58 Engineering Colleges Shut Down: What This Means for Students

In a significant move, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the closure of 58 engineering and technical colleges during the 2025-26 academic year. While new admissions will not be accepted, current students can complete their degrees. The closures predominantly affected institutions in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, with a total of over 950 courses also being terminated. This article explores the implications of these closures and the AICTE's role in managing educational standards across the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 23:21 IST

Closure of Engineering Colleges Across India

New Delhi: During the academic year of 2025-26, a total of 58 engineering and technical institutions were closed across India for various reasons, as confirmed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Existing students will still be permitted to finish their degrees.

According to a senior official from AICTE, "The closure of these 58 colleges was implemented progressively, meaning they will not accept new students for the first year during the academic year in which the closure is enacted. However, current students will be allowed to continue their studies."

The AICTE is responsible for overseeing programs in engineering, architecture, management, and pharmacy, ensuring that quality standards are maintained.

Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra had the highest number of closures, with 12 colleges each, followed by Madhya Pradesh with eight, Telangana and Punjab with four each.

Additionally, three colleges in both Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan were shut down, while two each were closed in Gujarat, Karnataka, Pune, and Tamil Nadu.

Haryana, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal each saw one closure. Out of the 58 institutions, three were government-aided, while the remainder were privately funded.

The official also noted that over 950 courses offered in technical and engineering colleges were closed during this period.

AICTE differentiates between progressive closure, which allows enrolled students to complete their education, and complete closure, where courses are entirely terminated and affected students are relocated to other institutions.