Is PEC Chandigarh Better Than Thapar in 2025?
Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Chandigarh stands out as a top-tier government engineering institute, recognized across India for its competitive admissions and stellar placement records. As a public institution, PEC is especially popular among engineering aspirants due to its NIRF rankings, robust campus facilities, and impressive cutoffs. If you’re considering engineering in 2025, understanding PEC Chandigarh’s latest cutoff trends, eligibility, and admission process is crucial for making an informed choice.
University Highlights – 2025
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Government Engineering Institute |
| Location | Chandigarh, India |
| Courses Offered | BTech, MTech |
| Entrance Exams Accepted | JEE Main (BTech), GATE (MTech) |
Ranking Highlights – 2025
| Ranking Body | Year | Category | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | 2024 | Engineering (India) | Top 30 |
PEC Chandigarh vs Top Nearby Engineering Colleges
| College | Type | Top Branch 2024 Cutoff (Gen, Home State) | Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEC Chandigarh | Government | BTech CSE: 4292–18912 | 91% (2024) |
| Thapar (TIET), Patiala | Private | BTech CSE: Data Not Available | 90% (2024) |
| NIT Kurukshetra | Government | BTech CSE: Data Not Available | Unknown |
| Chandigarh University | Private | BTech CSE: Data Not Available | 90% (2024) |
2025 PEC Chandigarh Course-Wise JEE Main Cutoff (Expected)
The PEC Chandigarh cutoff for BTech and BE courses is decided through JEE Main scores, with separate opening and closing ranks for each branch and category. The table below presents the last available (2024) cutoffs for General (Home State) category, which helps predict trends for 2025 admissions:
| Course | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| BE Computer Science and Engineering | 4292 | 18912 |
| BE Computer Science Engineering (Artificial Intelligence) | 14703 | 19710 |
| BE Computer Science Engineering (Data Science) | 21890 | 24362 |
| BE Electronics and Communication Engineering | 29501 | 33587 |
| BE Electrical Engineering | 37158 | 49421 |
| BE Mechanical Engineering | 58088 | 69546 |
| BE Civil Engineering | 74929 | 134671 |
| BE Aerospace Engineering | 50387 | 74333 |
*Note: Cutoffs vary every year and across rounds. For reserved and outside home state categories, ranks will differ. For branch and category-wise cutoffs, refer to official JoSAA/PEC notifications.
Admissions Process and Eligibility at PEC, Chandigarh (2025)
- BTech and BE admission is through JEE Main score, followed by JoSAA counselling.
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 with minimum 75% marks or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
- Seat allocation is strictly via the JoSAA rounds; lock PEC Chandigarh as preference for higher chance of allotment.
- For MTech, GATE is mandatory, and cutoff scores vary by specialization and category.
- PEC reserves seats for various categories: OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and Home/Outside State quotas.
GATE Cutoff Trends for PEC MTech Admission 2024
| Program | Min GATE Score | Max GATE Score |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Engineering | 443 | 773 |
| Electronics (VLSI Design) | 355 | 504 |
| Structural Engineering | 351 | 535 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 399 | 399 |
PEC Chandigarh Placement Overview
PEC’s placement rate remains consistently high, especially for branches like Computer Science and Electronics. Top companies participate in campus drives, offering lucrative packages to students. The CSE average package is among the best for government engineering institutes in the region.
Why Choose PEC Chandigarh for Engineering in 2025?
- Government status ensures credibility, recognition, and subsidies on fees.
- Modern campus infrastructure including labs, sports facilities, and clean hostels.
- Regularly ranked in India’s top 30 for engineering.
- Strong alumni network and highly competitive student ecosystem.
Students seeking top engineering programs can also compare Thapar University Patiala cutoff and evaluate Chandigarh University courses for holistic decision-making. Those targeting NITs can check detailed data at NIT Rourkela Cutoff. For a broader perspective, explore the list of government engineering colleges in India curated by Vedantu experts.
With its transparent admission process, merit-based cutoffs, and excellent placement records, PEC Chandigarh remains a preferred engineering destination in North India for 2025. Stay updated with Vedantu for the latest cutoff announcements, JoSAA counselling guidance, and more.
FAQs on Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Chandigarh Cutoff 2025: Eligibility & JEE Main Percentile
1. Is PEC better than Thapar?
Both Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Chandigarh and Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology are among the top engineering colleges in North India. PEC Chandigarh is a government institution known for its legacy, central location, and affordable fee structure. In contrast, Thapar is a private university with modern infrastructure and more interdisciplinary courses. PEC generally has an edge for placements, especially in core branches like CSE, ECE, and Mechanical, while Thapar offers a larger variety of branches. The choice depends on your branch preference, budget, and campus culture.
2. At what percentile will I get PEC in Chandigarh?
Admission to PEC Chandigarh is based on JEE Main percentile. For popular branches like Computer Science Engineering, the cutoff percentile usually ranges from 98.5 and above for the General category. For branches like Mechanical or Civil, it can go down to around 95 percentile or lower, depending on the category and home state quota. For OBC, SC, ST, and other reserved categories, the cutoff percentiles are comparatively lower.
3. Does PEC Chandigarh have 75 percent criteria?
Yes, PEC Chandigarh follows the 75% marks in Class 12 or top 20 percentile eligibility criteria set by JEE Main / JoSAA for admissions. For the 2024 session, students must either score at least 75% marks in their 12th board exams (65% for SC/ST), or be in the top 20 percentile in their respective boards.
4. Does PEC Chandigarh accept JEE Mains?
Yes, PEC Chandigarh admits students to its B.Tech programs based on JEE Main scores via the JoSAA/CSAB counselling process. No separate entrance exam is required for undergraduate admissions. Only JEE Main rank and related eligibility (including board marks) are considered.
5. What was the Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh cut off in 2024?
The cut-off for PEC Chandigarh in 2024 (Round 1, General category, Home State quota) for CSE closed around 98.6 percentile (AIR ~8300), while for Electronics & Communication Engineering it was around 97.5 percentile. Other branches like Mechanical and Civil had lower cutoffs (95th percentile or below). Please check the official JoSAA website for branch-wise, category-wise latest cut-off updates.
6. What was the PEC Chandigarh cut off in 2023?
The 2023 PEC Chandigarh JEE Main cutoff for CSE (General, Home State quota) closed at approximately 98.45 percentile. ECE cutoff ranged around 97.2 percentile and Mechanical at roughly 94.5 percentile. These numbers fluctuate each year, so refer to official JoSAA/CSAB cutoffs for precise details.
7. What is Punjab Engineering College's acceptance rate?
PEC Chandigarh is highly competitive, with an estimated acceptance rate of approximately 2-3% for its top B.Tech branches. Admission is solely based on JEE Main ranks, and the actual acceptance rate varies by branch, category, and year.
8. What is the PEC Chandigarh cutoff percentile for OBC category?
The PEC Chandigarh OBC cutoff percentile in recent years for CSE typically falls in the 96–97 percentile range, slightly lower than General category. For non-core branches, cutoffs may be as low as 90–92 percentile. Cutoffs vary by year, branch, and whether you fall under Home State or All India quota.
9. What are the recent cutoff trends for PEC Chandigarh (2021–2024)?
From 2021 to 2024, the JEE Main cutoff percentile for premium branches (like CSE and ECE) at PEC Chandigarh remained above 97 percentile for General, Home State quota. Cutoffs for Mechanical, Civil, and Production saw minor variations, typically ranging from 91–95 percentile. Category-wise and All India cutoffs are lower. Always check the official site for the latest round-wise information.
10. What are the PEC Chandigarh placements for CSE and other branches?
PEC Chandigarh has a strong placement record, especially for CSE and ECE branches. In 2023, the average package for CSE crossed INR 24 LPA, with the highest offers exceeding INR 64 LPA. Core branches like Mechanical and Civil had average packages between INR 8–13 LPA. Top recruiters include Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Tata Motors, and PwC.
11. How can I check Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh cutoff for this year?
To view the latest cutoff for PEC Chandigarh:
- Visit the official JoSAA or CSAB counselling website
- Select the year and round you're interested in
- Filter by institute, branch, category, and quota
The cutoff is published after each counselling round and reflects closing JEE Main ranks accepted for every branch and category.
12. Does PEC Chandigarh accept outside Chandigarh/All India students?
Yes, PEC Chandigarh admits students under both Home State and All India quota, so candidates from anywhere in India can apply. All India seats are filled solely based on JEE Main ranks, following the category-wise reservation rules set by the institute and central government.
