Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] {Lateral}

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT), Port Blair offers lateral entry B.Tech admission in Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Electronics Engineering. Lateral entry candidates join directly into the second year of the four-year B.Tech programme, completing the remaining three years at the institute. The total three-year fee is ₹32,083 (hostel charges separate). Admission is merit-based on the qualifying Diploma or B.Sc. marks through the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s centralised notification.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are upcoming. The DBRAIT application window opens in May-June 2026 with counselling in July 2026 and classes commencing in August 2026.

Key Points

• Lateral entry to B.Tech in Civil, Computer Science and Engineering, and Electronics Engineering; candidates join second year directly, completing three years to earn the B.Tech degree.
• Total three-year fee of ₹32,083; same per-year cost as the regular B.Tech (₹9,250 tuition + ₹1,250 other charges annually), with hostel available separately.
• Diploma holders in the relevant or allied branch are eligible; B.Sc. graduates with Mathematics are also eligible for the lateral entry route.
• Admission is purely merit-based on Diploma or B.Sc. aggregate; no JEE Main score required for lateral entry seats.
• Age limit of 24 years as on 1 July of the admission year; three-year relaxation for SC and ST candidates.

DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) Fees 2026

The total three-year fee of ₹32,083 is uniform across all three lateral entry B.Tech specialisations. This covers tuition and examination charges for three years. Hostel and mess are billed separately.

Fee Structure

• Annual tuition is ₹9,250 and examination and other charges are ₹1,250 per year, same as the regular B.Tech programme.
• Reserved category candidates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands receive additional concessions on charges as per administration rules.
• Hostel charges of ₹39,996 to ₹79,992 per year are optional and billed separately; mess and utilities are charged on usage.
• Fees is subject to change, Please verify with the official sources before taking admission.

DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) Admission 2026

Lateral entry admission at DBRAIT is conducted through the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s centralised notification based on Diploma or B.Sc. marks. There is no JEE Main requirement for this route. Candidates apply during the May-June window and counselling is scheduled for July 2026.

Important Dates

• Lateral entry admission is merit-based on Diploma or B.Sc. aggregate; no entrance exam is conducted.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Three-year Diploma in Engineering in the relevant or allied branch from a recognised state board of technical education, with minimum 45% aggregate (40% for reserved categories).
• B.Sc. degree from a recognised university with Mathematics as one of the subjects is also eligible for lateral entry admission.
• Candidates must not have completed 24 years of age as on 1 July of the admission year; three-year age relaxation for SC and ST candidates.

Admission Process

• Watch for the official admission notification on dbrait.andaman.gov.in and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration portal.
• Fill the lateral entry application form and upload Diploma or B.Sc. mark sheets, identity proof, and category certificate (if applicable).
• Check the provisional merit list and submit any objections within the notified window.
• Attend counselling with original documents for branch allotment and seat confirmation in second year.

DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) Scholarships 2026

Scholarship support for lateral entry B.Tech students at DBRAIT mirrors the regular B.Tech scholarship structure, with schemes available through the National Scholarship Portal and Andaman and Nicobar Administration programmes.

Available Scholarships

• Most scholarships are routed through the National Scholarship Portal after the start of the academic session; minimum attendance and academic standards must be maintained for renewal.
• Book grants and uniform allowances are occasionally provided to economically weaker students through the college Students Aid Fund.

DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) FAQs

Ques. I completed a Diploma in Computer Science from a mainland polytechnic. Can I apply for DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) CSE?

Ans. Yes, a Diploma in Computer Science or Information Technology from any AICTE-recognised polytechnic on the mainland qualifies for DBRAIT’s lateral entry CSE admission, provided you meet the 45% aggregate requirement (40% for reserved categories). The Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s merit list is based on diploma marks alone, so there is no additional entrance exam. You will need to physically attend counselling at Port Blair or arrange for verified document submission as per the notification. Check the official admission notification for exact procedures for out-of-Islands applicants.

Ques. What is the difference in workload and difficulty between the regular B.Tech first year and what lateral entry students join in second year at DBRAIT?

Ans. Lateral entry students at DBRAIT join the second year directly and skip the first-year Engineering Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and workshop courses. The second year typically includes core branch-specific subjects that assume knowledge of first-year foundations. Students who find the transition difficult can review first-year NPTEL video courses for the relevant subjects. Most diploma holders adapt within the first semester since their three-year diploma already covered many applied concepts; the main gap is usually in higher mathematics and theoretical foundations, which are reinforced in the early second-year engineering courses.

Ques. Does the B.Tech (Lateral) degree from DBRAIT have any disadvantage over the regular B.Tech for jobs or GATE?

Ans. No. The degree awarded is a B.Tech from Pondicherry University, the same as for regular students. The lateral entry pathway is not printed on the degree in a way that distinguishes it from the regular route. For GATE, the entry qualification is a B.Tech or B.E. degree and the pathway does not matter. For government and PSU recruitment, the eligibility criterion is the B.Tech degree, not how admission was secured. The only practical difference is that lateral entry students have one fewer year of the programme, so they may have slightly fewer credits in total, but the degree is equivalent.

Ques. Can a B.Sc. Mathematics or Physics graduate apply for DBRAIT B.Tech (Lateral) in Electronics Engineering?

Ans. The eligibility specifies a B.Sc. degree with Mathematics as one of the subjects for lateral entry. A B.Sc. Mathematics graduate is eligible to apply for any branch, including Electronics Engineering, subject to the minimum aggregate requirement. B.Sc. Physics graduates are also likely eligible given the subject relevance to Electronics. However, the practical lab and circuit design exposure of B.Sc. students is typically less than diploma holders in Electronics; students from a B.Sc. background should expect to put extra effort into circuit-related coursework in the second and third years.

Ques. Is DBRAIT’s lateral entry intake separate from the regular B.Tech seats, and what is the usual intake size for lateral entry?

Ans. Lateral entry seats at AICTE-approved institutes are a supernumerary intake of up to 10-20% above the regular approved intake, allocated separately. At a small government institute like DBRAIT, the absolute number of lateral seats per branch is small, typically two to five seats per branch depending on the approved intake. The exact seat matrix is published in the official admission notification each year. Given the small numbers, candidates with stronger diploma marks have a reasonable chance; competition is lower than for regular B.Tech seats since fewer candidates are aware of the lateral entry option.