MTech in Transportation Engineering: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Colleges, Jobs & Salary

• Updated on  Jun 21, 2025, by Kirti Mehendiratta

MTech in Transportation Engineering is a postgraduate program of specialization in Civil Engineering that deals with the planning, design, operation, and management of transportation systems like highways, railways, and urban transport. The two-year program lays strong emphasis on both theoretical bases and practical applications in lab work, simulation software, and field projects. Students become experts in topics like pavement design, traffic flow theory, public transportation systems, and intelligent transport technologies, with expertise in tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, VISSIM, MX Road, and GIS for planning and simulation.

 

Graduates of MTech in Transportation Engineering are highly suited to work within the public and private sectors. They may become transportation engineers, urban planners, highway designers, and traffic analysts at leading organizations such as L&T, Tata Projects, NHAI, and IRCON. The initial pay in India is around INR 4–8 LPA, and professionals might also explore opportunities in urban mobility, smart city projects, sustainable infrastructure, and policy consulting. For research and academic students, the course also offers a foundation for a Ph.D. in infrastructure development and transport systems.

 

As urbanization increases and the world shifts towards green and intelligent transport solutions, the demand for trained transportation engineers increases in India and globally. MTech Transportation Engineering is perfect for civil engineering graduates, town planners, or professionals who want to enhance their careers in infrastructure. It combines civil engineering principles with cutting-edge technologies and awareness of policy, making it extremely relevant in addressing contemporary transport challenges in towns and cities.

 

Table of Contents
  1. MTech in Transportation Engineering: Course Details
  2. What is MTech in Transportation Engineering?
  3. Why pursue MTech in Transportation Engineering?
  4. Who should pursue MTech in Transportation Engineering?
  5. MTech in Transportation Engineering Eligibility Criteria:
  6. MTech in Transportation Engineering Entrance Exams
  7. MTech in Transportation Engineering Top Colleges
  8. MTech in Transportation Engineering Syllabus
  9. MTech in Transportation Engineering Admission Process 2025
  10. MTech Transportation Engineering VS Mechanical Engineering
  11. MTech in Transportation Engineering Career & Jobs
  12. MTech in Transportation Engineering FAQs

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering: Course Details

Mentioned below are the course details for MTech Transportation Engineering:

Details

Particulars

Course Name

MTech Transportation Engineering

Course Level

Postgraduate

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Course Type

Full-Time

Eligibility Criteria

Students must have graduated from a recognized university with a clearance of entrance exams.

Top Colleges

IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, Sandip University, Reva University, Galgotias University, Lovely Professional University

Job Profiles

Transportation Designer, Civil Transportation Designer, Transport Economist, Transportation Innovation Analyst, Transportation Researcher, Transportation Planner

Top Recruiters

Larsen & Toubro Limited, Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Tata Projects, Gammon India, Hindustan Construction Company, NCC Limited, IRCON International

Average Salary in India

INR 4-10 LPA

 

What is MTech in Transportation Engineering?

MTech in Transportation Engineering is a postgraduate program that combines the operation, design, planning, and management of transport networks. It is a program of civil engineering with expertise in transportation infrastructure, highway and railway engineering, traffic flow theory, and urban transport planning. The course lasts for two years and incorporates both theoretical learning and practical implementation through laboratory experiments, field work, and project work.

 

The curriculum of MTech Transportation Engineering includes general topics like pavement design, intelligent transport systems, traffic safety, and public transport systems. Students learn to use software packages like AutoCAD, MX Road, VISSIM, and other transport simulation software for designing and analyzing efficient transport networks. Sustainability, environmental performance, and modern technologies like electric mobility and smart cities are also there.

 

M.Tech graduates in Transportation Engineering are eligible to work in government organizations, infrastructure companies, consultant firms, and research organizations. Employment positions are transportation planner, traffic engineer, highway designer, and urban mobility consultant. The course also serves as a good base for potential Ph.D. or academic profession in transportation systems and infrastructure development.

 

Why pursue MTech in Transportation Engineering?

The following are some of the important reasons to opt for MTech in Transportation Engineering:

  • Understanding of transportation systems, traffic engineering, highway design, and urban transport planning.
  • The program provides access to government bodies like NHAI, PWD, private infrastructure firms, consulting firms, and urban planning institutions.
  • With urbanization and the expansion of infrastructure, qualified transportation engineers are in great demand everywhere across the globe.
  • It purchased important software like VISSIM, AutoCAD Civil 3D, MX Road, and GIS for transportation planning and analysis.
  • Develop significant contributions to the creation of sustainable and intelligent transport systems for intelligent cities and green infrastructure.
  • It offers possibilities of advanced research in issues like traffic safety, public transport systems, and electric mobility.
  • Forms a good foundation for Ph.D. or academic careers in civil engineering and transportation.
  • MTech graduates are offered higher packages and may shift to senior technical or managerial roles.
  • Transportation engineering skills are valued worldwide, offering opportunities of international careers.
  • Directly helps in making transportation systems more secure, efficient, and sustainable for use by millions.

 

Who should pursue MTech in Transportation Engineering?

The following are the candidate types best for MTech in Transportation Engineering:

  • Civil Engineering Graduates – Suitable for B.E./B.Tech Civil Engineering students who need to specialize in transport systems and infrastructure.
  • Transportation Planner Aspirants – Candidates interested in creating efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation systems for cities and highways.
  • Urban Development Enthusiasts – Candidates interested in smart cities, urban mobility, and traffic congestion solutions.
  • Research-Focused Individuals – For those who want to make contributions to traffic behavior research, public transport systems, or road safety.
  • Government Job Seekers – Suitable for those who are aiming for jobs in government sector companies such as NHAI, PWD, RITES, or municipal planning departments.
  • Academia & Teaching Aspirants – Those seeking to be based in academics or pursuing a Ph.D. in transportation or civil engineering.
  • Career Professionals in Quest for Career Development – Working professionals within the civil or infrastructure industry who desire to enhance their skills and qualifications.

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility criteria for MTech in Transportation Engineering are similar in the majority of the institutes, with some slight variations depending on the university type like IITs, NITs, state, or private, specialisation, and reservation policy. The broad requirements that must be met by a candidate to get admitted into the best M.Tech programs in Transportation Engineering are as follows:

  • Educational Qualification: The candidate should have a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent (B.E./B.Tech in Civil Engineering) from a recognized university. Some colleges may accept candidates having related engineering disciplines, subject to the course structure.
  • Minimum Marks Requirement: Most of the universities require that candidates should have scored at least 55% to 60% aggregate marks at the undergraduate level of the engineering course. Minimum marks relaxation can be provided to reserved category candidates as per government regulations.
  • Entrance Test (if needed): Admission to MTech Transportation Engineering programmes is usually on the basis of national or university-level entrance tests. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is the most prevalent entrance test for admission to M.Tech programmes. Universities may also conduct their own entrance tests or offer admission on the basis of merit or interviews if GATE is not available.

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Entrance Exams

Mentioned are the entrance exam for MTech Transportation Engineering with their application and exam date:

Exam Name

Application Date

 

(tentative)

Exam Date

 

(tentative)

Application Fee

CUET-PG 2026

Febuary 2026

March 2026

INR 1400 (Gen),

 

INR 1200 (OBC/EWS),

 

INR 1100 (SC/ST/Third Gender),

 

INR 1000 (PwD)

GATE 2026

October 2026

Febuary 2026

INR 900

 

For female/SC/ST/PwD candidates, INR 1800 for all other candidates

Karnataka PGCET 2026 (Karnataka Post Graduate Common Entrance Test)

May 2026

August 2026

INR 650 for General and OBC category candidates and INR 500 for SC/ST

AP PGECET 2026 (Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test)

April 2026

May 2026

INR 1200 for general and OBC,

 

INR 900 for SC/ST

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Top Colleges

Mentioned below is the list of colleges for MTech Transportation Engineering with NIRF ranking and fees:

College Name

Location

NIRF Ranking (Engineering)

Total Fees (approx)

IIT Bombay

Mumbai, Maharashtra

3 (Engineering)

INR 4,00,000

IIT Kharagpur

Kharagpur, West Bengal

5 (Engineering)

INR 64,000

IIT Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Telangana

8 (Engineering)

INR 92,000

Lovely Professional University

Phagwara, Punjab

50

 

(Engineering)

INR 80,000

Sandip University

Nashik, Maharashtra

-

INR 2,60,000

Reva University

Bengaluru, Karnataka

-

INR 1,50,000

Galgotias University

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

-

INR 1,94,000

RIM University

Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab

-

INR 2,10,000

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Syllabus

Mentioned below is the syllabus for MTech in Transportation Engineering at IIT Hyderabad:

Semester

Course Name

Semester 1

Traffic Engineering and ITS

 

Advanced Pavement Materials

 

Traffic Studio Lab

 

Elective I

 

English Communication

Semester 2

Urban Transportation System Planning

 

Analysis and Design of Pavements

 

Pavement Material & Evaluation Lab

 

Elective II

 

Elective III

 

Industrial Seminar

Semester 3

Master’s Thesis

Semester 4

Master’s Thesis

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Admission Process 2025

Every engineering college has a nearly identical admissions procedure. Students interested in engineering programs must take an entrance exam and then proceed to a counselling round before being admitted to MTech Transportation Engineering colleges, which follow a similar procedure. The IIT-Delhi admissions procedure for engineering courses is provided below for your reference.

 

Step 1: Fill out the required information on the official website of GATE. Then show up for the test at the appointed time and date.

 

Step 2: Await the release of the GATE results, and then determine your eligibility.

 

Step 3: Show up for the GATE exam at the appointed time and date. Await the results, and determine if you are qualified after they are released. Every year, the cut-off may change, so it's best to check the official website.

 

Step 4: You must register for the COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) counselling and show up on the designated date. The students will receive a list of colleges and their branches during the counselling session. This selection list is given depending on the rank earned in the GATE exam.

 

Step 5: Decide which branch of IIT you want to enrol in.

 

Step 6: A merit list of the chosen shortlisted students will be made public by IIT Delhi. This is dependent on how many students applied for a given course and how many seats are available in that branch. Priority is given to candidates with higher ranks.

 

Step 7: You will need to come to the college campus for document verification after being selected for further consideration.

 

Step 8: You will be admitted following the verification of the documents. To reserve your spot in the course, you will then need to pay the admission fee.

 

Step 9: You can begin your new academic journey when the new session starts after the college verifies your payment status and issues a final admission letter.

 

Required Documents:

  • 10th and 12th mark sheets
  • Graduation mark sheets
  • ID proofs
  • Transfer certificate
  • Character certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)

 

MTech Transportation Engineering VS Mechanical Engineering

Here is the comparison between MTech in Transportation Engineering and MTech Mechanical Engineering:

Feature

MTech in Transportation Engineering

MTech in Mechanical Engineering

Discipline

Civil Engineering specialization

Core Mechanical Engineering

Core Subjects

Highway design, traffic engineering, pavement design, transportation planning

Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing, robotics

Background Required

B.Tech/B.E. in Civil Engineering

B.Tech/B.E. in Mechanical or related fields

Skills

Urban planning, GIS, traffic simulation, road materials

Design, simulation, CAD/CAM, materials science

Software Tools

MX Road, AutoCAD Civil 3D, VISSIM, TRANSYT

ANSYS, SolidWorks, CATIA, MATLAB

Primary Industries

Infrastructure, transportation planning, and public works

Automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, energy

Job Roles

Transportation planner, highway engineer, traffic analyst

Design engineer, product development engineer, analyst

Research Opportunities

Sustainable transport, smart mobility, and road safety

Advanced materials, robotics, and renewable energy

Future Trends

Smart cities, intelligent transport systems (ITS)

Automation, AI in manufacturing, 3D printing

Abroad Opportunities

Urban transport and infrastructure projects

Automotive and aerospace R&D, robotics

Higher Studies / PhD

Transport modeling, civil infrastructure

Mechanical design, thermal engineering

Average Salary (India)

INR 4–7 LPA (Entry)

INR 5–9 LPA (Entry)

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering Career & Jobs

MTech in Transportation Engineering provides various career opportunities in infrastructure, urban planning, and research. Graduates are provided with various roles:

Job Title

Experience

Top Recruiters

Average Salary (INR)

Transportation Engineer

0–3 years

L&T, Afcons, Tata Projects, AECOM, RITES, IRCON

INR 5 – 8 LPA

Traffic Planner / Traffic Engineer

0–2 years

State Urban Development Bodies, Municipal Corporations, IL&FS, Atkins

INR 4.5 – 7 LPA

Highway Design Engineer

0–3 years

NHAI, WSP, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Egis

INR 6 – 9 LPA

Urban Transport Planner

0–3 years

Urban Local Bodies, DMRC, Metro Rail Projects, Smart City Missions

INR 5 – 8.5 LPA

Pavement Design Engineer

0–2 years

Road Development Authorities, L&T, HCC, Infrastructure Consulting Firms

INR 5 – 7.5 LPA

Research Associate / Scientist

0–2 years

CRRI, CSIR, IITs, NITs, Academic and Government Research Labs

INR 5 – 8 LPA

GIS & Mobility Analyst

0–2 years

ESRI, HERE Technologies, Transport Analytics Startups

INR 4.5 – 7 LPA

Site Engineer – Transport Projects

0–3 years

Simplex, Ashoka Buildcon, NCC, Government Contractors

INR 4 – 6.5 LPA

Transport Policy Consultant

0–3 years

World Bank, ADB, UNDP, NIUA, Think Tanks, NGOs

INR 6 – 10 LPA

Academic / Lecturer

0–2 years

Engineering Colleges, Universities, Research Institutes

INR 4.5 – 6.5 LPA

 

MTech in Transportation Engineering FAQs

What are the career opportunities after doing MTech in Transportation Engineering?

The graduates may work as transportation planners, traffic engineers, public transit planners, infrastructure consultants, or research personnel in government bodies, private consultancies, and research institutions. Career opportunities also lie in urban planning, logistics, highway engineering, and intelligent transport systems.

What are the software and skills important for MTech Transportation Engineering aspirants?

Critical skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and knowledge of transport systems. Proficiency in software like AutoCAD, GIS, SYNCHRO, VISSIM, and transport data analytics software is valued in the industry. Communication and project management skills are also required for collaboration and leadership.

What are some of the practical training in transportation engineering programs?

MTech in Transportation Engineering includes internships, professional projects, lab work, and hands-on application of simulation and design software. Students tend to write a thesis or major project that solves real-life transportation issues, thereby exposing them to prevailing industry practice.

What are the most recent trends in transportation engineering education?

The latest trends highlight sustainable transport concepts, intelligent transportation systems, data analytics integration, and smart mobility solutions. Curricula more and more stress interdisciplinary education, application of contemporary simulation tools, and industry collaboration for practice exposure.

What actual transportation project skills will I gain in MTech in Transportation Engineering?

They are taught to plan, design, and analyze transportation networks, conduct traffic studies, and utilize advanced modeling and GIS technologies. They learn to solve complex engineering problems, manage projects, and provide innovative, environmentally sustainable transport plans for real-world applications.

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