KERALA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Master of Technology, M.Tech.

ACADEMIC ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS AND RULES
(Draft)
CONTENTS
Ordinances
Regulations
RE-1.0 Admission to the M. Tech. Programme
RE-2

Language of Instruction

RE-3

Post Graduate Programme Clusters

RE-4

Academic Calendar

RE-5

Specialization Streams in M. Tech. Programme

RE-6

M. Tech. Programme Structure

RE-7

Course Registration and Enrolment

RE-8

Recommended Credit distribution over the semesters

RE-9

Academic Assessment/Evaluation

RE-10 Course completion and earning of credits

RE-11 End Semester and Supplementary Examinations
RE-12 Eligibility to continue
RE-13 Seminar
RE-14 Project work
RE-15 Faculty Advisor, Course Committee and Class Committee.
RE-16 Award of Grades
RE-17 Grades and Grade Points
RE-18 Academic Auditing
RE-19 Revaluation and Grade improvement
RE-20 Grade Cards
RE-21 Discipline
RE-22 Award of M. Tech. Degree
RE-23 Grievances and Appeals Committee
RE-24 Amendments to Regulations
Rules
RU-1

Attendance

RU-2

Leave of Absence

RU-3

Malpractices in Examinations

RU- 4

Project Evaluation

RU-5

Project work outside the College

1

Ordinances
O-1

Candidates who have been awarded or qualified for the award of the Bachelors degree in
Engineering / Technology, from an Institution approved by AICTE are eligible for admission to the
M. Tech . Programme.

O-2

Candidates who have the Associate Membership of Professional Bodies that are approved by the
University and have qualified in GATE shall also be eligible for admission to the M. Tech.
programme.

O-3

The reservation policy of the Government of Kerala and the Government of India shall be
followed in admission to the M. Tech. programme.

O-4

All admission will be governed by the procedure laid down for this by the Director of Technical
Education, Kerala and the Government of Kerala.

O-5

Notwithstanding all that is stated above, the admission policy may be modified from time to time
by the University, particularly to confirm to directions from the Government of Kerala and the
Government of India.

O-6

The normal duration of the M. Tech programme, including the project work, shall be four
semesters.

O-7

The award of the M. Tech. Degree shall be in accordance with the regulations of the University.

Regulations
RE-1.0 Admission to the M. Tech. Programme
R.1.1

Candidates qualified in Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE ) and admitted to

the M. Tech. programme are eligible to receive Half Time Teaching Assistantship ( HTTA)
as per the rules of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)/Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD).

R.1.2

Sponsored candidates from Industries, R&D organizations, National Laboratories as

well as Educational Institutions, with a bachelors degree in engineering are eligible
for admission to the M. Tech. programme.

R.1.3

Foreign nationals whose applications are received through Indian Council of Cultural
Relations, Government of India are also eligible for admission to the M. Tech.
programme.

R.1.4

Announcements for M. Tech. Programmes will be made by the DTE, Government of

Kerala.

RE-2

R.1.5

Selection of candidates for the M. Tech programme will be done centrally or monitored
by the Directorate of Technical Education as per the guidelines given on this by the
Government of Kerala

R.1.6

The number of candidates to be admitted to each M. Tech stream will be as per the
approval on this given by the All India Council for Technical Education..

R.1.7

Admission will be complete only on meeting all the other requirements mentioned in the
letter of admission and on payment of the fees.

Language of Instruction
Unless otherwise stated, the language of instruction shall be English.

RE-3

Post Graduate Programme Clusters

The University shall identify clusters of colleges offering M. Tech programmes in different streams
and allow them to formulate procedures for the smooth conduct of all academic activities
associated with the M. Tech programme, in line with the regulations of the University. These
clusters shall have academic autonomy, regulated by a Cluster Post Graduate Board [CPGB]
consisting of all the principals of the colleges in the cluster. The Chairman of CPGB shall be an
eminent academician nominated by the Vice Chancellor. The CPGB will be responsible for all
academic matters including the curriculum, syllabi, course plans, internal evaluations, end
semester examinations, grading as well as declaration of results for all streams of M. Tech.
programme offered by the colleges in the cluster. It will also formulate guidelines for addressing
malpractices in examinations and in academics. The CPGB will formulate additional rules for
those aspects that are not covered in this document.

RE-4

Academic Calendar
The University shall publish the academic calendar for every academic semester / academic year
indicating the commencement of semesters, period of instruction, course registration date(s),
enrolment date(s), last dates for enrolment, dates for completing laboratory/practical
evaluations, last instruction day in the semester, planned schedule of semester examinations and
official holidays in the semester/academic year. The colleges concerned have to publish their
academic calendar in line with the University academic calendar indicating other details they
propose to conduct in each semester.

RE-5

Specialization Streams in M. Tech. Programme

The M. Tech. programme streams offered by each cluster as well as the eligibility of candidates of
different B. Tech. branches or having other qualifications, for each of them shall be approved by
the CPGB.

RE-6

M. Tech. Programme Structure

RE-6.1 The M. Tech programme in all streams of specialization will be structured on a credit
based system following the semester pattern with continuous evaluation.
RE-6.2 The University permits regular as well as external registration (part time) for those in
employment.
RE-6.3 The duration for the M. Tech. programme in all streams of specialization will normally be
4 semesters. The maximum duration is 6 semesters.
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RE-6.3.1 Students admitted on external registration have to complete the programme within six
semesters. The maximum duration for them will be 7 semesters.
RE-6.3.2 The University permits a regular student to change over to external registration during
the programme, under specific circumstances like initiating a start up venture or to take
up a job.
RE-6.4 Each semester shall have a minimum of 72 instruction days followed by the end semester
examination.
RE-6.5 A common course structure for the M. Tech programmes in all streams of specialization is
to be followed and consists of the following.
Core Courses
Elective Courses
Laboratory Courses
Seminar
Project
RE-6.6 Every stream of specialisation in the M. Tech. programme will have a curriculum and
syllabi for the courses. The curriculum should be so drawn up that the
minimum number of credits for successful completion of the M. Tech. programme in
any stream of specialization is not less than 68 and not more than 72.
RE-6.7 Credits are assigned as follows, for one semester
1 credit for each lecture hour per week
1 credit for each tutorial hour per week
1 credit for each laboratory/ practical of 2 / 3 hours per week
2 credits for the seminar
2 credits for Mini Project
6 credits for Project in the 3rd Semester
12 credits for Project in the 4th Semester
RE-6.8 A pass is mandatory in all core courses. In case of failure in an elective course, there is
the provision to choose another elective listed in the curriculum.
RE-6.9 On their request, CPGB shall examine the academic records and permit candidates with
B. Tech (Honours) who have earned credits for any relevant graduate level courses to
transfer credits towards the M. Tech. programme. Candidates who received B. Tech
(Honours) degree just prior to their M. Tech admission are permitted to transfer up to 9
credits. For those who received the B. Tech (Honours) degree within three years prior to
their M. Tech. admission are permitted to transfer up to 6 credits.
RE-6.10 The maximum number of lecture based courses and laboratory courses in any semester
shall not exceed 5 and 2 respectively. The maximum credits in a semester shall be 22.
RE-6.11 Programme duration
The normal duration of the programme shall be four semesters.
In case of prolonged illness or other personal exigencies, the university may allow a
student who has earned credits for at least one semester, to extend the programme up
to the maximum duration of six semesters.
4

Students who have earned credits for the courses listed in the first two semesters are
permitted to transfer their registration as external candidates if they take up a job.
However, they have to complete the programme within six semesters.
RE-7

Course Registration and Enrolment

All students have to register for the courses they desire to attend in a semester. Newly admitted
students are advised to register for all courses offered in the first semester. They do not have to
enrol for the semester. All other students are required to register at the end of the semester for
the courses they desire to take in the coming semester. Later they have to enrol for these courses
in the new semester based on the results in the previous semester. This allows them to make
minor changes in the list of courses already registered for. Before enrolment, students should
clear all dues including any fees to be paid and should not have any disciplinary issues pending.
The dates for registration and enrolment will be given in the academic calendar. Any late
registration or enrolment, allowed only up to 7 working days from the commencement of the
semester, will attract a late registration/enrolment fee as decided by the CPGB.
A student can drop a course or substitute one already registered for by another, for valid reasons
with the approval of the faculty advisor. However this has to be done within 7 working days from
the commencement of the semester.
The maximum number of credits a student can register for in a semester is limited to 24.

RE-8

Recommended Credit distribution over the semesters

First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester

RE-9

: 20 to 23 credits
: 18 to 19 credits
: 14 credits
: 12 credits [Project]

Academic Assessment/Evaluation
The University follows a continuous academic evaluation procedure.
RE-9.1 Assessment procedure and corresponding weights recommended are as follows:For theory courses
i)
Two internal tests, each having
20%
ii)
Tutorials/Assignments having
10%
iii)
End Semester examination having 50%
All the above are mandatory requirements to earn credits.
Students who have missed either the first or the second test can register with the
consent of faculty member and the Head of the Department concerned for a re-test
which shall be conducted soon after the completion of the second test and before the
end semester examination. The re-test will cover both the first and the second test
course plans. If a student misses both the scheduled tests, there is no provision for any
retests and zero marks will be given for each test. In case of serious illness and where the
attendance is above 70% the Principal may permit the conduct of the tests for a student
based on his application and other relevant medical reports with the approval of the
CPGB.
For Laboratory /Practical courses
i)
Practical Records /outputs

40%
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ii)
iii)

Regular Class Viva-Voce

Final Test (Objective)

20%
40%

RE-10 Course completion and earning of credits

Students registered and later enrolled for a course have to attend the course regularly and meet
the attendance rules of the University and appear for all the internal evaluation procedures for
the completion of the course. However, earning of credits is only on completion of the end
semester/supplementary examination and on getting a pass grade. Students, who had completed
a course but could not write the end semester/supplementary examination for genuine health
reasons or personal exigencies, are permitted to write the semester examination at the next
opportunity and earn credits without undergoing the course again. Failed candidates having more
than 50% marks in their internals can also avail of this option. However, those who are not
allowed to appear for the semester examination for want of attendance or for other disciplinary
reasons and failed candidates with less than 50% internal marks, have to register and undergo
the course again, whenever it is offered, to earn the credits.
RE-11 End Semester and Supplementary Examinations
At the end of the semester, the end semester examination will be conducted in all courses
offered in the semester and will be of three hours duration unless otherwise specified.
Supplementary examinations are to be conducted for eligible candidates registered for them,
before the commencement of the next semester.
RE-11.1 Eligibility to write the End Semester Examination
Eligibility criteria to appear for the semester examination are the attendance
requirements in the course and having no pending disciplinary action. The minimum
attendance for appearing for the semester examination is 85% in each course.
RE-11.2 Eligibility to write the Supplementary Examination
Only failed students and those who could not write the semester examination due to
health reasons or other personal exigencies that are approved by the Principal can
register for the supplementary examination. Grades awarded in the supplementary
examination will be taken as the semester grades in these courses.
RE-12 Eligibility to continue
A student has to earn a minimum number of credits in a semester to register for higher semester
courses. The CPGB shall formulate the rules on this and spell out the procedure to proceed with
the programme.
Failed students who have more than 50% marks in the internal course evaluation are permitted
to write the semester examination without registering and undergoing the course. Those with
less than 50% in internal course evaluation have to register again for the course, attend the
classes and earn the credits.
RE-13 Seminar
Students have to register for the seminar and select a topic in consultation with any faculty
member offering courses for the programme. A detailed write-up on the topic of the seminar is to
be prepared in the prescribed format given by the Department. The seminar shall be of 30
6

minutes duration and a committee with the Head of the department as the chairman and two
faculty members from the department as members shall evaluate the seminar based on the
coverage of the topic, presentation and ability to answer the questions put forward by the
committee.
RE-14 Project work
Project work is to be carried out in the third and fourth semesters. Project work is to be
evaluated both in the third and the fourth semesters. Based on these evaluations the grade is
finalised in the fourth semester.
Project evaluation weights shall be as follows:For convenience the marks are allotted as follows.
Total marks for the Project: 150
In the 3rd Semester:- Marks:50
Project Progress evaluation:
Progress evaluation by the Project Supervisor : 20 Marks
Presentation and evaluation by the committee : 30 Marks
In the 4th Semester:- Mraks:100
Project evaluation by the supervisor/s
Evaluation by the External expert
Presentation & evaluation by the Committee

: 30 Marks
: 30 Marks
: 40 Marks

RE-15 Faculty Advisor, Course Committee and Class Committee

RE-15.1 Faculty Advisor
The Head of the Department offering the M. Tech. programme shall nominate senior
faculty members as faculty advisors who shall advise the students in academic matters
and support them in their studies. Their role is to help the students in matters both
academic and personal. A faculty advisor may support a group of students in a semester.
RE-15.2 Course Committee and Class Committee are to be in place for all M. Tech. programs in
the college.
RE-15.3 Course Committee
This is for common courses (electives are excluded) offered to students admitted for the
M. Tech. programme irrespective of their stream of specialization. Each of such courses
will have a course committee constituted by the Principal of the college.
The Chairman of the course committee shall be either the Head of the Department or a
senior faculty member not offering the course.
Members:i)
All teachers offering the course.
ii)
Two to four student representatives nominated by the Principal from the
M. Tech. streams associated with the course.

RE-15.4 Class Committee

All M. Tech streams of specialization will have class committees for each semester,
constituted by the respective Heads of Departments.
The Chairman of the committee shall be a senior faculty member who does not offer any
course for that stream in that semester.
Members:i)
ii)

All faculty members teaching courses for the stream in that semester.
Two student representatives nominated by the Head of the Department, from
the stream.

The course committees and class committees shall meet at least thrice in a semester one in the beginning and one at the middle of the semester and one after the semester
examinations. These committees should monitor the conduct of the courses, adherence
to the course plan and time schedule, completion of the syllabus, standards of internal
tests and evaluation process and difficulties faced by the students and take suitable
remedial actions at the appropriate time. After the end semester examination, the
committee should meet and finalize the results. A report on the student performance in
each course should be prepared and submitted to the CPGB.
RE-16 Award of Grades
Grading is based on the marks obtained by the student in a course.
The grade card will only show the grades against the courses the student has registered.
The semester grade card will show the grade for each registered course, Semester Grade Point
Average (SGPA) for the semester as well as Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
RE-17 Grades and Grade Points
Grades and Grade Points as per UGC guidelines are to be followed by the University
Grades Grade Point

% of Total Marks obtained in the course

O
A+
A
B+
B
C
P
F

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
0

90% and above

85% and above but less than 90%
80% and above but less than 85%
70% and above but less than 80%
60% and above but less than 70%
50% and above but less than 60%
45% and above but less than 50%
Less than 45%

FA
I

Failed due to lack of attendance

Course Incomplete

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are calculated
based on the above grading norms and are explained at the end of this document.

RE-18 Academic Auditing

The University shall have a detailed academic auditing procedure in place comprising of an
internal academic auditing cell within the college and an external academic auditing for each
college. The internal academic auditing cell in each college shall oversee and monitor all
academic activities including all internal evaluations and semester examinations. This cell is to
prepare academic audit statements for each semester at regular intervals of four weeks of
instruction. These reports are to be presented to the external academic auditor appointed by the
University, who will use it as a reference for his independent auditing and for the final report to
the University.
Academic auditing will cover:i)

ii)
iii)

Course delivery covering syllabus, adherence to course plan, quality of question

papers for internal examinations, internal evaluation, laboratory experiments,
practical assignments, mini projects, conduct of practical classes and their
evaluation. Semester examination and academic performance of the students.
Co-curricular and Extra-curricular activities available for students, and their
organization.
Academic functioning of the college encompassing students, faculty and college
administration covering punctuality, attendance, discipline, academic
environment,
academic accountability, academic achievements and
benchmarking.

RE-19 Revaluation and Grade improvement

There is no provision for revaluation of the semester answer books or for improving the grade.
Students are permitted to check the answer books of the semester examination, after the results
are declared. Any discrepancies in evaluation could be brought to the notice of the teacher
concerned who will initiate appropriate action on this and report to the CPGB for a final decision
on this.
RE-20 Grade Cards
Students who have written the semester examination will be given the grade cards for the
registered courses, in every semester by the respective colleges. On earning the required credits
for the degree, a consolidated grade sheet for the M. Tech programme will be issued by the
University on the recommendation of the respective CPGB.
The M. Tech. degree will not have any classification like distinction or first class.
RE-21

Discipline
Every student is expected to observe discipline and decorous behaviour.
Any act of indiscipline, misbehaviour including unfair practice in examinations will be referred to
a Welfare and Discipline Committee of the college which shall make a detailed enquiry on the
matter and recommend on the course of action to be taken and forward it to the Principal/Dean
for action. The student can appeal to the Principal whose decision on the matter shall be final.

RE-22 Award of M. Tech. Degree

A student will be eligible for the award of M. Tech. Degree of the University on meeting the
following requirements;
i)
ii)

Registered and earned the minimum credits, as prescribed in the curriculum, for
the stream of specialization.
No pending disciplinary action.

RE-23 Grievances and Appeals Committee

Each college in the cluster should have a Grievances Redress Committee constituted by the
Principal to address the grievances of the students and to consider their appeals on any decisions
made by the college. This committee consisting of at least three faculty members and chaired by
a senior professor shall look into students grievances and appeals and recommend the course of
action to be taken to solve them, to the Principal.
The Principal shall take appropriate actions based on this. Student representative?
RE-24 Amendments to Regulations
Notwithstanding all that has been stated above, the University has the right to modify any of the
above regulations from time to time.
RULES:
RU-1

Attendance

Attendance is marked for each course. 85% attendance is mandatory for writing the semester
examination in a course. Students who get PTTA or Scholarships from the Central or State
Governments or any other agencies are expected to have 100 % attendance. However, under
unavoidable circumstances students are permitted to take leave. Leave is normally sanctioned for
any approved activity taken up by students outside the college covering sports and other extracurricular activities. Leave is also permitted on medical grounds or on personal exigencies. Leave
of absence for all these is limited to 15 % of the academic contact hours for the course.
In case of long illness or major personal tragedies/exigencies the Principal can relax the minimum
attendance requirement to 70%, to write the semester examination. This is permitted for one or
more courses registered in the semester. The Principal shall keep all records which led to his
decision on attendance, for verification by the Academic Auditor. However this concession is
applicable only to any one semester during the entire programme. In case of prolonged illness,
break of study is permitted up to two semesters which could extend the programme up to six
semesters, the maximum permitted by the regulations.
RU-2

Leave of Absence

Students who desire to take leave under RU1 have to apply for it to the teacher conducting the
course. This application together with any supporting documents like doctors certificate or other
relevant information is to be forwarded to the Head of the Department with the
recommendation of the teacher indicating the total leave of absence the student has so far
availed. Approval for leave is to be given by the head of the department. After any prolonged

10

medical leave, normally exceeding five instruction days, on rejoining, the student has to produce
the fitness certificate given by the doctor.
RU-3 Malpractices in Examinations
Every college in the cluster should have an Academic Disciplinary Action Committee [ADAC]
constituted by the Principal of the college. Malpractices in examinations shall be viewed
seriously. Any such incident seen/reported by a faculty member or an invigilator associated with
examinations shall be reported to the Principal who in turn shall refer it to ADAC. On the basis of
the report and the evidence available or gathered, ADAC shall immediately initiate an enquiry
giving the student a chance to explain his case. Based on this the committee shall recommend
the course of action in line with the guidelines formulated for this by the CPGB for action by the
Principal. In case of disputes a student can appeal to the CPGB and its decision on the matter
shall be final.
RU- 4 Project Evaluation
Normally students are expected to do the project within the college. However they are permitted
to do the project in an industry or in a government research institute under a qualified supervisor
from that organization. Progress of the project work is to be evaluated at the end of the third
semester. For this a committee headed by the head of the department with two other faculty
members in the area of the project, of which one shall be the project supervisor. If the project is
done outside the college, the external supervisor associated with the student will also be a
member of the committee. Final evaluation of the project will be taken up only on completion of
the project in the fourth semester. This shall be done by a committee constituted for the purpose
by the principal of the college. The concerned head of the department shall be the chairman of
this committee. It shall have two senior faculty members from the same department, project
supervisor and the external supervisor, if any, of the student and an external expert either from
an academic/R&D organization or from Industry as members. Final project grading shall take into
account the progress evaluation done in the third semester and the project evaluation in the
fourth semester. If the quantum of work done by the candidate is found to be unsatisfactory,
the committee may extend the duration of the project up to one more semester, giving reasons
for this in writing to the student. Normally further extension will not be granted and there shall
be no provision to register again for the project.
RU-5 Project work outside the College
While students are expected to do their projects in their colleges, provision is available for them
to do it outside the college either in an industry or in an institute of repute. This is only possible in
the fourth semester and the topic of investigation should be in line with the project part planned
in the 3rd semester. Student should apply for this through the project supervisor indicating the
reason for this well in advance, preferably at the beginning of the 3rd semester. The application
for this shall include the following:Topic of the Project:
Project work plan in the 3rd Semester:
Reason for doing the project outside:
Institution/Organization where the project is to be done:
External Supervisor
Name:
Designation:
Qualifications:
Experience:
11

Letter of consent of the External Supervisor as well as from the organization

This application is to be vetted by a departmental committee constituted for the same by the
Principal and based on the recommendation of the committee the student is permitted to do the
project outside the college. The same committee should ensure the progress of the work
periodically and keep a record of this.

Calculation of SGPA/CGPA
Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are
calculated as follows.
SGPA = (CiGPi)/Ci where Ci is the credit assigned for a course and GPi is the grade
point for that course. Summation is done for all courses registered by the student in the
semester. Here the failed courses are also accounted.
CGPA = (CiGPi)/Ci where Ci is the credit assigned for a course and GPi is the grade
point for that course. Summation is done for all courses registered by the student during
all the semesters for which the CGPA is needed. Here the failed courses are also
accounted. CGPA of all courses passed may also be given.

12

KTU
M.Tech Program Credit Assignment
Credit requirements :- 64 to 68 credits depending on the stream of specialization
Normal Duration
:- Regular: 4 semesters; External Registration: 6 semesters;
Maximum duration :- Regular: 6 semesters; External registration : 7 semesters.
Courses: Core Courses:- Either 4 or 3 credit courses; Elective courses: All of 3 credits
Suggested allotment of credits and examination scheme:Semester 1 (Credits: 20-23)
Exam
Slot
A
B
C
D
E

Course
No:

Name
Core
Core
Core
Core
Elective
Research
methodology
Seminar
Lab

L- T - P
3/4-0-0
3/4-0-0
3/4-0-0
3-0-0
3-0-0
1-1-0

Internal
Marks
50
50
50
50
50
100

End Semester Exam

Marks
Duration (hrs)
50
3
50
3
50
3
50
3
50
3
0
0

Credits

0-0-2

100
100

0
0

0
0

2
1
20/23

3/4-0-0
3-0-0
3-0-0
3-0-0
3-0-0
0-0-4
0-0-2

50
50
50
50
50
100
100

50
50
50
50
50
0
0

3
3
3
3
3
0
0

3/4
3
3
3
3
2
1
18/19

3-0-0
3-0-0
0-0-2
0-0-8

50
50
100
50

50
50
0
0

3
3
0
0

3
3
2
6

3/4
3/4
3/4
3
3
2

Semester 2 (Credits: 18-19)

A
B
C
D
E

Core
Core
Core/Elective
Elective
Elective
Mini Project
Lab

Semester 3 (Credits: 14)

A
B

Elective
Elective
Seminar
Project
(Phase 1)

14
Semester 4 (Credits: 12)
Project
(Phase 2)

0-0-21

100

12
12
Total: 64/68
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