Update on 15 Dec, 2022
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The Full form of the MCA is Master of Computer Application. It is a 2 Year postgraduate program that imparts in-depth knowledge of various aspects of computer applications such as computer programs, application software, computer architecture, operating systems, and many more. To pursue this MCA course, the candidate might have to appear in state or university-level entrance exams.
The MCA Course Duration is a 3 Years Master's (postgraduate) degree course in the field of Computer Science and Computer Applications. This course is specially designed for students who want to get an in-depth knowledge of software and computer application development by using contemporary programming languages.
An MCA Degree from UGC and AICTE-approved colleges can be a smart educational investment for students who are looking forward to getting a job at a higher position in an IT company.
The main objective of this program is to provide practical as well as theoretical knowledge of software and application development to create smart and skilled IT Professionals.
The most Popular MCA Entrance exams are MAH CET, NIMCET, UPSEE, BHU PET, IPU CET, and CG Pre-MCA, these are the state-level and university-level entrance examinations that are conducted to shortlist the students for the MCA Course.
The Average Course fees of an MCA Course program vary from Rs30,000 to Rs 1.7 Lacs depending on the education standard and type of MCA College. Any Candidate who has completed their graduation in any stream can pursue an MCA degree.
A Master of Computer Application can be an apt course choice for an individual who aspires to pursue a career in the IT sector. The IT sector is currently booming and the demand for skilled professionals is also rising in this industry, holding an MCA degree with adequate programming skills and knowledge can make you qualified to work in the IT sector.
Course Name | MCA |
MCA Course Duration | 3 Years |
MCA Full Form | Master of Computer Application |
MCA Specializations | Systems Management Management Information Systems (MIS) Systems Development Systems Engineering Networking Internet Application Software Software Development Troubleshooting Hardware Technology |
MCA Entrance Exams | JNU Entrance, NIMCET, IPU CET, CUCET, VITMEE, MCA-TANCET, BITSAT, MAH MCA CET |
MCA Eligibility Criteria | BCA Course or any other Bachelor’s course along with Mathematics in 10+2 |
Lateral Entry in MCA | Yes |
BCA+MCA Integrated Courses | Yes |
MCA Course Admission Process | Merit-Based or Entrance-based |
MCA Course Fees | Rs 1 L.P.A to 5 L.P.A |
Career Options After MCA | Software Developer Hardware Engineer Database Engineer Cloud Architect Data Scientist Business Analyst Technical Writer Web Designer/Developer IT Architect Software Consultant Manual Tester Troubleshooter Network Engineer Ethical Hacker Quality Assurance Analyst Project Manager |
We are mentioning below the MCA Course eligibility criteria which are needed to be fulfilled by every candidate who wants to pursue a Master of Computer Application Course.
Following are the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) eligibility criteria to be fulfilled:
Please remember that the minimum percentage required to fulfill the eligibility criteria of the degree program may vary from college to college.
In some colleges such as Delhi University, the minimum percentage required to fulfill the eligibility criteria is 60% in Graduation.
The admissions to this degree program are either based on the merit scored in the qualifying examinations or the university or state-level entrance examinations.
Different colleges have different admission criteria, but usually, most well-known colleges grant admissions based on university or state-level entrance scores.
You need to follow the following steps for the college that accepts entrance exam scores:
MCA Entrance Exam | Conducting Body |
AIMCET (All India MCA Common Entrance Test) | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee |
JECA (Joint Entrance for Masters of Computer Applications) | West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) |
MAHA MCA CET (Maharashtra Masters of Computer Applications Common Entrance Test) | Maharashtra State CET Cell |
IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test) | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi |
NIMCET (NIT MCA Common Entrance Test) | National Institute of Technology, Karnataka |
VIT MEE (Vellore Institute of Technology Masters Entrance Examination) | Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore |
UPSEE (Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination) | Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Uttar Pradesh |
There are various admission procedures followed by the colleges/universities to offer admissions to an MCA 2-Year Course.
The three admission processes for this course are mentioned below:
MCA Admission through National level Entrance Exam (NIMCET):
NIMCET (NIT MCA Common Entrance Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Raipur. Candidates can fill out the NIMCET application form by visiting the official website i.e https://www.nimcet.in/
To get admission into the colleges such as NITs, University of Hyderabad, JIMS Rohini, and Harcourt Butler Technical University, the candidate has to qualify NIMCET entrance exam followed by the national level counseling conducted by the NIT Raipur.
The candidate has to fill in the choice of his/her college during the counseling session and after that, the seat allotment is done by the conducting body.
NIMCET Counselling (Choice Filling) - After qualifying for the NIMCET entrance exam, the candidate will have to appear in the NIMCET Counselling round where he/she will be asked to select the colleges of his/her preference from the list of participating colleges.
NIMCET Seat Allotment - After the Choice filling, the seats will be allotted to the candidates based on the marks scored by them in the NIMCET examination.
After the seat allotment, the candidates need to download the seat allotment letter and report to the allotted institute to confirm admission.
Many universities/colleges across India accept state-level entrance examinations MCA, AP ICET, OJEE, UPCET, IPU CET, etc to get admission to the Master of Computer Application course.
To get admission into such colleges, the candidate has to apply for a particular state-level entrance exam.
After getting a valid score in the state-level entrance exams, the candidate will have to appear in the counseling round conducted by the respective exam conducting authority.
Many colleges offer Direct Admissions into this 2-year course, no valid score in any entrance exam is required in these colleges.
To take direct admission to MCA Program offered by such colleges, the candidates need to visit the official website of the desired college and check the eligibility criteria required by the college for admission.
If you are eligible as per college/university's norms then register yourself with the website and fill out the application form.
There are various specializations offered under an MCA, candidates can choose among these specializations:
MCA in Data Science: The demand for Data Science professionals is increasing at a rapid pace, A Data Scientist is a professional who analyzes a bulk of structured and unstructured data.
A data Scientist’s skills come into great use by organizations for collecting, managing, and analyzing the consumers’ data for business growth.
Data Science is the most promising specialization in the field of Information Technology. The annual MCA Course Salary Salary package of an entry-level Data scientist starts from Rs 3 L.P.A to Rs 5 L.P.A
MCA in Cloud Computing: It is an emerging market that is still being explored. The IT industry is now running towards using the internet to get access to computing resources, computing power, and data storage as it is more secure, lesser in cost, easily accessible, and more efficient than traditional storage resources and all of these factors are the reasons why one should pursue this professional master degree course in the cloud computing specialization.
MCA in Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is building and developing smart machines that can efficiently perform tasks that usually need human intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence is the present and future of almost every industrial sector, there is no doubt that A career in AI holds a vast scope.
There are tremendous career opportunities in this field which is why an MCA Course in Artificial Intelligence Course is also one of the best course choices for any tech-savvy candidate.
MCA in Full Stack Development: Full Stack Development refers to the web development of both front-end (client-side) servers and back-end servers.
An MCA course program in full-stack development impairs you with the knowledge of developing avant-garde applications such as Zomato, Swiggy BookMyShow, etc.
Due to digitalization, businesses have shifted to online platforms, increasing the demand for full-stack developers. So, yes an MCA degree in full-stack development can be considered a good option.
For your reference, we have listed the Most Popular and Top MCA Colleges in India:
Course Name | MCA Entrance Exams Name |
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | JNU Entrance |
University of Hyderabad, Telangana | NIMCET |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi | IPU CET |
Christ University, Bengaluru | CUCET |
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore | VITMEE |
Motilal Nehru Institute of Technology, Allahabad | NIMCET |
Anna University, Chennai | MCA-TANCET |
Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi | BITSAT |
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune | MAH MCA CET |
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli | NIMCET |
Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, Ranchi | BIT MCA |
Jadavpur University, Kolkata | WB JECA |
JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida | UPSEE |
ABES Engineering College, Ghaziabad | UPSEE |
National Institute of Technology, Calicut | NIMCET |
JC Bose University of Science & Technology, YMCA | Merit-based |
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini | NIMCET |
Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur | IEMJEE |
Sharda University, Greater Noida | SUAT |
Quantum University, Roorkee | Merit-based |
The average course fee in India varies from Rs 1 Lacs to Rs 5 Lacs. However, the Course fee of an MCA also depends on the type of institute/university offering the course, the course fee of a Government aided college is comparably low to a Private college.
However, some prestigious private and public universities have set their course fee quite high due to their impeccable infrastructure, facilities, and quality of education.
For your reference, we have listed the course fee for the Course offered by the Most Popular and Top MCA Colleges in India:
Top MCA College | MCA Course Fee |
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | Rs 3,877 |
University of Hyderabad, Telangana | Rs 1,24,000 |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi | Rs 1,44,000 |
Christ University, Bengaluru | Rs 4,10,000 |
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore | Rs 2,77,000 |
Motilal Nehru Institute of Technology, Allahabad | Rs 3,29,000 |
Anna University, Chennai | Rs 1,23,000 |
Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi | Rs 5,25,000 |
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune | Rs 78,210 |
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli | Rs 2,39,000 |
Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, Ranchi | Rs 5,25,000 |
Jadavpur University, Kolkata | Rs 17,850 (approx) |
JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida | Rs 1,96,000 |
ABES Engineering College, Ghaziabad | Rs 2,79,000 |
National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Rs 2,36,000 |
JC Bose University of Science & Technology, YMCA | Rs 2,98,000 |
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini | Rs 1,00,000 |
Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur | Rs 3,44,000 |
Sharda University, Greater Noida | Rs 2,80,000 |
Quantum University, Roorkee | Rs 66,000 |
This Degree Course is a 2-year postgraduate program, divided into 4 semesters. Earlier it used to be a 3-year postgraduate program but in a meeting of the University Grant Commission (UGC) held in December 2023, it was reduced from 3 years to 2 years.
1st Semester | 2nd Semester |
Introduction to Information Technology | InfoSystems Analysis Design & Implementations |
Computer Organisation & Architecture | Operating Systems |
Programming & Data Structure | Oral and Wireless Communications |
Introduction to Management functions | Accounting and Management Control |
Mathematical foundations | Probability & Combinatorics |
IT Lab | Business Programme Lab |
Programming Lab | Unix & Windows Lab |
3rd Semester | 4th Semester |
Database Management Systems | Network Programming |
Computer Communication Networks | Software Engg. I |
Object-oriented analysis and Design | Organizational Behaviour |
Management Support System | Network Lab |
Statistical Computing | CASE Tools Lab |
DBMS Lab | Project |
Statistical Computing Lab | Seminar |
A.I and Applications | Optimization Techniques |
Software Engineering II | - |
AI & Application lab | - |
After acquiring a Master's degree in Computer Application, you become specialized in a particular field of Computer Applications. There is an immense career scope after this MCA Course program.
One needs to choose his/her field of specialization and pursue his/her in the same field. Holding a Master's degree in Computer Application allows you to enter the IT Industry as a qualified and deserving job-seeking professional.
You have numerous career options after an MCA Course. Some of them are listed below:
According to the data available, the average salary of an MCA degree holder varies from Rs 3.61 LPA to Rs 7.96 L.P.A. An entry-level (fresher) MCA Course can get a salary package of Rs 2 L.P.A to Rs 3 L.P.A, whereas an individual with industry experience of more than 5 years can get paid an annual salary package of Rs 6 L.P.A to Rs 15,60,000.
We have tabulated the average Salary according to the Job Profiles after MCA:
Job Profiles After MCA Course | Salary After MCA Course (Per Annum) |
Software Developer | Rs 3.65 L.P.A |
Database Engineer | Rs 6.60 L.P.A |
Hardware Engineer | Rs 6.06 L.P.A |
Data Scientist | Rs 9.43 L.P.A |
Cloud Architect | Rs 19.01 L.P.A |
Business Analyst | Rs 4.04 L.P.A |
Technical Writer | Rs 3.83 L.P.A to Rs 6.89 L.P.A |
Web Designer/Developer | Rs 2.4 L.P.A |
IT Architect | Rs 19.54 L.P.A |
Software Consultant | Rs 7.05 L.P.A to Rs 8.36 L.P.A |
Network Engineer | Rs 4.61 L.P.A to Rs 5.11 L.P.A |
Social Media Manager | Rs 4.23 L.P.A |
Ethical Hacker | Rs 5.50 L.P.A |
Quality Assurance Analyst | Rs 4.42 L.P.A |
Project Manager | Rs 13 L.P.A |
Manual Tester | Rs 4.15 L.P.A |
The IT industry is expanding at a rapid pace, numerous start-up companies are trying their hand in the Information Technology Industry creating plenty of job opportunities for the MCA Course pass out.
Some of the top recruiting companies for MCA graduates are mentioned below:
It is a Distance Education program offered by various colleges across India. The MCA Duration of this distance learning program varies from 3 to 6 years depending on the college offering the course.
An MCA Distance course is designed for students who want to pursue a Master's degree in Computer Applications while staying away from the campus location.
This course is an ideal course choice for students who are currently employed in any organization and want to pursue a higher degree without leaving their job. There are many other benefits to pursuing a Distance MCA Course,
Some of them are listed below:
Some basic eligibility criteria need to be fulfilled by the candidate to enroll:
Remember that these eligibility criteria can slightly vary from college to college. So we advise you to visit the official website of the college to check the eligibility requirements to pursue this Distance Learning Program.
Distance MCA Colleges in India | Distance MCA Course Fees |
Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi | Rs 48,000 |
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | Rs 45,000 |
Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad | Rs 3,20,000 |
Mumbai University, Mumbai | Rs 48,875 |
Sikkim Manipal University , Sikkim | Rs 73,000 |
Amity University, Noida | Rs 2,15,000 |
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | Rs 27,300 |
Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur | Rs 1,04,000 |
University of Madras, Chennai | Rs 33,650 |
Nalanda Open University | Rs 36,000 |
M.Sc in Computer Science imparts theoretical knowledge of hardware and software combined with the logical application of algorithms. MCA Course on the other hand is a course that deals with computer applications, software developments, and everything related to computer software.
This MCA course is suitable for individuals who want to pursue their career as a Software developer but if you are interested in teaching Computer science or are interested to work as a computer science researcher then an M.Sc degree will suit you more.
Parameters | MCA Course | M.Sc in Computer Science |
Degree Level | Post Graduate | Post Graduate |
Course Overview | It aims to provide in-depth knowledge and theoretical and practical skills for computer software development. The program focuses on the application of software technology to solve computing, communications, networking, mathematical and commercial problems. | The M.Sc in Computer Science emphasizes imparting knowledge about various areas of computer science and Information Technology such as programming, data analytics, software development, natural computation, network architecture, etc. |
Duration | 2 Year | 2 Year |
Eligibility | BCA or any other bachelor's course from a recognized university with mathematics as the main subject in 10+2 | BSc Computer science or related field |
Average Fees (INR) | Rs 1 Lac to Rs 5 Lacs | Rs 1 Lac to Rs 3 Lacs |
Average Starting Salary (INR) | 3.61 L.P.A to Rs 7.96 L.P.A | 3.5 L.P.A - 6 L.P.A |
Job Profiles | Software Developer, Database Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Data Scientist, Cloud Architect, Business Analyst, Technical Writer, Web Designer/Developer, IT Architect Software Consultant, Network Engineer, Social Media Manager, Ethical Hacker, Quality Assurance Analyst, Project Manager, Manual Tester | Software Engineer, Computer Programmer, IT Consultant, Hacker, Network Administrator, Network Administrator, Systems Support Administrator, Web Developer, etc. |
Top Recruiting Companies | Infosys, Microsoft, TCS, Wipro Systems, HCL Technologies, BHEL, IBM, Cognizant, Accenture, Oracle, etc. | Wipro Technologies b, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., TCS, HCL, Oracle, Infosys, Wipro Technologies Ltd., Cognizant, etc. |
Candidates often ask us “Difference Between MCA Course and MTech Course” Well, the answer to this question depends on the previous education and career expectations of an Individual.
If an individual wants to become a Software Engineer or holds a B.Tech degree then he should opt for M.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering Course.
But suppose a candidate has done his graduation in Computer Applications (BCA Course) or any other discipline and wants to be specialized in a particular stream of Computer Applications such as Data Science, Full Stack Development, Management Information Systems (MIS), etc.
In that case, the Master in Computer Application program will be suitable for them.
For your better understanding, we are listing a comparison between MCA and M.Tech in Computer Science Engineering in the tabulated form as mentioned below:
Parameters | MCA Course | M.tech in Computer Science & Engineering |
Degree Level | Post Graduate | Postgraduate |
Course Overview | This course aims to provide in-depth knowledge and theoretical and practical skills for computer software development. The program focuses on the application of software technology to solve computing, communications, networking, mathematical and commercial problems. | In the M.Tech Course, a student learns about solving day-to-day computer-related problems and utilizes modern engineering tools to solve the problems. |
Duration | 2 Years or 3 Years | 2 Years |
Eligibility | BCA or any other bachelor's course from a recognized university with mathematics as the main subject in 10+2 | B.Tech/B.E Degree in a relevant stream of engineering ( such as Computer Science Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, etc.) from a recognized university. |
Average Fees (INR) | Rs 1 Lac to Rs 5 Lacs | Rs 2 Lacs to Rs 6 Lacs |
Average Starting Salary (INR) | 3.61 L.P.A to Rs 7.96 L.P.A | Rs 3.5 L.P.A to Rs 7 L.P.A |
Job Profiles | Software Developer, Database Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Data Scientist, Cloud Architect, Business Analyst, Technical Writer, Web Designer/Developer, IT Architect Software Consultant, Network Engineer, Social Media Manager, Ethical Hacker, Quality Assurance Analyst, Project Manager, Manual Tester |
Software Engineer, Website Designer, and Developer, Research and Development Engineer, Software Tester, Computer Security Expert Lecturer (in Government or Private Colleges), Applications Developer |
Top Recruiting Companies | Infosys, Microsoft, TCS, Wipro Systems, HCL Technologies, BHEL, IBM, Cognizant, Accenture, Oracle, etc. | Microsoft, DELL, Wipro, HP, Google, etc |
Earlier the MCA course duration after BCA for this Course was 3 years but then in the year, the duration of the course was revised to 2 years by AICTE and UGC. After the decision, this made no sense to offer lateral entries to the Master of Computer Application (MCA) program.
The MCA lateral entry course was discontinued by the AICTE. MCA course lateral entry option is now considered invalid by AICTE.
FAQ
Q 1. What is the Full Form of MCA?
Ans. The full form of the MCA is Master of Computer Applications.
Q 2. What is the duration of this course?
Ans. The duration is 3 Years.
Q 3. What is the Eligibility of this program?
Ans. The minimum eligibility requirement to pursue an MCA program is a BCA/B.Sc Course/B.Com degree or Bachelor's degree in any other relevant discipline and Mathematics as one of the mainstream subjects at 10+2 level.
Q 4. Which are the Top 5 MCA Colleges Name in India?
Ans. The following are the Top 5 MCA Colleges in India:
Q 5. Which stream is best for this program?
Ans. Any stream with Mathematics as one of the mainstream subjects is preferable for this program.
Q 6. Which is better, MCA or M.Tech?
Ans. MCA course is the best course if you want to become a Software developer Or work on the various aspects of computer applications. But if you want to become a computer science engineer, then you should opt for an MTech Course.
Q 7. What is the average salary of an MCA graduate?
Ans. The average salary after MCA Course can vary from Rs 3.61 L.P.A to Rs 7.96 L.P.A
Q 8. Which entrance exam is best for this course?
Ans. NIMCET (NIT MCA Common Entrance Test) is the best MCA entrance exam as it is a national-level MCA Course entrance exam conducted by NIT Raipur, and accepted by most of the reputed colleges to offer admission in this course.
Q 9. Is it mandatory to qualify for an entrance exam to get admission to the MCA?
Ans. No, it is not mandatory to qualify for an entrance exam to get admission into the MCA Course Degree Program, many colleges/universities offer merit-based and direct admissions to this specialization.
However, if you want to get admission to a reputed college like NITs, BITs, etc then you have to clear the entrance exam conducted by the universities.
Q 10. Can I Do MCA After B.Com?
Ans. Yes, you can pursue an MCA course after completing a B.Com Course from a recognized university.
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