Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, announced on Wednesday that it will introduce elective courses for first-year engineering students starting in the academic session 2026-2027. Previously, electives were only available to students in their second, third, and fourth years. This initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy, aims to broaden students' educational experiences by allowing them to choose from a variety of subjects outside their primary discipline. Over 750 government and private engineering colleges affiliated with AKTU will implement this curriculum change.

The updated curriculum will include contemporary subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Data Science, emphasizing practical knowledge. Prof. Anurag Tripathi, dean of undergraduate studies at AKTU, stated that each four-credit course will consist of 60 hours of instruction, allowing students to select three theory courses and one elective course. Additionally, AKTU plans to collaborate with various industries to facilitate internships, industrial tours, and guest lectures, providing students with valuable real-world experience.