Below are the parts in the order they are bound, the formatting rules from two universities side by side, what to write in each chapter, the mistakes that get a report sent back and a checklist for the day before printing.
- Three blocks: front pages, then chapters, then references and appendices.
- Formatting rules come from your university and college. This page compares the University of Mumbai and Annamalai University, both with linked documents.
- Both use A4 paper printed on both sides, Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing and a wider left margin for binding.
- Number figures and tables by chapter, such as Fig. 4.2 and Table 3.1; table titles go above tables and figure captions below figures.
- Write the report as you build, so screenshots and results match the working project.
What goes in a final year project report, in order?
Most engineering colleges in India bind the report in this order. Names vary a little; your college’s template wins.
- Front pages, numbered in lower-case Roman numerals: cover and title page, certificate signed by the guide and head of department, declaration, acknowledgement, abstract, table of contents, and lists of figures, tables and abbreviations.
- Introduction: the background, the problem statement, the objectives and the scope.
- Literature survey: what existing work does, and the gap your project fills.
- System design or methodology: the architecture, the diagrams (block diagram, flowchart, DFD or UML) and the algorithms.
- Implementation: the tools, the modules and how they fit together, with key screenshots.
- Results and testing: test cases, measured results, comparison with a baseline and a short discussion.
- Conclusion and future work.
- References, in one consistent style, and appendices such as code listings or a user manual.
The University of Mumbai’s B.E. Computer Engineering syllabus lists the contents as abstract, introduction, literature survey, research gap, problem statement and objectives, proposed system, experimental set-up, results and discussion, conclusion and future work, and references. The same order works for most branches.
What formatting rules do universities set for the report?
| Element | University of Mumbai | Annamalai University |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and printing | A4 white bond paper of 70 gsm or more; B.E. reports printed on both sides | A4 white paper of 80 gsm, printed on both sides |
| Font | Times New Roman, 12 pt | Times New Roman; chapter titles 14 pt bold, section headings 12 pt bold |
| Line spacing | 1.5 | 1.5 for the text; single for footnotes, notes under tables and figures, and references |
| Margins | Left 30 mm, right 20 mm, bottom 22 mm; top 30 mm when no header is used | Top 25.4 mm, bottom 17 mm, left 31.7 mm, right 31.7 mm |
| Page numbers | Lower-case Roman before the Introduction, then Arabic numerals centred in the footer | Lower-case Roman before Chapter 1, then Arabic, at the bottom centre |
| Figures and tables | Numbered by chapter, such as Fig. 5.4; table titles above, figure captions below | Numbered by chapter, such as Table 2.1; table titles centred above, figure titles centred below |
| Abstract | About 500 words | Up to two pages, not more than 600 words |
| Binding | Hard bound in black, lettering embossed in gold | Bound size 290 × 205 mm |
Sources: the University of Mumbai’s guidelines for theses, dissertations and reports (Academic Council, 4 March 2014; copy hosted by SPCE, Mumbai) and B.E. Computer Engineering syllabus; Annamalai University’s guidelines for the preparation of the B.E. project (2016). Autonomous colleges and other universities issue their own formats, so check your department’s current one first.
Studying under the University of Mumbai? Our Mumbai black book section covers its team size, term work and oral exam too.
What should each chapter of the report contain?
| Chapter | Write | Examiners look for |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract | The problem, what you built, how you tested it and the main result, in one page | A result, not a promise |
| Introduction | Background, the problem statement, objectives and scope | Objectives that the results chapter later answers |
| Literature survey | Recent work, compared in a table of method, data, result and limitation | A gap that leads to your project |
| Design | Architecture, block diagram, flowchart, DFD or UML, and the algorithm | Diagrams that match what you built |
| Implementation | Tools and versions, modules, key screens or circuit photos | That each member’s part is visible |
| Results and testing | Test cases, measurements, a comparison with a baseline | Numbers with the conditions they were measured in |
| Conclusion | What the objectives achieved, limits, and future work | Honest limits |
Is a black book different from a project report?
No. Black book is what colleges under the University of Mumbai, and many others in Maharashtra, call the final hard-bound project report, because the University’s guidelines ask for a black cover with gold lettering. The content and order are the same as a project report anywhere else. The M.Tech version is a longer dissertation in two stages; see the M.Tech thesis format.
Project works, but the black book isn’t ready?
Send your working project, your college’s format and your submission date. We write the report in that format, with diagrams, screenshots, test results and references, and can add the PPT and viva preparation, after a free consultation and a fixed quote.
What mistakes get a project report sent back?
- Screenshots that don’t match the demo. Take them from the final version.
- Diagrams copied from another project. Examiners ask you to explain every box.
- A literature survey with no gap. End it with what is missing and how your project addresses it.
- Results with no baseline or test conditions. Say what you compared against and on what data.
- Mixed numbering. Fig. 3 in one chapter and Figure 4.2 in another; pick one style.
- References in several styles. Use one, such as the IEEE reference style.
- A high similarity score. Write in your own words and cite what you use; colleges check.
What should you check before printing and binding?
- Every chapter, figure and table title in the contents matches the page it is on.
- Front pages use Roman numerals and the text starts at 1.
- Margins, font and spacing match your college’s template on every page.
- The certificate names, roll numbers and guide’s name are spelled correctly.
- Every reference is cited in the text, and every citation is in the list.
- The similarity report, if your college asks for one, is attached.
- One copy has been read by your guide before you print the rest.
Still choosing what to build? Start with B.Tech project ideas with problem and output or Diploma project topics. For the help we give with the full project, see final year projects for CSE and IT, and for the documents alone, dissertation, report and PPT help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the format of a final year project report?
Front pages (title page, certificate, declaration, acknowledgement, abstract, contents and lists of figures and tables), then chapters from introduction and literature survey through design, implementation and results to the conclusion, then references and appendices. Your college’s template decides the exact names and order.
What font and line spacing should a black book use?
The university rules we compared use Times New Roman for the text with 1.5 line spacing, and the University of Mumbai’s guidelines specify 12 pt. Chapter titles are usually larger and bold. If your department gives a template, its settings come first.
What is the difference between a black book and a project report?
Nothing in content. Black book is the name used at many colleges, including those under the University of Mumbai, for the final hard-bound project report, because the guidelines ask for a black cover with gold lettering. Elsewhere the same document is called the project report or thesis.
How many pages should a final year project report be?
The two university guidelines compared on this page do not fix a page count for the B.E. report, and colleges differ. Write enough to explain the problem, the design, the implementation and the results clearly, and ask your guide what length your department expects.
Can The Ultimate Project World help with a final year project report?
Yes. Send your working project, your college’s format and your submission date in the free consultation. We prepare the report or black book in that format, with diagrams, screenshots, testing and references, and can add the PPT and viva preparation.
