Ahmedabad: For thousands of diploma engineering students in Gujarat, a diploma is no longer the finish line. More are choosing to stay in classrooms instead of heading straight into the job market. Data from the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) shows admissions from diploma to degree (D2D) engineering courses climbed from 17,246 in 2024 to 20,890 in 2026 — a rise of 21% in just three years.The trend is not limited to admissions alone. Performance in the D2D entrance exam has also improved significantly. The number of students scoring between 175 and 200 marks surged from just 13 in 2024 to 203 in 2026, indicating a sharp increase in high-performing candidates. Students who complete diploma engineering programmes are eligible for direct admission to the third semester of degree engineering courses through the D2D admission process.“The entrance exam helps address variations in evaluation standards across polytechnic institutes and also removes disparities between different diploma disciplines. Students now have access to nearly 42,000 to 46,000 engineering degree seats through the D2D route,” said an educationist. This year, experts estimate that nearly 46,000 engineering seats could eventually be filled by diploma students through lateral-entry admissions.
What educators say
Educationists attribute the rise to expanding engineering opportunities, increased awareness among students and greater flexibility in choosing academic disciplines after completing a diploma. “Earlier, many diploma students entered the workforce immediately after completing their course. Today, a degree has become increasingly important for career growth, higher salaries and better opportunities. As a result, more students are choosing to continue their education,” said an education expert associated with the admission process.One of the biggest factors driving the trend is the flexibility now available in selecting disciplines. Students are no longer restricted to pursuing a degree in the same branch as their diploma. “A student with a diploma in mechanical engineering can now move into computer science or other emerging fields, depending on eligibility and seat availability. This flexibility has made degree education more attractive,” said an academician.Gujarat currently has three grant-in-aid engineering colleges, 16 govt engineering colleges and 119 self-financed institutions, together offering around 46,500 seats.While welcoming the growing interest in degree education, experts stressed the need to strengthen diploma education as well. They called for improved curriculum design, better quality control and stronger academic alignment between diploma and degree programmes to ensure students transition smoothly into higher studies.
