Students with 35% in Std X can now aim for a diploma

Now, students with 35 per cent marks in their Std X examinations can apply for admission to various diploma courses in state’s polytechnic institutes. The decision was taken by the All India Council for Technical Education last week and communicated to directorates of technical education in all the states.

The previous eligibility criteria of 50 per cent marks in Std X went against popularising technical education and preparing skilled manpower for industries expanding at a fast rate. The high percentage in Std X also resulted in a large number of seats lying vacant, particularly in self-financed institutes, which found it hard to meet their expenses. Sources in the state technical education department said there were numerous representations to bring down the eligibility criteria to which AICTE ultimately agreed.

Welcoming the AICTE’s decision, LD College of Engineering principal M N Patel, who is also a member of the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC), said AICTE’s decision would ensure all the seats in government polytechnics and SFIs offering courses based on Std X examinations were filled up. He said it would be good for students as well as managements.