In a communication to technical institutions and admission authorities, AICTE said the graduates could be considered only for “relevant and closely aligned” disciplines (Representative image)

NEW DELHI: Four-year BSc (honours or honours with research) graduates may now seek admission to select ME and MTech programmes, with AICTE opening a new bridge from undergraduate science to postgraduate engineering. The move has, however, prompted calls for GATE-based admissions and limits on institutions allowed to use the route to prevent dilution of MTech standards and protect enrolment in MSc courses.In a communication to technical institutions and admission authorities, AICTE said the graduates could be considered only for “relevant and closely aligned” disciplines or specialisations in which MSc degree-holders are already eligible. It is, therefore, not a blanket opening for every BSc graduate or every MTech programme. Three-year BSc degree-holders are not covered.The decision follows the UGC’s Minimum Standards of Instruction Regulations, 2025, notified on March 26 last year, which sought to enable greater academic mobility under NEP 2020. The regulations recognise a four-year undergraduate honours or honours-with-research degree carrying 160 credits and allow graduates in relevant subjects, including physics, biology and mathematics, to enter two-year ME or MTech programmes.Until now, BE and BTech degrees have been the principal route to postgraduate engineering. MSc graduates are also admitted to select programmes in areas such as computer science, biotechnology, mathematics and applied sciences. AICTE’s decision extends that limited pathway to four-year BSc graduates without requiring them to first complete an MSc.S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of SASTRA University, Thanjavur, called for tighter guardrails. “To balance PG degree enrolment in technology and science, this new policy should be implemented only in top 100 NIRF universities or top 50 engineering institutions, and admissions shall be through GATE scores only,” he said.The director of a govt engineering college, who did not wish to be named, said: “Everything is now happening under the NEP 2020 canvas and not all are correct. AICTE should also ensure that this new policy is not misused by private universities for whom AICTE approval is not necessary.”Under the framework, institutions may set minimum marks or CGPA, demand GATE or another entrance-test score, assess domain knowledge and prescribe prerequisite or bridge courses. Candidates must possess the subjects or credits required for the MTech specialisation concerned.

AICTE said that academic standards must not be diluted and said the new provision would “supplement and shall not replace” the existing BE/BTech pathway. Admissions must remain within the approved intake and comply with reservation policies and other statutory requirements.The council will separately publish a discipline-wise mapping linking eligible four-year BSc courses to corresponding ME and MTech programmes. The mapping will determine the actual scale and reach of the change. It has asked institutions, universities and state and UT admission authorities to incorporate the provision in admission notifications and prospectuses.