There are several reasons why civil engineers may be underpaid in India:

1. Supply and demand: There is a large supply of civil engineers in India, which can lead to lower salaries as employers have a large pool of applicants to choose from.
2. Limited job opportunities: There may be limited job opportunities in certain regions of India, which can also lead to lower salaries as engineers may be willing to accept lower pay in order to secure a job.
3. Limited bargaining power: Engineers may have limited bargaining power when it comes to negotiating salaries due to a lack of union representation and other forms of worker advocacy.
4. Lack of specialization: Civil engineers in India may not have the opportunity to specialize in a specific area, which can limit their earning potential.
5. Lack of Project management skills : Civil engineers in India may not have the exposure to project management skills which can limit their earning potential.
6. Lack of Public Private Partnership : India has a limited number of Public Private Partnership projects, which can limit the earning potential for civil engineers.
7. Bureaucratic delays and corruption : Civil engineers may face delays and corruption when it comes to government projects, which can limit their earning potential.

It’s worth noting that the salaries of civil engineers can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the specific company they work for. Additionally, it’s important to note that salaries in India are generally lower than in other developed countries.