226 229 273 510 2. Polytechnics (Engg./Tech.) 14 25 28 127 160 154 170 170 183 599 Progressive increase in No. of Student Seeking Technical Education
in Institutes / Colleges over last 40 years

2.DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRY-INSTITUTE CO-ORDINATION (DllC)
Directorate of Industry-institute Co-ordination was established in 1996 MHRD World Bank Project has been started to look after the quality improvement of the faculty, staff as well as the students and the efficiency enhancement of Technical Education system (TES) in total. This is a separate Directorate to manage the externally funded projects for total quality management (TQM) of TES of Maharashtra.
3.STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Staff Development cells are established at six lead centre polytechnics in Maharashtra state. These cells have identified training need & training facilities and design need based training programmes for the teaching faculties and supporting staff. About 475 faculty members have been trained in various areas like educational technology, content updating, computer, MIS, entrepreneurship, educational management etc. with the help of TTTI Bhopal, IIT Bombay and National Institute of Industrial Engg. Bombay.
Sufficient number of teachers arebeing deputed for post graduates and post doctoral programmes, every year. Foreign fellowship programmes are also being arranged for senior administrators and teachers engaged in teaching high-tech courses.
4.INDUSTRY INSTITUTE INTERACTION
With fast growing needs of the industries for man-power with specialisation in specific areas it became necessary to have proper interaction with the industry. Therefore special 28 Industry Institute Interaction Cells have been established in Institutions. The main function of the cell is to promote interrelationship between industry & institution through training programmes, visiting faculty from industry, industrial visits & practical training etc.
These cells are establishing liaison with industries around for the benefit of students, teachers & support staff. A Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) has been signed between confederation of Indian Industry and Directorate of Technical Education, Bombay for this purpose. Advisory committees are formed in all technical institutes for participation from industries & business houses.
5.BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Diploma Courses in Engineering and Technology were first run by the Institutions like Victoria Jubilee Technical Institution, Mumbai; College of Engineering Pune, Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology, Pune etc. Initially, the examinations were conducted through the Board of Examiners (BOE) appointed by the committee of Technical and Institutional Training of the old Mumbai, province. After independence with increased stress on industrial development, a separate Directorate of Technical Education was set up by the Government in 1948 to organise and co-ordinate technical education activities at all levels. The Diploma examinations in Engineering and Technology were conducted through the Directorate of Technical Education up to 1963.
With increase in the number of institutions, courses and students admitted to various diploma courses, a need to have a separate body to conduct the examinations of these courses was felt and thus in August 1963, a separate Board of Technical Examinations for the state was established. Now this Board, named as Maharashtra State Board of Technical Examination (MSBTE), has been given an autonomous status, since 1999- 2000.
6.WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROJECT
With fast developments in technologies it was essential to revamp technicians education's at Diploma level. World Bank offered to finance the scheme of strengthening of Technician Education. World Bank Assisted Project to strengthen Technician Education was started in January 1992. The project completed on 31^st October 1999.
The main components of the project are
§Capacity Expansion
§Quality Improvement
§Efficiency Improvement

The Highlights of the project are

1. Introduction of 39 New Diploma Courses in existing institutes.
2. Starting of two women's residential polytechnics.
3. Introduction of Community Polytechnic Scheme in 17 Polytechnics.
4. Development of well equipped Computer Centers in 32 Polytechnics.
5. Introduction of 15 New Post-Diploma courses in existing institutes.
6. Developments of six polytechnics as Lead centers, a new Concept.
7. Academic autonomy to 15 Polytechnics.
8. Establishment of Staff Developments and Curriculum Development Cells.
9. Establishment of Continuing Education Department in 12 Polytechnics.
10. Modernization of Laboratories and Libraries.
11. Strengthening of BTE and DTE. 

¯The total outlay of the project is Rs. 230 crores.
¯Beneficiary Institutes:51
7.BOOK BANK AND TRAINING & PLACEMENT SERVICES
The Directorate implements some other schemes for the benefit of the students. These are Book Bank for backward class students / Training and Placement Cell in the institutions to facilitate the industry institute interaction and also help students in getting good jobs through campus interviews. The student counseling and guidance is extended to the student through these cells.
8.WOMEN IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION
One new Co-ed polytechnic under the name Institute of Petrochemical Engineering started at Lonare, (Dist Raigad). It caters to 3 diploma and 3 post diploma courses.
Two women residential polytechnics, one at Latur and other at Yavatmal are started. Both the polytechnics have started their academic work from the academic year 1994-95.
Five existing polytechnics are having Women Wings. They are catering courses as given below
1)Govt. Polytechnic, Nagpur - Electronics & Telecommunication
2)Govt. Polytechnic, Jalgaon - Computer Engineering
3)Govt. Polytechnic, Aurangabad - Dress Designing & Garment Mfg.
4)Govt. Polytechnic, Ratnagiri - Electronics & Telecommunication
5)Govt. Polytechnic, Pune - Computer Engineering
In Engineering colleges & polytechnics 30% seats in degree admissions are reserved for women to pursue technical education and 30% seats are also reserved in employment for them. This has resulted into motivation for women student towards technical education.
9.COMMUNITY POLYTECHNICS
Community Polytechnics scheme was introduced in 1970 for Man Power Development, Technology Transfer and Technical Support to Community Services to cater to the needs of under developed rural areas. Presently 37 polytechnics are covered under this scheme. The scheme is mainly to upgrade the skills of rural youths and to involve them in national economic activities.
10.SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION
The financial assistance is made available to the student from backward class community and economical backward classes. Merit scholarships are also made available to the meritorious students both for diploma and degree courses.
11.AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY
Government of Maharashtra recognized academic autonomy as step towards improving effectiveness of educational institutions and specially institutions which cater to the needs of well trained and qualified manpower suited to the needs of user industries and community. It aims at giving opportunity to the teachers & students to undergo need based courses and can improve standard of teaching learning under multipoint entry and flexibility in the education programmes. Similarly in some of the courses both at diploma & degree level sandwich pattern curriculum is implemented.
12.DISTANCE LEARNING/PART TIME EDUCATION
Maharashtra Government provide, opportunity of technical education for the persons employed in technical organisations & institutions to upgrade their qualification & technological skills through distance learning education. One separate government polytechnic is catering distance-learning education in the state.
13.APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
As per apprenticeship act 1961 of Maharashtra State duly amended in subsequent years is being implemented to enrich the practical / on the job training for students passing out diploma and degree courses.
14.IMPLEMENTATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN STATE

Department of Higher & Technical Education has started the certificate & advance certificate course in information technology at all levels of higher, technical and vocational education through the 8 private training providers and few government engineering colleges & polytechnics with deemed status.