UP, Maharashtra Report Highest Engineering College Closures As AICTE Shuts 58 Institutes, Over 950 Courses Discontinued; Details

AICTE Campus Shutdowns: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved the progressive closure of 58 engineering and technical colleges across India during the 2025-26 academic year. The move follows issues such as low student enrolment and institutions failing to meet prescribed academic and infrastructure standards.

Students enrolled in these institutions will be able to complete their degree programmes without disruption, since progressive closure stops fresh admissions without ending operations right away. In addition, more than 950 engineering and technical courses across the country were also discontinued during the same period.

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State-Wise Break-Up Of College Closures

Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest closures at 12 each, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Punjab, AICTE data.

Progressive Closure vs Complete Closure Explained

According to AICTE, progressive closure differs from complete closure. Under this process, an institution stops admitting first-year students for the academic year in which closure is approved. Still, it continues academic operations for existing batches until they finish their courses. In a complete closure, by contrast, programmes are discontinued entirely and affected students are shifted to other institutions to complete their education elsewhere.

Why AICTE Orders College Closures?

The regulator said institutions may face closure for reasons including low student intake, shortage of qualified faculty, non-compliance with infrastructure norms, and failure to meet other academic or operational requirements it prescribes. AICTE, which oversees engineering, architecture, management, and pharmacy education nationwide, reviews institutions against these parameters before deciding whether to approve continued operations or closure.

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Government-Aided vs Private Institutions:

Of the 58 colleges granted progressive closure, only three were government-aided institutions, while the remaining 55 were privately managed. More than 950 courses offered across these technical and engineering colleges were also discontinued in the same period, reflecting a broader decline in enrolment and compliance at several institutions nationwide.