About MCA
What is MCA (Master of Computer Application)?
MCA full form is Master of Computer Application. It
Over the years, IT industry has seen an evident growth and evolution. Due to this, more and more people are attracted and motivated to become a part of the giant IT industry. Students with a sincere inclination towards computers and technology can take up MCA course to enhance their career and salary prospects.
See Also: BCA MCA Integrated Course
MCA Course Details
Course Name
|
MCA Course
|
MCA Full Form
|
Master of Computer Application
|
MCA Course Duration
|
3 years
|
MCA Course Types
|
Full-time/Online/Distance mode
|
MCA Eligibility
|
A minimum of 50-50% in BCA or Bachlor's degree in related disciplines
|
MCA Entrance Exams
|
NIMCET, TANCET, WBJECA, JNU MCA
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Merit-based and Entrance Exam
|
MCA Scholarships
|
-
State government scholarships are available for reserved categories (SC/ST) and economically weaker sections (EWS)
-
Merit scholarships are offered by deemed or private universities ( based on entrance exam score or graduation marks)
|
MCA Course Fees
|
INR 30,000-2,00,000
|
MCA Salary in India
|
INR 3-8 LPA
|
MCA Job Prospects
|
Software Engineers, Frontend Developers, Backend Developers, Web Designing, Networking Professionals, Project Manager (IT)
|
Find out the Top MCA (Master of Computer Application) Colleges in your city:
Find out the Top MCA (Master of Computer Application) Colleges in your state:
Why Pursue Master of Computer Application (MCA)?
-
Aspirants who want to excel and grow in the field of computers and IT technology take up this master of computer applications program to acquire expertise in this field can take up MCA course. Since this sector is booming with lucrative opportunities in both private as well as government sector, MCA Course has become a popular choice among the students.
-
With 2,05,000 new job openings per year and a consistent growth rate of 7.7 percent, the MCA job market is flourishing.
-
Candidates for the MCA course have countless employment options in numerous job roles across different industries in both private and government domain.
-
As soon as candidates complete MCA course, they get placed with a minimum salary of INR 4 LPA.
-
Successful MCA course graduates can also expect to be hired by the best MNCs and IT firms in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc., with a starting salary of 13 LPA that will increase rapidly.
MCA Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria for MCA degree course is as follows:
-
Aspirants must have graduated from a UG program in computer applications, computer science, or a closely related discipline with at least a 50% aggregate to be eligible for the MCA course.
-
Aspirants must have mathematics as one of their subjects in Class 12 to be eligible for master of computer applications course.
MCA Entrance Exams
Apart from some colleges that accept merit-score, many reputed colleges and universities grant admissions based on the MCA entrance exams score. In this section, know about the top MCA entrance exams and their important dates.
Top MCA Entrance Exams 2022
|
Registration Dates 2022
|
Admit Card 2022
|
Exam Date 2022
|
Result Date 2022
|
NIMCET
|
April 4-May 9, 2022
|
June 6, 2022
|
June 20, 2022
|
July 5, 2022
|
UPSEE MCA
|
April 6- July 18, 2022
|
To be Announced
|
To be Announced
|
To be Announced
|
WBJECA
|
January 25- February 1, 2022
|
May 2, 2022
|
May 15, 2022
|
June 28, 2022
|
BIT MCA
|
April 2-June 2, 2022
|
June 14, 2022
|
June 26, 2022
|
June 29, 2022
|
TANCET
|
March 30, April 21, 2022
|
May 2, 2022
|
May 14, 2022
|
June 9, 2022
|
IPU CET
|
March 4-May 31, 2022
|
June 15, 2022
|
June 24, 2022
|
To be Announced
|
MAH MCA CET
|
March 17-May 11, 2022
|
July 25, 2022
|
August 4-5, 2022
|
To be Announced
|
VIT MEE
|
March 1-May 20, 2022
|
May 26-27, 2022
|
June 4-5, 2022
|
June 10, 2022
|
MCA Admission Process
In India, entrance exams are mostly used to determine admission to MCA courses. But some institutions grant admission based on a merit list made from the grades received at graduation. The entrance exam approach is typically followed by top MCA colleges in India.
MCA Admission 2022
There are two modes in which MCA course admission takes place. Typically, admission to MCA degree program occurs through state-level entrance tests like IPU CET, MAH CET, etc. or university-level entrance exams. However, some colleges may take up direct admissions based on merit score.
Entrance Exams Based MCA Admission
Here is a step-by-step to be followed to get admission through entrance exams into Master of Computer Application course:
-
The applicants must register themselves on the college, institution, or admission exam board's website.
-
The candidates must next enter their application information and upload the various documents in the appropriate size and format.
-
Candidates must pay the application costs and print out their receipts after uploading their applications.
-
The candidates must then print their admit cards and appear for the entrance exam.
-
Qualified candidates are contacted for a Master of Computer Application counselling session after passing the entrance exam.
-
Counselling is done to allocate seats at the various colleges and universities. In the counselling procedure, seats are allocated, and students are granted admissions.
Direct MCA Admission
Here is a step-by-step to be followed to get direct admission into Master of Computer Application course:
-
Students are directly admitted to MCA course based on performance of prerequisite exams. Another method of direct admission offered by some institutions is management quota admission.
-
There are designated seats for management in every college. However, these management quota seats cost more than regular seats.
-
Private colleges like Amity University, LPU, Chandigarh University, and others provide direct MCA admissions. On the day of the interview, students must take a knowledge-based test.
MCA Syllabus
The 3-year MCA course is divided into six semesters. MCA syllabus includes everything from lectures to practicals to project work. Among all the things, Master of Computer Application (MCA) project work is the most crucial element. The last semester of the MCA curriculum is entirely devoted to project work. Moreover, students choose their specialization in this year only.
While the MCA syllabus may vary from college to college, the list of Master of Computer Application (MCA) subjects and topics taught in most colleges/universities is mentioned below to give you a glimpse into the MCA course:
MCA Syllabus: First Semester
|
MCA Syllabus: Second Semester
|
-
Computer Organisation & Architecture
-
Business Systems and Application
-
Computer Programming with C
-
Discrete Mathematical Structure
-
Business English and Communication
-
Programming in C
-
Micro Programming & Architecture Lab
-
Business presentation and language lab
|
-
Data Communication & Computer Networks
-
Object-Oriented Programming in C++
-
Information Systems Analysis & Design
-
Database Management System I
-
Data Structures with C
-
Object-Oriented Programming lab (C++)
-
Data structure lab
-
Database lab
|
MCA Syllabus:Third Semester
|
MCA Syllabus: Fourth Semester
|
-
Unix and Shell Programming
-
Business Management
-
Operating Systems and Systems Software
-
Intelligent Systems
-
Management Accounting
-
Statistics and Numerical Techniques
-
Unix lab
-
Statistics and Numerical Analysis lab
|
-
Software Engineering & TQM
-
Database Management System II
-
Environment and Ecology
-
Graphics and Multimedia
-
Operation Research and Optimisation Techniques
-
Advanced Database lab
-
Software Project Management lab
-
Graphics & Multimedia Lab
|
MCA Syllabus: Fifth Semester
|
MCA Syllabus: Sixth Semester
|
-
Values and Ethics of Profession
-
Elective 1 (System Administration and Linux or Windows Programming With VB)
-
Elective 2 (Advanced Unix programming or Object-Oriented Programming with Java)
-
Elective 3 (Distributed database management or Parallel Programming)
-
Elective 4 (Compiler Design or E-Commerce)
-
Minor project & Seminar
-
Elective Lab
|
|
MCA Specializations
As students enter the third or final year of MCA course program, they have the option to choose a particular specialization as per their preference and area of interest. These specializations give candidates the chance to develop a deeper level of expertise and skill set in a specific MCA degree to acquire better career prospects. Some of the specializations in master of computer applications offered by most colleges and universities are:
-
Systems Management
-
Management Information Systems (MIS)
-
Systems Development
-
Systems Engineering
-
Networking
-
Internet
-
Application Software
-
Software Development
-
Troubleshooting
-
Hardware Technology
Difference between MCA/MTech/MSc Computer Science:
Find out the differences between MCA, MTech and MSc in terms of course duration, eligibility, course fees, concepts covered, and average salary offered after the course.
Course Name
|
MCA (Master of Computer Application)
|
MTech (Master of Technology)
|
MSc (Master of Science) in Computer Science
|
Duration
|
3 years
|
2 years
|
2 years
|
Eligibility
|
A minimum of 50% in BCA or related field.
|
A minimum of 50-60% in BTech/BE course
|
A minimum of 60% in BSc computer course
|
Focus on
|
Computer languages, programming, and networking
|
advanced engineering and technological expertise in computer software
|
developing software and networking-based skills.
|
Concepts Covered
|
Fundamentals of Computer Organization, Operating Systems, Database Management Systems, Network Programming, A.I and Applications, etc
|
Operating Systems and System Programming, Advanced Software Engineering, Cryptography and Network Security
|
Programming Languages, Theory of Computation, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Systems Verification, etc
|
Average Course Fees
|
INR 30,000-2,00,000
|
INR 50,000- 2,00,000
|
INR 50,000-2,00,000
|
Average Salary
|
INR 3-8 LPA
|
INR 6-7 LPA
|
INR 7 LPA
|
Those interested in MTech can find out the Top MTech Colleges in India
Top MCA Colleges in India

MCA degree course is provided by several colleges throughout India. This section lists the top master of computer applications colleges in India along with course fee, placements, and ratings based on student reviews.
Top MCA Colleges in India
|
Course Fees
|
Placements
|
Ratings (Based on Student Reviews)
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee
|
INR 1,39,650/-
|
INR 15 LPA
|
4.9/5
|
Check Admission 2022
|
College of Engineering (Anna University) - Guindy (CEG), Chennai
|
INR 21,480/-
|
INR 5-6 LPA
|
4.6/5
|
Check Admission 2022
|
Vellore Institute of Technology - VIT University, Vellore
|
INR 63,000/-
|
INR 7-8 LPA
|
4.5/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Trichy
|
INR 3,50,850/-
|
INR 6 LPA
|
4.4/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
Loyola College, Chennai
|
INR 58,515/-
|
INR 3 LPA
|
4.3/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
Harcourt Butler Technological University (HBTU), Kanpur
|
INR 2,09,760/-
|
INR 6 LPA
|
4.4/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal
|
INR 2,60,262/-
|
INR 6 LPA
|
4.4/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
National institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal
|
INR 2,35,800/-
|
INR 3 LPA
|
4/5
|
Check Admissions 2022
|
Those interested in pursing MSc in Computer Science can find the Top MSc Colleges in India
Students can also find the best colleges that offer master of computer applications course in their own city and state. It also includes the MCA course fees and placements to help you make an informed decision. Below mentioned are the top colleges that offer MCA course in the popular cities of India:
Top MCA Colleges in Bangalore
Here is a list of the top colleges along with their course fee and placements that offer the MCA course in Bangalore:
MCA Colleges in Bangalore
|
Course Fees
|
Average Placements
|
Christ University (CU), Bangalore
|
INR 3,70,000/-
|
INR 4.5 LPA
|
The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore
|
INR 1,05,000/-
|
INR 6 LPA
|
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
|
INR 1,17,000/-
|
INR 3.25 LPA
|
MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bangalore
|
INR 1,05,000/-
|
INR 7.6 LPA
|
BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Bangalore
|
INR 1,50,000/-
|
INR 4-5 LPA
|
Top MCA Colleges in Chennai
Here is a list of the top colleges along with their course fee and placements that offer the MCA course in Chennai:
Top MCA Colleges in Delhi NCR
Here is a list of the top colleges along with their course fee and placements that offer the MCA course in Delhi NCR:
MCA Colleges in Delhi NCR
|
Course Fees
|
Average Placements
|
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi
|
1,077/-
|
-
|
Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), Delhi
|
INR 2,25,000/-
|
INR 3.5-10 LPA
|
Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Delhi
|
INR 3,17,000/-
|
INR 3.5 LPA
|
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Delhi
|
INR 4,32,000/-
|
INR 3.5-10 LPA
|
Bhai Parmanand Institute of Business Studies, Delhi
|
INR 1,08,000/-
|
INR 3.5 LPA
|
Top MCA Colleges in Hyderabad
Here is a list of the top colleges along with their course fee and placements that offer the MCA course in Hyderabad:
MCA Colleges in Hyderabad
|
Course Fees
|
Average Placements
|
JNTUH College of Engineering (JNTUH CE), Hyderabad
|
INR 81,000
|
-
|
School of Computer and Information Sciences University of Hyderabad (SCIS UOH), Hyderabad
|
INR 75,000/-
|
INR 6 LPA
|
Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
|
INR 2,13,000/-
|
INR 6.5 LPA
|
Nizam College, Hyderabad
|
INR 54,000/-
|
-
|
Post Graduate College of Science - Osmania University, Hyderabad
|
INR 80,100/-
|
-
|
Top MCA Colleges in Pune
Here is a list of the top colleges along with their course fee and placements that offer the MCA course in Pune:
MCA Colleges in Pune
|
Course Fees
|
Average Placements
|
Department of Computer Science University (DCS University), Pune
|
INR 2,44,390/-
|
-
|
Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune
|
INR 73,143/-
|
-
|
Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth - TMV, Pune
|
INR 1,26,000/-
|
-
|
Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT Maharashtra), Pune
|
INR 3,40,000/-
|
INR 3.5 LPA
|
PES Modern College of Engineering (MCOE), Pune
|
INR 1,68,000/-
|
INR 7.5 LPA
|
MCA Distance Education
Many aspirants are not able to attend regular colleges due to health, work, or some other personal reasons. In such cases, MCA distance education becomes a good option to upgrade skills and knowledge in a particular domain. Many colleges and universities provide online and distance education programs for master of computer applications or MCA degree.
Some of the top colleges that offer Master of Computer Application (MCA) Distance Education Programs are:
IGNOU
The criteria to get admission into MCA course at IGNOU is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
BCA/BSc degree with minimum 50% marks
Studied maths at intermediate or graduation level
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course at IGNOU is based on merit.
|
Mahabeer Institute Of Professional Studies, Amaravati
The criteria to get admission into MCA course at Mahabeer Institute Of Professional Studies, Amaravati is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Passed graduation in computer-related discipline with at least 50% aggregrate
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course at Mahabeer Institute of Professional Studies is based on both merit and entrance exam.
Entrance exam accepted: MAH MCA CET
|
IASE Deemed University
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at IASE Deemed University is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Graduation in BCA or computer-related field from a recognized university
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on the merit scored in qualifying exam.
|
Madhav University
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at Madhav University is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Minimum 45% aggregate in bachelor's degree (any stream) with maths as a subject from a recognized university
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on merit.
|
Institute of Higher Studies & Management, Ranchi
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at Institute of Higher Studies & Management, Ranchi is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Graduate degree in computer-related discipline
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on merit.
|
Amity University - Haryana
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at Amity University - Haryana is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
BCA graduates with maths as a subject at graduation or intermediate from a recognized university.
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course at Amity University is based on merit and interview.
|
Universal College of Computer Applications, Bangalore
The criteria to get admission into MCA course at Universal College of Computer Applications, Bangalore is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Bachelor's degree in computer.
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on direct admission.
|
ICFAI
The criteria to get admission into MCA course at ICFAI is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Passed BCA/BSc degree in computer science or equivalent degree
BSc/BCom/BA with maths at graduation or 10+2 level.
Minimum 45% marks in qualifying exam
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course at ICFAI based on score in qualifying exam.
|
Jaipur National University
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at Jaipur National University is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Passed BCA/BSc degree in computer science or equivalent degree
BSc/BCom/BA/other UGC approved degree with maths at graduation or 10+2 level.
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on merit score.
|
Sikkim Manipal University
The criteria to get admission into MCA degree program at Sikkim Manipal University is as follows:
MCA Eligibility Criteria
|
Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Studies maths/statistics at 10+2 or graduation level.
A valid score in SMIT entrance exam
|
MCA Admission 2022
|
Admission into MCA course is based on merit and entrance exam score.
|
Skills Required for MCA
Here is a list of the skills required for a successful career after Master of Computer Application, MCA course:
-
Good communication skills
-
Positive outlook
-
Behavioural skills
-
Sound knowledge of programming languages like C++, Java, JavaScript
-
Good understanding about data structures and data base
-
Technical skills
-
Know about the latest trends in technology
-
Excellent programming skills
Apart from the general skills, there are some sepcific skills required for MCA course as per your chosen field of work:
-
Programmers: They must have a good command over programming languages like C, C++, Java, .NET, etc
-
Web Designers: They must have sound knowledge of languages like PHP, CSS, JavaScript, HTML, etc
-
Networking: They must be skilled in SQL, LINUX. Also, they should obtain certification in CCNA, CCNP, CCIE.
What After MCA
After completing MCA course, one can lookout for job in various industries both private and government. Due to the fast growth of the IT and software industries, the employment prospects for MCA course graduates have improved over the years. The demand for MCA graduates is expected to further grow in the coming years.
MCA graduates may be able to obtain employment with start-ups. Since start-up culture has become popular in India, it is highly beneficial for MCA freshers in the industry. Not only do IT companies, but also start-up firms pay substantial compensation to the MCA course graduates.
On an average, MCA starting salary ranges between 2.5 to 3.6 LPA, which is expected to increase as per the expertise level and skills. It may be noted that while the IT sector is currently experiencing growth, there are several career options open to those who complete an MCA course.
Career Prospects and MCA Salary in India

Here are the top job profiles for MCA course graduates along with their job descriptions and average salary. Based on these things, you can mark your future scope after doing MCA course:
Software Developer- The key responsibility of software developers is to design, install, test, maintain, and update software in a company.
Average Salary: INR 4,85,000 LPA
Web Developer- The role of web developers is to design and structure the look, layout, and other features of a website. These professionals must possess expertise in computer programming and graphic designing.
Average Salary: INR 2,81,000 LPA
Mobile App Developer- Mobile developers are responsible for designing the mobile apps as per user's needs and requirements.
Average Salary: INR 3,76,000 LPA
Systems Analyst- The job of a system analyst is to determine what hardware or software the company needs. They are entitled to the whole IT system, instead of only software or hardware systems.
Average Salary: INR 6,54,000 LPA
Network Administrator- The work of network administrators is to take full charge of supporting, setting up, and managing internal servers.
Average Salary: INR 3,67,000 LPA
System Administrator- The roles of system administrators include installing, supporting, & maintaining servers/computer systems. Other responsibilities may include scripting, programming, project management, and more.
Average Salary: INR 3,04,000 LPA
Hardware Engineer- They look after the hardware configurations of a computer system.
Average Salary: INR 3,78,000 LPA
Technical Writer- They write fundamental technical content in easy-to-read text. These experts are highly sought for to write about technical topics for product descriptions and blogs.
Average Salary: INR 4,93,000 LPA
Government Jobs After MCA
While there are lot of career options in private domain, there are a few choices for government jobs for MCA course graduates. Students who have interests to work in government organizations after doing master of computer applications course can check out the organizations, jobs roles, and average salary available below:
Name of the Organization
|
Job Role
|
Average Salary
|
NIC Government of India
|
Programmer
|
INR 4 LPA
|
Public Sector Banks
|
IT Officer
|
INR 4 LPA
|
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited
|
Consultant
|
INR 4-5 LPA
|
Government of Haryana
|
Senior System Analyst
|
INR 4 LPA
|
Top MCA Recruiters
Here is a list of the top recruiters that hire MCA course graduates:
-
TCS
-
Wipro
-
Infosys
-
Cognizant
-
IBM
-
Accenture
-
HCL
-
Tech Mahindra
-
Hi-tech Solutions