MCA curtailed to 2-yr course with changes in curriculum

AICTE, in its latest circular, said, "The change in the duration of MCA programme from three years to two years has been engaging attention of University Grants Commission for quite some time." Stating that the issue to truncate the course duration was placed before the meeting of UGC held recently, the AICTE said the course would be only two years starting from 2020-21.

The council added that qualifications for students would be the same. They should have completed graduation in BCA, BSc or BA, with mathematics in Class 12 level or graduation level.

A senior official from the Higher Education Department told DT Next that the duration of the MCA has been curtailed due to poor admissions and unwanted subjects in the present curriculum will also be omitted for the convenience of students.

"The new syllabus will be a blend of both theoretical and practical knowledge," he said, adding that the current subjects such as Programming and Data Structure, IT Lab and Business Programme Lab will be carried forward from the previous curriculum.

"With the new AICTE order coming into effect from the new academic year, the introductory part of the course will be omitted, and accordingly candidates will directly be introduced to the advanced concepts of an MCA programme," he added.

About the students who are currently pursuing the three-year MCA, the official said that they will follow the same pattern and the subject structure will not be affected or altered.