Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow, has officially released a new circular regarding the AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 process. Every year, the university provides an opportunity for eligible students to change their engineering branch after completing the first year of B.Tech.
If you are a second-year B.Tech student at AKTU and want to change your branch in the third semester, this article covers everything you need to know — eligibility, rules, process, and deadlines.
What is AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26?
The AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 policy allows students who have successfully completed their first year to switch from one engineering branch to another, such as from Mechanical to Computer Science or from Civil to Electrical.
However, this facility is not applicable to B.Tech Biotechnology and B.Tech Agricultural Engineering students.
This process gives students a second chance to align their academic path with their interests, aptitude, or career goals based on their first-year performance.
Who Can Apply for AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26?
As per the official circular issued by Prof. Deepak Nagariya, Controller of Examination, AKTU, only those students who meet the following conditions are eligible for branch change:
- The student must be promoted to the third semester (second year) in the academic session 2025-26.
- The student must have a minimum of 6.5 YGPA (Yearly Grade Point Average) in the first year.
- The student must have passed all first-year subjects in a single attempt, with no carry-over or backlogs.
- Students who are re-admitted, ex-students, or lateral entries are not eligible to apply.
This ensures that only consistent and academically strong students can avail the AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 facility.
Seat Availability and Vacancy Rules
The branch change will be allowed only against vacant seats in the desired branch. Vacancies are calculated using the following formula:
V = I - (Reg + Rep)
Where:
- V = Vacancy in the branch
- I = AICTE-approved intake for the branch
- Reg = Number of regular students promoted to the third semester
- Rep = Number of re-admitted students
Vacancy calculation must be completed within seven days of the first-year result declaration (as on 31 October 2025). Carry-over exam results will not be considered during this calculation.
Limit on Number of Branch Changes
The university has imposed strict limitations to maintain class balance and quality:
- A maximum of 25% of total first-year students (newly admitted + readmitted) in any branch can change their branch.
- After branch changes, the total strength in any branch should not exceed the AICTE-approved intake.
- No branch should drop below 75% of its original strength after the process.
This rule ensures a fair distribution of students across departments.
Merit-Based Selection Process
The AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 will be conducted strictly on the basis of merit, prepared by each institute.
Merit will be determined using the first-year YGPA of students. In case of a tie:
- The student with a higher number of higher grades (A+, A, etc.) will be preferred.
- If still tied, the student with a higher overall percentage in the first year will be ranked higher.
This ensures transparency and fairness in the branch change procedure.
Fee Waiver and EWS Category Rules
The circular also clarifies the policy for Fee Waiver and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) students.
- Students under these categories are eligible for branch change only within their respective approved seats.
- All the norms (eligibility, merit, and seat vacancy rules) will be equally applicable to Fee Waiver and EWS candidates.
- The EWS seats will be treated as additional AICTE-approved seats for the second year and will not be merged with regular seats during the process.
This means EWS category students can apply for branch change but only within the specific quota limits approved for EWS.
Important Dates for AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26
Students must strictly follow the official schedule released by AKTU. The deadlines are as follows:
- Last date to submit scanned and signed forms via email:
18 November 2025 (up to 5:00 PM)
Email ID: cocoffice@aktu.ac.in - Last date to submit hard copy to AKTU Office:
20 November 2025
Any form received after these dates will not be considered under any circumstances. Late proposals will be automatically treated as invalid.
Where to Send the Application
After completing the branch change form and obtaining all necessary approvals from your college, send:
- Scanned copy (signed) to: cocoffice@aktu.ac.in before 18 November 2025 (5:00 PM).
- Hard copy (signed by college authorities) to: Office of the Controller of Examination
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University,
Sector-11, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh – 226031
Make sure both the email and hard copy reach on time to avoid rejection.
Restrictions You Must Know
- Branch change will not be allowed if the number of promoted and re-admitted students exceeds the AICTE intake for that branch.
- Students waiting for re-evaluation or scrutiny results are not eligible until their revised results are officially declared.
- Change of program (for example, from B.Tech to B.Arch or MBA) is strictly not allowed.
- Once approved, the new branch will be effective from the third semester.
These restrictions ensure a uniform process for all affiliated colleges under AKTU.
Why AKTU Allows Branch Change
The AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 system helps students realign their academic direction after completing one full year. Many first-year students realize that their interests, skills, or future goals are better suited to a different branch.
By allowing a merit-based change, AKTU ensures that deserving and high-performing students can move to branches that match their passion — such as shifting from Civil to Computer Science or from Electrical to IT.
This flexibility not only enhances student satisfaction but also leads to better career outcomes.
Final Words
The AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 process is a great opportunity for students who have performed well in their first year and want to move into a branch that better fits their interest and aptitude.
To summarize:
- Maintain at least 6.5 YGPA in the first year.
- Clear all subjects in one attempt with no backlogs.
- Submit your application before 18 November 2025 (5:00 PM) via email.
- Send the hard copy by 20 November 2025.
Missing the deadline means you lose this opportunity for the entire academic session.
So, prepare your documents carefully, consult your department head, and complete the process before the due date. The AKTU B.Tech Branch Change 2025-26 circular offers a valuable chance to shape your engineering journey in the right direction.
