NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced four schemes under its Infrastructure Development and Capacity Building (IDC) initiatives for the academic year 2026-27. The schemes will provide financial assistance to eligible institutions for infrastructure development, practical learning, research activities and academic collaboration. The initiative covers IDEA Lab, Grant for Organising Conference (GOC), Modernisation and Restructuring for Outcome Based System (MODROBS), and Margdarshan.Announced in New Delhi on October 31, 2026, the schemes are intended to address different requirements of technical institutions, including laboratory facilities, research infrastructure, academic exchanges and institutional mentoring. The financial support will be extended to eligible institutions under the respective scheme guidelines.IDEA Lab to support practical learningThe IDEA Lab scheme focuses on experiential education through the concept of ‘learning by doing’. It aims to help students apply Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) concepts to practical challenges.The initiative will provide opportunities for students to experiment with ideas, develop prototypes and work on solutions to real-world problems. It also seeks to encourage interactive teaching methods and student participation in technical activities.Conference grants to facilitate academic exchangeThe Grant for Organising Conference scheme will support institutions organising national and international academic conferences. The programme is intended to facilitate discussions and knowledge exchange among academicians, researchers and subject experts.The scheme will provide a platform for presenting research findings, discussing developments in different fields and building academic connections. Conferences are also expected to address priority areas relevant to national development.MODROBS to modernise laboratories and workshopsUnder the Modernisation and Restructuring for Outcome Based System scheme, financial assistance will be provided for upgrading institutional infrastructure.The support will cover laboratories, workshops and computing facilities. The scheme aims to strengthen practical education, research activities and industry-oriented learning by improving the facilities available to students and faculty members.Margdarshan scheme focuses on institutional mentoringThe Margdarshan Scheme will facilitate academic mentoring by established institutions and Centrally Funded Institutions. Participating institutions will receive guidance to improve academic practices, share resources and strengthen institutional performance.The initiative also aims to support improvements in institutional outcomes, including performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).Focus on research and institutional capacityDuring the launch, AICTE Chairman Prof. Yogesh Singh highlighted the importance of developing research-oriented and innovation-driven academic environments. He also referred to the use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), in teaching and learning.AICTE Member Secretary Prof. Shyama Rath encouraged institutions to apply under the four schemes and use the available assistance to strengthen institutional capabilities and improve student learning outcomes.
