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Growing preference for employability, industry integration, global
exposure and future-ready careers reflects changing higher education
aspirations across India
Faridabad: India’s
higher education landscape is witnessing a significant shift as students
increasingly prioritise employability, industry relevance and future-ready
skills over conventional degree choices. Emerging disciplines such as
Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, Psychology and
interdisciplinary programmes are witnessing strong growth in demand during the
ongoing admissions cycle at Manav Rachna Educational Institutions.
Participation trends emerging
from MRNAT 2026, conducted across more than 30 centres nationwide, indicate
growing student preference towards career-oriented and industry-integrated
academic pathways. Students from North, East, West, Central, South and North-East
India, including Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Guwahati, Ranchi, Siliguri,
Imphal, Aizawl, Dimapur, Darbhanga and Vijayawada, actively participated in the
admission process, reflecting rising awareness around emerging careers,
technology-led education and evolving academic pathways.
Among the programmes witnessing
the highest traction this year are B.Tech Computer Science Engineering with AI
& ML, Generative AI in collaboration with Google Cloud, Data Science with
Microsoft, Cyber Security & Threat Intelligence, Robotics & Artificial
Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Cloud Computing. Strong student interest
has also emerged in Psychology and Clinical Psychology, Design programmes, BBA
in Data Analytics & AI, FinTech, Business Analytics, Electric Vehicle
Technology, Food Science & Technology, Nutrition & Dietetics and
entrepreneurship-linked programmes.
The growing momentum around these
disciplines reflects how students are increasingly aligning academic decisions
with evolving job markets, technological disruption and global industry
transformation. Areas such as AI, semiconductor technologies, automation,
digital business and mental health studies are emerging as some of the most
aspirational career domains among young learners today.
Commenting on the changing higher
education landscape and student aspirations, Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav Rachna Educational
Institutions, said, “Students today are
making education choices with far greater clarity and awareness. They are
looking at employability, global exposure, innovation, entrepreneurship and the
ability to build meaningful careers. This shift places a larger responsibility
on universities to create academic ecosystems that connect classroom learning
with industry needs, emerging technologies and real-world problem solving.”
Industry collaborations with organisations including Microsoft,
Google Cloud, HCL GUVI, CDAC, Xebia, Deloitte, Cisco, Intel, L&T EduTech, Quick
Heal, Mitsubishi Electric and Truechip are also contributing to growing
student interest towards programmes that combine classroom learning with
certifications, live projects, emerging technologies and industry engagement.
Another notable trend observed
this year is the visible rise in female participation across STEM and
interdisciplinary domains. Programmes related to AI, Data Science,
Biotechnology, healthcare-tech, Psychology and Design-Tech are witnessing
increasing interest from female students, reflecting broader national momentum
towards innovation-driven and technology-enabled careers.
Highlighting the changing nature
of academic learning and student preparedness, Dr. Sanjay Srivastava,
Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies
(MRIIRS), said, “The future of education will be shaped by how effectively
institutions integrate interdisciplinary learning, research orientation,
experiential pedagogy and problem-solving into the student journey. Learners
today are seeking academic environments that encourage innovation,
collaboration, critical thinking and real-world application. Universities
therefore need to continuously evolve learning ecosystems to prepare students
for rapidly changing technological and societal realities.”
Students and parents are also
increasingly evaluating institutions on factors such as placements, industry
exposure, global academic pathways, certifications, internships and return on
investment, rather than relying solely on traditional reputation markers. This
reflects a larger transformation in student aspirations, where career outcomes,
flexibility and real-world learning are becoming central to higher education
choices.
As part of this effort to support
students make more informed higher education decisions, Manav Rachna is
organising the Admissions Expo 2026 on May 23, Saturday at the campus, where
students and parents can explore programmes, career pathways, scholarships,
psychometric profiling and global opportunities.
Commenting on changing student
and parent expectations during the admissions cycle, Prof. (Dr.) Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna
University, said, “Students today are
spending far more time understanding courses, specialisations and career
pathways before making admission decisions. Parents are equally evaluating
factors such as internships, industry exposure, global opportunities,
flexibility and long-term career growth while selecting institutions. This
reflects a much more aware and research-driven approach towards higher
education choices across the country.”
Manav Rachna’s collaborations
with international institutions including KEDGE Business School, Monash
University, HTMi Switzerland and NABA Italy continue to strengthen globally
aligned academic pathways for students. Institutional strengths including QS World University Rankings 2026 recognition, NAAC A++
accreditation, presence in the NIRF Top 100 Universities list for two
consecutive years, growing industry participation in campus hiring across
sectors and a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship through 110+
supported ventures continue to support its industry-aligned academic ecosystem.