AICTE Develops Model Curriculum for BBA, BCA and BMS Programs; Check Details Here

New Delhi: Rajive Kumar, member secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), mentioned that the AICTE is formulating model curriculum for Bachelors of Business Management (BBA), Bachelors of Computer Application (BCA), and Bachelors of Management Studies (BMS) programs. Starting from the 2024-25 academic year, these programs fall under the jurisdiction of the AICTE, India's primary regulator for technical education.

Kumar mentioned that, during the initial year, AICTE will not impose restrictions on the intake, or the number of seats, for these courses. BBA colleges expressed concerns about AICTE requiring approval starting from the 2024-25 academic year, fearing potential impacts on admissions and placements in both technical and non-technical institutions. 

This decision, conveyed through the AICTE Approval Process Handbook 2024-25 in December 2023, officially took effect in January 2024 and is anticipated to usher in substantial reforms for these undergraduate professional programs.

However, there is a difference of opinions. Mohammad Farooq Pasha, the general secretary of the Bangalore University Council for Commerce and Management, expressed reservations, stating that including only a few courses under the AICTE umbrella may have implications that might not be conducive for all colleges, especially undergraduate programs. Students benefit from the diversity of universities in terms of fees, design, curriculum, and various aspects. 

Check: List Of AICTE Approved Engineering Colleges In India Based On 2024 Ranking 

If AICTE becomes involved, it would establish its own norms, conditions, and syllabus, which may or may not be suitable for all students, including those from rural and semi-urban areas. The Bangalore University Teachers Council has conducted meetings with institutes and higher education departments to address this concern.

Sangmesh, an associate professor at the School of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru University, highlighted the need for time when introducing any new policy. He stated that all the management courses were regulated by AICTE for many years, and the inclusion of BBA, BMS, and BCA courses under one umbrella will eventually benefit institutes.

The AICTE, responsible for overseeing management courses for over 35 years, had not previously regulated BBA, BMS, and BCA courses. Regarding this, Kumar explained that after the announcement of the National Education Policy 2020, there has been a comprehensive revision, encompassing curriculum and the infusion of new-age skills due to the incorporation of new technologies. This realization began that these BBA, BCA, and BMS courses have not undergone revision for over 20 years, despite being professional courses, often subjected to routine teaching.

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The AICTE team is actively developing a new model curriculum for the three courses and aims to implement it before the commencement of the upcoming academic years. Kumar clarified that this model curriculum serves as a framework and is not intended as an imposition on the institutes. The suggestion is to bring about necessary changes based on the institute's needs and requirements.

Regarding access to AICTE scholarships, many institutes are expressing concerns about the lack of consultation with stakeholders before reaching this decision. Pasha remarked that the regulatory bodies have not engaged with anyone – neither the teachers and the university, nor the vice-chancellors. It's a unilateral decision. Any introduction of new guidelines or policies should involve some dialogue. The abrupt implementation of rules disrupts the balance.

Further, some institutes are worried about the implications for admission and enrolments in rural institutions. Randhawa, an executive member of the Punjabi Chandigarh College Teachers Union, noted that there is already a decline in admissions in rural colleges, and if technical and professional courses are regulated, it will disproportionately impact rural colleges.

Kumar mentioned that the council is acknowledging all types of feedback, both positive and negative. He added that they are actively engaging in dialogue, seeking to understand the genuine challenges.

However, Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum and former AICTE Chairman, highlighted that the success of this initiative hinges on the council not imposing high fees for annual approvals from institutes. 

He stated that the students will reap the benefits once AICTE approves these courses. However, the council should avoid transferring the burden of high fees onto students. Therefore, maintaining low annual approval fees is crucial. 

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