NEW DELHI : In a major relief to students from economically backward sections of society, the Union human resource development minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, has announced a reservation of five per cent seats in all technical institutes approved by AICTE.

Unveiling the revised AICTE norms on Thursday, Mr Sibal announced the increase in the intake capacity per programme from 40 to 60 seats and opening up of technical education field for the corporate sector.

Speaking to reporters, the minister said, “till now, the tuition fee waiver scheme operated by AICTE allowed providing up to 10 per cent supernumerary seats that are given to students of economically backward category. It was the discretion on the part of the institution to apply for such a scheme.

Now these seats are made mandatory for every institute up to five per cent.” Announcing the opening up of technical education field for the corporate sector, Mr Sibal said companies can also set up technical institutes provided they set up entities registered as a non-profit entity under Section 25 of the Companies Act. He clarified that the scheme would only be allowed in 241 districts which presently do not have an AICTE-approved institute. Corporates have also been allowed to set up campuses through PPP or through build-operate-transfer mode under agreement with public sector.

At present, only trusts and co-operative societies are allowed to run technical institutes. Further relaxing norms Mr Sibal said in the rural sector only 10 acre will be required to set up an engineering institute while in urban sector only 2.5 acre.

He said the measures were aimed at easing the pressure on the education sector and providing relief to the students in matters of admission. Mr Sibal stated that as per the new AICTE norms, stand alone PG programme can be offered by institutes as against the existing norm.

He said BSc students can seek lateral entry to a second year degree programme provided they have passed Mathematics at XII or at B.Sc level besides engineering graphics and engineering mechanics.