Kerala allows ITI, polytechnic holders into UG courses without Plus Two

The Kerala government has decided to allow candidates who have completed Industrial Training Institute (ITI) courses and polytechnic diplomas to enrol in undergraduate programmes without clearing the Plus Two examination. Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John made the announcement on Thursday.

The decision, taken on the recommendation of the Kerala State Higher Education Council, has been implemented in accordance with the University Grants Commission's National Credit Framework, according to an official statement.

Under the revised eligibility norms, candidates holding an ITI certificate will be eligible for admission to the first year of a four-year undergraduate programme. Those with a three-year polytechnic diploma can seek lateral entry into the second year of a degree course.

ITI-qualified candidates will have to complete the prescribed language course to become eligible for admission, the statement said.

The revised criteria mean that candidates who have completed Class 10 and subsequently obtained an ITI certificate or a polytechnic diploma will no longer require a Plus Two qualification for admission to undergraduate programmes. In Kerala, Plus Two refers to the two-year higher secondary education programme completed after Class 10.

The Higher Education department issued the order following a directive from Mr. John, it added.

The move is seen as a significant step towards integrating vocational education with mainstream higher education. The National Credit Framework, a key component of the National Education Policy 2020, is designed to facilitate credit transfer between vocational and academic streams. This enables students to pursue degrees based on their skill training, allowing for greater flexibility in educational pathways.

Officials said the new norms aim to widen access to higher education for students from vocational backgrounds, who previously faced an additional barrier of completing Plus Two before joining degree courses. By removing this requirement, the government hopes to encourage more students to pursue higher studies after completing ITI or polytechnic programmes.

The announcement was welcomed by educationists and student groups, who said it aligns with the national push for a more inclusive and flexible education system. However, some experts noted that the implementation would require clear guidelines on credit equivalence and the mapping of vocational qualifications to undergraduate curricula.

The order is expected to benefit thousands of students who complete ITI or polytechnic courses in Kerala each year, providing them with a direct pathway to university education.