New Delhi: In a radical decision the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided not to make Maths and Physics subjects mandatory to pursue under-graduate engineering courses. This relaxed condition will come into effect from the 2021-22 academic season. The AICTE has clarified that it has only given permission to universities for adopting the new condition only as an option.

Hereafter, a student needs to study any three of the 14 subjects, including Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, prescribed by the AICTE to be eligible to apply for admission to engineering courses. However, the candidate must attain at least 45% marks (40% for reserved categories) in total for the chosen three subjects in their board exams.

The 14 subjects prescribed by the AICTE are Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Information and Technology, Biology, Informatics Practices, Biotechnology, technical/vocational subject, Agriculture, Graphics Business Studies and Entrepreneurship. Of the above subjects, a student can opt for any three.

The radical changes have been mentioned in the new Approval Process Handbook published by the AICTE for the year 2021-22.

No change in existing entrance pattern

However, there will be no change for the time being in the entrance exams being conducted in the states. Therefore, questions on Physics, Maths and Chemistry subjects will be featured in the engineering entrance examination.  

AICTE has informed that the states can continue the existing system of entrance exams including JEE in which Physics, Chemistry and Maths are mandatory. More options have been offered to those aspiring to do engineering courses as per the national education policy.

Private Institutions can offer admission to students who have passed any three of the optional subjects. During the engineering course, if there is a mandatory subject which the student has not studied in 12th standard, training for the same could be imparted.

The council has clarified that when the education policy is implemented across the country, there will be freedom to choose subjects everywhere.

At the same time, apprehensions are being raised over the decision on maths not being made a mandatory condition for engineering courses. They say maths is the basic subject for engineering study and the decision would adversely affect the creation of brilliant engineers.