AICTE, a Statutory Body of Government of India has executed its mandate both as a regulator and as a true facilitator in school level education, according to the National Education Policy of 2020. Maths not mandatory for engineering! Indian media is literally twisting facts, as it has always done for popularity.
Topics covered
Can I do BTech without maths in 12th?
Let us show you directly from the Approval Process Handbook of AICTE – 2022-23.
It is not just about Maths. The new announcement coming from AICTE clearly mentions the eligibility criteria about other subjects too for engineering and technical HEIs (higher education institutions) and Diploma-granting institutions.
The Status Quo
AICTE has demarcated various subject options for engineering aspirants. Engineering admission rule changed to mark a new beginning. However, JEE, CET etc conducting bodies are yet to conform to the new rules.
AICTE has also openly accepted that students coming from diverse backgrounds may need bridge courses to bring them at par with other students having traditional exposure to Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Colleges are free to decide on what terms these bridge courses are to be designed and for whom. This is an additional responsibility and many colleges may just avoid the new admission criteria in order to lessen duties towards ‘bridge training formats’.
Also, most educationists have slammed this move saying, AICTE could not escape the fact that physics, maths, chemistry is mandatory for BE, BTech courses. Bridge courses can never accommodate the basics entirely and will ultimately produce poor quality engineers.
Which engineering does not require maths?
There are 29 engineering & technology disciplines at UG (undergraduate) level that AICTE talks about and there are 14 subjects that can be studied in Class 11-12. We will enumerate the lists shortly.
Before that, we must not forget that the NEP has envisioned a 5+3+3+4 design of school level education. In this design, the last 4 years of higher secondary education will not be science, commerce or arts. It will rather be more of a “liberal studies” type of format where the boards and the schools are free to choose what to offer among 14 subjects to students who wish to study engineering or technology later (list of 14 below).
According to AICTE chairman Anil D Sahasrabudhe
The 14 subjects allowed in Class 11-12
This is the list of fourteen subjects (acc. to AICTE) that any student (for engineering & technology aspirants) wishing to study engineering or technology degrees can take in Class 11-12 for the last 4 years of high school education.
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Electronics
- Information Technology
- Biology
- Informatics Practices
- Biotechnology
- Technical Vocational subject
- Agriculture
- Engineering Graphics
- Business Studies
- Entrepreneurship
.
Sixteen UG Degrees with Physics, Chemistry & Math Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Aeronautical Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Ceramic Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Civil Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Chemical Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Dairy Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Energy Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Mechanical Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Fire and Safety Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Marine Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Metallurgy Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Military Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Mining Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Nano Technology | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Nuclear Science and Technology | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Textile Engineering | Phy, Chem, Maths | NA |
| Architecture | Phy, Chem, Maths | Confirmed by CoA (Council of architecture), accepted by AICTE |
Mathematics is not mandatory for 1/3 of engineering courses
Is maths compulsory for BTech? Here are the lists of disciplines that does not require Math.
Four UG Degrees with only Physics & Chemistry Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Agriculture Engineering# | Phy, Chem OR Agriculture stream | Maths/Biology/Biotechnology/Agriculture/ Agriculture stream |
| Biotechnology Engineering# | Phy, Chem | Biology/Biotechnology/Maths |
| Pharmaceutical Engineering# | Phy, Chem | Biology/Biotechnology/Maths |
| Printing Engineering# | Phy, Chem | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
# – First 1 or 2 Semesters may be so designed that students with Biology/ Biotechnology background have adequate courses on Maths AND those with Math background have Life Science training modules and then the class is at level studying field for the rest of the semesters
Get Access to Our
FREE Career Dashboard
Three UG Degrees with only Chemistry Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Food Engineering | Chemistry | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
| Leather Technology | Chemistry | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
| Textile Chemistry | Chemistry | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
Two UG Degrees with none of the 3 Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Packaging Technology | Nil | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
| Fashion Technology | Nil | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
Three UG Degrees with only Physics & Math Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Computer Science and Engineering | Phy, Maths | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
| Electrical Engineering | Phy, Maths | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
| Electronics Engineering | Phy, Maths | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
One UG Degree with only Maths Compulsory
| Major Disciplines | Mandatory courses at 10+2 Level | Other relevant course(s) for this discipline |
| Planning | Maths | Any courses out of 14 (scroll above to see list of 14) |
Fact of the matter
Although many stakeholders and giants in the higher education industry has firmly opposed this move, we admit that it’s a first in this country.
However, as everything, implementation shall be a challenge as these moves may not be accepted by most institutes just to avoid duties towards ‘bridge training formats’ for students coming from diverse backgrounds.
We must also remember that we still have not accepted Diploma students in IITs and NITs knowing for a fact that these students do much better that direct-entry students in other colleges. AICTE also admits this fact.
Besides, ITI-trained students can also get lateral entry to Diploma programs in 2nd year but then such students are not absorbed further in degree courses in reputed colleges through lateral entry. So, their dreams are also shattered after ITI/Diploma.
We must not undermine the fact that such students may lack foundational theoretical knowledge but have the power of industrial/vocational experience ‘before graduation’ which has partially prepared them for challenges in a regular day-job. Direct entry students will have to earn that experience through work ‘after graduation’.
Similarly, accepting diverse students for UG engineering/ technical degrees is also going to take ample foundational changes. Only time will tell!
Final Words
With this announcement, AICTE has been the proponent of a revolutionary move. However, it is up to the HEIs to acknowledge it and implement this in true letter and spirit. iDreamCareer shall continue its efforts towards making India inclusive and carrying forward its mission to help students get well-rounded education & fight their battles ahead in life. We try to help young confused minds from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, class 12 with an aim to select their most-suited career choices.
Approval Process AICTE – official website announcements
Approval Process Handbook 2022-23 (PDF, downloadable)
Highlights of APH, 2022-23 (PDF, downloadable)
ALSO READ:
Recent Releases
- Top Political Science Career Options: What After Degree in Political Science?
- Pharmacy Courses After 12th: Attaining Excellence in Pharmaceuticals
- List of the Best Dental Colleges in India: Rankings, Courses, Fees, Exams, and More
- How to Become a Journalist in India: Know Everything About It Before Stepping Into This Profession!
- Banking Courses: Know Everything About Eligibility, Duration, & Much More!
- List of MBBS Entrance Exam in India
.
Get Access to Our
FREE Career Dashboard
.
With a Master’s in Biophysics-Biostatistics, Sreenanda acquired professional experience in computational proteomics of human molecules. She is currently working with the Research and Data Team at iDreamCareer.
