AICTE Makes Maths, Physics In Class XII Optional For Engineering Undergraduate Admissions From 2021-22

In a controversial move, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made mathematics and physics at Class XII-level optional in order to get admissions to BE and BTech courses from 2021-22, reports TOI.

Reportedly, the approval process handbook for 2021-22 released by the AICTE has changed the eligibility criteria for UG admissions.

Up till now, the undergraduate level engineering degrees required mathematics and physics at Class XII level.

Now, students have to pass 10+2 with any of the three following subjects —

• physics
• mathematics
• chemistry
• computer science
• electronics
• information technology
• biology
• informatics practices
• biotechnology
• technical vocational subject
• agriculture
• engineering graphics
• business studies
• entrepreneurship

The candidates are required to score 45 per cent marks ( 40 per cent for reserved category students) in the above subjects taken together.

Instead of mathematics and physics being compulsory in Class XII, the universities are supposed to provide suitable bridge courses in the undergraduate engineering programme for the students who didn’t study physics and maths in Class XII.

“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,” AICTE said in its handbook.

The move has been criticised by academicians who say that mathematics is a foundational subject for all engineering degrees.

“Bridge course is a remedial course for those who are weak in Mathematics. It cannot replace higher secondary-level mathematics, which is a foundational course," said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of SASTRA university.