About MCA:

The full form of MCA is Master of Computer Application. It is a two-year postgraduate degree programme for individuals wanting to work in the world of technology. MCA program deals with the various aspects of computer programming, application software, operating system etc. 

The MCA programme is available in full-time, online and distance modes. Some universities offer full-time MCA programme while some offers MCA course in distance education format. If a candidate does MCA from a private institute or college, he’ll have to pay admission fees ranging between INR 30,000 to INR 2, 00,000 per annum. If he/she does MCA from a government college, he/she will have to pay fees anywhere between INR 1500 to INR 30,000. 

The MCA syllabus includes both theoretical and practical subjects. The syllabus is quite vast. So students wishing to take admission to MCA should be ready to study properly. 

Admission to the MCA programme is given based on performance in the entrance examination. Some universities conduct their entrance exam while some consider government entrance exam marks for admission. The top entrance exams for MCA are MAH MCA CET, IPU CET, NIMCET, VIT MEE, UPSEE etc.

The duration of MCA:

The duration of a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) is 2 years. It is divided into 4 semesters. MCA is available in regular full-time mode, online mode and distance education mode. Students can choose any of the modes as per his/her choice. 

The eligibility criteria for MCA:

Admission to the MCA programme is given based on the student’s performance in the entrance examination. Some colleges/institutes also take direct admission. Before taking admission to any MCA college/institute, candidates should first check the eligibility criteria of that college. Then he/should go forward with the admission. If a candidate fails to fulfil the criteria, his/her application will be rejected. The general MCA eligibility criteria are given below for the students.

• There is no age limit for applying to the MCA course.
• The student should have a bachelor’s degree in computer applications, computer science or a related field with a minimum of 50% marks.
• The student should have had mathematics as a compulsory subject in his/her 10+2. 

Subjects in MCA:

Every semester, subjects change in the MCA course. Students can check the full list of subjects below.

For semester 1:

• Computer organization and architecture
• Business systems and application
• Computer programming with C
• Discrete mathematical structure
• Business English and communication
• Programming in C
• Micro programming and architecture lab
• Business presentation and language lab

For semester 2:

• Data communication and computer networks
• Object-oriented programming in C++
• Information systems analysis and design
• Database management system I
• Data structures with C
• Object-oriented programming lab (C++)
• Data structure lab
• Database lab

For semester 3:

• 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

For semester 4:

• Software engineering and TQM
• Database management systems II
• Environment and ecology
• Graphics and multimedia
• Operation research and optimization techniques
• Advanced database lab
• Software project management lab
• Graphics and multimedia lab

Specializations in MCA course:

Students can choose any of the specialization subjects in the final semester of the MCA course. Here is a list of specializations available in the MCA course.

• System Management
• Hardware Technology
• Troubleshooting
• Software Development
• Application Software
• Internet
• Networking
• Systems Engineering
• System Development
• Management Information Systems (MIS)

Scope after MCA:

After completing post-graduation in MCA, individuals get a lot of opportunities to work in private and public sectors both. Many MCA colleges/institutes provide job opportunities to final-year MCA students through on-campus placement drives. Several companies participate in this type of drive and hire MCA graduates every year for their organizations. Students can apply for off campus job opportunities also. Some of the top recruiting companies are given below. 

• Wipro
• HCL
• IBM
• Tech Mahindra
• TCS
• Cognizant
• Infosys
• Snap deal
• InfoTech
• Accenture

After completing this degree, graduates can work as assistant professors, web designers, IT support executives, software consultants, hardware engineers, software developers etc. 

 

Top MCA universities in India:

Here is the list of top MCA universities in India.

• Presidency College, Bangalore
• NIT Trichy
• JNU
• University of Hyderabad
• Loyola College, Chennai
• NIT Surathkal
• Mount Caramel College, Bangalore
• Banaras Hindu University
• Amity University, Noida
• Delhi University
• ITM University, Gwalior
• NIT Rourkela
• IMS Noida
• Manipal University, Jaipur
• Integral University, Lucknow
• Lovely Professional University, Punjab and many more.