India’s aviation industry is growing and that growth is creating opportunities for people with the right technical skills. Government estimates suggest that the country’s aviation sector supports more than 7.7 million jobs. With new investments in aviation infrastructure, defence & space technology, the need for trained aerospace engineers is most likely to increase as well.

If you are someone who is interested in physics, mathematics & the idea of working with aircraft, aerospace engineering can be the career path for you. This field integrates aircraft design, propulsion, satellites, defence systems and space missions. Furthermore, India’s growing involvement in aircraft development and its expanding private space sector is also opening up new areas for engineers to explore.

So, what does it take to become an aerospace engineer after 12th? This guide covers the eligibility requirements, entrance exams, skills you’ll need, career options, salary prospects and future scope of aerospace engineering.

A Closer Look at Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a discipline of engineering that specialises in the design, development & testing, along with manufacturing and maintenance of aeroplanes, spacecraft, satellites, rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The discipline is largely divided into two key specialisations-

• Aeronautical Engineering focuses on aeroplanes that operate in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Astronautical engineering focuses on ships, satellites, launch vehicles and space exploration technology.

Altogether, aerospace engineers combine principles of physics, mathematics, computer science, electronics and mechanical engineering to solve complex engineering challenges.

8 Steps That Take You From Class 12th to Aerospace Engineering

If you are interested in space exploration, rockets, satellites or aeroplanes, studying aerospace engineering after Class 12th can be your first step towards a career you wish for. However, being an aircraft engineer isn’t just about obtaining a degree. To thrive in this highly specialised sector, you must have a solid academic basis, technical skills, hands-on experience, along with the commitment to constantly learn new things.

Here’s a detailed roadmap for you to follow to become an aerospace engineer-

Step 1- Complete Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

To pursue aerospace engineering, you’ll generally need to complete Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognised board.

These subjects prepare you for the concepts you’ll encounter later in the degree-

• Physics- Mechanics, motion and thermodynamics
• Mathematics- Calculus, algebra and vectors
• Chemistry- Materials, fuels and composites

The Class 12th percentage usually varies by college, but many institutions generally keep it at 50-70% aggregate marks. So, always check the eligibility criteria of the college you are applying to.

Step 2- Prepare for Engineering Entrance Exams

Admission to aerospace engineering programmes often depends on engineering entrance exams that test your Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics skills. Some of the most common entrance exams include-

Entrance Exam	Accepted By
JEE Main	NITs, IIITs and many private universities
JEE Advanced	Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
State Engineering Entrance Exams	State government engineering colleges
University Entrance Exams	Private universities offering B.Tech. programmes

Secure admission to a top institution by following these steps-

• Follow a study plan
• Solve previous years’ papers
• Take mock tests
• Work on weak concepts
• Improve speed and accuracy

Step 3- Choose the Right Aerospace Engineering College

Picking a college is about more than just getting admission. The faculty, labs, industry exposure, as well as learning opportunities can make a real difference to your experience and career options.

Before making a choice, look at-

• Accreditation and academic reputation
• Faculty experience
• Aerospace labs and simulation facilities
• Industry tie-ups and internship opportunities
• Placement record
• Research and innovation opportunities
• Student clubs focused on robotics, drones or aerospace

Step 4- Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

After getting admission, the next step is to get a degree in B.Tech. or B.E. in Aerospace Engineering. It is usually a four-year programme that covers both classroom learning + practical work.

Some of the subjects you may study include-

• Engineering Mathematics and Physics
• Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
• Aircraft Structures
• Flight Mechanics
• Propulsion Systems and Avionics
• Aerospace Materials
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Aircraft and Spacecraft Design

Also Read: Top Aerospace Engineering Courses: Where the Sky is Just the Beginning

Step 5- Develop Technical Skills Alongside Your Degree

Aerospace engineering integrates a lot of practical work with design software, simulations as well as engineering tools. Learning these tools during your degree can help you apply what you study in real-world projects effectively.

Some useful skills to develop are-

• CAD Software (CATIA, SolidWorks) for designing aircraft parts and systems
• MATLAB & Simulink for modelling, simulations and control systems
• ANSYS for analysing structures, airflow and thermal performance
• CFD for studying airflow around aircraft and spacecraft
• Python & C++ for simulations, automation and data analysis
• Data Analysis & Simulation for testing and improving aerospace designs

Step 6- Gain Practical Experience Via Internships and Projects

What you learn in class becomes much more useful the moment you get a chance to work on actual projects. Try to gain practical experience through-

• Summer internships with aerospace companies
• Research projects with faculty
• Industrial training programmes
• Drone or aircraft design projects
• Robotics and aerospace clubs
• Aircraft modelling competitions
• Engineering competitions
• Final-year projects

Step 7- Build a Strong Professional Portfolio

A good portfolio gives recruiters a quick look at what you can actually do, beyond your academic scores. Include projects and experiences that reflect your technical skills, such as-

• CAD design projects
• Research papers or publications
• Internship experience
• Engineering certifications
• Programming projects
• Competition achievements
• Drone or robotics projects
• Technical presentations

Step 8- Pursue Higher Education or Start Your Career

After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can either begin working or pursue higher studies to specialise in a particular area of aerospace engineering. Popular postgraduate options include-

• M.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering
• M.Tech. in Aeronautical Engineering
• MS in Aerospace Engineering
• MBA in Aviation Management

Before You Apply- Aerospace Engineering Eligibility

Before applying for an aerospace engineering programme, the most important thing to understand is the eligibility requirements. While criteria are generally dynamic and vary by institution, most colleges still follow a few common academic and admission standards-

Criteria	Requirement
Educational Qualification	Class 12th from a recognised board
Mandatory Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Minimum Marks	Usually 50-75% aggregate
Entrance Exam	JEE Main, JEE Advanced, state or university entrance exam

Skills That Can Help You Succeed in Aerospace Engineering

Success in the aerospace engineering field requires an equal balance of technical expertise as well as professional skills. Here are the key skills every aspiring aerospace engineer should develop-

Technical Skills

• Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Aircraft and spacecraft design
• Propulsion systems
• Aerospace materials
• CAD software – CATIA, SolidWorks
• Simulation tools like ANSYS, MATLAB
• Programming – Python, C++
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Data analysis and system modeling

Soft Skills

• Critical thinking and analytical ability
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Communication and teamwork
• Creativity and innovation
• Attention to detail
• Project and time management
• Adaptability and continuous learning

Aircraft, Satellites or Defence? Careers You Can Build in Aerospace

Graduates can work across aviation, defence, research, manufacturing and space technology sectors. Popular job roles include-

Job Role	Primary Responsibility
Aerospace Engineer	Design aircraft and spacecraft systems
Aircraft Design Engineer	Develop aircraft structures
Propulsion Engineer	Design aircraft and rocket engines
Flight Test Engineer	Test aircraft performance
Avionics Engineer	Work on aircraft electronics
Systems Engineer	Integrate aerospace systems
Satellite Engineer	Develop satellite technologies
Spacecraft Engineer	Design space vehicles
UAV Engineer	Build drones and autonomous aircraft
Research Scientist	Aerospace innovation and R&D

Who Are the Top Recruiters for Aerospace Engineers in India?

Many leading government organisations, defence agencies, aviation companies, as well as private aerospace firms hire aerospace engineers for diverse engineering and research roles. A few of them are mentioned below-

• ISRO
• DRDO
• HAL
• NAL
• Boeing
• Airbus
• Rolls-Royce
• GE Aerospace
• Tata Advanced Systems
• Mahindra Aerospace
• Larsen & Toubro
• Hindustan Aeronautics
• Collins Aerospace

How Much Does an Aerospace Engineer Earn in India?

Professionals working in an international aerospace company or research organisation may earn significantly higher pay. The salary nevertheless depends on your skills, the organisation you work for, years of experience and highest qualification.

Experience Level	Average Annual Salary
Freshers	₹4-9 LPA
Mid-Level Professionals	₹14-22 LPA
Experienced Engineers	₹20-40+ LPA

Salary figures are approximate and based on data available on Naukri.

What is the Future Scope of Aerospace Engineering in India?

In India, the growing focus on indigenous aerospace manufacturing as well as private participation is expected to create thousands of new engineering opportunities in the upcoming years for engineers. The future of aerospace engineering looks highly promising due to this rapid technological advancement and increasing investment in aviation & space exploration. Emerging growth areas include-

• Space Missions
• Satellite Manufacturing
• Defence Technology
• Commercial Aviation
• Drone Technology
• Urban Air Mobility
• Artificial Intelligence in Aviation
• Sustainable Aircraft
• Electric Aircraft
• Space Tourism

Step Into Aviation and Space with Mahindra University’s B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering

Want to develop the skills and experience needed to build a career in aerospace? Mahindra University’s B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering gives students a strong grounding in engineering along with opportunities to learn through projects, labs and industry-oriented work. The programme prepares students for careers across aviation, defence, space technology and research.

Key Highlights of the Programme-

• Aerospace-focused curriculum- Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Flight Dynamics, Aerospace Structures, CFD, Aircraft Design and Space Vehicle Design.
• Practical learning through engineering labs, aeromodelling workshops, design sessions, along with active hands-on projects.
• Research opportunities with faculty working across aerospace engineering and applied research.
• Industry-relevant learning aligned with developments in aerospace, defence, future mobility and space technology.
• Year-wise projects for helping students build technical, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.

Explore Mahindra University’s B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering and take the next step towards a career in aviation, defence, space and aerospace research. Apply Now!

Synopsis

If you are interested in the concepts behind aviation, space exploration and advanced technology, you will find aerospace engineering to be an intriguing career path. With the correct academic basis, technical skills, hands-on experience & consistent learning, you may build a fulfilling career in one of the world’s most inventive engineering professions.

Whether your aim is creating a next-gen aircraft or contributing to India’s space missions by working for global aerospace businesses- it all starts with selecting the right college. By staying updated with industry trends & obtaining relevant hands-on experience, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in this dynamic field.