UDYAMOTSAV 2025: AICTE initiative to nurture student entrepreneurs

Coinciding with National Startup Day, the event serves as a platform for over 325 student-led startups to present their ideas, connect with investors, and access mentorship, writes TG Sitharam.

Aiming to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among students across India, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched UDYAMOTSAV 2025.

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), the event coincides with National Startup Day, announced by PM Narendra Modi on January 16, 2022, and aligns with the vision of the government to make India a global hub for startups. Being the government’s flagship initiative, Startup India has fostered innovation, catalysed startup culture, and built a robust and inclusive ecosystem for entrepreneurship. Over the years, the initiative has rolled out numerous programmes designed to support entrepreneurs, build a resilient startup ecosystem, and transform India into a nation of job creators. Since its inception, the startup landscape in India has witnessed exponential growth, earning its place as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.

The AICTE has decided to elevate the celebration of National Startup Day with UDYAMOTSAV 2025, a platform for startups and entrepreneurs from higher education institutions. This first-of-its-kind event will bring together over 80 investors and showcase the innovative ideas of more than 325 startups, selected from over 10,000 student registrations across the country. These startups will present groundbreaking ideas at 14 institutions nationwide, including Apex University, Jaipur; Chandigarh Engineering College, Mohali; iHub, Ahmedabad; Mahindra University, Hyderabad; MIT World Peace University, Pune; and many others.

Pitching ideas
One of the key highlights of UDYAMOTSAV 2025 is the ‘Shark Tank’-style pitching sessions. This dynamic format provides startups with a unique opportunity to pitch their ideas to a distinguished panel of investors, securing not only funding but also invaluable feedback and exposure. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between budding entrepreneurs and the investor community, fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.

The event is designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth. All participating startups, including those not shortlisted for the national pitching round, will receive ongoing support through AICTE Indovation Centres. These centres play a pivotal role in building a regional ecosystem that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that our youth have the resources and mentorship they need to succeed.

AICTE’s initiatives, including UDYAMOTSAV, are in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises promoting an entrepreneurial mindset and nurturing problem solvers. Through experiential learning, innovation, and creativity, AICTE is fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs who will drive India’s growing economy. Furthermore, as we celebrate the Year of Artificial Intelligence, AICTE is committed to integrating AI into our educational framework through dedicated curricula, collaborative programmes, hackathons, and projects.

To further strengthen this ecosystem, AICTE-MIC will launch a dedicated Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Innovation and Entrepreneurship on National Startup Day. This programme aims to train 3,000 faculty members who will serve as master trainers, ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship become integral components of our educational institutions.

By fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, we are empowering our youth to become job creators rather than job seekers. UDYAMOTSAV 2025 is not just an event but a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that will shape the future of our nation.

Source: https://www.educationtimes.com/article/campus-beat-college-life/99737410/udyamotsav-2025-aicte-initiative-to-nurture-student-entrepreneurs

AICTE Launches ‘One Student One Mentor’ Program Under Neat 4.0 With Intercell

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, has evaluated the Intercell Career Mentoring Program as a valuable initiative for students. This program aims to provide holistic education through industry mentors and AI-powered tools, offering career guidance aligned with both Indian and global standards.

Intercell, an AI-based career mentoring platform, enables students to become placement-ready. The online platform offers live one-on-one industry mentoring from senior professionals and enhances students’ skills with various AI mentoring tools, including:


* Mentor Match

* InstaResume

* Talent Finder


* Internship/Jobs Support

* Skill Assessment


* English Coach

On January 2, AICTE officially launched Phase 4 of the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT 4.0) at an event held at AICTE Headquarters in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The launch event, which included an MoU signing ceremony, was graced by distinguished personalities such as Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, and Buddha Chandrasekhar, Chief Coordinating Officer of NEAT AICTE.

NEAT 4.0 represents a significant stride toward bridging the gap between learners and industry-relevant skills, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for students across the country.




Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, remarked, “The launch of NEAT 4.0 brings renewed hope to the Indian education sector. The use of AI tools on the portal enables personalized learning, ensuring better outcomes for students. Moreover, the dynamic onboarding process allows for evaluations every 2-3 months, expediting the inclusion of innovative solutions.”


During the event, Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of NETF, stated, “NEAT 4.0 is poised to revolutionize online learning in India by providing learners with industry-oriented skills, enhancing their employability.”

Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar, CCO of AICTE, emphasized, “Through the Public-Private Partnership model, NEAT 4.0 makes cutting-edge EdTech solutions accessible to students from weaker sections. The inclusion of emerging domains such as Biomedical Engineering, Health & Wellness, and Space Technology highlights the portal’s versatility.”

Intercell Founder and CEO Arunabh Varma stated, “We are pleased to participate in NEAT 4.0 and fully support the Ministry of Education’s vision to deliver innovative, world-class EdTech solutions that accelerate Indian students’ career advancement.”

Source: https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/aicte-launches-one-student-one-mentor-program-under-neat-4-0-with-intercell/2434859/

FDPs on cards as AICTE and DST take the quantum leap

Under the AICTE FDP scheme faculty will get to visit industries and get hands-on training at research labs

To train faculty, develop infrastructure for quantum technologies, and create appropriate study materials for students is on the map charted by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), following the launch of the Undergraduate (UG) Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies.

The regulatory bodies will ensure faculty members have a solid understanding of quantum mechanics and technologies. They will provide financial support to conduct the Faculty Development Programme (FDP) to institutions/individuals under the AICTE FDP scheme, which will facilitate faculty visits to industry/research labs for hands-on training. Meanwhile, the UG Minor course will be available starting from the 2025-26 Academic Year (AY), and students can opt for it from the fifth semester of the UG programme, that is, the third year onwards.

“The curriculum is designed to include practical projects encouraging students to collaborate directly with quantum startups. Students will have opportunities to work with startups through internships, fellowship programmes and project-based themes. AICTE will facilitate networking events, hackathons, and innovation challenges where students undergoing this course can solve the real-world problems presented by startups. Through partnerships with quantum startups supported under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), students can engage in research, co-develop solutions, and gain mentorship. Thematic Hubs established under NQM will also serve as platforms for student-startup collaboration,” says TG Sitharam, chairman, AICTE.

In the first phase, AICTE will designate the best 50 AICTE-approved institutions to run minor degree programmes and establish quantum labs.

“As per mutual collaboration with DST, the financial and technical support for creating quantum technology laboratories in the institutions will be provided by DST through their Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) established under NQM. AICTE will assist in mapping existing resources and facilitating the procurement of essential equipment through grants and funding programs. Institutions will also receive access to shared facilities in T-Hubs,” says Sitharam.

FDPs will be initiated to upskill educators in quantum technologies, ensuring they are equipped to teach theoretical and practical components. Hands-on training sessions, recorded lectures, conferences, workshops, and online certification programmes will be conducted so faculty members can stay updated on the latest developments and trends in quantum technologies. The development of related textbooks and course materials on quantum technology for faculty and students and the creation of infrastructure and resources for quantum labs in the institutions will be prioritised.

“The curriculum supports NQM’s objectives of creating a quantum-ready workforce and fostering a robust quantum research and innovation ecosystem. By nurturing talent at the UG level, the programme lays the groundwork for research and industry-ready professionals, aligning with NQM’s workforce development goals. Plans are underway to develop specialised PG programmes in quantum technologies, for which collaborations with leading research institutions and universities will be explored to design advanced coursework and interdisciplinary modules,” says Sitharam.

“India can succeed in quantum technologies only if we have trained manpower. The biggest bottleneck in implementing this initiative is determining who will teach the courses and where the teaching materials will come from. We must ensure that all these resources are readily available. The NQM team has agreed to train faculty, and the programme will commence soon. Elite institutions such as IISc Bangalore and IITs will also participate in this initiative. We are developing MOOCs on quantum mechanics and recording lectures to support the programme. Releasing the curriculum was the first step; it will be followed by faculty training and lab establishment. Universities and colleges offering this programme will connect with these labs through a hub-and-spoke model,” says Prof Rajive Kumar, member secretary, AICTE.

Kumar adds, “We are writing to the universities to adopt the programme or some courses. But in the initial phase, access to trained faculty could be a challenge.”

UGC Develops A System To Evaluate Institutes Based On NEP 2020

The progress made by the HEIs in implementing the NEP 2020 will be considered while granting privileges and entitlements.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to develop a system to evaluate higher education institutions (HEIs) based on the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In some of the UGC regulations, grades/scores obtained in NAAC accreditation are taken as criteria to make HEIs eligible for certain privileges/entitlements.

In line with this, the commission has invited suggestions/feedback from the stakeholders/public to draft document which may be submitted through the Google form available at https://forms.gle/xY6avHXGfKXJuwBk8 

An official notification by the UGC reads, "It has been decided to develop a system to evaluate HEIs based on the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. The progress made by the HEIs in implementing the NEP 2020 will be considered while granting privileges and entitlements under various UGC regulations. To facilitate this, a two-step evaluation process has been developed, and specific parameters have been identified to determine the allocation of points."

A higher education institution may be required to pass through a two-step process. In the first step, an institution needs to fulfill the mandatory requirements called 'qualifiers,' followed by 'quantifiers, where the HEI will have to reply with 'yes' or 'no' to a series of questions based on the initiatives of NEP 2020 and the UGC Regulations. 

The assessment will be based on the data/evidence to be submitted by the HEI. Submission of false evidence and or any wrong declaration by HEl will lead to the rejection of the application and any other action as deemed fit by the UGC.

The two-step evaluation is as follows:

1. Eligibility Qualifiers: These will be the mandatory benchmarks that an HEl needs to fulfill in order to become eligible for the grant of privileges/entitlements.

2. Quantifier Parameters: The eligible HEI will be evaluated on the identified parameters and the grant of privilege/entitlement will be determined on the basis of the points obtained by the HEI.

An HEI will be mandatorily required to attain the qualifier benchmarks to become eligible for submission of an application to obtain a privilege or entitlement to be granted or conferred by the UGC. HEI will also be required to submit evidence in support of achieving a benchmark parameter. 

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/education/ugc-develops-a-system-to-evaluate-institutes-based-on-nep-2020-7396880

DST along with AICTE announces undergraduate courses for quantum

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced a dedicated curriculum at the undergraduate level, to create a thriving quantum-trained ecosystem in India as part of the National Quantum Mission.

Professor Ajay K Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt. of India said that the curriculum will integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on lab experience, aiming to deepen graduates' understanding of quantum technologies through a minor program in the subject at undergraduate level. Highlighting the progress made in the National Quantum Mission, Prof. Sood emphasised the importance of this initiative to align with the goals of the Mission in order to create a quantum-ready workforce for the country’s technological advancement and global leadership.

The National Quantum Mission from the Government of India is a decisive step in accelerating the nation’s research and technology development in this field. Such research and technology development will require a highly skilled workforce through immediate initiatives in teaching and training.

The curriculum will help impart training for developing this workforce to enable them to reach global standards, and simultaneously address the multi-disciplinary needs of quantum technology development -- from basic to applied research.

Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary Department of Science and Technology said that the announcement of this curriculum marks a significant step in building a quantum-ready workforce. ‘It is designed for undergraduate students to establish a strong foundational and advanced knowledge base keeping in mind the diversity in the institutions, and will enable all engineering students irrespective of their disciplines to undertake UG minor in quantum technologies from their third or fourth semester.” he added.

“For the success of the program, training of teachers and basic lab infrastructure will also be required. National Quantum Mission will support creation of teaching labs in some select institutions and will work with AICTE for faculty development,” Prof. Karandikar pointed out.

Prof. Karandikar urged institutes to adopt the curriculum proactively and also students to recognize the importance of integrating quantum technologies into research, education, and innovation strategies.

Dr. Ajai Chowdhry Chairman MGB, NQM said that while this course will help in developing manpower in quantum technology in the country, internships should also be started in parallel to create more value for the students.

Professor T G Sitharam, Chairman All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) highlighted that this is a new beginning in quantum revolution to leverage the potential of quantum technology to create impact in society. “Our curriculum is ready and hopefully it will be included from next July session in all top institutions,” he added.

While institutes of national importance have begun programs to this end, expanding such training to a larger pool of institutes across the country can enable the nation to tap into the vast resource of students who can then participate in the mission to accelerate its progress towards its goals. The course would be taken up for implementation by AICTE approved institutions across the country.

The course structure includes all four verticals of Quantum Technology -- Quantum Computing, Quantum communications, Quantum sensing and metrology, Quantum materials and devices. The proposed curriculum constitutes a minimum of 18 credits with both theory and lab courses. Each course amounts to 3 credits (1 credit translating to 1 in-class contact hour per week for a theory course or 1 session of lab for 3 hours for a lab course), thereby making the minor program span a minimum of 6 courses.

Faculty Development Programs in the areas of Quantum Technologies are also proposed to be carried out to enable them to do justice to the goals of the minor program. Such sustained teacher training efforts will also enhance the quality of the training imparted to students over the years leading to long-term benefits and enable India to become a world leader in this field.

Apart from this course, National Quantum Mission in collaboration with AICTE is also planning to support creation of labs to aid teaching in the areas of quantum technologies, writing of books for the course and quantum awareness programmes.

Proposed structure of the program:

Minimum credits to fulfil – 18

• A 3.0.0 course has 3 theory lectures per week and considering an average length of 14 weeks for a semester,

• A 3:0 course amounts to at least 36 hours of lectures (considering holidays, exam days etc).

• A n:m lab course has n hours of lectures and m sessions (3 hours each) of lab per week.

Source: https://dst.gov.in/dst-along-aicte-announces-undergraduate-courses-quantum

AICTE signs MoU with 22 EdTech companies for 40 products under NEAT 4.0

The AICTE statement said that domain experts evaluated over 300 products to ensure high-quality standards before selecting 40 for onboarding onto the NEAT portal

NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday with 22 EdTech companies to introduce 40 innovative products as part of the fourth phase of the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT).

The AICTE statement said that domain experts evaluated over 300 products to ensure high-quality standards before selecting 40 for the NEAT portal (neat.aicte-india.org), which provide top ed-tech solutions and courses to students.

AICTE chairman T.G. Sitharam said, “The use of AI tools on the portal enables personalised learning, ensuring better outcomes for students. Moreover, the onboarding process allows evaluations every two to three months, expediting the inclusion of innovative solutions.”

The ministry of education introduced NEAT in September 2019 under a public-private partnership model. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched NEAT 3.0 in January 2022.

“NEAT 3.0, which provided free ed-tech course coupons worth ₹253 crore to over 12 lakh disadvantaged students, involved 58 EdTech companies offering 100 products to enhance skills and bridge learning gaps,” said an official.

At Thursday’s event, Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), said, “NEAT 4.0 will revolutionise online learning in India by providing learners with industry-oriented skills, enhancing their employability.”

Buddha Chandrasekhar, chief coordination officer, AICTE, added that NEAT 4.0 incorporates emerging fields such as Biomedical Engineering, Health and Wellness, and Space Technology, making the portal more versatile.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aicte-signs-mou-with-22-edtech-companies-for-40-products-under-neat-40-101735895044017.html

AICTE declares 2025 as ‘Year of AI’ to shape India as global leader

The initiatives will span across AICTE-approved institutions, impacting over 14,000 colleges and 40 million students nationwide

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced 2025 as the “Year of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” to shape India as a global leader in AI. The initiatives under this declaration by the technical education regulator will span across AICTE-approved institutions, impacting over 14,000 colleges and 40 million students nationwide.

“With this bold announcement, AICTE aims to embed AI within the fabric of higher education, fostering innovation, ethics, and leadership to position India as a global leader in AI-driven progress,” AICTE said in a statement.

AICTE chairman TG Sitharam in a letter has urged all its affiliated institutions to submit their AI implementation plans by December 31, 2024, which will be reviewed by its approval bureau, with top submissions featured as benchmarks for other institutions. He has urged the AICTE-approved institutions to adopt five measures to “affirm India’s leadership in AI”. Five measures include institutions taking pledge to make India a global leader in AI through innovation, ethics, and education, displaying this commitment prominently on campuses; launching AI awareness campaigns; updating curricula to include AI topic fostering interdisciplinary approaches; conducting workshops and certifications to equip faculty with AI teaching expertise; and partnering with AI-driven organisations to provide real-world exposure through internship, projects and mentorship.

AICTE will organise workshops and certifications to upskill faculty in AI education. Students will receive real-world experience through internships, projects, and mentorships through collaborations of their colleges with global companies like Adobe, Cisco, and International Business Machines (IBM). Top-performing institutions will be recognised with awards as models of AI excellence.

“As we dedicate 2025 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, let us unite to build a future-ready workforce. Together, we can shape India as a global leader in AI innovation, ethics, and education, fulfilling our shared vision of self-reliance and prosperity,” Sitharam said.

Officials at AICTE-approved institutions are adopting AI in their courses to prepare students for job markets. Institutions are also conducting teachers training by industry experts to empower them.

Dr Ankit Chaudhary, professor of Computer Engineering at the School of Engineering (SoE), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) said, “In the first year, all BTech students are introduced to Data Science. In the second year, they study Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. Third-year students are taught Machine Learning (ML) and Computer Vision, while fourth-year students explore Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Technology changes after every five years and we have to update ourselves accordingly. Students are needed to learn job-market relevant skills and usage of AI in BTech syllabus will boost their employability. We regularly take feedback from industry leaders and prepare curriculum to train our students for better jobs.”

SoE offers two BTech programs: Computer Science and Engineering (BTech CSE) and Electronics and Communication Engineering (BTech ECE).

Sujith Kumar, a professor at T John Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, said, “We have already added topics related to AI in some of our courses. As asked by AICTE, we are making plans to use AI to reshape education. We will organise seminars to raise awareness about AI among students”

Ashok Kumar Mittal, founder chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara said that there are challenges in adopting new technologies due to less training opportunities, and resistance to change.

“To empower educators, LPU has established a comprehensive professional development program. This initiative includes workshops, seminars, and hands-on training sessions conducted by experts in the field of AI and education technology. Teachers are introduced to a variety of AI tools such as adaptive learning platforms, virtual tutors, and data analytics software tailored for educational use. They learn how to integrate these tools into their lesson plans to improve learning experiences for students,” he said.

LPU offers several AICTE-approved courses in engineering, management and pharmacy among others.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aicte-declares-2025-as-year-of-ai-to-shape-india-as-global-leader-101735055534296.html

AICTE and MyAnatomy Establish Strategic Alliance, Initiating a New Era for Skill Assessment and Development

In a groundbreaking move to enhance technical education and skill development, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and MyAnatomy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the evolving needs of India’s workforce. This strategic alliance signifies a substantial leap towards bridging the gap between academia and industry, fostering a globally competitive talent ecosystem.

For nearly Eight Decades, AICTE has been at the forefront of technical education in India, driving innovation, excellence, and employability through visionary initiatives. The council’s internship and job portals have connected over 550 million students with opportunities across 76,000+ companies, while its Global Developer Corps (GDC) program and Post-Doctoral Fellowship scheme have further strengthened India’s position as a leader in AI technologies and cutting-edge research.

AICTE has taken a humble yet transformative initiative to incorporate skill assessments into its internship portal. By partnering with MyAnatomy, a leading AI-driven digital talent platform, AICTE aims to enhance skill diagnosis, competency mapping, and career progression. This collaboration leverages MyAnatomy’s advanced assessment technologies to create industry-aligned skill development programs, personalized learning paths, and job-role-specific assessments like the National Competence and Employability Test (NCET).

MyAnatomy is a cutting-edge digital talent platform that leverages AI and automation to seamlessly connect employers, job seekers, and educational institutions, revolutionizing the talent landscape. With a skill-first approach, MyAnatomy offers comprehensive solutions such as Skill Assessment, Recruitment as a Service and Learning-as-a-Service, along with an end-to-end Recruitment Process Management System. The platform empowers candidates by identifying skill gaps, creating personalized career roadmaps, and enhancing employability. MyAnatomy is committed to fostering a balanced and thriving talent ecosystem that meets the dynamic demands of today’s workforce.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in addressing the evolving needs of India's workforce. By combining AICTE's vast network and regulatory framework with My Anatomy’s innovative technology, the partnership aims to:
1. Empower individuals across various professional profiles with highly advanced, scientifically designed AI-driven assessments and interviews for accurate self-diagnosis of skills.
2. Enable professionals to create personalized career progress plans, paving the way for successful futures in an increasingly competitive job market.
3. Provide organizations with enhanced tools to identify the right candidates, ensuring a perfect match between skills and job requirements.
4. Bridge the gap between academia and industry by aligning skill development programs with current market demands.
5. Optimize campus placements, Internships and Career progression plans with well-designed Learning paths, enhancing the employability of fresh graduates.

Dr. Chandrasekhar Budha, CCO, AICTE stated, “Our partnership with MyAnatomy represents a significant technological leap in skills assessment. We're committed to preparing India's youth for tomorrow's workforce through holistic, diversified skill evaluation.”

Mr. Chinmay Kumar Dash, CEO, MyAnatomy, emphasized, “This collaboration combines innovative AI technology with AICTE’s educational expertise to nurture India’s talent ecosystem and drive global competitiveness.”

As India continues to cement its position as a global technology and innovation hub, this partnership between AICTE and MyAnatomy stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to developing a skilled, adaptable, and world-class workforce. This initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat by enhancing employability- building a developed, empowered and globally competitive India.

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Source: https://cbs4indy.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/770054162/aicte-and-myanatomy-establish-strategic-alliance-initiating-a-new-era-for-skill-assessment-and-development/

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

AICTE to organise KAVACH-2023 hackathon to address challenges in cybersecurity domain

In the Finale, participants will unveil their concepts, substantiating their technical viability and real-world application

With over 100 teams from higher educational institutions poised to engage in presenting their ideas and solutions in the cybersecurity domain, the stage is set for KAVACH 2023, a national hackathon organised jointly by the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell, AICTE, Bureau of Police Research and Development, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs) to kick-start its journey. The initiative aims to unearth innovative ideas and technological solutions to address the challenges confronting law enforcement agencies and ordinary citizens in the realm of cybersecurity. 

The hackathon will be launched across five strategic nodal centres: Bhopal's IES College of Technology, Bangalore's AMC Engineering College, Bhubaneswar's Centurion University of Technology and Management, New Panvel's Pillai College of Engineering, and Greater Noida's GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management.

The event will have an eclectic array of 20 problem statements, calling upon the students to compete for the top ranks by submitting their visionary solutions. Among the problem statements are a new-age women's safety app, an obscenity blocker solution, an advanced fake news detection system, a phishing detection solution, cutting-edge ANPR and FRS solutions, a dark web crawler, a spam alert system, a malware analysis tool, a CCTV analytics solution, a RAM dump collection tool, a citizen safety app for safeguarding against cybercrimes, an indigenous crypto currency investigation tool, to mention a few. 

In the finale, participants will unveil their concepts, substantiating their technical viability and real-world application. 

Balaji Srivastava, DG, BPR&D said, "Participants in this Hackathon are embarking on a journey of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. It is their chance to innovate, collaborate and impact digital security for a safer tomorrow."

AICTE chairman Prof TG Sitharam, while underscoring the significance of this event, said, "KAVACH-2023 challenges India's innovative minds to envision ideas and frameworks in the domain of cybersecurity, leveraging artificial intelligence, deep learning, machine learning, automation, big data, and cloud computing."

Vice-chairman of AICTE Abhay Jere further explained, "This unique opportunity welcomes higher institutional students and startups from India to present their innovative ideas and concepts for various problem statements."

Source: Education Times dated 8th August 2023

URL: https://www.educationtimes.com/article/newsroom/99733346/aicte-to-organise-kavach-2023-hackathon-to-address-challenges-in-cybersecurity-domain

AICTE & Meta launches Creators of Metaverse Programme to build India’s future workforce

The programme seeks to equip 100,000 college students and 20,000 faculty members with the essential knowledge and technical skills in Augmented Reality (AR) through the Meta Spark platform.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Meta have announced the launch of the ‘Creators of Metaverse’ programme – a pioneering initiative aimed at preparing India’s youth for the future of immersive technology. The launch event took place at the AICTE headquarters in New Delhi.

According to an official release, the ‘Creators of Metaverse’ programme will be managed by One Million for One Billion (1M1B) . It seeks to equip 100,000 college students and 20,000 faculty members with the essential knowledge and technical skills in Augmented Reality (AR) through the Meta Spark platform. The initiative rolled out through the AICTE Training and Learning Bureau (TLB), will play a crucial role in transforming India’s education landscape and fostering innovation among the youth.

Read the full article - AICTE & Meta

AICTE, CTE join to provide ‘world-class educational services’ to students, faculty; bridge digital skills gap

AICTE, CTE signed an agreement on July 29, 2023, to provide world-class educational opportunities across technical institutions in India.

NEW DELHI: The Consortium for Technical Education (CTE) has partnered with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), under the Ministry of Education to impart educational services using technology. The agreement seeks to provide world-class educational opportunities to students across technical institutions in India.

 

The collaboration will bridge the digital skills gap and equip students with the necessary expertise. AICTE through its existing platforms will grant higher technical educational institutions and their students access to CTE's proprietary Digital Infrastructure Platforms. These platforms contain training programmes,......

To Read the Full Article: https://news.careers360.com/aicte-cte-join-provide-world-class-educational-services-students-faculty-bridge-digital-skills-gap

AICTE to set up 10 cells in tier 2, 3 institutes across India for startups

Pune, June 22 (KNN) The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to set up ten 'Indovation' cells in tier 2 and 3 institutions across the country, chairman of AICTE T G Sitharam said on Wednesday.

Abhay Jere, vice chairman of AICTE and chief innovation officer at the ministry of education said, “These Indovation cells will scout for technologies in tier 2 and 3 institutions of our country and help them scale up the technology, in commercialisation and converting into startups.”

“For the Indovation cell, we already have infrastructure in place and funding has been approved. As for the placement portal, many industries have approached. We will be giving pre-placement interview training to these students so that they can successfully appear for the interviews," Sitharam said.

As per reports, AICTE in collaboration with the ministry of education's innovation cell is organising innovation, design, and entrepreneurship (IDE) boot camps in six locations today.

The boot camp will be inaugurated by minister of education Dharmendra Pradhan in College of Engineering Pune Technological University and will be telecast live across social media platforms. (KNN Bureau)


click here:https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/start-up/aicte-to-set-up-10-cells-in-tier-2-3-institutes-across-india-for-startups

AICTE invites application for PG scholarship for 2021-22; apply before December 31

 AICTE invites online proposals from students and institutes for PG scholarship. Students can apply by December 31.

AICTE invites application for PG scholarship for 2021-22; apply before December 31

Tamanna Tamang | Oct 10, 2021 - 1:24 p.m. IST

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NEW DELHI: All India Council of Technical Education has invited applications for post graduate scholarships for the academic year 2021-22.

 

The council has invited online proposals from AICTE approved institutions, and the students studying in such institutions or courses that are approved by AICTE. The scholarship will be provided through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode to the eligible students for this academic year.

As per the notification issued by AICTE, the last date for creating IDs for the students and submission of forms is December 31. The institute will have to verify the application by January 14, 2022.

 

The council has instructed the institutes to verify applications of their students immediately after receiving the applications on their respective online portal. “The council has sent the PG scholarship portal login credentials to the institute's email ID,” said a notice from AICTE

 

The scholarship was introduced by AICTE to ensure development of technical education in India. The council grants the post graduate scholarship of Rs.12,400 per month to full-time GATE/GPAT qualified students studying in AICTE approved post graduate programs in AICTE approved institutions, university departments.

 

The Scholarship is granted for a period of 24 months or for the duration of the course i.e. from the date of commencement of classes till the date of completion of the classes whichever is lower. The scholarship is not extendable under any circumstances.

 

Candidates who are eligible for the scheme can visit the official website of .aicte-india.org/ for more information about the scholarship.

Source: https://news.careers360.com/aicte-invites-application-pg-scholarship

AICTE wants colleges to install air purifiers

AICTE wants colleges to install air purifiers

Bangalore Mirror Bureau / Oct 6, 2021, 06.00 AM IST

By Dhanalakshmi TL 

With classes slowly shifting to offline mode, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has now asked colleges to install air-sanitisation devices based on ultra-violet C band irradiation. AICTE member secretary Professor Rajive Kumar said that during the pandemic, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have developed possible solutions and interventions required to contain the tremendous challenge faced by the country due to covid. “The aerosol, air-borne route of the virus is now considered as the most likely cause for spread of infection. This mode of virus dispersal has been confirmed by major agencies like WHO. As a possible mitigation measure, CSIR institutes have developed air-sanitisation based on ultra-violet C band irradiation. These devices, once extensively implemented in community spaces like schools and colleges, have potential of reducing cross-infections and restoring students’ confidence in academic places,” he said. These AICTE-approved institutes have been suggested to take necessary steps for installation of these devices, auditoriums, buildings, and AC buses, etc. The circulating air-flow technology has been suggested for lifts, toilets and washrooms while a standalone air-circulation technology for rooms has the potential of reducing cross infections during physical classes in the current academic year.

Source: https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/aicte-wants-colleges-to-install-air-purifiers/articleshow/86798927.cms

Engineering, management students under AICTE to be tested for learning levels, employability

Through this assessment, for the first time, tech education council will test students while they're studying instead of after graduation, to identify lacunae and redress them.
KRITIKA SHARMA 22 September, 2021 8:57 am IST





New Delhi: For the first time, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is set to measure the learning levels of engineering as well as management students during the course of their studies, ThePrint has learnt.

The move is the result of earlier findings of skill assessment reports, which have shown, among other things, that Indian engineers lack new-age tech skills.

The AICTE’s Student Learning Assessment project will test management students on skills like ability in planning and organising human, financial and physical resources. For engineering, the skills tested will be in emerging areas like blockchain technology and artificial intelligence, core engineering knowledge, and basic knowledge of maths, physics and chemistry. Mental and social abilities of both sets of students will also be measured.

The assessment will be conducted online for all branches of engineering and management across all AICTE-affiliated colleges in India and is set to begin soon, officials at the council told ThePrint.

Through this assessment, the council plans to gauge the learning level of a student during the course, identify lacunae, and redress them. The assessment will also help judge the employability of students, officials said, adding that students will be assessed through questionnaires according to their year of study.

AICTE member Secretary Rajive Kumar told ThePrint: “We want to identify the learning gaps among students at various stages, and take corrective measures. This assessment is not just open to students, but we are asking institutes to extend it to teachers as well, so that they know how to improve the teaching quality.”

Shocking employability statistics

Though there have been employability assessments in the past like the ‘India Skills Report’ released annually, in association with the AICTE, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and other private agencies, an assessment while students are still enrolled has not been undertaken yet.

Over the years, the India Skills Report has highlighted shocking employability statistics on Indian graduates. The 2021 report, for example, shows that the employability of B.E./B.Tech. graduates has declined over the years. According to the 2015 report, 54 per cent of graduates were employable, but the number came down to 46.8 per cent in 2021.

The idea of conducting a pan-India assessment on engineering and management students came after a study on a small number of institutions was undertaken by Stanford University two years ago under a World Bank-funded project, the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). The study focused on students from 167 institutions from India and compared their learning levels to those in China, Russia, and other nations.

While the complete report of the Stanford study is still awaited, sources said the preliminary findings show that Indian students fare better than their counterparts from China and Russia in terms of their learning abilities when they reach senior classes.

“After the Stanford University study, an internal committee suggested that we should do a larger study for our institutes by ourselves. It will not just help us assess students but the institutes can also take corrective measures, like appointing a new faculty member if students are facing problems with a subject, try a different teaching approach among other measures,” an AICTE official added.

(Edited by Paramita Ghosh)

Source: https://theprint.in/india/education/engineering-management-students-under-aicte-to-be-tested-for-learning-levels-employability/737397/

AICTE Warns Students of its Fake Website, Says Wouldn't be Responsible if Duped

Every person, who in the future intends to use the AICTE website, must carefully check its credentials before proceeding, the council said. (Representative image)

AICTE said that they have only one official website which is aicte-india.org. Whereas the two fake websites are aictsd.com and aictetindia.org.

All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has notified there are two websites that are being circulated as AICTE websites but are actually fake. The council also mentioned that they have only one official website which is aicte-india.org. Whereas the two fake websites are aictsd.com and aictetindia.org.

They also went on to mention that if a person gets duped by any of the two fake sites, then AICTE will not be responsible. Every person, who in the future intends to use the AICTE website, must carefully check its credentials before proceeding.

The idea behind releasing the notification is to make people aware of the frauds that can take place if they do not check the credentials before applying or doing transactions on fake websites. Further, if you are sending in a request or applying for anything on the fake website, it will not reach AICTE.

In the notice, the council said, “This is to bring to the notice of General public and stakeholders that the official website of All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has the URL https://aicte-india.org. It has been observed that some websites with similar-looking URLs like- www.aictsd.com, www.aictetindia.org, etc do not belong to AICTE.”

Meanwhile, Microsoft and AICTE have collaborated for the ‘Future Ready Talent internship programs’. This program aims at making a difference in the lives of 1.5 lakh students by helping them with higher education. It will be beneficial for students as it will help them in getting jobs in emerging fields.

As part of the program, the technological giant will be contributing by giving certifications, skilling students, and providing modules in fields of data science, AI, cloud computing, and cyber security. AICTE’s role on the other hand will be to make sure that the internship curriculum follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/aicte-warns-students-of-its-fake-website-says-wouldnt-be-responsible-if-duped-aicte-india-org-4209626.html

Engineering In Odia Language From Next Year: AICTE Approval Evokes Mixed Reactions

AICTE has approved engineering colleges across Odisha to offer select BTech courses in regional languages from the upcoming new academic year 2022. However, the development has evoked mixed reactions among the students




In order to check the language barrier and dropout rate among students, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved engineering colleges across Odisha to offer select BTech courses in regional languages from the upcoming new academic year 2022. However, the development has evoked mixed reactions among the students.

In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the BTech courses will now be available in 11 regional languages including Odia. Preparations to roll out the new curriculum setup have been initiated in Odisha with the AICTE giving green signal for the move.

According to sources, books for the course will be prepared in Odia language soon under the stewardship of Odia Language and Research Centre. The centre will form a committee and start the translation of English course books in Odia shortly.

Meanwhile, Odisha Private Engineering College Association (OPECA) has welcomed the move.

“It’s a great move by AICTE. Now language will not be barrier for the students who are dreaming to be engineers. Since translating the core technical engineering terminologies will be difficult and at times impossible, they will remain intact in Odia translation. Only the subject matter will be translated into Odia language to make the nitty-gritty of subject simpler for students preferring to take up engineering in vernacular medium,” said Sipra Mallick, Working President of Odia Language and Research Centre.

Owners of private engineering colleges also feel that the change in the medium of study will help fill up the vacant seats in the colleges in a great way.

“As most of the students taking admission in engineering colleges come from Odia school mediums, the move will encourage them to pursue the course with new vigour,” said OPECA president Binod Das.

China, France, Germany and Korea have been successful in the field of engineering by teaching their students in their own languages. So, there shouldn’t be any doubt in our minds as to why we will not be successful,” said Das.

Engineering courses are already being taught in as many as eight regional languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam and Bengali. Odia will be the ninth regional language to be the medium of engineering study from the new academic year. Students have expressed mixed reactions about the development. While some students supported the move whole heartedly, others expressed their doubt over its implementation.

“The change in the medium of language will be really helpful for the rural area students who generally find it difficult in the initial stages to comprehend the intricacies of engineering proficiently in a non-vernacular medium,” said Rojalin Nayak, an engineering student in Bhubaneswar.

However, some other students expressed their concerns that the move will not help Odia students equip better outside the State in any way.

“Engineering is vast and translating all the books into Odia will be a herculean task. Moreover, Odia students, learning the subject in their regional language, will face a great deal of difficulty outside the State,” said Anant Jena, another engineering student.

Notably, as many as 88 private colleges and eight private colleges are functioning in Odisha with around 30,000-35,000 students taking admission every year. More than 10,000 seats are remaining vacant in these colleges every year.

Source: https://odishatv.in/news/education/engineering-in-odia-language-from-next-year-aicte-approval-evokes-mixed-reactions-160065

Awareness Session on National Digital Library of India and its e Resources

The Virtual Launch of the SFIT NDLI club was followed by an Awareness Session on NDLI and its e Resources on 14th April 2021 at 4.00 pm.

Ms. Priya Karunakaran – Asst. Prof. – Computer Engineering explained in detail the following topics:

What is NDLI?

How to access resources using NDLI: a virtual walk-through

What is NDLI Club?

NDLI Club Activities

She also informed about the following authorities to be approached for joining the SFIT NDLI Club:

Patron - Dr. Sincy George - Principal

President - Asst. Prof. Priya Karunakaran - CMPN

Secretary - Mr. Paul Fernandes - Head - NSS Cell

Executive Members:

Ms. Chinmayee Bhange - Librarian

Ms. Sucheta Prabhudesai - Asst. Librarian

Mst. Viral Soni - Student Member - INFT

Ms. Madhura Angchekar - Student Member - CMPN

Mst. Shrirang Joshi - Student Member - ExTC

Mst. Bhuvnesh Nemade - Student Member - ELEC

Mst. Shayne Fernandes - Student Member - MECH

A total of 86 participants attended the session.

Vote of thanks was presented by Mr. Paul Fernandes.