AICTE rolls out initiatives to bolster employability in engineering colleges; targets 20 lakh students

New Delhi | Updated: September 18, 2025 09:18 AM IST

3 min read

With over 30 lakh students enrolled in 5,868 AICTE-approved institutions, the council said the new initiatives would significantly bridge the employability gap. (Image: MetaAI)

With the employability of engineering graduates as a key concern in India’s higher education sector, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) on Engineers’ Day (September 15) announced a set of initiatives aimed at making students more industry-ready. Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education, Government of India, launched Project PRACTICE (Project for Advancing Critical Thinking, Industry Connect and Employability), the AICTE Research Internship (ARI) Portal, and mandated R&D Cells and Climate Cells in all approved institutes.

Project PRACTICE, the centrepiece of the reforms, is targeted at 1,000 tier-2 and tier-3 engineering colleges that struggle with weak academic outcomes. Over the next three years, it aims to impact 20 lakh students and 10,000 faculty members through project-based learning, live industry projects, and enhanced skills training. Backed by the Maker Bhavan Foundation, LEAP, and CRISP, the programme carries a joint investment of Rs 23.31 crore, shared equally between AICTE and its partners.

Read | ‘Fewer students sit for placement; some aim for start-up, very few for higher education’: IIT Roorkee Director

During the launch, AICTE also announced free access to AI tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity Go, enabling students to automate routine tasks and focus on critical thinking, research, and innovation. Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam emphasized that the new measures are not just about improving employability, but also about fostering innovation, environmental awareness, and industry-academia collaboration.

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Complementing Project PRACTICE, the ARI Portal will connect students with research internship opportunities. The rollout of R&D Cells and Climate Cells in institutes is expected to nurture innovation and sustainability. Leaders from partner organisations, including R. Subrahmanyam of CRISP, stressed that the initiative will especially benefit non-meritorious and underserved institutions, helping raise their standards closer to premier colleges.

With more than 30 lakh students enrolled across 5,868 AICTE-approved engineering and diploma institutions, officials said these reforms are designed to significantly narrow the employability gap and prepare a new generation of skilled graduates to meet industry demands.

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