Why Engineers Are Flocking to IAS/IPS: A Wake-Up Call for India’s Education System

A growing number of engineering graduates in India are opting for government jobs over technical careers, raising questions about whether premier engineering institutes are being used as unofficial UPSC coaching centers. Critics argue this trend may be wasting talent and public resources while altering the diversity of civil services.

Engineers Dominate Civil Services

The numbers speak for themselves. Each year, roughly 55–65% of new civil service officers come from engineering backgrounds. Since 2013, engineers have consistently occupied the top ranks in UPSC exams, with seven or eight out of the top ten positions year after year. Between 2017 and 2021, over 2,700 out of approximately 4,300 successful candidates were engineers. The yearly breakdown is:

• 2017: 699 engineers

• 2018: 509 engineers

• 2019: 582 engineers

• 2020: 541 engineers

• 2021: 452 engineers

Medical graduates are increasingly following this path as well.

IITs: Breeding Grounds for Bureaucrats

The trend is particularly visible in India’s premier engineering institutes. IIT Delhi’s Alumni Impact Report 2026 notes that 270 of its graduates have become IAS officers, with another 100 in services such as IPS, IRS, and IFS. IIT Kanpur has earned a reputation as a “UPSC factory,” producing around 600 bureaucrats. Across IITs and other top engineering colleges, these numbers continue to rise.

Concerns About Resource Allocation

Critics question the societal payoff. Training a single IIT student costs the government around ₹20 lakh (₹5.2 lakh per year, as of 2016). When graduates pivot to civil services, the return on this investment in research and innovation is unclear. Moreover, the influx of engineers into bureaucracy limits opportunities for humanities and social sciences graduates, reducing diversity in the civil services.

Why Engineers Choose Government Jobs

The job market for engineers is challenging, with oversupply, low pay, and limited stability in the private sector. Government positions offer security, steady income, and societal prestige. While engineers bring valuable technical expertise to bureaucratic roles—benefiting tech projects and digital policy—the shift leaves gaps in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Impact on Students and Policy

Aspiring engineers who narrowly miss IIT admissions often see their seats occupied by future bureaucrats. Non-engineering candidates aiming for civil services also face higher competition. With India’s growing emphasis on technology, experts suggest it may be time to rethink this trend. Engineering education should primarily drive innovation and research, rather than merely serve as a stepping stone to government service.