AICTE Launches New Skill Initiatives to Benefit 20 Lakh Engineering Students

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the industry readiness of engineering graduates. Announced on Engineers’ Day (September 15), these initiatives are expected to directly benefit 20 lakh students across India through structured skill-building, innovation, and research opportunities.

At the centre of this plan is Project PRACTICE (Project for Advancing Critical Thinking, Industry Connect and Employability), which will provide project-based learning, live industry assignments, and skill development to nearly 1,000 tier-2 and tier-3 colleges. Over the next three years, the project is set to impact 20 lakh students and 10,000 faculty members. The programme is backed by joint funding of ₹23.31 crore from AICTE and partners Maker Bhavan Foundation, LEAP, and CRISP.

Students will also gain free access to AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity Go, with the goal of encouraging innovation and problem-solving over routine tasks.

In addition, AICTE launched the Research Internship (ARI) Portal, designed to connect students with real-world research opportunities, while also mandating the creation of R&D Cells and Climate Cells in every approved institute.

Highlighting the broader impact, AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam said the reforms are not just about employability, but also about fostering innovation, sustainability, and stronger academia-industry collaboration.

Experts believe these steps will particularly support underserved institutions, helping them close the gap with premier engineering colleges. With over 30 lakh students enrolled in 5,868 AICTE-approved institutions, this initiative marks a major step toward creating a more skilled, industry-ready generation of engineers.