New Government Order Allows Diploma and ITI Candidates to Join Undergraduate Programmes

The Higher Education Department has issued an order allowing candidates with Technical Diploma and ITI qualifications, along with Plus Two qualifications, to apply for admission to Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUGP) in universities and affiliated colleges in the state. The decision was taken based on the recommendation of the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), following the National Credit Framework (NCrF) guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

As per the order, the revised admission system will officially come into effect from the 2027–28 academic year.

Admission Qualifications and Conditions

Candidates who have completed ITI after Class 10 and obtained the required additional language credits will be eligible for direct admission to the first year of undergraduate programmes.

Students who have completed a three-year Polytechnic Diploma after Class 10 will be eligible for direct admission to the second year (third semester) of Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes through lateral entry.

Candidates who have completed a two-year Diploma after Class 12 will also be eligible for direct admission to the second year of undergraduate programmes. The Director of Technical Education has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing these changes uniformly across all universities, autonomous institutions, and polytechnics in the state.

The new system removes the existing barriers that prevented students from vocational and technical backgrounds from entering conventional degree programmes. Students with a three-year diploma qualification can save one academic year by gaining direct entry into the second year of degree programmes. By integrating school education, technical education, and higher education, the reform provides students with greater flexibility to pursue and continue their preferred fields of study.

The initiative will also enable students with professional and technical backgrounds to obtain general degrees, improving their career opportunities, employability, and global recognition.