AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professorship Scheme
₹10 lakh grant for eminent engineers to visit AICTE institutions · AICTE-INAE programme
The AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professorship Scheme connects experienced industry experts and retired INAE Fellows with engineering colleges across India, where they deliver lectures, guide student projects, and help update curricula to reflect industry needs. Participants earn ₹10,000 per lecture day plus travel reimbursement. Applications are by nomination — send your completed form by post to the Indian National Academy of Engineering in Gurgaon.
About This Scheme
The AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professorship Scheme connects experienced industry experts and retired INAE Fellows with engineering colleges across India, where they deliver lectures, guide student projects, and help update curricula to reflect industry needs. Participants earn ₹10,000 per lecture day plus travel reimbursement. Applications are by nomination — send your completed form by post to the Indian National Academy of Engineering in Gurgaon.
Full official description
The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) launched a Distinguished Visiting Professorship (DVP) Scheme jointly with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in 1999.The Scheme envisages promotion of industry-institute interaction by facilitating the dissemination of knowledge through the expertise of experienced and knowledgeable personsfrom industry to integrate their rich industrial experience with technical education. The Scheme has received very enthusiastic response from industry and engineering research institutions over the years. Since the year 2018, the scheme has also been made applicable to all retired INAE Fellows. Objectives: The Distinguished Visiting Professor under the scheme will:
- Deliver lectures on the state-of-art of Industry, industrial ambience and R&D needs of the industry to the students and faculty of AICTE approved engineering colleges/ institutions only.
- Guide student projects/ theses of interest to industry.
- Help curriculum development, keeping in view, the changing industrial needs.
- Develop cooperative undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with industry having potential benefits to faculty, students and Industry.
- Take up any other activities for the mutual benefit of engineering institutions and industry.
Benefits
- ₹10,000 per day honorarium for each lecture day at host institutions
- Full reimbursement of travel expenses (air economy class, or actual train/road fare at INAE rates)
- For online sessions: ₹10,000 per day with no travel or lodging expenses
💡 Why Startups Should Care
For deep-tech founders, getting an INAE-AICTE Distinguished Professor engaged with your startup can add serious credibility. These professors are often domain experts in manufacturing, materials, or defence tech — sectors where such validation matters.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must hold at least a graduate degree in engineering or an equivalent qualification
- Must be between 40 and 75 years of age (exceptions may be made for outstanding candidates)
- Must have at least 10 years of industry experience with distinguished contributions (products, patents, publications, awards, etc.)
- Retired INAE Fellows are also eligible to apply
- Must not have previously completed a tenure under this scheme (one tenure per person)
Exclusions
- The DVP on completion of a tenure is not eligible to re-apply.
How to Apply
- An INAE Fellow or eminent engineer is nominated or applies to AICTE-INAE.
- The host AICTE-approved institution submits a proposal including visiting professor details and engagement plan.
- AICTE and INAE jointly evaluate the proposal.
- Approved professors are notified and a formal schedule is planned.
- Honorarium and allowances are disbursed as per approved terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AICTE-INAE Distinguished Visiting Professorship Scheme?
AICTE and INAE distinguished visiting Professor scheme envisages promotion of industry-institute interaction.
Who manages this scheme?
The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) jointly manage this scheme.
When this scheme was launched?
This scheme was launched in 1999.
What should be the minimum educational qualification of the industry expert?
The Industry Experts should have a minimum graduate degree in engineering or an equivalent qualification.
What should be the age criteria of a Distinguished Visiting Professor?
The Age of a Distinguished Visiting Professor shall be in the range of 40 to 75 years.
How many years of industry experienced is required for an applicant?
The applicant must have minimum TEN years' experience in Industry.
Whether a retired INAE fellow can apply under this Scheme?
Yes. Since the year 2018, the scheme has also been made applicable to all retired INAE Fellows.
Maximum how many colleges a DVP can visit in his/her tenure?
A DVP can visit up to two AICTE approved engineering colleges in his/her tenure.
What is the tenure of the Distinguished Visiting Professor?
Tenure will be initially for a period of one year, which is further extendable up to a maximum of five years.
How the application can be made?
Through offline mode.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- CV and list of achievements
- INAE fellowship certificate (if applicable)
- Host institution acceptance letter
- Proposed schedule and academic engagement plan