According to a report published in Hindustan Times, “More than 75 engineering and technical colleges across the country have opted for "progressive closure" in this academic year. In other words, these institutions will not take fresh admissions from this year.
As per the report, the major reason for the closure is 'no takers for courses offered by these educational institutions. It can be noted that, the institutions which will be closed this year, majority of them are from Uttar Pradesh, PTI quoted an All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) official as saying.
It is well known that, the AICTE regulates the engineering and technological education in the country. Earlier in 2018-19 and 2017-18 academic sessions 54 and 106 such institutions had opted for closure respectively.
However, the "progressive closure", will not affect studies of the existing students. Besides, the institutes will stop admitting fresh students and continue to function till the time the existing student graduates, as the official told PTI.
Engineering colleges have opted for closure in these states:
Engineering colleges in states such as Uttar Pradesh (31), Punjab (6), Chhattisgarh (5), Haryana (5), Uttarakhand (4), Tamil Nadu (4), Madhya Pradesh (4), Gujarat (4), Rajasthan (2), Telangana (2), Odisha (2) and Maharashtra (2) have opted for "progressive closure".
As per AICTE, there are 264 engineering colleges operating in the country without approval from the council. An important recommendation in the newly published 'Short and Medium Term Perspectives' by AICTE involves no more increase in seats in engineering colleges and institutes.
