Maths, physics optional for engg: AICTE sticks to its decision

Maths, physics optional for engg: AICTE sticks to its decision

‘Council Initiative Would Enhance Accessibility Of Technical Edu’

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:14.03.2021 

After receiving widespread criticism for its move of making maths, physics optional for engineering admissions, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) stands by its decision of making maths, physics optional for engineering admissions from 2021-22. The council which removed the approval process handbook (APH) on Friday due to “certain typographical errors in the text and table” uploaded it on Saturday after corrections. However, APH for 2021-22 did not change the eligibility criteria for BE, BTech admissions.

As per the new eligibility criteria it is not mandatory for students to study maths and physics to join engineering and technology programmes.

They can pursue engineering by studying any three of the 14 subjects -- physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, electronics, information technology, biology, informatics practices, biotechnology, technical vocational subject, agriculture, engineering graphics, business studies and entrepreneurship.

“This initiative of AICTE will enhance accessibility of technical education to students coming from diverse background and also it shall seek to reduce the pressure on students to pursue such portions which are not relevant in pursuance of higher technical education. This is totally in line with the philosophy of National Education Policy 2020 in terms of flexibility and multi-disciplinary courses, innovation etc.,” the council said in its clarification.

It further said it received representations from students and industry to give option to pursue technical courses such as agriculture, biotechnology, information technology, electronics to students who did not have prior electives of maths and physics at Class XII level. The council further said that it is an option given by the council which is not binding on the states or universities and for various entrance exams such as JEE and CET among others.

“They may continue to hold the entrance exams in physics, chemistry and mathematics as is being done now and gradually decide to conduct exam in other subjects after discussing and taking decisions in the university senates and academic councils and state level committees. In future, when NEP shall be implemented in totality then this option can be implemented in its letter and spirit,” AICTE said.

Under the new pattern of 5+3+3+4 in school education, the disciplinary boundaries have been removed to promote overall development of students in different disciplines.

“Hard Boundaries (physics, chemistry, mathematics) imposed for entry into all branches of engineering education (which are 367 in Diploma and 261 in UG) since long time was affecting access to higher technical education for those who had not taken these subjects,” the council said while citing example of making chemistry optional for circuit branches including computer science.

E Balagurusamy, former vicechancellor of Anna University said AICTE should identify the engineering courses which do not need maths or physics and exempt it. “But, they cannot generalise for all courses as students cannot even understand the engineering concepts without understanding maths,” he said.

He further said such a big move has been brought in without any discussions. “There was no deliberation even among the academicians before taking such a decision.” he said adding that it would further deteriorate the quality of engineers in our country. Bridge courses will not be much help as colleges and universities may end of teaching maths for more than two years.

“Maths is a unifying subject in this emerging paradigm of interdisciplinary engineering education and hence important as a subject of study in Class XII. Also, JEE has a maths paper because its considered important for engineering admissions,” said S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of SASTRA university.

The council said it received representations from students and industry to give option to pursue technical courses such as agriculture, biotechnology, information technology, electronics to students who did not have prior electives of maths and physics at Class XII level