All about MCA Admissions
With the growing demand for IT professionals, the three-year degree course in Master of Computer Applications (MCA) has gained the status of one of the most sought-after programmes among the students. Thus plenty of institutes, offering MCA admission in India, have emerged to fill this requirement in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven generation. However, before pursuing this attractive field, it is important to be well versed with the eligibility requirements, what the course will prepare you for, what are the job opportunities that come with it, etc.
In India, taking into account some of the top institutes, there are more than 560 seats up for MCA admission. Various entrance exams like BITS MCA, MAH MCA CET, NIMCET, TANCET, etc., provide students with the opportunity to pursue this course. The MCA syllabus prepares the students for IT related career openings in the government and private sector.
To start with, let’s find out the eligibility criteria for MCA admission.
Who can apply for MCA?
Does the advancement in latest technology fascinate you? Do you have the zeal to put your aptitude in computer science (specifically, any programming language like C, C++, Java, etc.) and mathematics into practical use? Then further making your knowledge concrete with a course in Master of Computer Applications sounds fit for you. However, only possessing these qualities cannot land you a job in Microsoft! Given below are the MCA eligibility criteria required for you to fuel your dreams of making the most of technology:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
Students who have completed the 3-year degree course in Bachelors of Computer Application (BCA) or any other degree course in science, arts and commerce from a recognized university can apply for MCA. However, such students must have had mathematics as one of the subjects in class XII.
Candidates who have appeared for the third year exams but have their result awaited can also get admission in MCA.
Most institutes open MCA admission for candidates who crack various national or state level entrance exams. For this, candidates must clear the exam as well as pass the interview/ group discussion round, if any.
Some institutes offer MCA admission on the basis of merit so in such a case, candidates need to score the minimum requirement of marks.
For candidates wishing to apply for Master of Computer Applications (MCA) Lateral entry (2 years), they must have graduated with a B.Sc (Computer Science)/ BCA degree or completed any other technical diploma course.
How to apply for MCA?
Candidates can either apply for MCA programme through entrance exams or on the basis of merit in the qualifying exam:
Entrance exam: Various national and state level entrance exams pave the way to MCA admission in some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Most of the time, the written exam is followed by a session of personal interview or group discussion. On the basis of the candidates’ performance on all these rounds, they are offered admission to MCA course.
Direct admission: If a candidate is included in the merit list according to the marks secured by them in the qualifying exam, he/ she can get direct MCA admission. The minimum marks required to be considered for direct admission to MCA course varies for different institutes.
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What will MCA programme cover?
During the entire 3-year (6 semesters) course of MCA, candidates are provided with hours of classroom lectures along with sufficient practical training. The last semester of the course focuses on project work and specialization. Knowing the MCA syllabus will enable candidates to understand the skills and specialization they will hone throughout the course. Check the full MCA syllabus given below:
Master of Computer Applications- Core Subjects
Semester number | Subjects |
Semester 1 | Introduction in IT |
Computer Organisation & Architecture | |
Programming & Data Structure | |
Introduction to Management functions | |
Mathematical foundations | |
IT Lab | |
Programming Lab | |
Semester 2 | Info Systems Analysis Design & Implementations |
Operating Systems | |
Oral and Wireless Communications | |
Accounting and Management Control | |
Probability & Combinatorics | |
Business Programme Lab | |
Unix & Windows Lab | |
Semester 3 | Data Base Management Systems |
Computer Communication Networks | |
Object Oriented Analysis and Design | |
Management Support System | |
Statistical Computing | |
DBMS Lab | |
Statistical Computing Lab | |
Semester 4 | Network Programming |
Software Engg. I | |
Elective I | |
Organizational Behaviour | |
Elective 2 | |
Network Lab | |
CASE Tools Lab | |
Semester 5 | A.I and Applications |
Software Engg. II | |
Elective 3 | |
Elective 4 | |
Optimisation Techniques | |
AI & Application lab | |
Optimisation Techniques Lab | |
Industrial Lectures Seminar, Project | |
Semester 6 | Project |
Seminar |
Master of Computer Applications- Electives
Electives 1 | Electives 2 |
Advanced Database Management Systems | Operational Research |
Numerical and Scientific Computing | Distributed Systems |
Software Project Management | Organizational Behaviour |
Multimedia Technologies | Advanced Computer Architecture |
Mobile Computing | Software Quality Management |
Microprocessors | Digital Signal Processing |
Compiler Design | - |
Top 5 MCA Entrance exams
NIT MCA Common Entrance Test (NIMCET): NIMCET is a national-level, entrance test conducted on a yearly basis, in the fourth week of May, by the NITs for MCA admission. Applicants must have scored at least 60% or 6.5 CGPA in B.Sc./ B.Sc. (Hons)/ BCA/ BIT/ B.E./ B.Tech. from any recognized university. The online MCA application form of this renowned exam usually opens in the first week of March for a month. The non-refundable application fee amounts to Rs. 2200. NITs are hands down the best colleges for MCA aspirants so cracking NIMCET becomes a must!
Pune University MCA: The entrance test of PU CSD (Computer Science department) is popular among MCA aspirants, especially those residing in Maharashtra (as 50% of seats are reserved for them). Any science graduate with mathematics as one of the subjects in class XII is eligible for MCA admission in PU. The online exam for PU CSD is usually held in the third week of March. The application fee of Rs. 800 is non-refundable.
West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam MCA (WB JECA): WB JECA is an entrance exam conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) for which students can start applying from the second week of March tentatively. The application fee of Rs. 500 can be paid online via net banking/ debit card/ credit card. The offline MCA entrance test, expected to be held in the fourth week of June, will assess the students’ knowledge of mathematics and general aptitude.
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test MCA (IPU CET MCA): The score card of IPU CET MCA is your entry ticket to the top 15 MCA colleges in Delhi/ NCR. The MCA eligibility criteria for this offline entrance exam requires graduates to have scored at least 50% overall and studied mathematics and English in class XII. The MCA application fee amounts to Rs. 1000 which can be paid via debit card/ credit card/ e-challan. Candidates can start checking for updates from the month of February as the IPU CET MCA application form is expected to release in the third week of the month.
Maharashtra MCA CET (MAH MCA CET): Organized by DTE- Maharashtra, this state-level, online, entrance exam is conducted in the fourth week of March tentatively. Candidates should be graduates with minimum 50% marks and must have studied mathematics as one of the subjects in class XII or graduation to be eligible for MCA. The application fee of Rs. 1000 is to be paid online
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Top 5 MCA Institutes
National Institute of Technology: The 31 NITs spread over India are the first choice for any MCA aspirant. The best in the lot being the branches located at Tiruchirapalli, Karnataka (Surathkal) and Warangal, most NITs provide their MCA students with an excellent faculty, hi-tech campus, facilities for extra-curricular activities and a happening college life. MCA admission to this prestigious chain of institutes is via NIMCET which will test the candidates’ knowledge of mathematics and basic English, as well as computer awareness, analytical ability and logical reasoning.
Check the MCA fee structure of the 3 most renowned NITs below:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, TIRUCHIRAPALLI
Click here or check NITT institute fees below:
Click here or check NITT hostel fees below:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KARNATAKA
INSTITUTE FEE | ||||||
YEARS | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | |||
SEMESTER | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
TUITION FEE | ₹35000 | ₹35000 | ₹35000 | ₹35000 | ₹35000 | ₹35000 |
OTHER FEES | ₹20340 | ₹6000 | ₹9340 | -- | ₹9340 | -- |
TOTAL YEAR WISE | ₹96,340 | ₹79,340 | ₹79,340 | |||
GRAND TOTAL | ₹2.55 LAKHS | |||||
Hostel Fee (For Hosteler) | |||||||
Admission Fees | 1000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Hostel Rent (including water/electricity charges) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000* | 4000* | 5000 | 5000 | |
4th year Boys- Single room accommodation | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 5000 |
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, WARANGAL
INSTITUTE FEE | |
Particulars | Amount |
Caution Money (One Time, Refundable) | ₹4,000 |
One Time Fees | ₹13,850 |
Tuition Fee (per Semester) | ₹62,500 |
Annual Fees | ₹4,200 |
Total | ₹84,550 |
HOSTEL FEE | |
Particulars | Amount |
Hostel Caution Money (One Time, Refundable) | ₹10,000 |
Hostel Seat Rent (per Year) | ₹4000 (Boys) ₹2000 (Girls) |
Electricity & Water charges (per Year) | ₹4,500 |
Hostel Maintenance Charges (per Year) | ₹5500 (boys) ₹4500 (girls) |
Mess Advance (per Semester) | ₹15,000 |
Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly known as University of Pune): Popular for providing first-class placements, SPPU is an attractive catch for MCA aspirants all over the nation. The university also boasts of a well-maintained library and infrastructure. Students can apply for the PU CSD entrance exam to bag a seat in their MCA programme.
MCA FEE STRUCTURE
Category | Tuition Fees | Laboratory Fees | Other Fees (One time per year) | Registration Fees | Total | |
( in Rs.) | ||||||
For Maharashtra Domicile Candidates | SC/ ST/ DT/ NT | - | - | - | 25 | 25 |
OBC | 7560 | 5040 | 815 | 25 | 13440 | |
GENERAL | 15120 | 10080 | 815 | 25 | 26040 | |
For Outside Maharashtra Candidates | - | 30240 | 10080 | 815 | 25 | 41160 |
For Foreign Nationals | - | 75600 | 10080 | 815 | 25 | 86520 |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU): One of the top ranked universities in India, it is no surprise knowing that MCA admission in this university is sought-after by aplenty. The offline MCA entrance test of JNU, held in the month of December, assesses the examinees on subjects like General Mathematics, Mental Aptitude and Probability. The declaration of MCA results is followed by a counselling process.
MCA FEE STRUCTURE
INSTITUTE FEE | ||
Category | MCA | Part Time |
Tuition Fee (Annual) | 216(Paid in Two Instalments/ Semesters) | 120(Paid in Two Instalments/ Semesters) |
Sports Fee (Annual) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
Literary and Cultural Fee(Annual) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
Students’ Union Fee(Annual) | 15 | 15 |
Library Fee (Annual | 6 | 6 |
Medical Fee (Annual) | 9 | 9 |
Medical Booklet | 12 | 12 |
Students’ Aid Fund (ANNUAL) | 4.5 | – |
Admission Fee | 5 | 5 |
Enrolment Fee | 5 | 5 |
Security Deposit (Refundable) | 40 | 40 |
Identity Card Folder | 10 | 10 |
Students Hostel and General Information Guide | 15 | – |
NSS (National Service Scheme) | 20 | – |
Total | 401.5 | 255 |
HOSTEL FEES | |
Hostel Charges | in Rs. |
Admission Fee | 5 |
Hostel Security(refundable) | 50 |
Mess Security (Refundable) | 750 |
Mess Advance (Adjustable) | 750 |
Newspapers (Annual) | 15 |
Crockery, Utensils etc. | 50 |
Room rent for two semesters (recoverable in two instalments) | |
Single Seated | 240 |
Double Seated | 120 |
For Students on MCM Scholarships | |
Single Seated | 180 |
Double Seated | 90 |
Establishment Charges(recoverable in two instalments of Rs.200 each semester) | Rs.400.00 |
University of Hyderabad (UoH): With an annual intake of 60 students, UoH offers MCA admission to NIMCET qualifiers. The online UoH application form of MCA is expected to release in the first week of May. The schedule of an MCA post-grad in UoH is nothing less than rigorous as candidates are prepared in all the major areas of computer science, relevant aspects of mathematics and management.
Click here or check MCA Fee Structure of UoH below:
Motilal Nehru National Institute Of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad: The campus of MNNIT may not be well-maintained but in other aspects like placements, faculty and college life of MCA students, MNNIT ranks high among its competitors. Candidates must crack NIMCET if they want to grab one of the 93 seats offered by MNNIT for their MCA programme.
Click here or check MCA Fee Structure of MNNIT below:
Scope for an MCA postgraduate
Since the advent of technology, there is no looking back for the IT industry which implies that the demand for qualified and skilled engineers, developers, analysts, designers, etc. is ever-booming. To name a few, companies like Microsoft, BHEL, Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Cognizant, IBM, Dell, HCL, etc. recruit MCAs with attractive packages which, unquestionably, depend on each individual’s expertise on the field.
After acquiring the degree, a plethora of MCA job opportunities will knock on your doors. Some of the MCA career options are listed below:
Software Developer/ Programmer/ Engineer
Troubleshooter
System Analyst
Web Designer and Developer
Starting a new Venture
Software Consultant
Hardware Engineer
Software Application Architect
Technical Writer
Systems Developer/ Engineer
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