The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has released its Approval Process Handbook for the academic year 2023-2024, which has brought relief to colleges struggling to admit students and opened up opportunities to introduce new courses. Under the new guidelines, engineering colleges may now admit up to 360 students, up from the current limit of 300.
One of the key changes introduced by the AICTE is the lifting of the moratorium on starting new colleges. Colleges may now apply for one or more programmes, with engineering colleges required to opt for at least three core branches, including Electronics and Telecommunications. Institutions are also allowed to apply for multiple programmes and levels, not exceeding three divisions per course.
Colleges are now permitted to apply for conversion of courses, with the requirement that colleges must apply for conversion in the closest branch if a course does not have the closest nomenclature. This is a departure from the previous requirement that colleges had to apply for closure.
The AICTE has introduced a single window portal system for institutions to apply for permission to start colleges, replacing the previous system of applying on the AICTE’s website. The MCA course has also been renamed the Computer Application course.
The council has permitted variation in intake in conventional, multidisciplinary and emerging courses, but only in engineering and technology colleges that offer a minimum of three courses in core branches. The size of the classroom has also been reduced from 75% to 50%, and institutes offering vocational courses will only be issued a No Objection Certificate instead of Extension of Approval.
For Women Safey
To ensure the safety of women students and faculty, institutions are required to create a 24X7 women helpline and set up a platform for psychological counseling. The AICTE has also provided relief to colleges with low intake, allowing them to reduce faculty by 25% if they have had less than 50% admission for the past three years. Previously, colleges had to maintain the student-faculty ratio at 20:1 regardless of student strength, causing financial strain.
In conclusion, the new AICTE guidelines offer much-needed relief to struggling colleges, allowing them to increase their intake and introduce new courses. The council’s focus on the safety and well-being of women students and faculty is also commendable. These changes are expected to improve the quality of technical education in India and help address the skill gap in the country’s workforce.
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What is the Approval Process Handbook released by AICTE for the academic year 2023-2024?
The Approval Process Handbook is a set of guidelines released by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the academic year 2023-2024. It outlines the procedures and requirements for colleges to obtain approval for starting new courses, increasing intake, and other related matters.
What is the maximum number of students that engineering colleges can now admit under the new guidelines?
Under the new guidelines, engineering colleges may now admit up to 360 students, up from the current limit of 300.
What is the new name of the MCA course?
The MCA course has been renamed the Computer Application course.
What measures has the AICTE taken to ensure the safety of women students and faculty?
Institutions are required to create a 24X7 women helpline and set up a platform for psychological counseling.
What is the full form of AICTE ?
All India Council for Technical Education
