Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology (PIET)

Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology (PIET) in Nagpur is a private college that’s been around since 1999, and it’s a name you’ll hear a lot in the Vidarbha region. Affiliated with Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, it’s an AICTE-approved institution that the state government has given an ‘A’ grade. That’s a decent stamp of approval for a private college. But the story gets a bit more layered when you talk to students. Some see it as a reliable launchpad into IT careers, especially from its flagship Computer Science program. Others, particularly in older online reviews, have been far less kind, calling it a business-first operation. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere in the middle. With fees hovering around a lakh per year and a median package just over 4 LPA, it represents a specific, pragmatic tier of engineering education in Central India—one where outcomes are heavily dependent on the branch you choose and the effort you put in.

Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology — Quick Facts

• Location: Priyadarshini Campus, Digdoh Hills, Hingna Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• Established: 1999
• Affiliation: Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU)
• Approval & Grade: Approved by AICTE. Conferred "A" grade by the Government of Maharashtra.
• Flagship Program: B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (240 seats)
• Typical Annual B.Tech Fee: ₹1,00,893 - ₹1,13,000
• Median UG Package (2021-22): ₹4.3 LPA (as per NIRF 2023 data)
• Nearest Airport: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG), ~7 km away.

Courses and Academic Programs at Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology

PIET offers a standard suite of engineering programs dictated by its affiliating university, RTM Nagpur University. That means the curriculum isn’t unique to the institute, but execution matters. The college has a total of 11 undergraduate B.Tech/BE programs with an intake of 1020 students. The Computer Science and Engineering department is the giant, taking in 240 students per batch. Civil Engineering follows with 120 seats. Other branches like AI, IT, Mechanical, Electrical, and the various Electronics streams have 60 seats each.

At the postgraduate level, it offers M.Tech and MCA programs. The M.Tech intake numbers listed in the brief (like 18 seats for CSE) are specifically for its sister institution, Priyadarshini College of Engineering (PCE), and are often conflated. It’s a point of confusion worth noting. PIET itself does offer these degrees, but confirming the exact seat matrix for each specialization requires checking the official website or the DTE Maharashtra portal during admissions.

Where PIET gets consistent, positive remarks from students is in its practical approach. The labs are repeatedly mentioned as a strength—well-equipped computer labs, a notably large chemical lab, and good facilities for hands-on sessions. The faculty profile is described as qualified, with most teachers holding PhDs or being enrolled in them. An older internal report claimed 80% have sound teaching experience. The academic culture is what you’d expect from a university-affiliated college: structured, with a focus on covering the syllabus. Some student reviews, however, wished for more beyond the syllabus, criticizing the “little low exposure to improve personality n skills.”

Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is where you need to separate the brochure from the ground chatter. The official data, as reported to NIRF for 2021-22, shows a median package of ₹4.3 LPA for its four-year UG programs. The college claims an average package in the ₹4-5 LPA range and a placement rate of 70-80%, with 399 UG students placed that year. The highest package touted is ₹13 LPA.

The recruiter list is impressive on paper: IBM, HCL, Amazon, TCS, Infosys, Persistent, Cognizant, Wipro, Capgemini, and Tech Mahindra, among others. The Indian Army also recruits from here. For internships, some students have landed roles like UI/UX designer or backend developer with stipends of ₹30,000-₹40,000 for six months.

Now, the student review reality check. There’s a clear consensus that placements are heavily skewed. If you’re in Computer Science, Information Technology, Biotechnology, or Computer Technology, your chances are decent. You’ll likely see IT service companies visiting in numbers. But for core branches like Civil or Mechanical Engineering? The story is different. Reviews consistently mention very few companies, lower packages (sometimes ₹3-4 LPA), and a struggle for on-campus opportunities. The gap between the official “70-80%” figure and the lived experience of core branch students is the critical nuance. It’s not that the data is false; it’s that it’s an average that masks significant branch-wise variation.

So, the verdict on placements? For IT-centric branches, PIET functions as a reliable feeder to mass recruiters. The median salary of ₹4.3 LPA is a realistic benchmark for what an average student can expect. For core engineering, you should be prepared to hustle much more on your own.

Fees and Financial Aid at Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology

The annual tuition fee for a B.Tech at PIET is between ₹1,00,893 and ₹1,13,000. Over four years, you’re looking at a total cost of roughly ₹5 lakhs, plus exam fees (around ₹4,000 per semester) and hostel charges if you opt for one.

Where PIET scores a significant positive is in its scholarship ecosystem. It’s not just a few tokens; there’s a structured array of options:

• Government Scholarships: For Maharashtra students, there’s a 100% fee waiver for SC/ST categories and a 50% waiver for GEN/OBC/Others via the MAHADBT portal.
• Merit-Based: The institute itself offers 20-50% tuition fee waivers based on entrance exam performance.
• Need-Based: Financial hardship can qualify you for up to a 75% fee waiver.
• Sports/Alumni Scholarships: These can cover 10-30% of fees.

This robust support system is frequently praised by students and makes the college accessible to a wider economic range. The hostel fee is described as “nominal,” though specific figures aren’t readily available in the public domain.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Getting into PIET’s B.Tech programs is a straightforward, centralized process. You need a valid score in either JEE Main or MHT-CET. Academically, you must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one of Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical subjects, with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories from Maharashtra).

Selection happens entirely through the DTE Maharashtra Centralized Admission Process (CAP). You register, fill your choices, and get allotted a seat based on your merit rank (which is derived from your entrance score). The cutoffs vary wildly by branch. Using MHT CET 2020 percentiles as a historical guide (more recent data should be checked on the DTE website):

• Computer Science & Engineering: ~65.88
• Information Technology: ~53.63
• Mechanical Engineering: ~38.73
• Electrical Engineering: ~9.24

Notice the huge spread? Electronics & Communication had a cutoff as low as 5.63, highlighting the demand disparity between branches. After CAP allotment, you complete the admission with document verification and fee payment at the institute.

For M.Tech, a valid GATE score is required, possibly followed by an institute-level interview. Management quota seats are also available for those who qualify but might not have made the CAP cutoff.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The campus is spread over 12 acres in the Digdoh Hills area, with individual buildings for different departments. The infrastructure gets generally good marks: the buildings are solid, the library is big and well-stocked, and the labs are a highlight. There’s a large ground for sports. Reports on Wi-Fi are conflicting—some say it’s fast and available, one review flatly said it wasn’t present. That’s a detail to verify on a campus visit.

Hostel life is a mixed bag. The college has separate hostels for boys and girls with a total capacity of 212. Many students say the hostels are good and the mess food is quality. But a contrasting review painted a grim picture: water scarcity at night, insects, and a lack of a proper canteen, concluding it was “not worth living there.” Older reviews also called the canteen food “ordinary and unhygienic.” It seems conditions may vary or have improved unevenly.

Socially, the campus is active. Fests like Udan, Saptrang, and the TechFest break the academic routine and are well-regarded. The overall atmosphere is described as positive, with students finding opportunities to engage and enjoy their time. The administration is described in one review as “more than okay,” which in student-speak is a mild endorsement.

Student Reviews: What Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology Alumni Really Think

Synthesizing the chatter from CollegeDunia, Shiksha, and other forums reveals a clear split, often along branch lines.

The Positives: Students in CSE/IT often feel they got what they paid for. They praise the good infrastructure, the qualified and helpful faculty, and the fact that placements do happen for their branch. The availability of scholarships is a huge plus, making education affordable. The campus life and fests get a thumbs up.

The Negatives: The criticism is sharp and focused. The fee is seen as high for what’s delivered, especially if you’re not in a top-placing branch. Some older reviews are brutally dismissive of the college’s quality. The placement reality for core branches is the biggest pain point—frustration over few companies and low packages is common. Hostel complaints, while not universal, are severe when they appear. There’s also a sense that beyond the classroom, there isn’t much extra support or exposure for holistic development.

In short, PIET isn’t a college that inspires uniform passion. It’s viewed pragmatically. For some, it’s a satisfactory stepping stone. For others, it’s a disappointment. Your experience will almost certainly depend on your department.

Verdict: Is Priyadarshini Institute of Engineering and Technology Worth It?

PIET Nagpur is a college of clear trade-offs. It’s not a top-tier institute with stellar rankings or groundbreaking research. It’s a functional, private engineering college that serves a specific purpose in the educational ecosystem of Central India.

It’s worth serious consideration if: You are a student from the region looking for a decently-equipped, AICTE-approved college with a strong chance of IT sector placement, provided you get into Computer Science, IT, or related branches. The extensive scholarship network is a major advantage if you qualify, making it a financially viable option. If your MHT-CET/JEE score lands you in a coveted branch here, it can be a sensible choice.

You should probably look elsewhere if: Your heart is set on core engineering fields like Civil or Mechanical and you want strong, on-campus recruitment in those sectors. The data and reviews suggest you’ll be fighting an uphill battle. If you’re seeking a highly vibrant, resource-rich campus life with cutting-edge infrastructure and a globally recognized brand name, PIET isn’t that.

Ultimately, PIET is a practical choice for a particular student profile. Manage your expectations, choose your branch wisely, leverage the scholarships, and be prepared to supplement your education with outside projects and skills. Do that, and it can serve as an adequate launchpad for an engineering career.