M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering (MHSSCOE)

M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering (MHSSCOE) is a study in contrasts. It’s a private, minority institution in the heart of South Mumbai with a 40-year history, offering the undeniable advantage of a central location but wrapped in aging infrastructure. For a student with a moderate MHT-CET score aiming for Computer Engineering or AI, it can be a pragmatic, if not perfect, launchpad into the Mumbai tech scene. But for someone dreaming of a sprawling campus with vibrant hostels and top-tier core engineering placements, the reality here can feel disappointingly cramped. The college’s recent NAAC ‘B’ grade and NBA accreditation for four key programs signal a baseline of academic legitimacy, yet student reviews consistently highlight a rigid administration and a significant gap between the prospects of its IT and core branches. It’s a college you choose for its address and its track record in software, not for its facilities or a relaxed college life.

M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering — Quick Facts

• Location: Byculla, South Mumbai
• Established: 1984
• Affiliation: University of Mumbai (Non-Autonomous)
• Accreditation: NAAC ‘B’ Grade (valid until 2029); NBA accreditation for Computer, Civil, EXTC, and Mechanical Engineering (valid until 2027).
• Flagship Programs: B.E. in Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Annual Tuition (2024-25): ₹1,39,000
• Average Placement Package (2023-24): ₹3.5 - 5 LPA

Courses and Academic Programs at M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering

MHSSCOE runs eight undergraduate B.E. programs under the University of Mumbai’s syllabus and academic calendar. The portfolio clearly leans into market demand. Computer Engineering (120 seats) and the newer AI & Machine Learning program (also 120 seats) are the most popular, both backed by a curriculum focused on software development and systems. Information Technology (60 seats) and the niche IoT & Cyber Security program (60 seats) round out the strong IT cluster, with the latter boasting specialized labs for security protocols and blockchain.

The core engineering offerings—Civil, Mechanical, EXTC, and the newly introduced Mechanical (Automobile) specialization—each have 60 seats. These are the college’s oldest departments, with NBA accreditation lending them credibility. But it’s no secret that student interest and institutional focus are skewed toward the software side. Faculty strength is decent for a private college of this size, with a notable number of PhD holders in departments like Mechanical and IT. The teaching follows the standard University of Mumbai pattern, which can feel bureaucratic to some. You’ll be graded on a 10-point CGPI scale under the Choice Based Credit System.

M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is where the college’s narrative splits sharply by branch. If you’re in Computer Engineering, IT, or AI, the placement story is workable. The college claims a highest package of 12 LPA for an on-campus role in the UAE, though the prospectus hints at off-campus outliers reaching ₹36-39 LPA. The average package for the 2023-24 cohort sat between ₹3.5 and ₹5 LPA, with a median likely around ₹4.2 LPA. For eligible students in CS/IT/AI, placement rates are reported between 70% and 85%. Recruiters are the usual IT services giants: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, LTI Mindtree, Capgemini, and Accenture lead the pack.

For core engineering students, the picture is markedly different. Placement percentages for Civil and Mechanical are often cited between 20% and 40%. Many students in these branches either pursue higher studies or hustle for off-campus opportunities, sometimes transitioning into IT roles. Top core recruiters include Godrej & Boyce, Blue Star, Siemens, and Voltas. The overall sector split is telling: about 80% of placements are in IT/Software, 15% in core engineering, and a sliver in sales or consulting. So, the college’s placement cell is essentially an IT placement cell. If you’re not in that stream, you’re largely on your own—a sentiment echoed loudly in student forums.

Fees and Financial Aid at M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering

The fee structure is straightforward but rising. For the 2024-25 academic year, the annual tuition fee is ₹1,39,000, as approved by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA). The college has proposed an increase to ₹1,57,500 for 2025-26, pending final approval. There’s a significant additional cost to consider: the college has no official on-campus hostel. Students must find private accommodation in Byculla, Mazgaon, or other nearby areas. Private hostels and PGs can cost anywhere from ₹30,000 to a staggering ₹1,00,000 per year, depending on amenities and food. A rough estimate for the total four-year degree, excluding variable living expenses, falls between ₹6.5 and ₹7.5 lakhs.

Financial aid is primarily through government schemes. Eligible students can apply for the Maharashtra EBC/EWS scholarship via the MahaDBT portal, which can provide a 50% fee waiver for families with an income under ₹8 lakhs. As a recognized minority institution, Muslim students can also avail of various state and central government minority scholarships. It’s advisable to check the official college website for detailed application links and deadlines.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission to all B.E. programs is through the Maharashtra state centralized process. The primary entrance exam is the MHT-CET, though JEE Main scores are also accepted for the All India quota seats. The selection is entirely managed by the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) Maharashtra via its CAP rounds.

Cutoffs vary wildly by branch. For the 2024 session, the General category cutoff for the coveted Computer Engineering program was in the 80-83 percentile range for MHT-CET. AI & ML and IT were slightly lower, around 75-78%. For Mechanical and Civil Engineering, cutoffs can be far more flexible, sometimes dipping to the 10-50 percentile range, reflecting lower demand. A key feature of admissions here is the 51% Muslim minority quota, which makes it a significantly more accessible option for eligible candidates with moderate scores. There’s also a 20% Institute Level (Management) quota.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

Let’s be direct: don’t come here for the campus. The urban Byculla location is its greatest infrastructural asset and its greatest compromise. The college building is old, and student complaints about poorly maintained washrooms and a lackluster canteen (rated 2.5/5 for hygiene and variety) are persistent. There is no sports ground to speak of—just a small area for football or cricket and basic indoor facilities. The library, housed in a separate building, is a decent resource with over 30,000 books and digital access to IEEE and ScienceDirect. Wi-Fi is available but reportedly restricted to labs and the library.

Student life revolves around the city, not the campus. The lack of a hostel means there’s no traditional residential community, which can impact bonding and campus vibrancy on regular days. However, the college redeems itself somewhat with its fests. Events like "UnThink" and the inter-collegiate "IIGC" are well-regarded and inject a much-needed dose of cultural energy. The location means internships in South Mumbai or Lower Parel are commutable, which is a huge plus. But daily life is that of a commuter college, with all the hustle that entails in Mumbai.

Student Reviews: What M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering Alumni Really Think

Scouring platforms like Reddit, Quora, and CollegeDunia reveals a consistent, nuanced consensus. The positives are clear: the South Mumbai location is unbeatable for opportunities and convenience. The minority quota is a legitimate gateway for many. Some senior faculty in core departments are praised for their expertise. And the cultural fests get a big thumbs up.

But the negatives are just as consistent and often more passionately voiced. The strict 75% attendance policy, enforced with biometrics in some cases, is a major pain point. The administrative staff is frequently described as unhelpful or arrogant. The aging infrastructure, from the building to the canteen, is a letdown. Most critically, students in Mechanical and Civil feel sidelined, echoing the sentiment that "if you aren't in CS/IT, you are on your own." One Reddit review from early 2025 summed it up: "The college lives on its past glory. While the teaching in the first year is good, the management is rigid and the infrastructure feels like a school from the 90s." That pretty much captures the student experience—pragmatic benefits overshadowed by operational frustrations.

Verdict: Is M H Saboo Siddik College of Engineering Worth It?

It depends entirely on your branch and priorities. For a Muslim student with a 75-80 MHT-CET percentile aiming for Computer Engineering or AI, MHSSCOE presents a solid, location-enabled path into the Mumbai IT industry. The NBA accreditation, the government-approved fees, and the access to a major job market make it a rational choice, especially if you’ve exhausted options at more autonomous or top-tier state colleges.

However, if you’re looking at Civil, Mechanical, or EXTC, you should temper your expectations. The placement support will be minimal, and you’ll be paying a fee that might not feel justified by the campus experience or outcomes. Similarly, if a vibrant, self-contained campus life with modern hostels and facilities is important to you, you’ll likely find MHSSCOE deeply disappointing. It’s a commuter college for pragmatic careerists in specific fields, not a holistic university experience. Choose it for its address and its IT pipeline, not for anything else.