SOA, Bhubaneswar

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was established in 1997 and gained deemed-to-be university status in 2007. Over the years, it has steadily evolved into a top engineering college with a strong foundation in research, innovation, and industry readiness. SOA is home to the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), which offers B.Tech and other advanced degrees in engineering and technology.

SOA has made significant strides in recent years. According to the NIRF ranking, it was placed at 27th among engineering institutions in 2023, reaffirming its place among the top private engineering colleges in India for CSE and other disciplines. Its growing presence in national rankings highlights its emphasis on academic excellence, research output, and infrastructure.

SOA offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across several engineering streams, including Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and more. With a flexible curriculum, project-based learning, and specialized industry tie-ups, the university ensures that students gain both theoretical and practical exposure from early semesters. Its faculty includes experienced academicians, researchers, and industry professionals, helping students stay ahead in technological trends.

Admissions to the B.Tech programs are primarily through SAAT (SOA Admission Test), while the university also accepts JEE Main scores for select seats. The SOA cutoff for popular branches like CSE and ECE tends to be higher due to the increasing demand and growing reputation. For instance, in 2024, the closing SAAT ranks for CSE were among the top 5% of applicants. The university maintains transparency in its admissions, ensuring that merit remains the primary criterion.

The annual SOA fees for B.Tech courses is approximately INR 1.8 to 2.1 lakhs, which is considered reasonable in comparison with other reputed top private engineering colleges in India for CSE. Hostel fees and other ancillary costs are additional. To support deserving students, SOA offers a variety of merit-based and need-based scholarships, including fee waivers for top SAAT scorers and economically weaker sections.

The 127-acre campus of SOA is equipped with modern amenities, smart classrooms, well-furnished hostels, Wi-Fi access, research labs, and innovation hubs. It fosters a culture of holistic development through active student clubs, national-level fests, hackathons, and professional societies such as IEEE and ISTE. The central library boasts over 1.5 lakh volumes and digital resources.

SOA placements have consistently shown upward trends. In 2024, over 90% of B.Tech graduates secured jobs during campus recruitment. The average package for CSE students was INR 6.5 LPA, with top recruiters like TCS, Cognizant, Deloitte, Accenture, and Wipro offering positions. The highest package recorded was INR 23 LPA. The university's Corporate Relations and Training Cell (CRTC) works actively to ensure students are industry-ready through internships, soft skills training, and aptitude sessions.

SOA is actively involved in sponsored research projects and collaborations with government bodies like DRDO, ISRO, and DST. Students are encouraged to participate in R&D through innovation challenges, internships, and patents. The incubation cell supports startups and fosters entrepreneurship, particularly in AI, Data Science, and sustainable technologies.

SOA, Bhubaneswar is steadily becoming a preferred destination for aspiring engineers, especially in CSE. With its solid academic reputation, practical approach, competitive SOA cutoff, and robust SOA placements, it continues to rank among the top private engineering colleges in India for CSE. If you're seeking a top engineering college that balances academics, affordability, and industry exposure, SOA deserves serious consideration.