Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The B.Tech (Lateral Entry) in Computer Science and Engineering at the Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad is a full-time programme that allows Diploma holders in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Technology (or relevant disciplines) to directly enter the second year (Semester III) of the B.Tech programme, completing the degree in 3 years instead of 4. The programme is offered under the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which is NBA accredited under Tier-I category and is one of the most sought-after departments at Nirma University. Admissions are entirely governed by the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC), Government of Gujarat, through the Diploma to Degree Common Entrance Test (DDCET). The tuition fee is Rs. 2,75,000 per annum, and the total fee for 3 years is approximately Rs. 8.52 lakh (excluding deposit). CSE at Nirma University has an excellent placement record with a highest package of Rs. 52.25 LPA and 96% placement rate for the 2023-24 batch.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are managed by ACPC Gujarat through DDCET 2026. The DDCET 2026 registration was open from February 9, 2026 to March 30, 2026. Counselling and seat allotment are expected in June-July 2026. Candidates must apply separately to ACPC Gujarat at https://gujacpc.admissions.nic.in/.

Key Points

Lateral entry students join directly in the 2nd year (Semester III) of the B.Tech programme, completing the degree in 3 years.
Admission is entirely through ACPC Gujarat via DDCET; Nirma University does not conduct its own lateral entry admission process.
Students admitted through lateral entry must clear three prerequisite courses prescribed by Nirma University: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II.
The CSE department at Nirma University is NBA accredited under Tier-I category and has a Centre of Excellence in Data Science in collaboration with SUNY Binghamton, New York.
Nirma University is NAAC A+ accredited and has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat.
The B.Tech (Lateral) degree awarded is equivalent to the regular B.Tech degree from Nirma University.
The total B.Tech CSE intake at Nirma is 300 seats (75 ACPC + 180 All India + 45 NRI), making it the largest department.

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ITNU B.Tech CSE (Lateral) Fees

The fee structure for B.Tech (Lateral Entry) at Nirma University is the same as the regular B.Tech programme. Since lateral entry students join in the 2nd year, the total programme duration is 3 years (6 semesters). The tuition fee is Rs. 2,75,000 per annum.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)	Remarks
Tuition Fee	8,25,000	Rs. 2,75,000 per annum x 3 years
Initial Enrollment Fee	1,000	One-time
Examination Fee	21,000	Rs. 7,000 per annum x 3 years
Seminar, Orientation, Welcome Kit	1,200	One-time
Alumni Association Membership Fee	3,500	One-time
Refundable Security Deposit	7,000	Refundable at course completion
Total Fees (excluding deposit)	8,51,700
Total Fees (including deposit)	8,58,700

The refundable security deposit of Rs. 7,000 is returned upon completion of the programme, subject to no dues.
If an eligibility certificate is required, an additional fee of Rs. 1,000 is applicable.
Fees are subject to approval of the Government of Gujarat and may be revised.
Hostel facility is available on campus (optional). Hostel fees range from Rs. 84,000 (non-AC triple sharing) to Rs. 2,59,000 (AC single room) for 10 months, plus mess charges of Rs. 52,500 and laundry charges of Rs. 5,500 per year.

ITNU B.Tech CSE (Lateral) Admission 2026

Admissions to B.Tech (Lateral Entry) CSE at Nirma University are entirely managed by ACPC Gujarat through the DDCET. Nirma University does not conduct its own lateral entry admission process. The DDCET 2026 registration was open from February 9, 2026 to March 30, 2026, and counselling is expected in June-July 2026.

ACPC DDCET 2026 Admission Dates

Event	Date
DDCET 2026 Registration Start	February 9, 2026
DDCET 2026 Registration End	March 30, 2026
Merit List Publication	May/June 2026 (Tentative)
Choice Filling and Locking	June 2026 (Tentative)
Round 1 Seat Allotment	June/July 2026 (Tentative)
Round 2 Seat Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
Round 3 / Vacant Round	July/August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	July/August 2026 (Tentative)

Note: DDCET is the primary process for lateral entry admissions in Gujarat. There is no separate JEE Main or GUJCET requirement for lateral entry.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have passed a Diploma in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a relevant discipline from the Technical Examination Board (TEB), Gujarat, or a recognised Board/University/Institute approved by AICTE and situated in Gujarat State.
Minimum aggregate marks as prescribed by AICTE for lateral entry to the second year of undergraduate engineering programmes (typically 45% for General category; check ACPC norms for current year).
Candidates who could not be admitted in the immediate previous academic year due to late declaration of results may also apply, subject to meeting the minimum marks criteria.

Admission Process:

Register on the ACPC Gujarat portal at https://gujacpc.admissions.nic.in/ (Common Registration for ACPC 2026).
Submit the DDCET application with required documents and pay the registration fee.
Merit list is prepared based on qualifying Diploma examination marks.
Participate in online choice filling and locking on the ACPC portal.
Seat allotment is done in multiple rounds; candidates must confirm admission by paying fees online.
After seat allotment, report to Nirma University with original documents for admission confirmation.
Clear the prerequisite courses (Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, Foundation Mathematics II) as prescribed by Nirma University.

ITNU B.Tech CSE (Lateral) Scholarships 2026

Nirma University offers merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students, applicable to lateral entry B.Tech students as well. Government scholarships for SC/ST/OBC and EWS categories are also available.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility	Remarks
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 1,00,000 per annum (top 5 students)	Top 5 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7 and attendance
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 90,000 per annum (next 20 students)	Next 20 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Nirma Merit Scholarship (UG)	Rs. 50,000 per annum (next 25 students)	Next 25 students by merit	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Nirma Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	Rs. 90,000 per annum	Top 25 students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Renewal based on PPI of 7
Alumni Funded Scholarship (NITAA)	Rs. 30,000 per year	Branch-wise 2 students; PPI of 7.5; no other scholarship	Once a year
Government Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)	As per government norms	As per eligibility criteria	Apply via National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)

Scholarship continuation requires a minimum PPI of 7, satisfactory attendance, and no use of unfair means in examinations.
Lateral entry students are eligible for Nirma University scholarships from the year they join (2nd year onwards).

ITNU B.Tech CSE (Lateral) Placement 2026

The CSE department at Nirma University has one of the strongest placement records among all departments. For the 2023-24 batch, 96% of B.Tech CSE students were placed with a highest package of Rs. 52.25 LPA. Lateral entry students are part of the same placement pool and have access to the same campus recruitment opportunities.

Placement Metrics

Metric	Value (2023-24)
Placement Rate (B.Tech CSE)	96%
Highest Package	Rs. 52.25 LPA
Students Opting for Higher Studies	101

Placement data is for the overall B.Tech CSE batch. Lateral entry students participate in the same placement process.

Institute of Technology, Nirma University Ahmedabad B.Tech {Lateral} Computer Science & Engineering Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#131 out of 500 in India 2025

#1st in Ahmedabad

#6 in Gujarat

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ITNU B.Tech CSE (Lateral) FAQs

Ques. Do lateral entry students get the same B.Tech CSE degree as regular students?

Ans. Yes. Lateral entry students who complete all required courses and prerequisites are awarded the same B.Tech (Computer Science and Engineering) degree from Nirma University as regular students. The degree does not mention "lateral entry" and is equivalent in all respects.

Ques. What are the prerequisite courses that lateral entry students must clear at Nirma University?

Ans. Nirma University requires lateral entry students to clear three prerequisite courses: Computer Programming, Foundation Mathematics I, and Foundation Mathematics II. These are in addition to the regular 2nd year curriculum and must be cleared to progress in the programme.

Ques. Is the competition for CSE lateral entry seats at Nirma University high?

Ans. Yes, CSE is the most popular branch at Nirma University and lateral entry seats are limited (typically up to 10% of the 300-seat intake). Given Nirma's strong CSE placement record, competition for these seats through ACPC DDCET is significant. A strong Diploma percentage is important to secure a seat.

Ques. Can I apply for lateral entry if I completed my Diploma from outside Gujarat?

Ans. The ACPC Gujarat DDCET process is primarily for candidates who have passed their Diploma from institutions in Gujarat State. Candidates from outside Gujarat should check the ACPC eligibility rules carefully, as eligibility for out-of-state diploma holders is subject to ACPC Gujarat's current rules.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for lateral entry admission to Nirma University?

Ans. No separate entrance exam is conducted by Nirma University for lateral entry. Admission is based on the merit of the qualifying Diploma examination marks as evaluated by ACPC Gujarat through the DDCET process.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after B.Tech (CSE) from Nirma University for lateral entry students?

Ans. B.Tech (CSE) graduates from Nirma University are recruited by top IT and technology companies including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Microsoft, and many product-based companies. The highest package in 2023-24 was Rs. 52.25 LPA. Lateral entry students have the same placement opportunities as regular B.Tech students and benefit from Nirma's strong industry connections and placement cell.