About Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology
Written by L K Monu Borkala · Founder, OneCity Technologies · publishing Karnataka education directories since 2006 Last Updated: June 30, 2026 · Verified with AICTE, VTU and KEA data for 2026–27
SDM College of Engineering and Technology (SDMCET), established in 1979 by the Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Education Society (SDME Society), is one of North Karnataka's most prestigious private engineering colleges. Located in Dhavalagiri, Dharwad — affiliated to VTU with autonomous status, NAAC A grade, twice NBA accredited, AICTE approved, and selected for TEQIP (Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme) — SDMCET is consistently ranked among India's top 100 private engineering colleges. The Times of India ranked it #71 among engineering colleges in India (2024); MINT/WSJ ranked it #24 among top 50 private engineering colleges. The 72-acre campus offers 8 B.E. branches including AI&ML, with curriculum designed by the college itself due to its autonomous status. The SDM Dharmasthala institution behind SDMCET is one of Karnataka's most respected religious and charitable organisations.
SDM College of Engineering and Technology Dharwad — College Profile 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Society | Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Education (SDME) Society |
| Established | 1979 |
| Affiliation | Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) — Autonomous status |
| Accreditation | NAAC A | NBA (twice accredited) | AICTE | TEQIP selected |
| National Ranking | TOI 2024: #71 Engineering | MINT/WSJ: #24 among top 50 private | Outlook: #62 |
| Campus | 72 acres, Dhavalagiri, Dharwad, Karnataka |
| Website | sdmcet.ac.in |
Branches and KCET Cutoff
| Branch | KCET 2025 Rank (GM, approx) | COMEDK 2025 (GM) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | ~11,394–18,000 | ~33,695–68,774 |
| AI and Machine Learning (AI&ML) | ~15,000–25,000 | Competitive range |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) | ~25,000–50,000 | ~50,000–80,000 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) | ~50,000–80,000 | Higher range |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~50,000–1,00,000 | Higher range |
| Overall KCET range (all categories) | 11,394–2,56,516 (2025) | 33,695–1,09,315 |
KCET CSE: ranks under ~18,000 needed based on student reports. KCET 2024 GM overall: 14,255–2,15,522. Verify at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in. SDMCET is autonomous — curriculum is set by the college itself, not VTU standard.
Admission — 2026-27
B.E. admission via KCET (Karnataka quota), COMEDK UGET, or JEE Main. 30% of seats via management quota (KCET/COMEDK score still required). M.Tech via GATE or Karnataka PGCET; MBA via PGCET/CAT/MAT/KMAT. Lateral entry (DCET) available for diploma holders. As an autonomous college, SDMCET conducts its own examinations and designs its own curriculum while degrees are awarded by VTU.
Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Mathematics and one of Chemistry/Biology/Computer Science, minimum 45% aggregate (40% SC/ST/OBC). Placement eligibility from 6th semester requires minimum 6.75 CGPA.
Fee Structure
| Quota / Branch | Fee |
|---|---|
| KCET quota (annual) | ~Rs 96,000/year (student-confirmed) |
| KCET quota, ECE (4-year total) | Rs 4,49,640 (official 2025-26) |
| COMEDK quota, ECE (4-year total) | Rs 12,46,840 |
| Management quota, ECE (4 years) | Rs 16,00,000 |
| Hostel (including mess) | ~Rs 44,000–58,000/year |
KCET quota fee of Rs 96,000/year is significantly lower than COMEDK/management rates. Fee structure per official sdmcet.ac.in — verify 2026-27 rates directly with admissions office. Own scholarship scheme plus government SC/ST/OBC scholarships available.
Placements
Placement 2024: 374 UG students placed, highest Rs 16 LPA, average Rs 3.28 LPA. 75–90% overall placement rate. Top recruiters: Radisys, Juniper Networks, Dell, Sony, Informatica, HP, Allegion, Mindtree, Accenture, TCS, Infosys, L&T, Bosch-Rexroth, Walmart Labs, Global Edge. CSE, ISE, and ECE see the highest package concentration. ~50 companies visit campus annually. For higher packages (Rs 8–12+ LPA), students in competitive coding and AWS/Google Cloud certifications have a strong track record. Some reviews report Rs 42 LPA highest — verify current data on sdmcet.ac.in.
Location and Infrastructure
SDMCET is located in Dhavalagiri, Dharwad — a city well-known for its educational institutions (including IIT Dharwad and Karnatak University) and a pleasant climate. Dharwad is 80 km from Hubli, 430 km from Bangalore, and well-connected by train (on the Bangalore-Hubli-Mumbai line) and NH-48. The 72-acre campus includes a large auditorium, library with 3 reading rooms, a well-equipped gymnasium, cafeteria, alumni block, guest house, hostels for boys and girls, sports facilities, and departmental labs. The SDM institution's charitable philosophy translates to a well-maintained, values-oriented campus environment.
Key Considerations
SDMCET's TOI #71 engineering ranking and MINT/WSJ #24 private college position place it squarely among India's recognized private engineering colleges — well above its Dharwad location might suggest. The KCET CSE cutoff of ~11,000–18,000 is competitive, comparable to mid-tier Bangalore colleges, yet SDMCET offers significantly lower living costs (hostel Rs 44,000–58,000/year vs Rs 80,000+ in Bangalore) and a calmer campus environment. For students from North Karnataka — Dharwad, Hubli, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada — who clear this cutoff, SDMCET is arguably the strongest private engineering option in the region. The autonomous curriculum allows faster adoption of AI, ML, and industry-relevant electives than standard VTU-affiliated colleges.
Need help with engineering admission in Karnataka? WhatsApp +91 6363 330 233 with your KCET rank and preferred college. We help you get the best admission to your preferred colleges without hassle.
Content verified against publicly available AICTE, VTU, KEA, NAAC, and institutional data. Fees and cutoffs are approximate — verify directly with the college and KEA before admission. KCET ranks change every year. Published by L K Monu Borkala, founder of OneCity Technologies — publishing Karnataka education directories since 2006.