AICTE rolls out four new schemes for 2026‑27 to boost labs, infrastructure and research events

AICTE has unveiled four schemes for the 2026‑27 academic year aimed at expanding practical labs, modernising campus facilities, providing academic mentoring and funding conference organization. The launch was led by AICTE Chairman Prof Yogesh Singh with Member Secretary Prof Shyama Rath present, and was announced on Oct 31 via the council’s official social media channels. The four programmes, run under the Institutional Development Cell, are IDEA Lab, MODROBS, Margdarshan and a Grant for Organising Conference (GOC). IDEA Lab targets hands‑on STEM learning, giving students space to test ideas, build prototypes and solve real‑world problems through a learning‑by‑doing model. MODROBS offers financial support to upgrade institutional infrastructure, covering labs, workshops and computing resources to improve practical training and research capacity. Margdarshan connects less‑experienced colleges with established institutions to share best practices, resources and academic guidance, strengthening overall institutional capability. GOC provides funds for colleges to host national or international academic conferences, encouraging knowledge exchange among scholars and experts. AICTE says the schemes are designed to draw participation from institutions across all districts, not just from long‑standing technical hubs, and to widen access to development opportunities nationwide. Detailed eligibility criteria, funding limits and application timelines will be outlined in separate scheme guidelines, which institutions must consult. ## Context These measures form part of AICTE’s ongoing effort to broaden the reach of technical education resources, aiming to reduce disparities between well‑funded centres and newer colleges in remote areas.