The state government’s plan to add 8,000-odd seats in engineering colleges this year went kaput as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) revoked its decision to permit colleges to start second shifts. In a major set back to more than 20 government and self-finance engineering colleges in the state that had applied for second shift permission, AICTE, in its new rules and regulations put up on its website, declared that no college would be allowed to start second shift.

However, the provision of second shift was not thoroughly abolished. “A degree engineering college seeking second shift will be allowed to do so, but not for its own subject. It will be allowed to start the second shift for pharmacy, MCA, MBA or even diploma in engineering, but not for degree engineering, as per the new AICTE rules. The same rules are applicable to colleges of MCA, MBA or pharmacy, which will be allowed to run second shift for any subject other than their own,” said a source from AICTE.

Meanwhile, there was some respite for engineering colleges, as the new AICTE rules granted permission to increase seats from earlier 240 to 300. “However, the colleges will not be able to increase seats more than 420 from the next academic year. But, if any college has received an accreditation, it will be allowed to have additional 120 seats,” the source said. The new rules were also a welcome news for colleges of pharmacy, MCA and MBA in the state, as instead of 60 seats, AICTE granted them permission to start their academic sessions with 120 seats.