Image Courtesy : www.aicte-india.org

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued the permission process handbook for the 2023-2024 academic session.

While announcing the modifications in the approval handbook for this year today, March 22, TG Sitharam, AICTE Chairman, said the moratorium had been raised with certain conditions, particularly highlighting emerging areas, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AICTE has also boosted the maximum approved intake from 300 to 360 in engineering and management programmes and 180 to 300 in the computer application programme.

Those planning to apply to set up new institutions- receive an extension of approval and obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) for operating the core areas. In online distance learning and online mode from the standalone institutions, institutions deemed to be universities and universities will be able to begin applying from tomorrow.

Chairman also announced that from now on, the merger of various Postgraduate diploma and MBA programmes would be allowed. However, AICTE added that mergers would be allowed as long as the student-teacher ratio is preserved.

AICTE said PM CARE surplus seats in polytechnic institutions would not continue, adding that the technical education regulator will launch a platform or employ counsellors to manage the mental health problems of students and teachers.

The chairman said the focus would be on placements, and skill development would play an essential role in the programmes.

When applying for new programmes, AICTE said, the engineering institutes must contain at least three core branches already, and unlike in last years, the institution can register/apply for multiple courses from now on.

AICTE added that it would allow institutions to begin programmes in emerging areas irrespective of enrollment, unlike the lowest condition of at least 50% enrollment required in core branches to start emerging area programmes earlier.

AICTE said 60% of NBA accreditation by NBA will be offered in the next year.