The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is set to incorporate student feedback and performance in semester exams as critical factors in the promotion of engineering faculty members. This decision is part of AICTE’s recently drafted regulations on pay scales, service conditions, and minimum qualifications for faculty.

Under the new guidelines, student input will play a pivotal role in assessing faculty performance & the Key areas of evaluation will include whether instructors effectively covered the syllabus, emphasized on creative thinking, offered support beyond classroom hours, and maintained fairness in grading. These qualitative metrics will be weighed alongside traditional academic achievements and research outcomes, marking a shift toward a more holistic evaluation approach.

Rajul K. Gajjar, Chair of the AICTE Faculty Norms Review Committee and Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Technological University emphasizes the importance of focusing on course outcomes rather than mere attendance. “This new framework aims to enhance the academic performance of institutions,” he stated, indicating that the emphasis will be on how well students are learning and applying their knowledge.

Moreover, the draft regulations propose several notable changes, including fast-tracking promotions for qualified faculty, increasing the retirement age to 65 (with exceptions for those in state government institutions), and mandating a minimum engagement of 40 hours per week encompassing teaching and other academic responsibilities. Additionally, the regulations offer flexibility for faculty members wishing to transition into emerging fields, provided they complete a quality improvement program. R. Velraj, a member of the review committee and former vice-chancellor of Anna University, remarked, “Faculty members who demonstrate potential in research and innovation will find their paths to promotion significantly accelerated under these new regulations.”

Importantly, faculty members will have a grace period of three years to adapt to the new parameters and become eligible for promotions. “We will consider the feedback and make necessary adjustments before submitting our final report to AICTE,” Velraj added.

However, the new approach is not without its critics. D. Meganathan, secretary of the Anna University Teachers Association, raised concerns that weighing student performance in exams might skew the evaluation of answer scripts. He warned, “Teachers who are strict and prioritize fair grading could face challenges in securing promotions under this system.”