What is EIE (Electrical)?
Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering trains you to measure physical quantities such as pressure, flow, temperature and level accurately, and to use those readings to control electrical and process equipment automatically. You learn the electrical foundation (networks, machines, power electronics, power systems basics) together with transducers, process instrumentation, control systems, PLCs and data acquisition.
Honest comparison with similar names: Electronics and Instrumentation (much more common) builds on electronics and communication subjects, while Electrical and Instrumentation builds on electrical machines and power. The instrumentation and control half is almost the same, so jobs overlap heavily. If you are drawn to plant automation in power or heavy industry, the electrical base is useful; if you prefer embedded and electronic design, EIE (Electronics) or ECE fits better.
Very few universities offer this exact title. Examples include Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (a central university in Uttarakhand), which has run it since 2018, and Kurukshetra University in Haryana, both through their Departments of Instrumentation.
Who is this course for?
- You like both electrical machines and sensors/automation
- You see yourself working in power plants, refineries or heavy industry
- You enjoy lab work with meters, motors and control panels
- You want to keep GATE EE and IN options open
- You are fine studying at one of a small number of universities offering this name
- You are interested in industrial safety and quality roles
What you study
- Year 1
- Engineering Mathematics I & II
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Chemistry
- Basic Electrical Engineering
- Basic Electronics
- Programming and Workshop
- Year 2
- Network Analysis
- Electrical Machines
- Analog and Digital Electronics
- Electrical and Electronic Measurements
- Transducers
- Signals and Systems
- Year 3
- Control Systems
- Power Electronics
- Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
- Process Control
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Power Systems
- Year 4
- Industrial Automation (PLC/SCADA/DCS)
- Biomedical Instrumentation
- Virtual Instrumentation
- Digital Signal Processing
- Electives (VLSI, industrial drives)
- Project
Specialisations and electives
Process control and automationPower plant instrumentationBiomedical instrumentationIndustrial drives and controlVirtual instrumentation and data acquisitionIndustrial safety and qualityVLSI and embedded systems
Eligibility & admission
- Class 12 (10+2) pass with Physics and Mathematics compulsory, plus Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science or another technical subject.
- AICTE minimum: 45% aggregate in these subjects (40% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD in most states); individual colleges may ask for more.
- NITs, IIITs and other JoSAA institutes also require 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or a place in the top 20 percentile of your board.
- No upper age limit for JEE Main; check each state CET for its own rules.
- Each offering university sets its own admission route; check the current prospectus of HNBGU or Kurukshetra University.
- Lateral entry: diploma holders in a related branch (and B.Sc. graduates with Mathematics) can usually join the second year directly through state lateral-entry counselling.
How admission works
- Pass Class 12 with PCM.
- Write JEE Main, which most such universities and state counselling bodies use.
- Apply through the relevant route, such as the university's admission prospectus or state counselling (for Haryana, HSTES).
- List Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering in your choices and accept the allotted seat.
- Complete document verification and fee payment.
Entrance exams
JEE Mainused by most universities and state counselling for B.Tech seats
State counselling (e.g. HSTES Haryana)for Kurukshetra University engineering seats
GATE (EE or IN)after the degree, for M.Tech and PSU jobs
Planning to study EIE (Electrical)?The AISEE merit scholarship can cover up to 100% of tuition fees at participating colleges. One online exam, results by rank.
Apply for AISEE-2027
Top colleges for EIE (Electrical)
| College | City | Why it stands out |
|---|
| Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University | Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand | Central university; B.Tech Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering since 2018 |
| Kurukshetra University (Department of Instrumentation) | Kurukshetra | State university; B.Tech Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering |
Ranks are from the NIRF 2025 India Rankings where shown. Check each college’s official website for this year’s seats, fees and cut-offs.
Careers & salary
Instrumentation and Control EngineerInstalls and maintains control loops and field instruments in plants.
Electrical Maintenance EngineerKeeps motors, drives, switchgear and panels running in industry.
Automation EngineerPrograms PLCs and SCADA for power, water and manufacturing systems.
Commissioning EngineerTests and starts up electrical and instrumentation systems on new projects.
Quality / Calibration EngineerEnsures measuring equipment meets standards and stays accurate.
Health and Safety OfficerChecks that electrical and process systems comply with safety rules.
Top recruiters & sectors
NTPC and state power utilitiesBHELIndian Oil, BPCL and other refineriesReliance IndustriesCrompton Greaves (CG Power)General ElectricSiemensABBHoneywellEPC companies such as L&T
Salary
Freshers typically earn about ₹3.5–6 LPA (approx.) in automation, EPC and plant-maintenance roles. With 5–8 years in commissioning, DCS/PLC projects or plant instrumentation, ₹8–15 LPA is realistic, and overseas oil and gas projects pay more.
PSU jobs via GATE give higher starting packages and stability. Because the branch is rare, your practical skills and internships will matter more than the degree title. Figures vary; check current placement reports.
Scope & higher studies
Power plants, renewable parks, refineries, steel plants and water utilities all need engineers who understand electrical equipment and the instruments that monitor and control it. Digitalisation of these plants (smart sensors, IIoT, predictive maintenance) is increasing that need.
The main limitation is availability: only a few universities offer this title, so compare it with EEE or Electronics and Instrumentation at stronger colleges before deciding.
After this course
- M.Tech in Instrumentation, Control or Power Electronics via GATE (EE or IN)
- MS abroad in Electrical or Control Engineering
- MBA in operations or project management
- PhD in instrumentation or control
- UPSC Engineering Services (Electrical)
EIE (Electrical) FAQs
Is Electrical and Instrumentation the same as Electronics and Instrumentation?
No, but they are close. Both teach sensors and control; Electrical and Instrumentation builds on electrical machines and power, while Electronics and Instrumentation builds on electronics and communication.
Which universities offer Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering?
It is rare. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and Kurukshetra University offer B.Tech programmes under this name. Many more colleges offer Electronics and Instrumentation or Instrumentation and Control.
Which GATE paper should I write?
Both GATE EE and GATE IN suit this branch. EE opens more power-sector PSU jobs; IN fits instrumentation M.Tech programmes.
Is this branch good for government jobs?
Yes. Power utilities, refineries and PSUs recruit electrical and instrumentation engineers, mostly through GATE or their own exams.
Should I choose this over EEE?
Choose it if you are clearly interested in instrumentation and plant automation. If you want the widest set of options, EEE at a good college is usually safer.
AISEE - 2027 Online Scholarship Application Available 
