AI Is Catching Up, But Computer Science Still Leads: What 2026 Engineering Admissions Across States Show | Education and Career News
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In Maharashtra, AI and Data Science accounted for 10,502 admissions, while CSE with AI and Machine Learning recorded 6,650 and AI and Machine Learning recorded 4,606.
While AI is gaining ground in engineering education, Computer Science is still the leading option for students. (Representative/Getty Images)
Artificial Intelligence may be reshaping the technology sector, but students entering engineering colleges in 2026 are not abandoning Computer Science. Data from engineering admission and counselling processes in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and other states show that Computer Science remains a leading choice among students overtaking specialised AI courses or Machine Learning and Data Science programmes.
In Maharashtra, Computer Engineering emerged as the most preferred individual branch, with 28,170 admissions out of 1,81,927 BE/BTech admissions for 2026-27, according to data from the Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell reported by The Indian Express.
Computer Science and Engineering recorded another 18,277 admissions while Artificial Intelligence and Data Science accounted for 10,502 admissions. CSE with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning recorded 6,650 and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning recorded 4,606. AI and Data Science reported 4,115 admissions, 3,512 in CSE with Data Science and 1,022 in Artificial Intelligence.
Andhra Pradesh shows a similar pattern. An analysis of the AP EAPCET 2026 final-phase seat allotment data published by TechWorsh found that CSE recorded 29,882 allotments, making it the largest individual branch in its analysis. CSE with AI and Machine Learning followed with 16,102 allotments. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning recorded 4,813 allotments, while CSE with Data Science had 4,661, CSE with Artificial Intelligence 4,129 and Artificial Intelligence and Data Science 4,018.
Tamil Nadu’s TNEA 2026 counselling data point in the same direction. After three rounds, 1,44,295 engineering seats had been filled of which CSE was the most selected programme, with 30,534 filled seats, accounting for 21.30% of the total. AI and Data Science was the third-most selected programme, with 19,681 filled seats or 13.73%, after Electronics and Communication Engineering, which had 22,090 filled seats. Information Technology accounted for another 13,804 seats.
During the first phase of the Telangana EAPCET counselling, 95% of the 29,519 CSE seats were allotted. Across CSE and IT together, 93% of 62,509 seats were allotted. Programmes including AI, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Robotics and AI, and Computer Science and Business Systems recorded 100% seat allocation, according to Telangana Today. Overall, 79,891 of 88,053 engineering seats in 176 colleges were allotted in the first phase, leaving 8,162 vacant.
This means while AI is gaining ground in engineering education, Computer Science is still the leading destination for students. Students appear to be choosing from an expanding computing ecosystem in which AI and Data Science are becoming increasingly prominent.
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Ask News18In Maharashtra, Computer Engineering emerged as the most preferred individual branch, recording 28,170 admissions out of a total of 1,81,927 BE/BTech admissions for the 2026-27 academic year.
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September 21, 2026, 11:31 IST
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