Master of Engineering [ME] (Plastic Engineering)

The M.E. in Plastic Engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Polymer and Surface Engineering. The programme is designed to provide advanced knowledge in polymer science, plastic processing technologies, material characterization, mould design, and allied areas of plastic engineering. With an intake of 18 seats and a total fee of Rs. 1,26,000, the programme is one of the most affordable and prestigious PG engineering courses in the plastics and polymer domain in India. Admission is based on a valid GATE score, and the programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode at ICT Mumbai's Matunga campus. ICT Mumbai, ranked #41 by NIRF 2025 in Engineering, is a Category I Deemed University with Elite Status accorded by the Maharashtra Government, making this programme highly valued by the plastics and polymer industry.

Admission Status (2026-27): The PG admission cycle for 2026-27 at ICT Mumbai is upcoming. Online applications for PG and Ph.D. courses will be accepted from May 8, 2026 onwards through the ICT Mumbai admission portal (ictmumbaiadm.samarth.edu.in). Candidates are advised to regularly check the ICT Mumbai website (ictmumbai.edu.in) and the Admission Handbook 2026-27 for exact dates and schedules. GATE 2026 results were declared on March 19, 2026, and candidates with valid GATE scores in relevant papers (CH, XE, or related) should apply.

Key Points

• The M.E. in Plastic Engineering is one of the few dedicated postgraduate programmes in plastic engineering offered by a premier deemed university in India.
• The programme covers advanced topics including polymer rheology, plastic processing (injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding), mould design, polymer testing, and recycling technologies.
• ICT Mumbai's Department of Polymer and Surface Engineering has strong industry connections with leading plastics and polymer companies, facilitating research projects and placements.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art polymer processing and characterization laboratories at ICT Mumbai.
• The programme is offered under Programme Code PG-10 at ICT Mumbai.

ICT ME Fees

Fee Structure

• Hostel accommodation is NOT mandatory and is subject to availability.
• Preference is given to outstation students from beyond Mumbai suburban limits.
• A mess deposit of Rs. 5,000 is required at the time of joining the hostel mess, which is refundable at the end of stay.
• An advance mess charge of Rs. 20,000 is required at the time of joining the mess, from which monthly mess bills are deducted.
• Hostel fee figures are based on published ICT rates; students are advised to confirm current charges with the ICT Hostel Office (hostel@staff.ictmumbai.edu.in).
• Application fee for PG programmes: Rs. 2,000 (Open Category), Rs. 1,000 (Reserved Category).

ICT ME Admission 2026

ICT Mumbai College-Specific Admission Dates (2026-27)

• ICT Mumbai conducts its own selection process (written test and/or interview) in addition to GATE score for PG admissions.
• Candidates must apply online at ictmumbaiadm.samarth.edu.in and pay the application fee.
• Refer to the Admission Handbook 2026-27 available at ictmumbai.edu.in for complete details.

Entrance Exam Dates (2026) Accepted for this Programme

• GATE papers relevant for M.E. Plastic Engineering admission at ICT Mumbai include Chemical Engineering (CH), Engineering Sciences (XE - with Polymer Science and Engineering section), and related disciplines.
• Candidates should verify the accepted GATE papers from the ICT Mumbai Admission Handbook 2026-27.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Technology (B.E./B.Tech.) in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• Minimum 60% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree (55% for reserved category candidates from Maharashtra - SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
• A valid GATE score in a relevant paper is mandatory for admission.

Admission Process

• Obtain a valid GATE 2026 score in a relevant paper (CH, XE, or related).
• Apply online at ictmumbaiadm.samarth.edu.in from May 8, 2026 onwards.
• Pay the application fee online (Rs. 2,000 for Open Category; Rs. 1,000 for Reserved Category).
• Appear for the ICT Mumbai written test and/or interview as scheduled.
• Merit list is prepared based on GATE score and performance in the ICT selection process.
• Report to ICT Mumbai upon selection and complete fee payment and admission formalities.

ICT ME Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• GATE-qualified students admitted to AICTE-approved PG programmes are eligible for the AICTE PG Scholarship of Rs. 12,400 per month.
• Students should confirm AICTE approval status of the M.E. Plastic Engineering programme with ICT Mumbai administration.
• MahaDBT scholarships must be applied online through the MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in) typically between June and November each year.
• NSP scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after the academic year begins.
• ICT Mumbai's internal scholarships are applied through the institute's scholarship committee; students should check the ICT Mumbai notice board and website for annual deadlines.

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, ICT Mumbai ranks 124 out of 500 colleges in India and 9 in state Maharashtra for its ME Plastic Engineering program.

• 41 out of 300 under NIRF Engineering Ranking 2025.
• 13 out of 160 under IIRF Engineering Ranking 2025.
• 401-500 out of 800 under Times Higher Education Engineering Ranking 2020.

Read more on ICT Mumbai Rankings here

ICT ME FAQs

Ques. What GATE papers are accepted for admission to M.E. Plastic Engineering at ICT Mumbai, and how important is the GATE score in the selection process?

Ans. For M.E. Plastic Engineering at ICT Mumbai, the relevant GATE papers are primarily Chemical Engineering (CH) and Engineering Sciences (XE) with the Polymer Science and Engineering section. Candidates from Mechanical Engineering or related disciplines may also be considered depending on the programme's eligibility criteria for a given year. The GATE score is a mandatory requirement for applying, but ICT Mumbai also conducts its own written test and/or interview as part of the selection process. The final merit list is typically based on a combination of GATE score and performance in the ICT selection process. Candidates are strongly advised to check the Admission Handbook 2026-27 on the ICT Mumbai website for the exact GATE papers accepted and the weightage given to each component.

Ques. What is the scope of M.E. Plastic Engineering from ICT Mumbai? What industries hire graduates from this programme?

Ans. The M.E. in Plastic Engineering from ICT Mumbai is highly regarded in the plastics, polymer, and allied industries. Graduates find opportunities in plastic processing companies, automotive component manufacturers, packaging industries, petrochemical companies, paint and coatings firms, and research and development organizations. Key recruiters include companies like Reliance Industries, BASF, Pidilite Industries, Asian Paints, Aarti Industries, Gharda Chemicals, and several multinational polymer and specialty chemical companies. Given ICT Mumbai's strong alumni network and industry connections, graduates of this programme are well-positioned for roles in process engineering, product development, quality assurance, and R&D. Some graduates also pursue doctoral research at ICT Mumbai or abroad.

Ques. Is the M.E. Plastic Engineering programme at ICT Mumbai eligible for the AICTE PG Scholarship for GATE-qualified students?

Ans. The AICTE PG Scholarship of Rs. 12,400 per month is available to GATE-qualified students admitted to AICTE-approved PG programmes in engineering and technology. ICT Mumbai, being a Deemed University, may or may not have all its PG programmes under AICTE approval. Students are advised to specifically confirm with the ICT Mumbai administration or the Admission Handbook whether the M.E. Plastic Engineering programme (PG-10) is AICTE-approved and eligible for this scholarship before applying. If eligible, this scholarship can significantly offset the cost of education and living expenses during the 2-year programme.

Ques. How does the M.E. Plastic Engineering at ICT Mumbai differ from the M.Tech. Polymer Engineering and Technology programme also offered at ICT Mumbai?

Ans. Both programmes are offered by the Department of Polymer and Surface Engineering at ICT Mumbai and have overlapping areas of study. The M.E. in Plastic Engineering (PG-10) focuses specifically on plastic processing technologies, mould design, plastic product development, and the engineering aspects of plastics. The M.Tech. in Polymer Engineering and Technology (PG-8) has a broader scope covering polymer synthesis, characterization, surface engineering, and polymer physics in addition to processing. The choice between the two depends on the student's career goals: M.E. Plastic Engineering is more industry-oriented towards plastic processing and manufacturing, while M.Tech. Polymer Engineering and Technology has a stronger research and materials science orientation. Both programmes have an intake of 18 seats and the same fee structure of Rs. 1,26,000 for 2 years.

Ques. What research facilities are available for M.E. Plastic Engineering students at ICT Mumbai?

Ans. ICT Mumbai's Department of Polymer and Surface Engineering is equipped with advanced research and characterization facilities relevant to plastic engineering. These include polymer processing equipment (injection moulding machines, extruders, blow moulding units), thermal analysis instruments (DSC, TGA), mechanical testing equipment (UTM, impact testers), rheometers, spectroscopic instruments (FTIR, NMR), and microscopy facilities (SEM, optical microscopy). The institute also has a central instrumentation facility accessible to all PG and PhD students. Additionally, ICT Mumbai has active research collaborations with industries and government agencies, providing students opportunities to work on sponsored research projects. The institute's strong publication record (400+ international publications per year) reflects the quality of research infrastructure available.

Ques. What is the typical timeline for PG admissions at ICT Mumbai, and when should I start preparing my application?

Ans. For the 2026-27 academic year, the PG admission process at ICT Mumbai typically follows this timeline: GATE 2026 results were declared on March 19, 2026. Online applications for PG courses open from May 8, 2026 on the ICT Mumbai admission portal (ictmumbaiadm.samarth.edu.in). The application window typically remains open for 4-6 weeks. ICT Mumbai then conducts a written test and/or interview, usually in June-July 2026. Merit lists are displayed thereafter, and the batch typically commences in July or August 2026. Candidates should download and carefully read the Admission Handbook 2026-27 from the ICT Mumbai website before applying, as it contains detailed eligibility criteria, accepted GATE papers, fee structure, and the complete admission schedule.