Maths, physics, chemistry not compulsory for B.E, B. Tech degrees: AICTE
AICTE’s revised rules make these subjects optional for admission to engineering courses, opening them up for students coming from diverse backgrounds.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University on Wednesday decided to postpone its May 10 state entrance examination (SEE), the Uttar Pradesh state entrance examination (UPSEE) to fill up engineering seats in government and private engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh.(HT file)
Aspiring engineering candidates do not necessarily need to study physics, chemistry or mathematics in class 12 to be eligible for the programme. In a recent development, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the technical education regulator, has made these subjects optional for the admission to UG engineering courses, BE and B. Tech.
The revised rules have been announced in AICTE’s recently-released Approval Process Handbook 2020-2021. According to the new regulation, students have to pass 10+2 with any three of the following subjects: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Information, Technology, Biology, Informatics Practices, Biotechnology, Technical Vocational subject, Agriculture, Engineering, Graphics, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship.
The new move will allow students from diverse backgrounds to take up engineering. “The Universities will offer suitable bridge courses such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering drawing, etc., for the students coming from diverse backgrounds to achieve desired learning outcomes of the programme,” mentions the handbook.
AICTE’s revised regulation is in line with the National Education Policy’s vision that students should be offered more flexibility in their choice of subjects, especially in secondary school, so that they can chart their career and life path better. However, mathematics being the core of all engineering courses, concerns have been raised about this changed regulation, suggest some media reports. The apprehension is about the toll this new move may take on the quality of engineers that Indian engineering colleges produce.
