AI SummaryAICTE - Youth Undertaking Visit for Acquiring Knowledge (YUVAK): Study Tour of Atal Tunnel gives financial grants to students and faculty from AICTE-approved technical institutions. This scheme supports knowledge-sharing tours to the Atal Tunnel, helping participants learn about modern tunnel construction methods and the engineering problems solved during the project. Launched on 21st May 2021, it remains open for eligible institutions to apply when the call for applications is announced.
The scheme helps bring classroom theories to life by giving real-world exposure to one of the most complex engineering projects in the country. A team of one faculty member and 10 students from each selected institute gets the grant to visit and study the tunnel.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | AICTE - Youth Undertaking Visit for Acquiring Knowledge (YUVAK): Study Tour of Atal Tunnel |
| Level | Central |
| Supported By | Ministry of Education |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education and Learning |
| Benefit Type | Cash Grant |
Main Aims
The scheme focuses on practical learning for engineering students. It gives them a chance to see how large infrastructure projects are actually built.
- Students get firsthand knowledge about modern techniques, especially the New Austrian tunneling method used for the Atal Tunnel.
- Participants learn how risks are managed during major projects, such as heavy snowfall, unstable rock formations, and high-altitude excavation work.
- The scheme helps improve the quality of engineering education across the country and encourages a culture of research and innovation.
- It motivates engineering students to do well in their technical fields.
Benefits
Under this scheme, a selected institute receives a financial grant for a team of 10 students and one faculty member. The grant amount depends on which region the institute belongs to.
| Expenditure Head | Institutes under NRO and NWRO | Institutes under Other Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Train Fare (to and back) | ₹ 30,000 | ₹ 60,000 |
| Transport (Chandigarh to Manali) | ₹ 30,000 | ₹ 30,000 |
| Boarding, Lodging and Incidental | ₹ 1,10,000 | ₹ 1,10,000 |
| Total Grant | ₹ 1,70,000 | ₹ 2,00,000 |
The study tour runs for 3 days, not counting the journey from the institute to Manali and back. A maximum of 25 institutions from NRO and NWRO regions and 75 institutions from other regions get the grant in a financial year.
Eligibility
Before applying, an institute should check that it meets all the conditions set by AICTE. The main points are given below.
- The institution must be AICTE-approved in the field of technical education.
- It must hold a valid NIRF ranking between 001 and 500.
- The team is limited to one faculty member and 10 students.
- Students should be from regular 2nd and 3rd year B.E. or B.Tech, or Integrated M.Tech, in Civil, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering.
- Selected students need a minimum CGPA of 8.5 in the previous semester.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the official AICTE portal when the call for applications is active. An institute can send only one proposal for the entire duration of the scheme. Here are the steps to follow.
STEP 1 - Go to the official AICTE website at aicte.gov.in and look for the YUVAK Study Tour of Atal Tunnel section under schemes or bulletins.
STEP 2 - Check that the institute has a valid NIRF ranking between 001 and 500 and that the team of one faculty member and 10 students meets the eligibility rules.
STEP 3 - Fill in the online application form with the institute profile, faculty leader details, and the full list of student team members.
STEP 4 - Submit the application before the last date. AICTE screens the applications and sends an offer letter by email to the selected institute.
STEP 5 - After selection, 50% of the grant is paid once the finalized itinerary and schedule are received. The institute submits a tour report within one month of the tour along with a utilization certificate audited by a Chartered Accountant. The balance is paid based on the rules.
Documents
Keep these documents ready while applying. They are needed to complete the online form and later for the grant payment.
- Formal institute profile and registration details
- Identification details for the faculty team leader
- Complete list of student team members
References
Scheme Guidelines | Application Form | Mandate Form | Selected Institutes List | Call for Applications
FAQ's
What is AICTE - Youth Undertaking Visit for Acquiring Knowledge (YUVAK) Study Tour of Atal Tunnel?
It is a scheme that gives financial grants to AICTE-approved institutions to organize study tours for students and faculty to visit the Atal Tunnel.
When was this scheme launched?
The scheme was launched on 21st May 2021.
Who manages this scheme?
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) manages the whole program.
What is the significance of the Atal Tunnel?
Located on the Leh-Manali Highway, the 9.02 km tunnel is the longest in the world above 10,000 feet. It provides an all-weather route to Leh and the Lahaul-Spiti valleys.
How many proposals can an institute submit?
An institute can submit only one proposal for the entire duration of the scheme.
What are the regional grant quotas?
A maximum of 25 institutions from NRO and NWRO regions and 75 institutions from other regions can receive the grant per financial year.