Punjab College of Engineering and Technology (PCET) in Mohali is a private institution that’s been around since 2002, affiliated with I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University. It sits on a 35-acre campus that’s more countryside than city, a fact that shapes the entire student experience. The college pitches itself as a practical, hands-on engineering school, especially with its 24/7 open workshop. But the story from students is more complicated. They’ll praise the supportive faculty and peaceful, green campus in one breath, and then detail serious frustrations with placements and administration in the next. It’s a college of clear trade-offs, where the low tuition fee is a major draw, but the return on that investment depends heavily on what you, the student, make of it.

Punjab College of Engineering and Technology — Quick Facts

• Location: Village Malakpur, Lalru Mandi, Mohali, Punjab. About 5 km off the Ambala-Chandigarh Highway.
• Established: 2002
• Affiliation: I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU), Jalandhar
• Accreditation & Approval: Approved by AICTE, New Delhi. Not an autonomous institute.
• Flagship Programs: B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), Mechanical Engineering, and the newer specializations in Cyber Security and AI & Data Science.
• Approx. Annual B.Tech Tuition (2025-26): ₹89,500
• Placement Snapshot (Student-Reported): Average package cited around 2.4 LPA, with highest reported up to 6 LPA. Placement rates are a point of significant contention.

Courses and Academic Programs at Punjab College of Engineering and Technology

PCET offers a standard set of engineering programs under the IKGPTU curriculum. The B.Tech portfolio covers the core disciplines—Civil, Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Electrical, and Mechanical. In recent years, they’ve added programs in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, and Network Engineering, which is a clear attempt to align with market trends. There’s also an M.Tech in ECE and CAD/CAM, and a UG Diploma.

The academic structure is semester-based. The faculty count is around 103, with the college stating most hold doctorate or M.Tech degrees. Student reviews consistently highlight that the teaching staff is supportive and approachable, which is a significant positive. However, there are also mentions that some M.Tech students take classes, and a few teachers might lack deep subject knowledge. That’s not uncommon in newer private colleges, but it’s a gap students notice.

Where PCET tries to differentiate is practical exposure. The 24/7 open workshop is a standout feature, allowing students to tinker and build projects on their own time. There’s also a skill development program run in collaboration with HCL Technologies on campus. But here’s the catch: the college does not arrange internships. Instead, final-year students undergo a six-month workshop training. For fields like CSE, that’s a notable disadvantage compared to peers who land summer internships at tech companies.

Punjab College of Engineering and Technology Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is the section where official claims and ground reality diverge most sharply. The college’s official stance is a “satisfactory placement record.” Their recruiter list is impressively long, featuring names like Infosys, IBM, Accenture, Amazon, Deloitte, L&T, Wipro, and TCS. It’s a list that suggests robust corporate connections.

Student reviews, however, paint a less rosy picture. They are the essential reality check. An older review from 2015 mentioned placement rates of 40-50% with an average package of 2.4 LPA and a high of 6 LPA. A more recent review from 2021 was stark, claiming only about 10% of that batch secured jobs through campus placements. The consensus across feedback is that placements are inconsistent and often poor, especially for core branches like Civil and Mechanical, which rely more on local companies. For CSE and IT, the big-name visits are more frequent, but the number of offers is limited.

The takeaway? You can’t bank on the placement cell here. The recruiter names on the brochure might visit for a pool campus or hire a handful. Most students who land good jobs do so through off-campus drives and their own preparation. The college provides a platform—a list of companies that engage with IKGPTU-affiliated colleges—but the onus to convert that into an offer is overwhelmingly on the student.

Fees and Financial Aid at Punjab College of Engineering and Technology

The fee structure is arguably PCET’s most competitive advantage. For the 2025-26 academic year, the annual tuition for B.Tech is approximately ₹89,500. Over four years, that totals about ₹3.66 lakhs. Lateral entry for a three-year B.Tech is around ₹2.77 lakhs. M.Tech fees are approximately ₹1.6 lakhs for two years. You can view the official details on the college website.

Hostel and mess fees are extra, roughly ₹40,000 per semester. So, a rough total cost for a B.Tech degree with hostel comes to around ₹6.86 lakhs. That’s significantly lower than many private engineering colleges in North India.

To make it even more accessible, PCET offers a range of scholarships. The most notable is a 50% tuition scholarship for all girl students in B.Tech under the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme. There’s a 15% fee waiver for siblings studying concurrently at the institute. They also list PGC, MHRD, PTU, and PMS scholarships, and offer assistance with education loans. For diploma students, there are substantial scholarships based on JEE ranks. It’s worth noting a student review mentioned that many scholarships are from the university or state government, not the college itself—so the application process might be external.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admissions for B.Tech are primarily through JEE Main scores. For M.Tech, a valid GATE score is required. For the UG Diploma, admissions are based on CBSE or PSEB 12th marks. The college hasn’t published specific JEE Main cutoff ranks for PCET Mohali, which typically indicates the cutoffs are not exceedingly high and often align with the IKGPTU counseling thresholds.

The selection process follows a standard pattern: apply online (the application window for 2025-26 opened on October 29, 2025), get shortlisted based on entrance scores, and then attend a counseling session which may include a group discussion or personal interview. Final admission requires document verification and fee payment.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The 35-acre campus is repeatedly described as spacious, lush green, and peaceful. It’s not crowded. The infrastructure includes well-equipped labs for Mechanical and CS/IT, a library with a reading hall for 50, and a fully Wi-Fi enabled campus with a fibre optic network—though some students grumble about not getting full access to the Wi-Fi.

The hostels are a mixed bag. There are separate facilities for boys and girls on campus. Reviews say they can be “a little messy at times” and “not great.” The biggest complaint, almost universal, is about the food. Students report limited curry options, strict serving limits, and generally small quantities. If hostel life and food are high priorities for you, this is a serious consideration.

Social life is quiet. There’s a fresher’s party and an annual sports week, but students note a lack of major fests or cultural events. The campus location—near a village, away from the city—means you’re not popping out to cafes or malls easily. Shuttle bus services are provided. There’s a canteen, gym, ATMs, and a medical centre on site. It’s a self-contained, somewhat isolated campus.

Student Reviews: What Punjab College of Engineering and Technology Alumni Really Think

Synthesizing student sentiment from various sources gives you the real picture. The positives are consistent: good, kind, and supportive faculty; a peaceful and green campus environment; and decent infrastructure for the core engineering specializations. The 24/7 workshop is a genuine plus for the hands-on learner.

The negatives are equally consistent and more severe. Placement anxiety tops the list, with deep skepticism about official numbers. Administrative behavior is described as “very rude,” with complaints about overcharging for extra fees and problems with security deposit refunds. Hostel food quality is a daily grievance. Some mention strict 75% attendance rules and poor marking in internal exams. There’s a feeling that sports and extracurriculars aren’t a priority for the management.

It creates a clear dichotomy. The academic environment, fostered by the teaching staff, can be positive. The institutional and administrative experience, which affects daily life and future prospects, is where the major frustrations lie.

Verdict: Is Punjab College of Engineering and Technology Worth It?

PCET Mohali is a budget-friendly option with significant caveats. It’s worth serious consideration if you have a modest JEE Main rank, a tight budget, and you’re looking for a low-cost engineering degree from an AICTE-approved college. The supportive faculty and practical workshop facilities are genuine assets for a self-motivated student who learns by doing.

However, you should absolutely not come here banking on campus placements. Treat the degree as a foundational credential you’ll have to aggressively supplement with external certifications, online courses, and off-campus job hunting. If you need a vibrant campus social life, excellent hostel conditions, or a strong, hand-holding placement cell, you will likely be disappointed.

In short, PCET is a classic “you get what you pay for” scenario. The low fee is real. The education is adequate. The responsibility for building a career out of it rests almost entirely with you. For a certain pragmatic, financially-conscious student willing to put in the extra work, it can be a viable path. For others, the frustrations may outweigh the savings.