CET Thiruvananthapuram: Admission 2025, Courses, Fees

About CET Thiruvananthapuram

The College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), also known as CET Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the most prestigious government engineering institutions in Kerala and is celebrated for its academic rigor, highly qualified faculty, and industry connectivity. Established in 1939 by the visionary ruler Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, CET is the state’s oldest engineering college and is located in the Sreekaryam area of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Establishment and History

CET began its journey on July 3rd, 1939, under the reign of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma—who is credited as its founder—with an initial intake of 21 students for degree programs in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering. The first principal was Maj. T.H. Mathewman, supported by faculty like Vastuvidya Kushala Sri, Balakrishna Rao, and Prof. D.L. Deshpande. The institution was initially associated with Travancore University before coming under the University of Kerala and, since 2015, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).

Location and Campus

The CET campus spans approximately 125 acres of lush greenery at Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram, about 12 km from the airport and 11 km from the railway station—making it highly accessible. The exact address is:
College of Engineering Trivandrum, Engineering College P.O., Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695016.

Affiliations, Approvals, and Accreditations

• Affiliation: CET is affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).

• Approvals: The college is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

• NAAC/NBA: Major undergraduate and select postgraduate programs are accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), a wing of AICTE, giving CET preferential funding and recognition for international education and placements.

• NIRF Rankings: In the NIRF 2021 rankings, CET ranked 11th in architecture and 95th in engineering categories among Indian institutions.

Vision and Mission

• Vision: "National Level Excellence and International Visibility in Every facet of Engineering Education".

• Mission:

  • Facilitate quality transformative education in engineering and management.

  • Foster innovation in technology to address global challenges.

  • Pursue and propagate quality research.

Founder Details

The founding of the college is attributed to Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore, who set the initial vision for technical education in the state.

Academic Excellence

CET offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including:

• B.Tech (including Evening and Lateral Entry modes)

• M.Tech, B.Arch, M.Arch, M.Plan

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)

• MCA (Master of Computer Applications)

• Doctoral and research programs across various engineering and technological fields.

Admission is competitive, based on prestigious entrance exams like KEAM, JEE Main, GATE, NATA, CAT, CMAT, and KMAT.

Academic Structure

CET is divided into eight engineering departments and offers over 50 regular and 19 postgraduate courses. Current student strength is around 3,500 and includes a robust faculty of nearly 300 members.

Accreditations and Rankings

Many undergraduate engineering programs, such as Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical & Electronics, ECE, AEI, and Computer Science, are NBA-accredited until 2025. Several M.Tech programs like Machine Design, Power System, Signal Processing, and Structural Engineering are accredited till 2027.

Infrastructure Overview

CET boasts a modern, green campus with:

• Smart Classrooms with electronic boards, projectors, and sound systems.

• Extensive Laboratories for disciplines like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, High Voltage, Geotechnical, Structural, Computer Science, and more.

• Hostels: 250 rooms for boys (500 beds) and 140 rooms for girls (400 beds), both with sporting facilities, fitness centers, and reading rooms.

• Library: In-house and departmental, with advanced computing facilities.

• Central Computing Facility and Dedicated Software Engineering Centre.

• Sports and Recreation: Outdoor stadiums, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and a central cafeteria.

• Other Facilities: Wi-Fi campus, gym, bank, post office, convenience stores, medical and transport facilities.

Placements, Industry Collaboration, and Student Life

CET has a dedicated Placement Unit and Industry Institute Partnership Cell, organizing recruitment drives with leading companies every year, with top packages reaching as high as INR 33 LPA in recent years. The college regularly hosts technical fests, workshops, hackathons, and cultural and sports events, bringing a rich mix of academic and extracurricular exposure.

Scholarships and Student Support

CET provides several scholarships—including the prestigious GEMS Scholarship for B.Tech students—along with fee waivers and financial assistance for meritorious and disadvantaged students.

Table: CET Trivandrum Highlights

Why CET, Trivandrum Stands Out

• CET offers a blend of tradition and innovation, with a legacy dating back over 85 years.

• The institution is dedicated to academic excellence, research, and holistic student development in engineering, architecture, and management.

• Students here get the advantage of strong job placements, advanced infrastructure, and a distinguished alumni network spread globally.

• Its vision centers on achieving national and international excellence—making CET Trivandrum a trusted choice for future engineers and managers.

If pursuing a government engineering degree with strong academics, good industry links, and vibrant student life is the goal, CET Trivandrum is one of the most reliable and rewarding institutes in India today