AICTE releases Approval Process Handbook for Academic Year 2024-2027

Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof. T.G. Sitharam along with Vice Chairman Dr. Abhay Jere and Member Secretary Prof. Rajive Kumar launched the AICTE Approval Process Handbook for Academic Year 2024-2027, today at PIB Conference Hall, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau, Smt. Shamima Siddiqui presented the introductory remarks.

Prof. Sitharam, while addressing the media personnel, informed that AICTE has come up with an Approval Process Handbook applicable for the next three years. The handbook elaborates on processes which institutions need to follow while seeking approval from the council to run technical and management programmes/courses. Prof. Sitharam also highlighted the amendments and provisions that have been incorporated this year in the Approval Process Handbook with a primary focus on quality of education, simplicity in procedures and transparency in implementation.

He also added that for the first time, AICTE posted the draft of the new APH in the public domain to seek opinions and suggestions/ feedback from various stakeholders and experts. More than 600 suggestions and comments were received from different stakeholders, which were evaluated by an expert committee and many suggestions were incorporated in the final draft.  

New changes introduced in the APH are as follows:

1. Provision for Extension of Approval up to 3 years for well-performing Institutions.
2. The upper limit on intake for the Courses / Programs offered by well-performing existing institutions has been relaxed. However, Institutions need to showcase quality infrastructure and qualified faculty before seeking intake.
3. Reduction in compliances related to the requirement of land documents and NOC from affiliating University/ State/ UT Govt.
4. Introduced Off-campus provision for well-performing existing institutions within the jurisdiction of affiliating Universities.
5. Undergraduate Programs/Courses in Computer Applications (e.g. BCA) and Management (e.g. BBA/BMS) have been brought under the umbrella of AICTE to ensure coordinated development in technical and management education.
6. Provision for employed/ working professionals to upgrade their academic qualification/ skillsets at diploma/degree/postgraduate level through flexible mode (timings).
7. Provision of Hibernation for the Institutions looking for upgradation/revamping of the facilities.
8. More clarity on the approval process for Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online Learning (OL)
9. All AICTE-approved Institutions have default approval for Skilling (through Vocational courses) via making effective use of existing infrastructure facilities and human resources. 
10. Revised penal action clauses for violation of Norms and Requirements applicable for AICTE approved Institutions/Universities.
11. Huge emphasis on innovation through the INDOVATION program and by establishing the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) on their campuses. 

 

The new provision of AICTE approval for Institutions offering BCA and BBA/BMS courses will enable better quality through model curriculum, eligibility for scholarship schemes like PRAGATI, SAKSHAM, SWANATH etc., faculty participation in FDPs through ATAL Academy, Quality Improvement Programme, Research Promotion Scheme for funding Faculty, Innovation Cell activities for students, free access to all technical books, access to Students Assessment Portal (PARAKH), placement and internship facilities for students through AICTE’s Internship and Placement portal.

AICTE is committed to promoting holistic, qualitative, inclusive and accessible education in the country to make India a technical hub by 2047. AICTE is a mentor, facilitator and enabler catering to the needs of its diverse stakeholders.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1983013

AICTE set to lift cap on engineering seats, mid-level colleges wary

CHENNAI: In a move that could bring more students to top engineering colleges at the cost of mid-tier ones, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) proposes to remove the cap on seats for individual branches from 2024-25.
At present, a college can have a maximum of 240 seats in one branch. The upper limit was introduced following a mismatch between demand and supply.

“As envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the nation's proactive initiatives towards enhancement of Gross Enrolment Ratio, the council proposes to remove the upper limit on intake allowed for colleges/programmes offered by existing institutions,” AICTE said in its draft approval process handbook.
The council mentioned that this was subject to infrastructure availability and occupied faculty positions. Expert committees will make inspections before granting approval for an increase in intake.

An increase in seats will be allowed only if the institution already offers at least three courses in core branches.

Top engineering colleges welcomed the proposal. “Colleges providing quality education may be able to increase their intake and expand their campuses by this move. It will also help improve the quality of education,” said Abhay Meganathan, vice-chairman of the Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions. He pointed out that colleges in the US had an average student strength of 30,000 to 40,000, while the corresponding numbers in India were much smaller.

Some are worried that the move would affect admissions in mid-level colleges that provide quality education. "We will wait for the final approval process handbook, although there is a likelihood that the proposed move will increase the gap between the top colleges and mid-tier ones. They may not be able to provide quality education if admission dips," said B Chidambararajan, director of SRM Valliammai Engineering College.

Anna University vice-chancellor R Velraj said the move would accelerate the end of sub-par engineering colleges. As of now, Tamil Nadu has a sanctioned strength of 2.6 lakh seats in 440 engineering colleges.

Source: The Times of India dated 27 November 2023