Over 50 Engineering Colleges Shut Across India in 2025-26: AICTE
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has ordered the closure of 58 engineering and technical colleges across India for the 2025-26 academic year. The regulator confirmed that while these institutions cannot admit new first-year students, currently enrolled students will be allowed to complete their degree programmes under a progressive closure framework.
An AICTE official told PTI that the decision aims to address systemic issues such as low student admissions, shortage of qualified faculty, inadequate infrastructure, and non-compliance with regulatory norms. Progressive closure ensures that students already enrolled continue their studies without disruption, unlike complete closure where students must be transferred to other institutions.
Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest number of closures, with 12 colleges each. They were followed by Madhya Pradesh (8), Telangana (4), and Punjab (4). Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan saw three closures each, while Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu had two each. Haryana, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal each reported one closure.
Of the 58 institutions, three were government-aided, while the remaining were privately managed. Additionally, AICTE data showed that over 950 engineering and technical courses across the country were discontinued during the same period.
AICTE, the national regulator for technical education, oversees courses in engineering, architecture, management, pharmacy, and other disciplines. It mandates that institutions maintain academic and infrastructure standards to ensure quality education. The latest closures reflect ongoing efforts to enforce these standards and address challenges in the technical education sector.
