In a major relief to students from economically-backward sections of the society, Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal announced a reservation of five per cent seats in all technical institutes approved by AICTE.
Unveiling the revised AICTE norms on Thursday, Mr Sibal also announced the increase in the intake capacity per programme from 40 to 60 seats and opening up of technical education field for the corporate sector.
Speaking to reporters, the HRD minister stated that “till now, tuition fee waiver scheme operated by AICTE allowed providing up to 10 per cent supernumerary seats that are given to students of economically-backward category. It was the discretion on the part of the institution to apply for such a scheme. Now, these seats are made mandatory for every institute up to five per cent.”
Announcing the opening up of technical education field for the corporate sector, Mr Sibal said companies can also set up technical institutes provided they set up entities registered as a non-profit entity under section 25 of the Company’s Act. He clarified that the scheme would only be allowed in 241 districts of the country which presently do not have an AICTE-approved institute.