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The cap on increasing intake of students has been removed for “well-performing” engineering institutions from 2024, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) chairman TG Sitharam announced on Wednesday.
While launching the Approval Process Handbook (APH) for 2024-27, Sitharam also said that well-performing technical institutions will now be able to get approval from AICTE for three years at once and undergraduate management and computer application courses will now be brought under its ambit.
Presently, every technical education institute has to reapply for approval every year.
Before the grant of approval for the increase in intake sought by any institution, the Council shall ascertain the infrastructure and faculty availability there, according to the technical education regulator.
“As envisaged in the provisions laid down in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the nation’s proactive initiatives towards enhancement of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the Council decided to remove the upper limit on intake allowed earlier for the courses, programs offered by existing institutions.
“This is subject to the fulfilment of infrastructure availability, its readiness and filled faculty position. Before the grant of approval to the increase in intake sought by the institution, the council shall ascertain the infrastructure and faculty availability throughan EVC (expert visiting committee),” the AICTE chairman said.
At present, colleges are allowed to have a maximum of 240 seats in one branch. The upper limit was introduced following a mismatch between demand and supply. The council has, for the first time, released a three-year handbook that will remain valid from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
The Council has also decided to bring undergraduate (UG) courses in Computer Applications (BCA) and Management (BBA/BMS) under the umbrella of AICTE to “ensure coordinated development in technical and management education.”
