What is EPE?
Electronics & Power Engineering (EPE) studies how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed, and how electronic devices such as thyristors, IGBTs and MOSFETs convert and control that power. You work with generators, transformers, motors, transmission lines and the converters that link them to solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles.
The course starts with the common engineering base (maths, physics, basic electrical and electronics), then moves into circuit theory, electrical machines, power systems, power electronics, control systems, microcontrollers and protection. Later semesters add electric drives, renewable energy integration, HVDC and FACTS, and smart-grid topics.
Be aware that this exact branch name is rare. It is offered mainly by a few colleges affiliated to RTM Nagpur University in Maharashtra (for example J D College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur). Elsewhere, the same knowledge is taught in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), which are widely offered at IITs and NITs. Recruiters and the GATE paper (Electrical, EE) treat EPE graduates as electrical engineers, so the job market is the same.
Compared with Electronics and Communication Engineering, EPE deals with high power (kilowatts to megawatts) rather than signals and communication; compared with pure Electrical Engineering, it gives slightly more weight to power electronics and drives.
Who is this course for?
- Students who enjoy Physics topics like electricity, magnetism and circuits
- Those curious about how power plants, grids and EV chargers work
- Students aiming for PSU jobs (NTPC, PGCIL, state utilities) through GATE
- People comfortable with maths-heavy analysis and lab work with machines
- Anyone interested in solar, wind and battery storage careers
- Students in Maharashtra who want a power-focused branch close to home
What you study
- Year 1
- Engineering Mathematics I & II
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Chemistry
- Basic Electrical Engineering
- Basic Electronics
- Programming in C/Python
- Engineering Graphics
- Year 2
- Network Analysis
- Analog and Digital Electronics
- Electrical Machines I
- Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation
- Signals and Systems
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Year 3
- Power Electronics
- Power System Analysis
- Electrical Machines II
- Control Systems
- Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
- Transmission and Distribution
- Year 4
- Electric Drives
- Switchgear and Protection
- HVDC and FACTS
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Electives (EV Technology / Smart Grid)
- Project and Internship
Specialisations and electives
Power electronics and drivesPower systems and protectionRenewable energy integrationElectric vehicle and charging technologySmart grids and energy storageIndustrial automation (PLC/SCADA)High-voltage engineering
Eligibility & admission
- Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics compulsory, plus Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science or another technical subject.
- AICTE minimum: 45% aggregate in these subjects (40% for reserved categories); Maharashtra CAP rules apply in state colleges.
- For NITs/IIITs through JEE Main (for the related Electrical branch), 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile of your board.
- No upper age limit for JEE Main or MHT CET.
- Lateral entry: diploma holders in Electrical/Electronics can join the second year through the Maharashtra Direct Second Year (DSE) process.
How admission works
- Take MHT CET (PCM group) and/or JEE Main in Class 12
- Register for the Maharashtra State CET Cell CAP counselling
- Fill college and branch choices, including Electronics & Power Engineering where listed
- Accept your allotted seat and pay the seat-acceptance fee
- Report to the college with marksheets, CET scorecard, domicile and category certificates
Entrance exams
MHT CETmain route to Nagpur-region colleges offering this branch
JEE Mainaccepted in Maharashtra CAP; also for Electrical branches at NITs and IIITs
JEE Advancedfor Electrical Engineering at IITs (closest equivalent)
GATE (EE)after graduation for M.Tech and PSU recruitment
Planning to study EPE?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 EPE
| College | City | Why it stands out |
|---|
| J D College of Engineering and Management | Nagpur | Private; runs B.Tech Electronics & Power Engineering since 2014 |
| Priyadarshini College of Engineering | Nagpur | Private, RTMNU-affiliated; electrical and power department (check current branch name) |
| Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) | Nagpur | Closest equivalent: B.Tech Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| COEP Technological University | Pune | Closest equivalent: B.Tech Electrical Engineering |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | Closest equivalent: B.Tech Electrical Engineering with power electronics electives |
| IIT Delhi | New Delhi | Closest equivalent: B.Tech Electrical Engineering (power and automation) |
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | Closest equivalent: B.Tech Electrical and Electronics 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
Power Electronics EngineerDesigns converters, inverters, UPS and motor drives for industry and consumer products.
Electrical Design EngineerPlans electrical systems for plants, buildings and infrastructure projects.
Power Systems / Grid EngineerWorks on transmission, substations and load management at utilities and PSUs.
EV and Charging EngineerDevelops battery management, motor controllers and charging stations.
Renewable Energy EngineerDesigns and commissions solar and wind plants and their grid connections.
Protection and Testing EngineerSets up relays and tests switchgear, transformers and machines.
Assistant Engineer (State Utility)Runs distribution networks after clearing state electricity board exams.
Top recruiters & sectors
BHELNTPCPower Grid Corporation (PGCIL)MSEB / MAHAGENCO / MSEDCLABBSiemensSchneider ElectricHavellsL&T ElectricalTata PowerAdani Green / Adani Energy SolutionsCoal India
Salary
Freshers from regional colleges typically start at ₹3–6 LPA (approx.) in core electrical firms, contractors and solar EPC companies. PSU entry through GATE pays around ₹10–15 LPA total package (approx.) including allowances. With 5–8 years of experience in design, protection or power electronics, salaries of ₹8–15 LPA (approx.) are common, and higher in EV and semiconductor-related R&D.
College brand, GATE rank, internships and skills like MATLAB/Simulink, PLC/SCADA and PCB design make the biggest difference. Figures vary; check current placement reports.
Scope & higher studies
India is adding solar and wind capacity at record pace, upgrading transmission, and pushing electric vehicles and domestic electronics manufacturing. All of these need engineers who understand both power systems and power electronics, which is exactly what this branch covers. In 2026, demand is strong for engineers in inverters, battery storage, EV chargers and grid integration of renewables.
The main limitation is the rare branch name: few colleges offer it and some employers may not recognise it at first. Because it maps to the Electrical GATE paper and electrical job roles, this rarely matters in practice, but students should compare it with Electrical or EEE seats at better-ranked colleges.
After this course
- M.Tech in Power Electronics and Drives or Power Systems via GATE (EE)
- MS abroad in Electrical/Power Engineering
- MBA in Power Management (e.g. NPTI) or general MBA
- PhD in power electronics, smart grids or energy storage
- Engineering Services Exam (UPSC ESE, Electrical)
EPE FAQs
Is Electronics & Power Engineering the same as Electrical Engineering?
It is very close. It covers the same power systems and machines, with more emphasis on power electronics and drives. Graduates take the Electrical (EE) GATE paper and compete for the same jobs.
Which colleges offer Electronics & Power Engineering?
Only a handful, mostly RTM Nagpur University-affiliated colleges in Nagpur such as J D College of Engineering and Management. Check the current CAP seat matrix, as branch names change.
Can I get PSU jobs after this branch?
Yes. PSUs such as NTPC, PGCIL and BHEL recruit through GATE (EE) and accept electrical-related branches. Always check each notification's list of eligible disciplines.
Is this branch good for electric vehicle careers?
Yes. Motor drives, inverters, battery management and charging all rely on power electronics, a core subject in this course.
Should I choose EPE or ECE?
Choose EPE if you like machines, energy and high-power circuits. Choose ECE if you prefer communication, signals, chips and software-linked electronics.
AISEE - 2027 Online Scholarship Application Available 
