Get Ready For Fast Track B.Tech Programmes At IIT Bombay

IIT Bombay is all set to offer fast track B.Tech programmes from the coming academic year. As part of this move, students will be able to complete their B.Tech programmes in just three and a half years instead of four.

The decision was taken in a senate meeting conducted recently. To be offered as an option to students across courses, this fast track programme can be opted by students aiming to complete the course faster by taking up additional credits. According to information, students taking up the programme will be eligible to sit for placements in December. Infact,  they would be able to start working immediately once they are placed.

Devang Khakhar, Director, IIT-Bombay said, "In the final semester, students are free to opt for internships, start work on their entrepreneurial venture or spend a semester abroad at any institute as an exchange student. They will be free to opt for anything. The finer details of the plan are yet to be worked out. The provision is applicable to students from the current batch itself, so they can start accumulating credits from the next academic year".

However, once the programme concludes, students would be asked to leave the campus. Students will be receiving a provisional statement of marks. But, the final degree certificate will be given to the students only during the institute's convocation. The provision is currently applicable only for the BTech students.

Shubham Goyal, external general secretary of academic affairs (undergraduate), IIT Bombay said, "Students can start accumulating additional courses after the completion of the first year. "They can choose to do any courses that they wish to. For some courses, which will require the student to have completed a pre-requisite course, they will have to choose it after second or third year".

The fast track programme at IIT Bombay will ensure the following:

• Would help students learn at their own pace without any stress
• The campus stay of students will be limited. Though aspirants can take over 6 years to complete the programme, they would not be allowed to stay on the campus after that.
• After 6 years, students will be required to make alternative arrangements outside the campus. The idea is to help the institute's administration which lacks proper accommodation facilities.

Currently, IIT Kharagpur is the only institute amongst the existing IITs which plans to offer a similar plan from the year 2017. As of now, the institute allows its students to take up micro credits in their final semester.