Chemical Engineer
Turns raw materials into useful products, designing and running the plants and machinery that do it.
Overview
Chemical Engineers apply the principles of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Math to solve problems that involve changing raw materials into useful products. A Chemical Engineer is responsible for the design, manufacture, and operation of plants and machinery in various industries.
Where they work
- Industrial plants
- Refineries
- Petrochemical companies across India
Work environment
Companies usually work for 6 days a week and 8/9 hours everyday. This may vary from company to company. They might work in shifts.
Opportunities for differently abled exist in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You enjoy Science and Maths
- You like to do experiments
- You like to analyze problems/situations
- You like working with numbers
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete your class 10 + 2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics).
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (B.Tech/BE) in Chemical Engineering
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree and follow it up with Master's (M.Tech) in Chemical Engineering.
Forms, exams and applications
For admissions, you must qualify entrance examination conducted at national level (JEE Main, JEE Advanced etc.) or state level (WBJEE, AP EAMCET etc.) or institute level (VET, IP etc.). Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Chemical Engineering. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal
- Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
- Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan
- Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Thapar University, Patiala, Punjab
- Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Manipal University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Sathyabama University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Assistant Engineer
- 2Chemical Engineer
- 3Senior Chemical Engineer
- 4Process Engineer
- 5Production Manager
Related careers to explore
Process Engineer
Designs, implements and optimises industrial processes across manufacturing industries.
Petroleum Engineer
Designs methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth's surface.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science, Maths.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Krishna Deo Prasad Nigam — An Indian Chemical Engineer and also the first Chemical Engineer from India to get the prestigious Humboldt Research Award. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Kanpur, Prof. Nigam became very actively involved in the research activities for energy conservation and development of cleaner and greener technology for environmental safety. He is now associated with the New York Academy of Sciences.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 467 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Chemical_Engineer/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Two problems on the printed card: IIT Kharagpur is placed in Maharashtra (it is in West Bengal, corrected here), and the entrance-exam panel also lists agriculture entrance tests (CCSHAU, Assam Agricultural University VET, Rajasthan JET, AGRICET) that do not lead to chemical engineering — those are omitted here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.