AICTE Proposes 50% Hike in MTech Scholarships to Counter Declining Enrolments

In response to the sharp decline in the MTech enrollments across the country, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has proposed a significant hike of 50% in postgraduate scholarships. Read below to know more. 

According to the AICTE stats, the intake of postgraduate courses in engineering and technology dropped from 1.81 lakh in 2018-2019 to around 1.30 lakh in 2023-24. Therefore, the AICTE has proposed a significant 50% increase in postgraduate scholarships in response to the sharp decline. This move aims to revive student interest in MTech programmes, which have seen a steady drop in applicants over recent years.

Currently, the MTech students receive a scholarship of INR 12,400 monthly, under the GATE scholarship. The proposed hike could increase to ₹18,600 per month, making postgraduate technical education more financially viable and attractive. This communication noted that the last increase was notified by the Ministry in 2015. AICTE officials believe this financial incentive could encourage more GATE-qualified candidates to opt for higher studies instead of entering the job market immediately.

If greenlit by the Ministry of Education, the revised stipend could soon become a game-changer in encouraging more students to pursue advanced technical education. The ball is now in the Ministry’s court, but the message is clear: for India to lead in innovation and research, investing in its young engineers is non-negotiable. It’s a much-needed push to retain top talent in India’s research ecosystem and give MTech programs the boost they deserve.