For lakhs of students in India, cracking JEE is a dream. Every year, students spend years preparing for one of the country’s toughest entrance exams, hoping to secure a seat at a top engineering college. But with artificial intelligence (AI) changing the way industries work, many students are now asking a new question: Is getting into an IIT the only path to a successful AI career?
The job market is changing rapidly. Experts noted that companies today are looking for professionals who know more than just programming. Skills such as generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agents, machine learning, data engineering, and AI product development are in high demand. According to LinkedIn’s AI Labor Market Report 2026, AI engineering hiring in India has grown by nearly 60% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing AI job markets in the world. Industry estimates also suggest that India may need around one million AI professionals by 2026.
As a result, engineering education is also evolving. Many colleges are now offering AI-focused degrees that give students practical experience, industry exposure, and job-ready skills from the very beginning. Here are three such programmes worth exploring.
Zenith school of AI
Zenith School of AI, in collaboration with K.R. Mangalam University offers a four-year B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence that focuses on building real-world AI skills instead of following a traditional computer science curriculum. Students study topics such as generative AI, LLMs, AI agents, RAG architectures, machine learning engineering, and production AI systems.
Throughout the course, they work on industry-level AI projects and graduate with a portfolio of six production-ready AI applications, including LLM-powered systems and autonomous agents.
The programme also includes four mandatory externships with more than 30 companies, two internship semesters, and a full-semester industry internship in the third year. In addition, students receive business training through a Mini-MBA taught by CXOs and industry leaders, helping them understand product development, strategy, finance, and management.
International learning opportunities in Dubai, Singapore, and Shenzhen are also part of the programme.
BITS Pilani
BITS Pilani has introduced a B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning that combines strong computer science fundamentals with advanced AI concepts. Students learn machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), reinforcement learning, and AI system design. The course also provides hands-on learning through projects, virtual labs, industry case studies, and a final-year project.
Students get experience with popular AI tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, making the programme suitable for those looking for a balance between theory and practical learning.
IIIT Delhi
The B.Tech in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) at IIIT Delhi is designed for students who want a strong academic foundation in AI. The programme starts with computer science basics and gradually moves towards advanced topics such as computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and machine learning. Students can also choose electives based on their interests in the later years.
The course focuses heavily on conceptual understanding and research-oriented learning. Students also work on projects and internships, although they are expected to take the initiative to gain more industry experience.
As AI continues to transform industries, choosing a course that helps you build practical skills could be just as important as getting into a prestigious college.
