Starting off, let's contrast an MSc in basic science with an MTech in engineering. Both of these programmes are master's degree programmes. It is commonly recognized that students in fundamental science disciplines learn about the natural and physical world through theory and experimentation, while students in engineering disciplines learn how to apply their scientific knowledge. Students can choose physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology as basic discipline in fundamental science, and civil, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering as basic disciplines in engineering. A bachelor's degree in the basic discipline is required for admission to the master's programme in that field. For instance, a graduate student with a physics honours degree is ineligible for admission to the MTech programme in civil engineering or any other fundamental engineering field. However, there are just few courses available, all of which are interdisciplinary and doing MTech on these courses require a good and valid GATE score. The following list includes a few renowned institutions that admit MSc Physics students to the MTech programme on those courses.
IISC: Offers MTech in Nano Science and Engineering, Quantum Technology, Earth Science, Climate Science, Computational and Data Science.
IIT Kanpur: Offers MTech in Materials Science and engineering, Space science and astronomy, Material science, Nuclear engineering and technology, Photonics science and engineering.
IIT Kharagpur: Offers MTech in Functional materials and devices, Material science and engineering
IIT Bombay: Offers MTech in Metallurgical and materials engineering.
IIT Madras: Offers MTech in Functional Materials and Nanotechnology.
IIT Delhi: Offers MTech in material science and engineering, Applied optics, Solid state materials, Optoelectronics and Optical Communication.
NIT Durgapur: Offers MTech in Advanced material science and technology
NIT Raipur: Offers MTech in Energy and environment
NIT Rourkela: Offers MTech in Atmosphere and Ocean science, Metallurgical and materials engineering.
IIEST(Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur): Offers MTech in Biomedical engineering, Manufacturing technology, Materials engineering, Renewable energy science and technology
DIAT(Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune): Offers MTech in Nanoscience and Technology, Modelling and simulation, Sensor Technology, Optoelectronics and communication systems, Materials engineering, Material science and Chemical technology, Quantum computing, Technology management.
The majority of these courses are in the fast expanding fields of material science, nanotechnology, and applied optics. The main objective of these courses is to prepare students to tackle problems in respective field and find solutions. The course material demonstrates how cutting-edge and industry-friendly these programmes are, giving students the opportunity to pursue careers in both research and development and industries. The course content for the MTech in Material Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur and the MTech in Functional Materials and Devices at IIT Kharagpur is displayed at the following links: (i)https://www.iitk.ac.in/mse/mtech,(ii)https://gateoffice.iitkgp.ac.in/jmp/docs/JMP_Brochure_Final.pdf
Placement record of some of these institutions for these courses are shown below with reference.
(1) DIAT-Pune: MTech in Modelling and Simulation, Optical Communication and Photonics, Materials – Materials Engineering, Quantum Communication and Sensing got placement in Jindal Stainless Limited, Data Pattern, TCS, and C-DAC. The placement record of DIAT for 2021-2022 can be found in this link https://www.diat.ac.in/placement-2/.
(2)IIT Kanpur: The placement brochure of the Material Science and Engineering dept. IIT Kanpur for 2022-23 can be found in this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rB3V6t6jC_Yl_aNGT0I_W20yRsj5NzmP/view
(3) IIT Bombay: Offers of placement from the organizations like Micron, JSW, Applied Materials etc for MTech in Metallurgical and materials engineering as noted on the placement brochure of IIT Bombay for 2022-2023 can be found in this link https://campus.placements.iitb.ac.in/
(4) IIT Delhi: In the last three years, placement from the organizations like Applied Materials, Intel, Sandisk, Videocon, Samsung, Moser Baer for MTech in Solid State Materials as noted on the website can be found here (i)https://physics.iitd.ac.in/ (ii) https://physics.iitd.ac.in/assets/uploads/announcements/Welcome-to-MTech-SSM-Programme-2021-22.pdf
In addition to employment in the private sector, there are a few positions available in the DRDO, ISRO, CSIR, and other government departments. Although admission to these MTech programmes at top Indian institutes does not automatically imply that a job is guaranteed, it is nevertheless important to maintain a strong academic record during the MTech programme. Because there are more job opportunities in basic engineering disciplines than in the subjects covered above. Besides these jobs, students can also take career options in academia however it's crucial to remember that a PhD is preferred over an MTech.
In conclusion, pursuing an MTech degree after earning a master's degree in physics makes it easier to find employment in the private or corporate sector through campus placements. However, it is highly recommended to proceed directly from MSc to PhD if a physics graduate wants to work in academia or do research.