Rajalakshmi Engineering College (REC), located in Thandalam, Chennai, is a private autonomous institution affiliated with Anna University. Established in 1997, REC has grown into one of the more prominent engineering colleges in the Chennai region, known for its strong placement outcomes and steadily improving national rankings. Here’s a complete overview of what the college offers.
History and Affiliation
Rajalakshmi Engineering College was established in 1997 under the aegis of the Rajalakshmi Educational Trust. It began with just 3 undergraduate engineering programmes and an annual intake of 180 students, and has since grown to offer 17-18 undergraduate and 9 postgraduate programmes (including an MBA), with an annual intake now around 1,890 students. The college is affiliated with Anna University, Chennai, and holds autonomous institution status.
Accreditation
REC is accredited by NAAC with an A++ grade and is approved by AICTE and the UGC. It has also secured 12(B) status from the UGC and is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) — notably, the college received NBA accreditation for nine undergraduate engineering programmes as soon as it became eligible to apply, one of relatively few colleges to achieve that scope of accreditation on its first attempt. REC is additionally recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the DSIR, Government of India.
Courses Offered
REC offers undergraduate programmes (BE/B.Tech) across disciplines including Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, among others, with Anna University granting permanent affiliation to several of these programmes. At the postgraduate level, the college offers ME/M.Tech programmes and an MBA.
Admission Process
Admission to REC’s undergraduate engineering programmes is primarily merit-based, with roughly 50% of seats filled through Anna University’s state-level single-window (TNEA) counselling system, and the remaining 50% filled through the management quota based on merit. Candidates must generally have passed 10+2 in the PCM stream with a minimum of 50% marks (with relaxation for reserved categories) from a recognized board.
Fees and Rankings
The fee for REC’s BE programme is approximately INR 2.2 lakh for the 2025 admission cycle. In national rankings, REC has been placed in the 101-150 band under the Engineering category by NIRF in recent cycles, having climbed steadily from its earlier ranking of 86th in an older NIRF cycle.
Placements
REC has a strong placement track record, with the college reporting an average CTC of INR 20.4 lakh per annum for its top 10% of placed students in recent cycles. The college’s Centre for Sponsored Research & Consultancy (CSRC) also maintains collaborations with companies including Super Auto Forge, Valeo India, Aban Biotech, Tata Consultancy Services, and Addison & Company, supporting both placement pipelines and applied research.
Campus Facilities
REC’s campus includes a library, canteen, hostel accommodation, internet access, healthcare facilities, and security infrastructure, along with regular workshops, seminars, and conferences organized to support student development beyond the core curriculum.
The Bottom Line
Rajalakshmi Engineering College has built a strong reputation among Anna University-affiliated engineering colleges in Chennai, combining NAAC A++ accreditation, broad NBA program coverage, and increasingly competitive placement outcomes. Its TNEA-based admission process and steady climb in national rankings make it a popular choice for engineering aspirants in Tamil Nadu.
Rankings, cutoffs, fees, and placement figures change annually — verify current details directly on Rajalakshmi Engineering College’s official website before applying.