The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has updated its Approval Process Handbook for the 2026-27 academic year . The revised guidelines increase supernumerary seats for international students in engineering and other technical programs. Diploma students can also now pursue a minor specialization.
Institutions must meet all AICTE conditions to implement these changes. The update clarifies regulatory scope for management and computer application courses and introduces pilot programs for experiential learning.
Increased International Student Seats
AICTE-approved engineering colleges can add 25% supernumerary seats for international students at the postgraduate level. Undergraduate engineering programs can add 15% supernumerary seats. For management, design, computer applications, applied arts and crafts, planning, and hotel management programs, institutions can add 25% supernumerary seats beyond their sanctioned intake across all levels.
Previously, AICTE allowed a uniform 15% increase for all disciplines and levels. Institutions must have “nil deficiency based on self-disclosure” and submit all student details to the council. These seats are exclusively for international students. Unfilled seats in this category cannot be allocated to domestic students.
| Discipline | Level | Supernumerary Seats Allowed (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | Diploma, Undergraduate | 15 |
| Engineering and Technology | Postgraduate | 25 |
| Management, Computer Applications, Applied Arts and Crafts, Design, Planning, Hotel Management and Catering Technology | All Levels | 25 |
Minor Specialization for Diploma Programs
The updated policy introduces ‘minor specialisation’ to diploma programs. Students pursuing diplomas can minor in another field by earning 9-12 additional credits . AICTE previously introduced minor degrees for BTech students in 2023, requiring 18-20 additional credits .
Regulation of Management and Computer Application Programs
The AICTE update removes undergraduate and postgraduate management (BBA, BMS) and computer application (BCA, MCA) programs offered by “non-technical institutions” from its purview. Only programs run by “technical institutions” will require AICTE approval. The council had begun regulating BBA, BMS, and BCA programs from the 2024-25 academic year, developing model curricula.
Experiential Learning Initiative
AICTE proposes a pilot program on “experiential learning.” This initiative aims to provide students with hands-on experience directly within industrial environments. The goal is to build employable skills and make students “industry-ready.” Working professionals and other students will be admitted through a transparent merit-based system.
New Course Offerings
The revised policy allows institutions currently offering non-technical courses to offer technical courses, provided they meet AICTE’s prescribed norms. Institutions offering only PGDM/PGCM programs can also apply to start other programs or levels, subject to compliance with all conditions.
Committee Appointments Clarified
The handbook clarifies the appointment process for AICTE’s monitoring committees. The council as a whole, not the chairman, will appoint expert visit, standing appellate, standing hearing, and other relevant committees.