Is naval architecture and ocean engineering in IIT Madras a good choice?

The Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering branch at IIT Madras offers courses over 3 levels 

B.Tech level: This level offers the maximum job prospects one could ask for.

• The placements of BTech students of this branch are excellent although core offers are only a handful. This allows students to switch fields and enter banking, finance, or consultancy. 
• Some students go for MBAs or start preparing for government exams. 
• Those interested in Hughes studies go for a master's or a Ph.D. usually in top foreign institutes. 

Masters level: The job prospects are similar to the bachelor's level but most students prefer going for a Ph.D. or a job

• The placement scenario is identical to BTech placements except that Masters students can also make it into companies that need mechanical or civil background. This is mainly because of their prior knowledge of mechanical or civil branches from the bachelor's degree.
• Most MTech students go to a job profile that aligns with their bachelor's domain 
• Masters students are more skilled and experienced and thus are offered more core jobs in comparison to BTechbstudents
• For those interested in higher studies, the option for Ph.D. from a top foreign university is open. Some even convert their Master's into Ph.D. at IIT Madras.
• Other than Civil and Mechanical companies, Masters's students are offered a plethora of non-core jobs with excellent packages.

Ph.D. level: This is the ultimate level and has very few job prospects 

• No placements are offered to Ph.D. students and most of them enter Academia and become professors in top colleges
• Those who are hungry for research, continue their passion by becoming Postdocs
• A very few are inclined towards startups based on their research work and open one of their or join someone else’s 

No matter which level you belong to, the students of Naval get to experience the excellent campus life of IIT Madras and get equal exposure to extracurricular activities. The branch may provide limited core opportunities but remember IIT Madras attracts the best non-core jobs and someone open to challenges takes it from a positive perspective.