Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 27, 2026

The BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering program is a 3-year undergraduate course designed for diploma holders seeking direct entry into the second year (third semester) of the engineering program. The course has an intake of seats allocated through Karnataka DCET and focuses on comprehensive mechanical engineering knowledge covering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, manufacturing processes, and automation technology. The total fees for the course is 2.7 Lakhs for the 3-year duration. The program is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is highly sought-after due to strong industry demand in manufacturing, automotive, and automation sectors.

Admission for BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering is conducted through Karnataka DCET (Diploma Common Entrance Test). The registration for Karnataka DCET 2026 commenced on March 17, 2026. The exam is scheduled for May 23, 2026. Counselling and seat allotment will follow the exam results, with classes typically commencing in July-August 2026. Admission is open for both government and management quota seats.

Key Points:

Department established in 1958 with 120 UG seats and strong academic legacy
State-of-the-art Centre of Competence in Automation Technology in collaboration with Bosch-Rexroth
Well-equipped laboratories including IC Engines Lab, Fluid Mechanics Lab, and CAD/CAM Lab
Faculty expertise in automation, manufacturing, and thermal engineering with 6 doctorates
42 research scholars pursuing PhD in the department
Trained over 800 students in automation technology since 2013

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
Cutoff
Ranking
FAQs

PDACEK Latest Updates and News

06 Apr, 2026 Karnataka DCET 2026 Exam will be held on May 23, 2026, for admission to Lateral Entry Engineering courses.

PDA BE Lateral ME Fees

The BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering program at PDA College of Engineering offers affordable undergraduate education with a total fee of 2.7 Lakhs for the 3-year duration. The fee structure is designed to be accessible for diploma holders pursuing lateral entry. Based on available information, the annual fee breakdown typically includes tuition fees, building fees, examination fees, and laboratory charges. Hostel fees are optional and charged separately.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total
Tuition Fees	70,000	75,000	75,000	220,000
Building/Development Fees	15,000	15,000	15,000	45,000
Examination Fees	5,000	5,000	5,000	15,000
Laboratory Fees	8,000	8,000	8,000	24,000
Registration/Miscellaneous	2,000	1,500	1,500	5,000
Total Fees	100,000	104,500	104,500	270,000

Fees may vary slightly based on admission category (government quota vs management quota).
SC/ST category students may be eligible for fee concessions.
Hostel fees are optional and charged separately (approximately 90,000 per year).
Merit-cum-means scholarships are available for eligible candidates.
EMI options may be available through bank tie-ups.
All fees are subject to change as per college regulations.

PDA BE Lateral ME Admission 2026

The BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering program admission is conducted through Karnataka DCET (Diploma Common Entrance Test). The admission process is merit-based, and candidates are selected based on their DCET scores followed by counselling. The college conducts counselling rounds to allocate seats to qualified candidates. Admission is open for both government and management quota seats. Lateral entry candidates enter directly into the second year (third semester) of the engineering program.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Karnataka DCET Registration	March 17 - April 15, 2026 (Tentative)
Admit Card Release	May 10, 2026 (Tentative)
Karnataka DCET Exam	May 23, 2026
Result Declaration	June 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Counselling Round 1	June 10 - 20, 2026 (Tentative)
Seat Allotment	June 25, 2026 (Tentative)
Document Verification	July 1 - 10, 2026 (Tentative)
Class Commencement	July 15, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or related field from a recognized polytechnic with minimum 45% marks
Valid Karnataka DCET score
Candidates from other states can also apply through equivalent lateral entry exams

Admission Process:

Register for Karnataka DCET on the official KEA portal
Appear for the entrance examination
Participate in online counselling based on merit
Choose PDA College and Mechanical Engineering specialization as preferred option
Complete document verification and fee payment
Report to college for final registration and direct entry into second year

PDA BE Lateral ME Scholarships 2026

PDA College of Engineering offers multiple scholarship opportunities for BE Lateral students to support their education. The college facilitates government scholarships and merit-based financial aid programs. Scholarships are primarily available to students from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) and based on academic merit.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Amount	Eligibility	Application Deadline
SSP (State Scholarship Portal)	Up to 18,000 per year	SC/ST/OBC students	As per government notification
E-Pass Scholarship	16,000 - 19,000 per year	Eligible students from reserved categories	As per government notification
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	40,000 - 60,000 per year	Students with good academic record and financial need	Within 2 months of admission
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	Variable	Various schemes for different categories	As per NSP guidelines
Minority Student Scholarship	Variable	Minority community students	As per college notification

Scholarship amounts are subject to government policies and may change annually.
SC/ST students are eligible for additional fee concessions as per government norms.
Merit scholarships are awarded based on DCET scores and academic performance.
Students must apply through the National Scholarship Portal or college office within the specified timeline.
Scholarship disbursement is typically done in two installments per academic year.

PDA BE Lateral ME Placement 2026

PDA College of Engineering has a strong placement record with consistent industry engagement. According to official placement statistics, the college placed 399 students across all departments in 2021-22 through 108 recruiting companies. The Mechanical Engineering department has established strong connections with leading manufacturing companies, automotive firms, and automation technology companies. For BE Lateral students specifically, placement opportunities are available in manufacturing companies, automotive industries, automation firms, and consulting organizations.

Placement Statistics

Placement Metric	Details
Overall Placement Rate (All Departments)	60-65%
Average Package (Mechanical Engineering)	3.5-4.5 LPA
Highest Package Offered	7-9 LPA
Top Recruiting Companies	Bosch, Siemens, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, Kirloskar
Sectors	Manufacturing, Automotive, Automation, Consulting
Internship Opportunities	Available during final year

The placement scenario for BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering graduates is promising given the strong demand for mechanical engineers in manufacturing and automation sectors. Students with strong academic records and practical project experience typically secure placements in reputed companies. The college's focus on industry-relevant skills through the Centre of Competence in Automation Technology enhances employability significantly.

PDACEK BE {Lateral} Mechanical Engineering Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#379 out of 500 in India 2025

#67th in Karnataka

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PDA BE Lateral ME FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between regular BE Mechanical Engineering and BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering?

Ans. BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering is a 3-year program for diploma holders who enter directly into the second year (third semester), while regular BE is a 4-year program for 10+2 students. Both programs cover similar mechanical engineering concepts, but lateral entry students complete the program in 3 years instead of 4 years.

Ques. What is the Centre of Competence in Automation Technology at PDA College?

Ans. The Centre of Competence in Automation Technology is a state-of-the-art facility established in collaboration with Bosch-Rexroth (India). It provides training in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, PLC programming, and mechatronics. Over 800 students from engineering colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs have been trained since 2013.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in manufacturing companies, automotive industries, automation firms, consulting organizations, and government agencies. Positions include Design Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Automation Engineer, Project Manager, and Quality Assurance Engineer.

Ques. Can I pursue higher studies after BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering?

Ans. Yes, graduates can pursue M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering specializations or MBA in Production Management. Many graduates also pursue PhD programs in thermal engineering, manufacturing, or automation technology.

Ques. What is the average package offered to BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering graduates?

Ans. The average package for BE Lateral Mechanical Engineering graduates ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 LPA, with some top performers securing packages up to 7-9 LPA. The actual package depends on individual performance, project experience, and market demand in the manufacturing and automation sectors.

Ques. Are there internship opportunities during the BE Lateral program?

Ans. Yes, internships are typically available during the final year of the program. The college has industry connections that facilitate internship placements in manufacturing plants, automotive companies, and automation firms. These internships provide practical experience and often lead to full-time placement offers.