Palakkad: The closure of regional centres of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the apex body's complete shift to an online system have affected colleges in Kerala.

All process, including programme approval registration, annual renewal, fee payments and faculty and student details submission, must now be carried out online. However, the absence of regional centres to assist with technical issues related to online procedures pose a challenge.

AICTE oversees mainly engineering, architecture and catering colleges. According to new guidelines, colleges offering BBM, BCA, and BMS programmes also require AICTE approval.

Previously, AICTE centres in various states assisted colleges with their operations. Last year, regional centres, including one in Thiruvananthapuram, ceased operations. Only one official remains at the Thiruvananthapuram centre. Officials have maintained that the centre will be transformed into an Innovation Centre.