In an unprecedented move that would have big impact on future of engineers produced in the country, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made mathematics and physics at Class XII-level optional to get admissions to BE and B.Tech courses from 2021-22.
Students who are seeking admission into engineering colleges must have passed 10 + 2 with 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
In its handbook AICTE said that candidates will have to score 45 per cent marks, and 40 per cent if in reserved category, in the above subjects taken together. “The universities will offer suitable bridge courses such as mathematics, physics, engineering drawing for students coming from diverse backgrounds to achieve learning outcomes of the programme,” it said.
The move has proven to be a controversial one with many experts stating that physics and mathematics are absolute essentials for a course in engineering. Many experts have urged AICTE to reconsider its decision.
AICTE Chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe told that the choice of three mandatory courses as input to engineering has been expanded. “Hence for different disciplines there could be different three mandatory courses,” he said. He said that this would give a lot of flexibility in line with National Education Policy but acknowledged that physics and math are important to understand engineering otherwise a lot of bridge courses would be required.
Report Based On Inputs from News Agencies and handbook released by AICTE
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