What is Nuclear Engineering?: Course Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Nuclear Engineering is a branch of engineering which focuses on the use of nuclear energy through application of physics concepts for production and utilization of energy. This includes the design of nuclear power plants such as nuclear reactors, management of fuels, protection from radioactivity, and controlling the disposal of nuclear wastes.

Nuclear engineers are helping to use nuclear energy for sustainability and to address climate changes as a carbon-free energy source. The nuclear energy sector currently provides a significant portion of power that is clean, carbon-free, and with a relatively low waste footprint, and in the future, as we hope to get rid of fossil fuels and bridge the gap to technologies, nuclear energy will play a huge role in that.

Further, Nuclear Engineering field is growing rapidly with a lot of ties in medicine, materials, labs, and other places like propulsion systems in the space industry. What if you get to know that the arc reactor of the Iron Man that powers his suit was basically a nuclear reactor? This sounds quite intriguing. Rest, the choice depends on your interests and passions. You should give it a thought yourself and then take the final call.

The Nuclear Engineering course duration is different depending on the course level. If you are studying a UG course in Nuclear Engineering, it will span 8 semesters that will take 4 years to complete. On the other hand, if you plan to go for a PG Nuclear Engineering course, you need to give 2 years for the same, where the focus will be on research in the nuclear sector and will give you a deep understanding of the field. You should think carefully about your interests and passions before heading for a master's degree in Nuclear Engineering.

The key differences between Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Science are given in the table below:

It may differ from university to university, however, a strong mathematical background in calculus, linear algebra, strong physics background in mechanics, electromagnetism, nuclear physics and chemistry are a must.

Given below are the general steps you can follow for getting admission to Nuclear Engineering courses:
1. Eligibility Criteria
You should check the basic eligibility for courses in Nuclear Engineering at various levels.
2. Appear for the entrance exams
You have to appear for national/state/university level entrance exams.
3. Application form
Please make sure to fill out the application form of your desired college and attach all the necessary documents before the last date.
4. Counselling Session
Next, you need to visit the counselling session once the results are declared and you've got a good rank.
5. Take admission
The final step is to complete the admission formalities by paying the course fees & then you can start attending your course classes.

Most of the colleges and universities admit students to Nuclear Engineering courses taking into account their entrance exam marks. There are only 5 colleges that have courses in this field available and are known for their faculty expertise.

Having said that, exceptions are always there. For example, Amity University (Noida) gives admission to BTech Nuclear Science and Technology on the basis of Class 12 marks in board exams. You may also have to give the PI or GD round in this case.

You can go through the list of some important documents that you must keep handy during the admission process for Nuclear Engineering courses:

·       Graduation Mark sheet (In the case of PG courses)

·       Class 12th mark sheet with at least 50 to 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics subjects.

·       Class 10th mark sheet (if required).

·       A valid ID proof like Adhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, etc.

·       Migration and character certificates, if required.

·       Recent passport-size photographs

Some educational institutes also need other documents for which you must go through their admission guidelines available on the college website and then keep your documents ready at one place.

There are some universities that provide the option of lateral entry to BTech Nuclear Engineering after you complete a 3-year Diploma in the field. Out of them, Sanskriti University comes across as one of the popular choices among students.
When we talk about lateral-entry, it means you can directly enter the second year of the BTech specialisation and finish the course in 3 years instead of 4 years. This special provision saves your time and allows you to engage in other things for skill enhancement.

You can always check the website of the college you want to take admission to and see if they offer lateral entry admissions.

Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate Nuclear Engineering programs typically involves entrance exams, such as:

Undergraduate:

JEE Main and CUET: The national-level entrance exams that are considered for admission to many prestigious engineering colleges in India.

Postgraduate:

GATE: This national-level exam is crucial for admission to Master's programs in engineering, including Nuclear Engineering, at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other premier institutions.

Also, some colleges conduct their own tests along with the interview rounds.

There isn't one single cut-off mark for Nuclear Engineering courses in India. Here's why:

• Entrance Exams: Admission to these programs relies on entrance exams like JEE Main (undergraduate) and GATE (postgraduate). These exams have a qualifying percentile or rank depending on the institute and category (general, reserved etc.). The cut-off percentiles/ranks vary year-to-year based on the difficulty of the exam and the number of applicants.
• University-Specific Criteria: Universities might have their own minimum eligibility marks in Class 12 (typically 50-75% with PCM) and might conduct additional entrance exams besides national exams.

GATE exam is conducted only once a year to offer admissions to master's and PhD programs at top institutions, such as IITs and NITs. Qualifying GATE exam also paves the way for technical jobs in in PSUs. This year, IIT Roorkee conducted the GATE 2025 exam on Feb 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025 in two sessions - morning and afternoon. 

GATE qualifying cutoff is the institute eligibility cutoff, and on the other hand, the GATE admission cutoff ensures a call for admission at IITs, NITs, IITs, and CFTIs. Check below in detail:

GATE Qualifying Cutoff: It is the minimum mark a candidate must score so that he or she is eligible for admission. But this does not mean that a candidate is selected for admission. Actually, it is fixed before the announcement of GATE results. It is announced by the conducting IIT and available on GOAPS. It includes qualifying marks for each paper.

Admission GATE Cutoffs: It is the final opening and closing rank score fixed by the participating institutes for the selection of candidates. It is to be noted here that meeting the admission GATE cutoff does not mean that the candidates will be selected for admission. It is fixed after the GATE result date. It is declared by the individual participating institutes and available on their respective counselling portals (CCMT/ COAP).

NTA has mentioned that CUET UG 2026 syllabus will adhere to NCERT syllabus. Hence, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to cover the syllabus of the exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them in various situations.

Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is in tune with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.

JEE Main Rank Predictor is a tool develped on past year percentile and rank data. When any candidate provides their NTA percentile, the rank predictor of JEE Mains will give an estimated rank by analysing the previous year percentile vs rank information. The accuracy of JEE Main Rank Predictor is precisely equal to the actual rank but one major factor will be total number of candidates who take the test. Candidates can also check marks vs percentile JEE Mains 2025 to get analysis of their scores in the exam.

Nuclear engineering programs typically cover subjects like:

• Nuclear reactor physics
• Reactor engineering and design
• Nuclear fuel cycle and materials
• Heat transfer and thermodynamics in nuclear systems
• Radiation detection and shielding
• Nuclear safety and risk assessment
• Nuclear waste management

There is a pool of electives that you can opt for while studying a major degree course in Nuclear Engineering. Most of the colleges give you this option from 2^nd year onwards of your BTech course. Some of the elective options are Nuclear Reactor Physics, Nuclear Fuel Design and Materials Science, Radiation Protection, and Nuclear Security.

You can take up any of these as per your interest and inclination. Elective subjects usually give you an option to explore and experiment to see which particular subject area interests you more within such a vast field.

Yes, few universities offer specialisations within the Nuclear Engineering courses, Theses are mentioned below:

• Nuclear reactor physics and design
• Nuclear fuel cycle and materials science
• Radiation protection and health physics
• Nuclear non-proliferation and security

The Nuclear Engineering syllabus includes some core subjects, elective subject choices, practical lab work, workshops, and research projects. The core subjects are compulsory for you to study in each semester, leaving little to no scope for customization. This is because the core subjects introduce you to the fundamental concepts of the field that are important to move towards a promising career in the future.

Coming to the elective subject choices, you can select the subjects as per your interests and understanding, something you find easygoing, experimentative, and aligned with your future plans in life. So, the electives do give you some scope for customizing your Nuclear Engineering syllabus.

The syllabus for Nuclear Engineering courses includes both theory-based classes and practical application via laboratory exercises and project work. The core and elective subjects are put together in a manner as to give you a strong understanding of the field and its key concepts. Plus, the lab work and research projects further give you a boost and help you explore the real-world applications of nuclear systems and processes. 

There is more inclination towards the practical side of coursework where the knowledge of Nuclear Science is put to use along with the engineering applications for the design and operation of nuclear systems for various purposes.

Nuclear Engineering is an evolving field with a few colleges offering the course at present. There are around 5 Nuclear engineering colleges in India, out of which 3 are privately-owned and 2 are government colleges. The government colleges include IIT Kanpur and Jadavpur University. Talking about the private institutions for Nuclear Engineering courses, you can consider Amity University (Noida), SoET, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, and Mody University of Science and Technology.

IIT Kanpur is known for its reputable Nuclear Engineering program. From reactor physics to nuclear materials science, it provides a challenging programme that covers every facet of Nuclear Engineering. The program has excellent faculty and research infrastructure. Candidates should have obtained 60% aggregate marks in graduation in a relevant discipline. Candidates also need to clear GATE in order to secure admission in MTech Nuclear Engineering and Technology course. 

Also, IIT Bombay offers programs in Energy Engineering that attract a lot of applications every year.

The tuition fee for studying courses in Nuclear Engineering varies on the basis of several factors, like the college offering the course, whether it is a govt. or private college, the course level, the college location, NIRF ranking, industry connections, and placement records. The average Nuclear engineering tuition fee is approximately INR 2 Lacs to INR 8 lakh. 

Rest, you can go to the official college websites for detailed information about the fee structure that includes tuition fees and extra charges that may be applicable during your academic journey.

For choosing the right Nuclear Engineering college in India, you should check for some basic points like the college's All India Ranking, course fees, course structure, research opportunities, learning space, placement records, and location.
After thinking carefully, you can go for the one that suits you the best. There are 5 Nuclear Engineering colleges in India, out of which 2 fall under the jurisdiction of the government and 3 are privately-owned.

Well, yes. Almost every college in India charges an extra amount apart from the tuition fee. So is the case with Nuclear Engineering colleges in India, where you need to pay an additional amount for things like hostel accommodation (if you're an outstation student and staying in the college hostel), admission application fee, exam registration fee, and lab work fee.

You can read the detailed fee structure for Nuclear Engineering courses on the college websites for better clarity and to ensure a smooth admission process.

Relevant Link: All about Nuclear Engineering

Careers for nuclear engineers can be diverse, and remuneration depends on the engineers’ experience, specialty, and the organisation that they work for. Here's a table outlining some prominent opportunities:

Yes, Nuclear Engineering can be a quite fulfilling profession for those who have bent towards science, technology and knowledge solving. The nuclear energy sector is relatively stable and provides decent wages while allowing one to make a meaningful, positive impact on both the job market and technological developments in the energy field.

Nuclear engineers obviously have a hand in electricity generation but they also have careers related to treating diseases, safeguarding food supplies, nuclear forensics, operating nuclear energy systems, developing regulations to ensure safety, and facilitating exploration. Nuclear engineers basically help to use nuclear energy for sustainability and to address climate changes as a carbon-free energy source.

A nuclear scientist's pay at ISRO can change based on their position, experience, and talents. The average income for nuclear scientists at ISRO is relatively high, nevertheless. At ISRO, a nuclear physicist may expect to get roughly INR 70,000 per month as their starting salary. Nuclear physicists at ISRO with 5- 10 years of experience might earn salaries of more than INR 20 Lacs annually

Yes, definitely. It can turn out to be a promising choice for you in terms of the earning potential and career prospects. Courses in Nuclear Engineering teach students how to combine the fundamentals of mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer programming, and engineering sciences and apply that to the theory, practice, and experimentation of things for the purpose of nuclear power generation. Nuclear Engineering applies the principles of radiation Science and nuclear physics in areas such as nuclear energy, medicine safeguards, safety detection, radio chemistry, plasma sciences, and more.

Nuclear Engineering professionals not only work in electricity generation, but they also have careers related to treating diseases, safeguarding food supplies, nuclear forensics, operating nuclear energy systems, developing regulations to ensure safety, and facilitating exploration.

There are many technical and soft skills that you need to have to succeed in their careers. It is not necessary that you acquire these skills in a classroom setting rather they are learned through experience.

You must always be on your toes to learn new skills and gain as much experience as possible. Some of the important skills in general include:

·       Good Academic Understanding

·       Problem-Solving Expertise

·       Research Aptitude

·       Open-mindedness and Curiosity to Learn

·       Experimental Approach

·       Excellent knowledge of Computers and Technical Equipment

·       Passion and Dedication for the Field

There is are high chances that nuclear engineers will work for the DRDO. The foremost defense research and development agency in India, DRDO, includes several nuclear-related initiatives. Nuclear engineers are also recruited by the organization. It releases notification in case of any requirement or vacancy in the field. Nuclear engineers normally need to hold a M.Tech degree in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related discipline to work at DRDO. They may also need to have some background in nuclear development or research for better chances of selection.

Some nuclear engineers in India claim to make more than INR 20 LPA. A Nuclear Engineer in India with ten or more years of experience working at a nuclear power plant may earn between INR 20-25 LPA. Further, a nuclear engineer with a PhD and background in nuclear fusion research may also make more than INR 20 LPA.

The admission process for Nuclear Engineering courses varies from one college to another. Every institution goes by certain guidelines set by the college committee for giving admission to students. The time involved in the Nuclear engineering admission process can easily take up to 3 to 5 months, from the entrance exam to final seat allotment.

The basic steps included in the process are entrance exam, college application forms, result declaration, cutoff release, college counseling, seat allotment, fee payment, and admission confirmation from your side. So, you need to stay patient during the entire admission process.

To apply for admission to courses in Nuclear Engg, you need to fill out the college application forms released in the online mode with prior information on the college websites so that the maximum number of students can apply for the course simply by sitting at their homes. You just need to fill out all the details correctly, upload all the documents, and pay the application fee, which is approximately INR 500 to INR 3,000, depending on the college.

So, you need to keep an eye on all the important admission-related updates of the college you wish to apply to.