AICTE Set to Finalise Draft of Professional Engineers Bill, 2025 Ahead of Parliament Session

What the Bill Aims to Change

The Professional Engineers Bill, 2025 is expected to create a national licensing ecosystem, marking a significant shift from the current system where any engineering degree holder can practice without centralised certification.

Key expectations from the Bill include:

·         Mandatory registration for practising engineers

·         Tiered licensure system based on qualifications and experience

·         Clear professional standards and codes of ethics

·         Stronger accountability mechanisms for engineering-related failures

·         Recognition of specialised engineering domains

·         A national council to regulate and monitor the engineering profession

The bill will align India’s engineering standards with global practices followed in countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Why the Bill Matters Now

India currently produces over 15 lakh engineering graduates every year, but experts have long argued that the absence of a licensure framework leads to:

·         Uneven quality of engineering services

·         Ambiguity of accountability in large infrastructure projects

·         Lack of internationally recognized credentials for Indian engineers

·         Wide variation in skill levels across institutions

With major national infrastructure projects underway — including highways, metro networks, green energy systems and smart cities — the need for regulated engineering practice has grown more urgent.

AICTE’s Consultation Process

Officials confirmed that AICTE has held multiple rounds of consultations with:

·         Engineering institutions

·         Industry bodies

·         State technical councils

·         Infrastructure experts

·         Professional engineering associations

Feedback from these groups is being incorporated into the final draft.
A senior official noted that the goal is to ensure the bill is “practical, implementable and industry-aligned”, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy while strengthening professional standards.

Impact on Students and Working Engineers

For Students:

Engineering graduates may be required to clear a professional assessment after their degree to obtain licensure.
This could enhance:

·         Employability

·         Global mobility

·         Professional credibility

For Currently Working Engineers:

The bill may introduce transition rules, allowing professionals to obtain certification through experience-based evaluation.

For Industry:

Companies may need to hire certified engineers for key roles, especially in:

·         Infrastructure design

·         Public safety projects

·         Environmental engineering

·         Advanced manufacturing

Concerns Raised by Stakeholders

While the bill is widely welcomed, some groups have expressed concerns:

·         Possibility of additional exam burdens

·         Need for safeguards against excessive regulation

·         Ensuring fair opportunity for diploma engineers

·         Maintaining parity with global recognition frameworks

AICTE has indicated that these issues are being studied carefully.