The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on February 06, 2026, issued the Approval Process Handbook.
The Approval Process Handbook of AICTE acts like a roadmap for all institutions seeking approval from the council to run programmes/courses falling under our ambit. In order to streamline the process, AICTE made rigorous efforts to make the new APH 2024-27 more concise, easy to understand and implement. To make this handbook more accessible, AICTE posted the draft of the handbook in the public domain to seek real feedback and get clear understanding of institutions requirements with AICTE. Based on the feedbacks/suggestions received from various stakeholders and on rigorous deliberations with experts drawn from academia and industry, the council proposed various amendments to the approval granting process, ensuring that the handbook has all the important information, transparent guidelines, minimum procedures and most importantly AICTE’s reformative decisions. Here’s the snippet of new changes introduced in the APH:
• Provision for Extension of Approval up to 3 years for outstanding Institutions.
• Simplified Regulation for Extension of Approval for the Institutions.
• Provision for employed/ working professionals to upgrade their academic qualification /skill sets at diploma/degree/ postgraduate level through flexible mode (timings).
• Undergraduate Programs/Courses in computer applications and management offered through General Degree Colleges (Non-Technical Institutions) have been brought under the umbrella of AICTE to ensure coordinated development in technical and management education.
• Provision for existing Institutions to introduce undergraduate courses in computer application (BCA) and management (BBA/BMS).
• Introduced Off-Campus provision for well performing existing institutions within the city.
• Reduction in compliances related to requirement of land documents and NOC from affiliating University/ State/ UT Govt.
• Provision of Hibernation for the Institutions looking for upgradation/revamping of the facilities.
• Enabling provision for merger of Institutions under the Different Trust/ Society/ Company.
• More clarity on the approval process for Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online Learning (OL)
The Approval Process Handbook 2024-27 has been created with a progressive approach which enables institutions to function in the most efficient and effective manner. The role of AICTE in Technical Education is more like a facilitator than a regulator. From offering internships to job placements, faculty development programs to student exchange programs, integrating skills in higher education institutions to introducing courses in emerging areas, AICTE is committed to enhance entrepreneurship, employability, and skills development.
The detailed handbook is attached to the document below.
