INR 10.5 LPA
Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHEINR 10.05 LPA

Source: Official site and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10