There are plans to start a 6-year Integrated Polytechnic – Engineering Course in the state of Andhra Pradesh. AP State higher education department had sent the proposal to the state government. In response to which they got a nod of approval to start the course. All India Centre for Technical Education (AICTE) has also approved the proposal for the six-year polytechnic engineering course.

Initially, the course will commence in 5 shortlisted colleges from Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Nellore, and Tirupati. This shortlisting has been done by the officials of the department of higher education.

G Panda Das, special commissioner of higher education, says: “We have sent the proposal to the State government regarding the integrated programme. The All India Centre for Technical Education has also given us permission to begin with the course. If the government permits the same by the time of counselling, we would start the academic programme from this year. This course would be convenient for the students.”

If this course sails well, qualifying the POLYCET exam for admission in three-year PUC course and later, qualifying the ECET entrance exam, for lateral entry in engineering colleges, will come to an end.

This will benefit the students as don’t have to appear in an additional entrance examination to take admission in engineering courses after completing their PUC. They will be able to study engineering after their PUC, without break, if they opt for this 6 year integrated course.

The students seem to approve the decision too. Regarding this V Karthik, who secured a good rank in POLYCET 2018, says, “Pursuing engineering after a polytechnic course is better, as the foundation will be strong. Studying PUC for three years and writing another entrance exam was quite hectic. A straight six-year course would be convenient and easy.”

This is a good news for many such students like V Karthik, who would like to study engineering after 3 years of Polytechnic course to strengthen their foundation. Also, the officials of the higher education department are now ensuring that the shortlisted colleges have the equipment, lab facilities, and faculty for the proposed plan of 6 years integrated course.

Presently, the state of Andhra Pradesh has 82 polytechnic colleges with over 86,000 seats to offer.

What do you think about this new 6-year integrated course? Will this be beneficial? Comment down your opinions.