Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The B.Tech {Lateral Entry} in Information Technology (IT) at Pillai College of Engineering (PCE), New Panvel, Mumbai, is a 3-year full-time on-campus undergraduate program affiliated with the University of Mumbai and approved by AICTE. Designed for diploma holders and B.Sc. graduates, the program allows direct entry into the second year of the B.Tech program, covering cutting-edge areas such as Artificial Intelligence, IoT and Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Bioinformatics, and Software Engineering. The total fees for the program is Rs. 4.26 Lakhs for the complete 3-year duration, with an annual tuition fee of Rs. 1,27,391. The IT department has a seat intake of 120 for the regular B.Tech (IT) program, with lateral entry seats constituting 20% of the sanctioned intake. The course is highly sought after due to PCE's NAAC A+ accreditation, strong industry tie-ups with companies like Infosys, TCS, Capgemini, and Deloitte, and Navi Mumbai's rapidly growing IT ecosystem.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are upcoming. Based on last year's schedule, the application process for B.Tech Lateral Entry (DSE - Direct Second Year Engineering) typically opens in April and runs through August 2026. Admissions are conducted through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) managed by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Maharashtra, via the MHT CET DSE route. Students should regularly check the official DTE Maharashtra and PCE websites for updated admission notifications.

Key Points

PCE holds NAAC A+ grade and has received NBA accreditation for select UG programs, making it one of the top-ranked private engineering colleges in Navi Mumbai.
The IT department offers department-level specializations in AI and Robotics, IoT and Data Analytics, Information Security and Forensics, and Bioinformatics.
PCE has an MoU with Cyber Secured India and is an IIT Bombay Remote Center (4-star rated), giving IT students access to advanced cybersecurity and AI training.
Active student clubs include GDG PCE (Google Developer Groups), CSI PCE (Computer Society of India), and IEEE PCE, providing students with industry exposure and networking opportunities.
The IT department has state-of-the-art labs including Cloud and Big Data Lab, Advanced Network Lab, AI/Software Testing Lab, and DSP and Image Processing Lab.
Lateral entry students (B.Sc. entrants) are required to clear bridge courses in Engineering Graphics/Drawing and Engineering Mechanics along with second-year subjects.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

PCE B.Tech {Lateral} IT Fees

The total fees for the B.Tech {Lateral} Information Technology program at PCE for the 2026-27 batch is Rs. 4.26 Lakhs for the complete 3-year duration. The annual tuition fee is Rs. 1,27,391, with a one-time caution deposit of Rs. 25,000 (refundable) and a development fee of Rs. 19,109 payable in the first year. Students from reserved categories (OBC, SC/ST, EWS) are eligible for significant fee reductions through government scholarship schemes via the MahaDBT portal. Hostel facility is available at an additional cost of approximately Rs. 1 Lakh per year (not mandatory).

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (INR)	Year 2 (INR)	Year 3 (INR)	Total (INR)
Tuition Fees	1,27,391	1,27,391	1,27,391	3,82,173
Caution Fee (Refundable)	25,000	-	-	25,000
Development Fees	19,109	-	-	19,109
Total Academic Fees	1,71,500	1,27,391	1,27,391	4,26,282
Hostel Fees (Optional)	~1,00,000	~1,00,000	~1,00,000	~3,00,000

Caution Fee of Rs. 25,000 is refundable upon course completion.
Hostel fees are not mandatory; day scholars need not pay hostel charges.
Total Fees (without hostel): Rs. 4,26,282
Total Fees (with hostel): Rs. 7,26,282 (approx.)
OBC students pay approximately Rs. 80,534 per year after MahaDBT scholarship.
SC/ST students pay approximately Rs. 4,000-5,000 per year after government fee reimbursement.
TFWS (Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme) beneficiaries pay approximately Rs. 22,708 per year.
Students can apply for education loans through bank tie-ups available at the college.

PCE B.Tech {Lateral} IT Admission 2026

Admissions to the B.Tech {Lateral} IT program at PCE are conducted through the DTE Maharashtra Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for Direct Second Year Engineering (DSE). Eligible candidates who have completed a Diploma in Engineering/Technology or a B.Sc. degree can apply through the MHT CET DSE route. The admission process is merit-based, and students participate in online CAP rounds for seat allotment. Based on the 2025 schedule, the 2026-27 admission process is expected to follow a similar timeline.

PCE B.Tech Lateral Entry Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date 2026
MHT CET 2026 (PCM) Exam	Apr 11-19, 2026
MHT CET 2026 Result	Jun 16, 2026 (Tentative)
DSE Application / Registration Opens	April 2026 (Tentative)
DSE Application Deadline	August 2026 (Tentative)
CAP Round 1 Registration and Choice Filling	July 2026 (Tentative)
CAP Round 1 Seat Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
CAP Round 2 / Institute-Level Admissions	August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	August 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Key Dates
MHT CET 2026 (PCM)	Registration: Jan 10 - Feb 24, 2026; Exam: Apr 11-19, 2026; Result: Jun 16, 2026 (Tentative)
JEE Main 2026 Session 2	Registration: Feb 1 - Feb 25, 2026; Exam: Apr 2-9, 2026; Result: Apr 20, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Diploma in Engineering and Technology in the relevant branch with at least 45% marks (40% for reserved category candidates from Maharashtra).
OR candidates must have passed a B.Sc. degree from a UGC-recognized university with at least 45% marks (40% for reserved categories) and must have passed HSC (Class 12) with Mathematics as a subject.
OR candidates who have passed D.Voc. in the same or allied sector are also eligible.
A valid score in MHT CET DSE or equivalent state-level lateral entry test is required for CAP-based admissions.

Admission Process

Appear in MHT CET (for regular route) or qualify through Diploma/B.Sc. for DSE lateral entry.
Register on the DTE Maharashtra CAP portal and upload required documents.
Fill in college and course preferences during the choice-filling window.
Participate in online CAP rounds; seat allotment is based on merit and category.
Report to PCE with original documents and pay fees within the stipulated deadline.
B.Sc. entrants must clear bridge courses in Engineering Graphics/Drawing and Engineering Mechanics.

PCE B.Tech {Lateral} IT Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in the B.Tech {Lateral} IT program at PCE can avail of multiple government-funded scholarship schemes through the MahaDBT (Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer) portal. These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden, especially for students from reserved and economically weaker categories. The college actively assists students in applying for these schemes, and scholarships are typically credited after the first semester upon submission of required documents.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship Name	Eligible Category	Benefit
Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme (TFWS)	Open/General (Meritorious)	Tuition fee reduced to ~Rs. 22,708/year
Rajashri Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Scholarship (EBC)	Economically Backward Class (Open Category)	50% tuition fee refund
OBC Scholarship (MahaDBT)	OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	Tuition fee reduced to ~Rs. 80,534/year
SC/ST Fee Reimbursement (MahaDBT)	SC/ST	Full tuition fee reimbursement; pay ~Rs. 4,000-5,000/year
EWS Scholarship	Economically Weaker Section	Fee concession as per government norms
Education Fee Reimbursement (Open Category)	Open Category (Income-based)	Course fee reimbursement; deadline ~Mar 31, 2026

All scholarship applications must be submitted through the official MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in).
Scholarships are applicable from the second semester onwards; students must pay full fees in the first semester and claim reimbursement.
Non-Creamy Layer certificate is mandatory for OBC/DT/VJ/NT/SBC category applicants.
The college does not offer its own institutional merit scholarships; all financial aid is through government schemes.
Students scoring above 65% in their first and last years may be eligible for a 10% fee reduction as per college policy.

PCE B.Tech {Lateral} IT Placement 2026

The Information Technology department at PCE has a strong placement record, with students consistently securing roles at leading IT companies. The placement cell conducts mock interviews, resume workshops, and skill development sessions, and has tie-ups with companies like TCS, Capgemini, Deloitte, Infosys, and Dassault Systemes. Lateral entry IT students, with prior diploma-level technical exposure, are often well-prepared for campus placements and industry roles in software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

Placement Statistics

Placement Metric	Details (IT Department, 2024-25 Batch)
Highest Package	10 LPA (Dhruvang Choudhry at 9GAG, Batch 2025)
Notable Placements	TCS Digital (7 LPA, 4 students); Capgemini (4.25-7 LPA); Arise Infra Solutions (7.75 LPA); Gray Space Digital (6.6 LPA); Sciative Solutions (6 LPA); Dassault Systemes (6 LPA); CitiusTech (5.5 LPA, 3 students)
Top Recruiters	TCS, Capgemini, Deloitte, Infosys, CitiusTech, Dassault Systemes, Sciative Solutions, L&T Infotech, GEP
Overall UG Placement Rate (College)	~66% (NIRF 2025)
Median Package (UG, College-wide)	Rs. 4.4 LPA (NIRF 2025)

PCE B.Tech {Lateral} IT FAQs

Ques. I have a Diploma in Computer Engineering. Am I eligible for lateral entry into B.Tech IT at PCE?

Ans. Yes, diploma holders in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or related branches with at least 45% marks (40% for reserved categories from Maharashtra) are eligible for Direct Second Year Engineering (DSE) admission into B.Tech IT at PCE. Admissions are through the DTE Maharashtra CAP process. You will be admitted directly to the 3rd semester (2nd year) of the B.Tech IT program.

Ques. What is the difference between B.Tech IT (4 years) and B.Tech IT Lateral Entry (3 years) at PCE?

Ans. The regular B.Tech IT is a 4-year program starting from the first year (FE), while the lateral entry program is a 3-year program starting directly from the second year (SE). Lateral entry students skip the first year and join the second year directly. The curriculum from the second year onwards is the same for both. B.Sc. entrants additionally need to clear bridge courses in Engineering Graphics and Engineering Mechanics.

Ques. Does PCE's IT department have any industry tie-ups that benefit lateral entry students?

Ans. Yes. PCE's IT department has MoUs with Cyber Secured India and collaborates with companies like TCS, Capgemini, Deloitte, Infosys, and Dassault Systemes for placements and internships. The college is also an IIT Bombay Remote Center (4-star rated), giving students access to advanced technical courses. Lateral entry students benefit from all these industry collaborations equally.

Ques. What specializations are available in the B.Tech IT program at PCE?

Ans. The IT department at PCE offers department-level specializations in AI and Robotics, IoT and Data Analytics, Information Security and Forensics, and Bioinformatics. Additionally, institute-level specializations are available in areas like Entrepreneurship Development, Business Management, IP Management, and Green Technologies.

Ques. What is the placement scenario for IT graduates from PCE, and can lateral entry students participate?

Ans. IT graduates from PCE have been placed at companies like TCS Digital (7 LPA), Capgemini (up to 7 LPA), Dassault Systemes (6 LPA), and 9GAG (10 LPA, highest in 2025). Lateral entry students are fully eligible to participate in campus placements. The placement cell conducts mock interviews, aptitude tests, and resume workshops to prepare all students, including lateral entry students.

Ques. Can I apply for MahaDBT scholarships as a lateral entry B.Tech IT student at PCE?

Ans. Yes, lateral entry B.Tech IT students are eligible for all MahaDBT government scholarship schemes applicable to engineering students in Maharashtra, including OBC, SC/ST fee reimbursement, EBC (Rajashri Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Scholarship), TFWS, and EWS schemes. Applications must be submitted through the MahaDBT portal. Scholarships are typically processed from the second semester, so students need to pay full fees in the first semester and claim reimbursement thereafter.