All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) was set up in November 1945 as a national-level Apex Advisory Body to conduct a survey on the facilities available for technical education and to promote development in the country in a coordinated and integrated manner.

About AICTE

In accordance with the provisions of the AICTE Act (1987), for the first five years after its inception in 1988, the Minister for Human Resource Development, the Government of India, was the Chairman of the Council. The first full-time Chairman was appointed on 2^nd July 1993 and the Council was reconstituted in March 1994 with a term of three years. The Executive Committee was re-constituted on 7^th July 1994 and All India Board of Studies and Advisory Boards were constituted in 1994-95. Regional Offices of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Government of India, located in Kolkata, Chennai, Kanpur, and Mumbai were transferred to AICTE and the staff working in these offices were also deputed to the Council on foreign service terms w.e.f. 1^st October 1995.

These offices functioned as secretariats of regional Committees in the four regions (North, East, West and South). Three new regional Committees in southwest, central, and northwest regions with their secretariats located in Bangalore, Bhopal, and Chandigarh, respectively, were also established on 27^th July 1994. One more regional committee in South-Central region with its Secretariat in Hyderabad was notified on 8^th March 2007.

Objectives

• Promotion of Quality in Technical Education
• Planning and Coordinated Development of Technical Education System
• Regulations and Maintenance of Norms and Standards

Vision

“To be a world-class organization leading technological and socio-economic development of the country by enhancing the global competitiveness of technical manpower and by ensuring high quality technical education to all sections of the society.”

Mission

• A true facilitator and an objective regulator
• Transparent governance and accountable approach towards the society
• Planned and coordinated development of Technical Education in the country by ensuring world-class standards of institutions through accreditation
• Emphasis on developing high quality institutions, academic excellence, and innovative research and development programmes
• Networking with/or a network of institutions for optimum resource utilization
• Dissemination of knowledge
• Technology forecasting and global manpower planning
• Promoting industry-institution interaction for developing new products, services, and patents~
• Inculcating entrepreneurship
• Encouraging indigenous technology
• Focusing on non-formal education
• Providing affordable education to all
• Making Technical Education in India globally acceptable

AICTE Schemes

Students Development Schemes

PG Scholarship

Scholarship is awarded to full time Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)/Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) qualified students admitted to M.E./M.Tech. /M.Arch. and M.Pharm. courses in AICTE approved Institutions/Colleges of Rs. 12400 per month per student.

AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF)

Admitting full time meritorious research scholars by providing research fellowship who wants to seek admission to Ph.D. in AICTE approved Technical Institutes/University Departments for carrying out research in thrust areas.

Pragati Scholarship

Scholarship/Contingency is awarded to meritorious girls taking admission in AICTE approved Technical institution at Degree/ Diploma. Total 10000 scholarship of Rs. 50000 are given as incidentals each year.

Saksham Scholarship

Scholarship/Contingency is awarded to differently abled students taking admission in AICTE approved Technical institution at Degree/ Diploma. An amount of Rs. 50000 scholarship given as incidentals each year.

Prerana – Scheme for Preparing SC/ST Students for Higher Education

There is an acute shortage of faculty in engineering & polytechnic colleges. The problem can be addressed by promoting degree students of pre-final and final year to go for post graduate courses. This scheme aims at providing financial support to institutes who are willing to put extra efforts for encouraging and training SC/ST students for GATE/GPAT/CAT/ CMAT and GRE. The broad objective of the scheme is to help aspiring SC/ST students seeking higher education through admission test like:

• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
• Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT)
• Common Admission Test (CAT)
• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

Samriddhi – Scheme for SC/ST Students for Setting Start-Ups

Looking at the poor job availability in the market, it is necessary to provide opportunities for SC/ST students to start their own enterprise. The broad objective of this scheme to help SC/ST students is in designing, launching and running their own business/startup through entrepreneurship development programme after formal education is over/during their education as per AICTE’s startup policy.

Support to Students for Participating in Competition Abroad (SSPCA)

The objective of the scheme is to provide travel assistance registration fees to a team of minimum 2 to 10 students for attending competition at international level in order to encourage engineering students to improve their field of technical education.

Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)

Objective of the Scheme is to build up capacities in youth of J&K, educate, enable and empowering them to compete in normal course, enhancing and boosting employment potentials in students of J&K. Total 5000 scholarship are given at Rs. 100000 as maintenance charges and academic fee as Rs. 30000 to General Degree, Rs. 125000 to Engineering Degree & Rs. 300000 to Medical Degree each year.

AICTE-INAE Travel Grant Scheme

An “AICTE-INAE Travel Grant Scheme” for Engineering Students to present papers abroad has been launched for enhancing the quality of engineering education in the country.

Smart India Hackathon

Smart India Hackathon is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem solving.

M.Tech. Projects as Internship with Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

The main objective of the scheme is to nurture an innovation ecosystem that benefits the technologically deficient MSMEs and technical institutes both.

Faculty Development Schemes

AICTE-National Initiative for Technical Teachers Training (AICTE - NITTT)

In order to train the Inductee Teachers in AICTE approved/recognised institutions, National Initiative for Technical Teachers Training (for Inductee Teachers) has been launched. It imparts training to the Inductee Teachers in three phases. The first phase of the training programme for the Inductee Teachers shall be conducted in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) mode for eight modules on the SWAYAM platform through the NITTT portal www.nittt.ac.in followed by one-month industrial internship (second phase) and then mentor based training (third phase).

AICTE-Visvesvaraya Best Teachers Awards

This scheme is aimed to recognize the meritorious faculties on Teachers Day i.e. 5th September every year at national level and encourage them to update themselves to the ever changing needs of higher education at global level and thereby becoming an effective contributor towards the society.

AICTE-Quality Improvement Programme

The main objective of the programme is to upgrade the qualification of the faculty members of the degree level institutions in the country. Scholarship of Rs. 15000 per month and Rs. 5000 per month are given to Ph.D./ M.Tech. scholars. Total 106 QIP centers are in the country.

AICTE-Research Promotion Scheme (RPS)

This scheme Promotes Research in identified thrust areas of in Technical Education. RPS is aimed to create research ambience in the institutes by promoting research in engineering sciences and innovations in established and newer technologies; and to generate Master’s and Doctoral degree candidates to augment the quality of faculty and research. The limit of funding is Rs. 25 lakhs for project duration of 3 years.

AICTE-Quality Improvement Programme (Foreign University)

Scheme provides scholarships to the faculty who fulfils eligibility criteria and obtains admission in the Doctoral Degree programme leading to award of Ph.D. degree in any of the enlisted top 500 universities/institutes (based on the QS Ranking, the Times Ranking and the Shanghai Ranking) in the world.

AICTE-Faculty Development Programme (FDP)

The scheme is intended to Institutions for induction training to teachers employed in AICTE approved Technical Institutions to facilitate up-gradation of knowledge and skill. Rs. 5-7 lakhs are granted for the 2 weeks FDP.

AICTE-Short Term Training Programme (STTP)

Short Term Training Program (STTP) intends to conduct faculty trainings through financial assistance from AICTE to enable faculty members in the field of technical education to introspect and learn techniques that can help prepare students for active and successful participants in a knowledge society.

AICTE-Training Programs for Physical Education Trainers/Sport-Games Teachers/Director of Sports

To develop the skill of the participants to involve the masses in traditional sports/games and fun games for physical activity through recreation.

AICTE-Technical University Joint Training Programs for Teachers

The objective of the AICTE–University training programs is to conduct training for faculty members to prepare them for being successful in a knowledge society.

AICTE-Technical University Joint Training Programs for Librarians

The objective, of AICTE–Technical University Training program for Librarians, is to conduct training for Librarians to prepare them for being successful and affective in a knowledge society. It provide a dynamic and quality user centered library and information services that enhance teaching, learning and research while inculcating life-long learning skills and fostering human development.

AICTE-Professional Development Scheme

The scheme enables meritorious faculty to interact at International Level Conferences, both within and outside India, Seminars and Symposia.

AICTE-INAE Teachers Research Fellowship Scheme for Faculty

Scheme provides fellowship to Engineering Teachers for Doctoral Research in Central Laboratories in order to promote a research culture amongst the faculty in AICTE approved engineering institutions. Limit of funding is Rs. 5.7 lakhs per scholar for three years.

AICTE-INAE-Distinguished Visiting Professorship Scheme

AICTE and INAE distinguished visiting Professor Scheme envisages promotion of industry-institute interaction.

AICTE–ISTE Orientation/Refresher Programme

The objective is to conduct AICTE-ISTE Induction/Refresher Programmes for the teaching faculty working in technical institutions. Total 100 Refresher Programme & 50 Orientation Programme with the funding of Rs. 300000 per programme.

AICTE-Technical Book Writing & Translation

To promote use of 'Scheduled Regional Language' in Technical Education for creating knowledge base in local language and to encourage creation of treasure of latest technical knowledge incorporating the newest developments by grant of financial support to the distinguished faculty/writers/translators.

AICTE-Emeritus Professor (Distinguished Practicing Engineer)

The Emeritus Professor (Distinguished Practicing Engineer) Fellowship intends to utilize the expertise of highly qualified and experienced superannuated Engineers who have made undoubtable, unchallengeable, unparalleled and exceptional contribution to the society in their respective fields in any discipline in engineering for the benefit of students/faculty of host institutes & of institutes located in the adjoining areas.

Institutional Development Schemes

AICTE-Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students (SPICES)

To energize and position students club/Chapters/Societies as facilitating entity for pursuit of individual interests, creative work, showcasing talent, networking and teamwork opportunities, social experience; organization and management skills, exposure to professional ethics etc.

Grant for Organising Conference

The scheme provides financial assistance to institutions for organizing conference at National and International level in various fields of Technical Education.

Modernisation and Removal of Obsolescence (MODROBS)

The scheme equips technical institutions with infrastructural facilities, laboratories, workshops, and computing facilities to enhance teaching, training and research capabilities.

Modernisation and Removal of Obsolescence (MODROB) for Rural Areas

The scheme equips technical institutions of rural areas including North Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir with infrastructural facilities, laboratories, workshops and computing facilities to enhance teaching, training and research capabilities.

E- Shodh Sindhu (Subscription to E-Journals)

This scheme aims to provide e-resources on technical education to 126 AICTE supported Technical Institutes.

Skill and Personality Development Programme Centre for SC/ST Students

Scheme provides opportunity to SC/ST students in the Institutes to reorient themselves in the light of emerging employment opportunities in Engineering undergraduate/Diploma students at all level to empower the SC and ST students.

Hostels for SC/ST Students

The scheme aims to support Government/Government-Aided Engineering Colleges for construction of girls/boys hostels for students/researchers belonging to SC/ST category.

Special Scheme for North Eastern States

To enhance the functional efficiency of the technical institutes located in far-flung areas of North East India, AICTE has launched a scheme for providing logistics support to the technical institutes of NER by extending financial assistance for construction of rain water harvesting system, alternative power support & availability/connection of internet facility.

Margadarshak

As per this scheme, Mentors (Margadarshaks) are identifies for institutions which are yet to get NBA accreditation. The ‘Margadarshaks’ may be serving or superannuated having knowledge of the process of accreditation to make required visits to guide the Institutions for accreditation.

Share and Mentor Institutions (Margdarshan)

Through this scheme an institute of repute as a mentor within an existing facility to serve as the hub to guide and disperse knowledge to and between around ten technical institutions as spokes.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions.

Research & Innovations Development Schemes

Grant for Organising Conference

The scheme provides financial assistance to institutions for organizing conference at National and International level in various fields of Technical Education.

E- Shodh Sindhu (Subscription to E-Journals)

This scheme aims to provide e-resources on technical education to 126 AICTE supported Technical Institutes.

Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

This scheme motivates the students to opt for entrepreneurship and self-employment as attractive and viable career option.

Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) under TEQIP

To provide research grant for young Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) faculties recruited in different TEQIP institutes so as to collaborate for research and build research community among TEQIP Faculty, Regular Faculty of Project Institutions (focus and non-focus) & Premier Institutions of the country.

General Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY)

AICTE is implementing the PMKVY for Technical Institutes scheme through AICTE approved Technical Institutions in the country.

Saansad Aadarsh Gram Yojna

Saansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana is a rural development programme broadly focusing upon the development in the villages which includes social development, cultural development and spread motivation among the people on social mobilization of the village community.

Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)

ARIIA is an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions and universities in India on indicators related to “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development” amongst students and faculties.

AICTE Internships

The most crucial element of internships is that they integrate classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and skills developed in professional or community settings.

Organisations are getting familiar, that work these days is something other than an approach to win your bread. It is a dedication, an awareness of others’ expectations, and a proprietorship. In order to know how the applicant might "perform" in various circumstances, they enlist assistants and offer PPOs (Pre Placement Offer) to the chosen few who have fulfilled every one of their necessities.

For getting a quicker and easier way out of such situations, many companies and students have found AICTE to be of great help. Through its internship portal, AICTE has provided them with the perfect opportunity to emerge as a winner in these trying times. AICTE Internships provides the perfect platform for students to put forth their skills and desires and for companies to place the intern demand. It takes just 15 seconds to create an opportunity, auto-match, and an auto-post to Google, Bing, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and similar platforms. The selected intern's profile and availability are validated by their respective colleges before they join or acknowledge the offer. Shortlisting the right resume, with respect to skills, experiences, and location just takes place within seconds. Nothing but authentic and verified companies can appear on the portal.

Additionally, there are multiple modes of communication to connect with interns. Both claiming to be satisfied in terms of time management, quality, security against frauds and genuineness.

AICTE Initiatives

Jal Shakti Abhiyan

In view of the water crisis, the government has launched its ambitious plan “Jal Shakti Abhiyan”. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan is aimed to accelerate water harvesting, conservation and bore well recharge activities in 256 water-stressed districts. AICTE has mapped more than 40000 engineering students with the District administration so that these students can work under JAL Shakti Abhiyan activities in their respective blocks. Most of the student participation is from the state of Tamil Nadu which is most hit due to present water crises.

One Student One Tree

As a helping hand to this noble initiative and for making the students socially responsible, all AICTE approved technical institutions were requested to carry out a plantation drive by planting minimum of one tree per student to achieve the target of one crore plants. It was recommended that diverse species of trees should be planted with focus on minimum water consumption in an ecofriendly manner. Also, these trees should have suitable utility in the nearby area.

AICTE-UKIERI –Leadership Development Programme

UK India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) was started in April 2006 with the aim of enhancing educational links between India and the United Kingdom. Leadership and Faculty Development is a strategic priority for both the countries, India and UK to encourage joint learning, share best practices and develop institutional mechanisms for sustained improvement. This workshops will provide an overview of the key leadership and management challenges facing educational practitioners today, with a focus on the application of effective leadership and management techniques and their beneficial impact on departmental and institutional performance.

Smart India Hackathon (SIH)

The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to solve some of pressing problems we face in our daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem solving. In SIH, the students would also have the opportunity to work on challenges faced within the private sector organisations and create world class solutions for some of the top companies in the world, thus helping the private sector hire the best minds from across the nation.

AICTE-ECI Vishwakrama Award

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India holding a competition “AICTE-Vishwakarma Awards” for the students and institutes of AICTE approved institutions. The aim is to encourage and motivate young students and institutions to raise their performance in their specific domains leading to significant contribution towards the growth and development of the nation as a whole.

Startup Contest

AICTE’s Student Startup Policy is designed in accordance with "Startup India" Action Plan, Government of India to guide and promote student driven innovations and startups in more than 10000 AICTE approved institutions across the country.

SWAYAM

The SWAYAM is a programme initiated by Government of India and designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy viz., access, equity and quality. The objective of this effort is to take the best teaching learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged. SWAYAM seeks to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy.

AICTE-CII India Innovation Initiative (i3)

The India Innovation Initiative (i3) is one of India’s most prestigious and most-awaited national innovation challenges promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) that aims to encourage, enable and provide support to the development of home-grown, high-impact science & technology-based innovations and their transformation into viable and scalable commercial and social ventures.

Clean & Green Campus Award

The award aims to seek engagement with all stakeholders, primarily the student community to draw their attention towards immense scope and potential that the Technology offers for abstract objectives such as cleanliness, sustainability, environment etc. The rising use of technologies especially IOT, robotics, cloud and automation have immense potential to re-model a campus in to a smart campus. These smart campuses can minimally help in ‘forward delivery’ by optimizing the use of, inter alia energy and water consumption in the campus. Smart campuses would construct ‘Smart Citizens’ – those who are ‘future-ready’ for the Smart Cities and an even Smarter India. Clean and Smart Campus is also expected to facilitate dialogue and sharing of ideas amongst students, faculty and administrators towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT)

MHRD has announced a National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) as a Public-Private partnership model between the Government (through its implementing agency AICTE) and the Education Technology companies of India. Through an open invitation and screening, companies are invited to showcase their products on a National Portal developed for the learners, who may procure them based on their requirements.

The aim of NEAT is to bring the best technological Products in education pedagogy on a single platform for the convenience of learners. Technology Products using Artificial Intelligence for customized learning or e-content in niche areas having highly employable skills would be identified for showcasing on the portal.

The scheme also includes free seats for existing students of higher education from weaker sections of society. The distribution of free seats would be done through the NEAT portal, based on student information shared by Educational Institutions. During the first phase, the portal would be launched as a pilot phase in AICTE approved Government Colleges of India only.

Useful Links

• SWAYAM
• Startup India
• Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)
• Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE)
• Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP)

Source:  All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)