GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPERTS

Guidelines for the Experts Page 2 of 11

All the experts of Scrutiny/ EVC/ SHC/ SAC are advised to read these Guidelines and follow
them:
Globalization has resulted in many new challenges in the field of technical education system.
With the growing modernization, the demand for trained technical work force is also increasing day by
day, in particular, hunt for the quality. The Engineer coming out of the Institution is expected to be
capable of meeting the challenges of the modern Industry. AICTE is responsible for the planning,
formulation and maintenance of norms and standards, quality assurance, funding in priority areas,
monitoring and evaluation, maintaining and ensuring coordinated and integrated development and
management of technical education in the country. This can be achieved in the Institutions by
establishing the quality measures more than mere ensuring the number of class rooms and laboratories,
although they too are essential. Hence the Council is insisting upon the total area under each
infrastructural category instead of counting the number of class rooms, laboratories, etc. In the same
way, Institutions may be permitted to share the Common Amenities such as Administrative
Infrastructure, Library, Canteen, Auditorium, Playground, Parking, etc., provided it caters to all the
students of all the Programmes in all the Institutions sharing such facilities. However, essential
instructional facilities, such as Class Rooms, Laboratories, etc., shall be required separately for all
Programmes and these could be located in the same premises, same building as long as total area for all
Programmes are available.

AICTE also made the initiatives viz., Revision of Curriculum, 8-module Faculty Certificate
Program & Faculty Development Program, Mandatory Induction program for students of 1st year on
joining the Institution, Promoting Innovation/Start-ups, Internship Policy, Exam Reforms, Mandatory
Accreditation, Perspective Plan and Industry readiness to improve the quality of Technical Education.
Hence meeting of students/ faculty to know academic ambience and quality be noted.

1. Setting up a new Technical Institution

 Engineering & Technology - No New Technical Institution is permissible, refer APH 2020-21
for exceptional cases for opening New Institutions by State/ Central Government
 Pharmacy - The Pharmacy and Architecture education shall be regulated by PCI and CoA
respectively. Hence if an Institution wishes to take approval for Pharmacy/ Architecture
Programmes, only then AICTE will continue giving approval
 Last year LoR
 AICTE approval for Pharmacy and Architecture Programmes are not mandatory
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 Non-Technical Institutions seeking approval for conducting MCA/ MBA Courses. Further, for
such Institutions, exclusive Building and Principal are not required
 In case of Universities having Off campus, UGC and MHRD approval need to be checked
 Land - Registered Settlement Deed/ Registered Sale Deed/ Irrevocable Gift Deed (Registered)/
Irrevocable Government/ Private Lease Deed (Registered) (for a period of minimum 30 years
with at least 25 years of live lease at the time of submission of application). However, Private
Lease of Building is permissible ONLY for Mega/ Metro cities due to the scarcity of Land.
 Old Buildings approval from the then CA shall be accepted (except in complaint cases), if the
approval is not available, approval from present CA has to be produced
 Latitude and Longitude at the Main Gate

2. Change of Site/ Location – Mortgage permissible

3. Conversion of Diploma Level into Degree Level and vice-versa – No emerging areas

4. To start new Programme(s)/ Level(s) in the existing Institutions

 In Engineering and Technology Programme - emerging area is applicable for Under Graduate
Degree Courses only
 The Institutions shall be permitted to apply for ANYONE Level (Diploma/ Under Graduate
Degree) in an existing Programme/ a new Programme, not exceeding THREE Division(s)/
Course(s)
 Existing Institutions shall be permitted to start Degree/ Diploma Level in Engineering and
Technology/ Pharmacy Programme, ONLY if the Institution is already conducting Diploma/
Degree Level in the same.
 Mortgage of Land is permissible

5. Merger of Institutions under the same Trust/ Society/ Company operating in the same Campus
 Same Trust
 Parent and Child Institutions should be located within 2 km
 Parent Institution may or may not use the facilities of Child Institution(s)
 If parent Institution is not using the facilities of Child Institution(s), 2 km distance criteria is
exempted
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 If the Parent and Child Institutions are not availing the land relaxation, the distance should
be 1 km
 If one is Women’s Institution, first process is for conversion of Women’s Institution to Co-Ed
Institution; if it is through, then process for merger of Institutions
 If one of the Institutions is under punitive action, merger of Institutions is not eligible

6. Extension of Approval of the existing Institutions after a break in the preceding Academic Year/
Restoration of Intake – not eligible if not applied for EoA for 6 years consecutively

7. Introduction of supernumerary seats for FN/OCI/ PIO/ Children of Indian Workers in Gulf
Countries
 at least 50% of eligible Course(s) accredited by NBA, and if the valid accreditation period is
beyond 10th April of the next Calendar Year
 Suitable Hostel/ Residential accommodation
 Office and Student Counsellor availability, informing the local police about their entry and
exit

8. Increase in Intake/ Additional Course(s) including Institutions having total “Approved Intake”
less than the “Maximum Intake Allowed”
 Validity beyond 10th April 2020
 The Institution applied for NBA and awaiting for the results of the visit is also eligible to apply,
but a valid NBA Certificate shall be produced at the time of Scrutiny.
 Introduction of Pharm.D. – NBA; already running with PCI approval prior to 2018 – No NBA
 B.Pharm. 60 to 100 increase – 1 Division, No NBA
 In Management Programme, Maximum Intake allowed is 300; eg. MBA (HR) - 180 and MBA
(Business Management) -120, but 5 divisions in a single Course is not permitted
 Compliance of deficiencies to fulfill zero deficiency is permissible
 Nomenclature of the Courses – AI&DS; Major-minor/ Hons – Core Course
 Maintain the Total Approved Intake; Divisions as per Appendix 3; Same Level and Same
Programme; without NBA accreditation; may be both accreditation benefits and closing and
opening of new Course.
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 In lieu of ONE Course with 60 Intake, TWO Courses in the same Level each with 30 Intake
shall also be permitted.
 PG only with NBA
 Architecture/ Arts and Crafts/ Design/ R&D Government Organisations/ University running
PG only – Without NBA – 5 PG Courses are permitted; 1 Professor/ Associate Professor with
Ph.D., 2 batches pass out, Nil Deficiency

9. Conversion of Management Institutions running PGDM Course into MBA Course

 The Council had observed the practical difficulties in running PGDM and MBA Courses in
the same Institution from several representations of the stakeholders such as
a. Institutions offering both PGDM and MBA Courses could not be considered as Standalone
Institutions, as some of the Courses are being offered with the University affiliation
b. Some States, while fixing the Fee by the State Regulatory authorities, autonomous PGDM
Courses and MBA Courses affiliated to a University/ Board are considered to be the same
c. Difficulties being encountered during NAAC visit for approval of affiliating body for PGDM
d. Eligibility to avail Graded Autonomy benefits for Standalone Institutions, etc.
 No other Course is permitted with PGDM
 PGCM cannot be permitted for conversion into MBA
 No reduction in intake while converting PGDM into MBA and vice-vera; sum of intakes
allowed in any specialisation earlier approved as PGDM and MBA i.e. maximum intake can
be more than 180 in such cases
 New institution with new name for either MBA or PGDM Courses (Preferably PGDM)
 Sharing of Common Amenities such as Administrative Infrastructure, Library, Canteen,
Auditorium, Playground, Parking, etc., provided it caters to all the students of all the
Programmes in all the Institutions are permitted
 Institutions shall have to create the necessary Faculty, Infrastructure and other facilities
WITHIN 2 YEARS to fulfil the norms and an Affidavit for the same shall have to be submitted
at the time of Scrutiny.

10. Closing of MBA Programme and Introduction of MCA Programme and vice-versa
 No other Course is permitted with PGDM
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11. Conversion of Courses into allied Vocational Courses

 Complete/ partial conversion is permissible

12. Change in the Name of the Course(s)/ Merger of the Courses/ Reduction in Intake/ Closure of
Programme(s)/ Course(s)
 Change of name is permissible only in case of problem with affiliating body
 Rationalization of nomenclatures in Management Courses
 Partial merging is permissible
 Non-zero reduction - resolution
 Closure of Programmes/ Courses – validity for the duration of the Course

13. Change of Type of Institution (Institution(s) converted into a University)

 Same Intake (To be applied separately, for other Categories)

14. Change in the Minority Status of the Institution

 Period of validity

15. Change in the Name of the Bank

 Scheduled Bank

16. Extended EoA

 NBA validity beyond 10th April 2021- 3 years
 R&D autonomy is not permissible
 Academic autonomy given by UGC; Graded Autonomy given by AICTE

17. Concept of Regular Course

All the Courses offered in the timings of Regular Shift, First Shift, Second Shift and Part Time
shall be considered as Regular Courses. The Institutions shall have to fulfil all facilities such as
Infrastructure, Faculty and other requirements to offer the Regular Courses as per the norms
specified in the Approval Process Handbook for the Total Approved Intake and the Institutions
may conduct the Courses in the timings of Regular Shift, First Shift, Second Shift and Part Time
not exceeding the “Approved Intake” of each Course, as per the convenience of all stakeholders.
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All stakeholders including the State Government, Universities, Faculty and Students shall be
transparently informed in advance through notifications, mails, etc. about the timing of the
Courses, Division wise if needed. All such Institutions shall create the necessary Faculty,
Infrastructure and other facilities WITHIN 2 YEARS to fulfil the norms. Student enrolment details
shall be uploaded in the Web-Portal. Hence the Council will consider the issue of EoA till such
time.

18. Faculty: Student ratio for Post Graduate Degree Level in Engineering and Technology is 1:15

19. Institutions Deemed to be Universities/ Institutions having Accreditation/ Autonomy status shall
have Faculty: Student ratio of 1:15 in Under Graduate Degree Level in Engineering and
Technology; all such Institutions shall have to create the necessary Faculty, Infrastructure and
other facilities WITHIN 2 YEARS to fulfil the norms and an Affidavit for the same shall have to
be submitted to AICTE.

20. Introduction of Open and Distance Learning Courses

Check the necessary Infrastructure Facilities and faculty requirements as per norms (Refer
Chapter V of Approval Process Handbook 2020-21)

21. General
 Avoid accepting the invitation from other regions, if already committed to one region
 No arguments with the representatives of the Institution, only give your observations
 For any clarifications, check Part I, Part II and Deficiency Report
 No column shall be left blank
 If any document presented but not accepted, then give the reasons for not accepting (Scrutiny-
--> Re-Scrutiny; EVC---> SHC, uploading of reports helps the institution to come prepared
to the next committee)
 If building is approved by the then CA at the time of construction, it is acceptable. In case of
Tamil Nadu, DTCP approval is required from 1.1.2011
 All Certificates in Hindi shall be accepted. In case of any problem for translation, the same
shall be brought to the notice of Coordinating Officer. Slight deviation in format shall be
appropriately considered, provided the spirit of the affidavit is captured in the document
submitted by the applicant.
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 Cadre Ratio shall be 1:2:6 (Not applicable to Diploma Level)

 The Committees shall ensure that the Institutions make timely and complete payment of the
salary of Faculty by Electronic Clearing Service through Nationalized Banks.
 Faculty may be checked from their roll on register/salary transferred to bank account directly
and TDS deducted
 PGDM – No affiliating body; NAD must be checked
 Institutions offering only Pharmacy Programme shall fulfil the Land requirements of AICTE/
PCI (Difference is land norms in Urban category between AICTE and PCI)
 In case of new Institutions, ownership of Land shall be with the Lease for a period of minimum
30 years with at least 25 years of live Lease at the time of submission of application; for the
existing Institutions, want to start new Level/ Programme Live lease should be more than the
Course duration
 Total area under each category should be available; not the number of class rooms,
laboratories, etc. (eg. minor deficiencies of 3 to 5 sq.m. may be exempted)
 Sharing of Common Amenities such as Administrative infrastructure, Library, Canteen,
Auditorium, Playground, Parking, etc. may be shared, provided it caters to all the students of
all the Courses and Programmes
 In case of allied branches in Engineering and Technology, a maximum of 30% of Laboratories
may be shared
 Language Laboratory is required only for Diploma and UG
 Sports facilities shall be owned or hired
 Barrier free environment – Ramp (3-4 floors/ for Buildings of height <15 m)/ Lift/
Mechatronic Stair Climbing Chairs
 Multiple Programmes –The Principal of the Institution shall have the qualifications (satisfying
AICTE norms) preferably corresponding to the Programme having the maximum “Approved
Intake”.
 Faculty and facilities to be calculated from the year of admission
 The contractual faculty who have taught for 2 consecutive semesters in the preceding
Academic Year on Full Time basis ONLY shall be considered for the purpose of calculation of
Faculty.
 Adjunct faculty – maximum 2 Institutions
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 Insurance of the Faculty – ESI can be accepted

 MCA – 2 years
 50% of eligible Course(s) accredited by NBA means, those Courses where 2 batches have
passed out
 Earlier land norms; CA, etc. are given as Annexures in Approval Process Handbook 2020-21.
If any other CA other than the list given in APH, letter from the Principal Secretary of the State
is needed in support of it
 Travel by Air India only and keep boarding pass to submit with TA/DA bills.

For EVC Members

 EVC can give observations only, no recommendations
 Experts should carry their ID card
 Formats sent by RO’s should be used for EVCs.
 Open Source Software shall also be permitted
 For entire duration of videography, all the experts should remain in the frame.
 All experts should sign the filled EVC report, scan and send the report on the same day of the
visit to the concerned RO
 Experts should travel and remain together during the visit
 Travelling with family, use of liquor/laundry/room service is not allowed.
 Experts are requested not seek any kind of favour from Institution

For SHC/ SAC Members

1. In case of applications for New Institutions for LoI, there will be following categories of cases
before them
a. Applicants marked absent by Scrutiny/ Re-Scrutiny Committee
b. Applicants marked deficiency by the Scrutiny/ Re-Scrutiny Committee
c. Rejection by Regional Committee
d. Regional Committee recommended but Rejection may be due to the deficiencies noted at HQ
2. In case of applications for New Institutions for LoA (after the issue of LoI), there will be following
categories of cases before them
a. Applicants marked deficiency by EVC
b. Rejection by Regional Committee
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c. Regional Committee recommended but Rejection may be due to the deficiencies noted at HQ
3. The file presented before the Committee will have all the reports including Scrutiny/Re-
Scrutiny/ EVC and Regional Committee reports, the experts requested to have a look into the
reports to understand the process.
4. Two representatives of the Applicant (Chairman/ Secretary of the Trust/ Society/ Company or
Principal/ Director/ Faculty of the Institution/ Trustee duly authorized by them) along with
Self-attested Photo ID proof shall present their case along with the supporting documents before
the Committee.
5. The SAC reports should reflect all the deficiencies mentioned in Scrutiny/Re-Scrutiny, EVC
accordingly, the members are requested to verify the compliance submitted by the applicant
against the deficiencies mentioned in the reports. Non relevant points shall not be discussed.
Committee shall not entertain presentations by Institution on Laptops/ I pads.
6. In case of Sl. No 1, if the experts found that the deficiencies have been complied, after due
verification of the documents submitted by the applicant, shall recommend either for Scrutiny,
if any deficiency is related to land, as Advocate’s view is essential or the Council for the grant of
LoI.
7. In case of Sl. No.2, the experts shall either recommend to the Council directly if the deficiencies
mentioned by EVC are minor in nature like internet bandwidth, e journals, advertisements in
newspapers for recruiting staff, receipt of acknowledgement from affiliating body etc. or can
recommend for one more EVC, if deficiencies are more and are related to infrastructure, since
the compliance of infrastructure deficiencies cannot be verified on paper, (recommending for
SC after EVC is also not advisable other than cases where there is a necessity for verification of
land related documents).
8. For new Institution, Affidavit for the following is permitted
 Compliance of national academic depository (NAD) as per MHRD Directives
 Provision to watch MOOCS courses through SWAYAM
 Appointment of students counsellor
 Group insurance for the employees
 Insurance for the students
 Institution Industry Cell
 Applied for membership of National Digital Library
 Occupancy Certificate
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 Fire safety
9. If any new document is accepted, append the signature in the photo copy of the document to be
retained by AICTE.
10. In case of SAC for the existing Institutions (under Chapter II), the member shall check whether
anyone of them are the part of SHC, if so, the same shall be brought to the notice of the
Coordinating Officer so that the file shall be placed before another Committee
11. Shortage of faculty and built up area, preference shall be given to the closure of Courses than
reduction of Intake
12. For any clarification of the norms as per APH 2020-21, please feel free to contact the
Coordinating Officer.
13. All deliberations shall be conducted in cordial and professional manner. There shall be no
arguments of any sort, with the institution representatives. If needed, the help of Bureau/ RO
14. Give adequate time, and listen to Institutions patiently.
15. Please give all the details such as name, mobile no., etc. in the first page of the SHC/ SAC Report.
16. True copies are not accepted for land and building documents (Only original need to be verified)
17. The observations of the committee shall be crisp and clear. There shall be no “conditionality.”
SAC recommendation may be (a) Recommended to EC/ Council for LoI/ LoA (b) Rejected for
LoI/ LoA (c) Recommended for Scrutiny (d) Recommended for EVC. No other recommendation
shall be proposed.
18. No inquires/discussion of the whereabouts of the institutions, request for visit the institutions,
exchange of mobile/e-mail details etc. shall be entertained during or after SAC.
19. The SHC/ SAC shall clearly disassociate itself with any institution, which, coincidentally or
otherwise, is placed before the committee, if there is any direct/indirect association of any
member of the SHC/ SAC in respect of institutions.
20. Report should not be discussed /written in front of the Institution.
21. Before leaving the meeting at the end of the day, please inform the Coordinating Officer
accordingly.
22. You are requested to cooperate, for any, extended hours of working, and if needed, for any
emergent cases, coming to the notice of council at late hours.
23. SAC should at most maintain the status quo as that of SHC recommendation, if not satisfied with
the compliance and not make it worse by imposing double penalty, except in extraordinary cases
with strong grounds.