AICTE - Scheme For Promoting Interests, Creativity And Ethics Among Students

Description
The scheme "AICTE - Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students SPICES " is a scheme for the institutions by the All India Council for Technical Education AICTE , Department of Higher Education DoHE . This scheme provides financial support to institutions for developing students' clubs for the well-rounded development of students by promoting their interests, creativity, and ethics. This club should serve as a model for other clubs in the institution and also those in other institutions. Objective To energize and position students club/ Chapters/ Societies as facilitating entities for the pursuit of individual interests, creative work, showcasing talent, networking and teamwork opportunities, social experience; organization and management skills, exposure to professional ethics, etc.

Exclusions
• Ex-students and ex-faculty members and other officials of the institute shall not be members of the club.

Benefits
• Duration: One-Year
• Limit of Funding: ₹ 1,00,000 only (one-time grant to one institute)
• Disbursement of the Funds: ₹ 1,00,000 as advance
• Programs/ Activities targeted in the Clubs: Evolution of Interests/Hobbies, Creativity/ Imagination/ Innovation, and Ethics/ Value through a range of student activities.

Eligibility Criteria
1. (a) AICTE-approved institutes with a minimum of 5 years of existence.
2. (b) Only one proposal per institute for a club (with a minimum of student members 50) will be
3. admissible. Institute may choose its best performing club for applying under the scheme for the grant.
4. (c) The institute must commit a contribution of a minimum ₹ 1,00,000 to the club. Contributions over
5. and above ₹ 1,00,000 from institution to club will get weightage for consideration.
6. (d) Coordinator must be full-time regular faculty with at least 10-year experience in teaching/
7. industry.
8. (e) Institute should also identify a Co-coordinator who must be a faculty with at least 5 years of
9. experience in teaching/industry.
10. (f) Experience and inclination of organizing events/ co-curriculum activities are desirable for the coordinator and co-coordinator.
11. <br>
12. **Terms and Conditions**
13. (a) Students on a roll to the institute shall be members of the club.
14. (b) The grant can be utilized for activities mentioned at Point No. 8 and meeting the cost of registration and travel (up to 40% of the total grant) of students participating in outstation activities.
15. (c) Funds once released/sanctioned for supporting the particular students club cannot be utilized for any other program.
16. (d) Ex-students and ex-faculty members and other officials of the institute shall not be members of the club.
17. (e) The Clubs must be encouraged to reach out to alumni and industries for fund-raising in their
18. events.
19. (f) The academic background of the coordinator must be in conformity with the theme of the club.
20. (g) Institute will be eligible to receive the grant under the SPICES scheme only once.

Application Process
Step 1: (a) Applications are invited every year at the beginning of the academic session (July/ August).
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(b) Institute must apply through its login ID at aicte-india.org
AICTE Portal Login

Step 2: Step 1: Visit the AICTE website https://www.aicte-india.org
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Step 1: Visit the AICTE website https://www.aicte-india.org

Step 3: Step 2: Click on the “Web Portal Login” button.
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Step 2: Click on the “Web Portal Login” button.

Step 4: Step 3: Login to the AICTE portal with the credentials provided by the AICTE.
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Step 3: Login to the AICTE portal with the credentials provided by the AICTE.

Step 5: Step 4: After successful logging, the home page of the institute appears.
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AQIS Application

Step 6: Step 1: After login, navigate to the AQIS application screen please click on the “AICTE quality Improvement Schemes (Financial Funding Schemes)” icon.
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Step 1: After login, navigate to the AQIS application screen please click on the “AICTE quality Improvement Schemes (Financial Funding Schemes)” icon.

Step 7: Step 2: The AQIS application page of the institute is open.
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Step 2: The AQIS application page of the institute is open.

Step 8: Step 3: Click on the “AQIS Application- Institute details”
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Step 3: Click on the “AQIS Application- Institute details”

Step 9: Step 4: Institute and Bank Details will auto-populate in “AQIS Application – Institute Details” Please check and update according to changes.
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Note:
1) Bank Account should be Saving Account.
2) Account holder's name should not be a personal name.

Step 10: Step 5: Check the declaration flag, then click on the “Save Bank Details” button.
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Step 5: Check the declaration flag, then click on the “Save Bank Details” button.

Step 11: Step 6: To confirm the bank details entered, kindly click on the “Confirm Bank Details” button.
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Step 6: To confirm the bank details entered, kindly click on the “Confirm Bank Details” button.

Step 12: Step 7: If the bank details are incorrect, click on the Cancel button to edit the bank details again otherwise click on OK to confirm the details.
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Note: Once the ‘OK’ button is clicked. The Institute details and Bank details will become read-only mode.

Step 13: Step 8: Click on the “All AQIS Application Information”
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Step 8: Click on the “All AQIS Application Information”

Step 14: Step 9: Click on the “Download Mandate Form” and “Download Declaration Certificate”.
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Step 9: Click on the “Download Mandate Form” and “Download Declaration Certificate”.

Step 15: Step 10: Click on the “AQIS Document Attachment”
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Step 10: Click on the “AQIS Document Attachment”

Step 16: Step 11: Click on the new record ( ) button.
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Step 11: Click on the new record ( ) button.

Step 17: Step 12: After attaching the Mandate form, click on the save ( ) button.
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Note: Please attach the Verified Bank Mandate Form in scanned PDF format (Maximum Size10 MB).
Application for ‘SPICES’
Initiating New application

Step 18: Step 1: After uploading the attachment of the mandate form, Click on “All AQIS Application Information”
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Step 1: After uploading the attachment of the mandate form, Click on “All AQIS Application Information”

Step 19: Step 2: Click on the new record ( )button.
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Step 2: Click on the new record ( )button.

Step 20: Step 3: Select the “SPICES- Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students” in AQIS Schemes dropdown.
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Step 3: Select the “SPICES- Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students” in AQIS Schemes dropdown.

Step 21: Step 4: After selecting the scheme, click on the ( ) Save button.
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Step 4: After selecting the scheme, click on the ( ) Save button.

Step 22: Step 5: Click on AQIS Application ID
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Step 5: Click on AQIS Application ID

Step 23: Step 6: AQIS Detail Application for SPICES.
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Section A: Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details

Step 24: Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details
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Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details

Step 25: Step 2: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.
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Step 2: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.

Step 26: Step 3: Fill in all the fields of the Details of the Coordinator section.
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Step 3: Fill in all the fields of the Details of the Coordinator section.

Step 27: Step 4: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Co-coordinator Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme Co-coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.
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Step 4: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Co-coordinator Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme Co-coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.

Step 28: Step 5: Fill in all the fields of Details of the Co-coordinator section.
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Step 5: Fill in all the fields of Details of the Co-coordinator section.

Step 29: Step 6: Fill in all the fields of the “Details of the Club” section.
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Step 6: Fill in all the fields of the “Details of the Club” section.

Step 30: Step 7: Confirm the declaration
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Section B: Academic Credentials of Coordinator /PI/Applicant

Step 31: Step 1: Click on the Academic Credentials of Coordinator/ PI/Applicant
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Step 1: Click on the Academic Credentials of Coordinator/ PI/Applicant

Step 32: Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
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Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.

Step 33: Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill in the Area of Specialisation. Click on the save ( ) button.
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Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
• Whether the Coordinator has Ph.D.
• Whether Coordinator has PG
• Teaching/Industry Experience in years
• Relevant experience in conducting/coordinating students activities/programs in the last three years
• Any achievement received at the state level
• Any achievement received at the national level
• Any achievement received at the international level

Step 34: Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
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Section C: Credentials of Institution / Department

Step 35: Step 1: Click on the Credentials of Institution / Department
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Step 1: Click on the Credentials of Institution / Department

Step 36: Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
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Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.

Step 37: Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill in the Details. Click on the save ( ) button.
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Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
• No. of Awards and recognitions received in Department /institute in the last 3 years
• No. of functional students clubs/students societies/students chapters
• Number of courses Accredited in the institute
• Skill/Social Development initiatives taken by institute/department in last 3 years
• Student, Faculty Ratio

Step 38: Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
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Section D: Justification of proposal

Step 39: Step 1: Click on the Justification of proposal
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Step 1: Click on the Justification of proposal

Step 40: Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
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Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.

Step 41: Step 3: Select the parameter/criteria and fill in the Details. Click on the save ( ) button.
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Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
• Action Plan of the Club for one year
• Collaboration/ Interfacing of Club with industry/ Association/ Professional Body
• Details of regional/state-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
• Expected outcomes and benefits to students/institute
• Details of international-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
• Details of national-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
• Fund Raising Strategies
• No. of Awards/ Prize won by Club at the International level and their details
• No. of Awards/Prize won by Club at the National level and their details
• Vision of the Club

Step 42: Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
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Section E: Credentials of the Club

Step 43: Step 1: Click on the Credentials of the Club
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Step 1: Click on the Credentials of the Club

Step 44: Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
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Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.

Step 45: Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill the Details. Click on the save ( ) button.
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Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
• Commitment of contribution by the institute to the club
• No. of Awards/ Prize won by Club at the state level
• Whether club have a bank account?
• Whether the club is having its Bye-laws
• No. of Students associated with the Club
• No. of years of establishment of the club

Step 46: Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
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Validate and Submit the Application

Step 47: Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details
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Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details

Step 48: Step 2: Click on the Validate application button.
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Step 2: Click on the Validate application button.

Step 49: Step 3: After clicking on the Validation button the message will be populated and stated as “Validation for Scheme: SPICES Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students ' is completed Successfully” Click on the OK button.
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Step 3: After clicking on the Validation button the message will be populated and stated as “Validation for Scheme: SPICES Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students ' is completed Successfully” Click on the OK button.

Step 50: Step 4: Click on the Submit button.
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Step 4: Click on the Submit button.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Q.1 What Is AICTE Expecting From The Institution?
A: A. AICTE expects institutions to fund its other clubs in a similar fashion and intensify their activities. Vibrant clubs will attract the attention of other institutions and inspire the latter to emulate. Thus there will be an intensification of club activities across the country.

Q: Q.2 What Are The Strong Points Which Enhance The Possibility Of Support From AICTE?
A: A. Past achievements of the club, its interface with industry/professional body, achievements of the Faculty Coordinator, and Credentials of the institute.

Q: Q.3 Are Student Chapters/Societies Also Eligible To Apply?
A: A. Yes.

Q: Q.4 How Many Proposals Can Be Submitted By The Institute?
A: A. Institute can seek support for one club only, for which it must be willing to support financially also.

Q: Q.5 Will My Institute Be Eligible To Apply Again If The Project Is Granted Once?
A: A. No. Institute will be eligible to receive the grant under the SPICES scheme only once. AICTE expects the institute to support other clubs in a similar fashion.

Q: Q.6 Can Non-Technical/ Non-Engineering Clubs Apply Under This Scheme?
A: A. Yes, the club from any discipline/ theme/ stream in an AICTE-approved institution can be proposed under this Scheme, provided it fulfills other eligibility conditions.

Q: Q.7 What Is The Total Duration To Complete The SPICES Project?
A: A. It's a one-year project which starts from the date of the Offer Letter/Sanction Letter.

Q: Q.8 When Does The One-Year Project Duration Start?
A: A. For the 2020-2021 batch, the date of receipt of funds is reckoned as the date of start of the project which must be intimated to AICTE. However, for those sanctioned in 2021- 2022, the date of the Offer Letter is the date of the start of the project.

Q: Q.9 If Both Coordinator & Co-Coordinator Are Transferred/ Changed, Then How To Update The Details Of Another Coordinator?
A: A. The institute must appoint another faculty as a coordinator whose qualifications and experience must be matching with the previous one and take approval from AICTE. One needs to go to "Request for Change of Coordinator/Co-coordinator" on the SPICES Review Portal, attach the requisite documents on the SPICES review portal, duly signed by the Head of Institution, and Coordinator, and submit.

Q: Q.10 Do We Need To Submit Any Report To AICTE After The Completion Of The Project?
A: A. Yes, at the end of the project duration, the institute must submit a soft copy and hard copy of the project report and original bills for the closure of the project.

Q: Q.11 Is There Any Requirement On The Minimum Number Of Activities To Be Conducted Under This Scheme? Can We Conduct One Single Event/Activity?
A: A. Club must conduct as many activities as possible, spread throughout the year. Club members may be encouraged to raise funds from other sponsors.

Q: Q.12 Can We Conduct The Event/Activities In The Club Online Mode Or Hybrid Mode?
A: A. AICTE recommends club activities to be held offline to enhance student interaction between peers and experts invited.

Q: Q.13 Can We Collaborate With Other Councils/Clubs In Our College To Conduct An Activity?
A: A. We encourage collaborative activities with not just clubs in your institutions but also with those focussed in your area, in nearby institutions (for example if your club is on Robotics, try collaborating with the Robotics club in a nearby institution). We expect these clubs with whom you shake hands also to reciprocate your gesture. This is equally important. By supporting and focussing on one club under the Scheme, our larger intention is to see other clubs also get energized, that's why your club has been selected to be transformed as a model club. Please document and share the success stories emerging out of such collaborations, with all the beneficiaries under SPICES.

Q: Q.14 Can We Upload The Details Of The Events/Activity Which Were Conducted Before Receiving The Offer Letter From The Institute?
A: A. Any activity which was conducted before receiving the Offer Letter will not be acceptable.

Q: Q.15 Can We Consider Taking Our Students For A One-Day Outdoor Experiential Learning Activity
A: A. Yes, but the expenditures on account of travel cannot exceed 40%. Additional expenditures, (if any) should be borne by the institute.

Q: Q.16 We Have Been Sanctioned Project In 2021-2022. When Will The Fund Of Rs. 1 Lakh Will Be Released?
A: A. Your institute will be reimbursed Rs. 1 lakh once the project is completed, but not before one year. Subject to all other conditions being fulfilled.

Q: Q.17 What Is The Proportion Of Contribution From The Institute And Support From AICTE Over 100% Of Expenses Incurred On The Student's Club Activities?
A: A. The total project cost is a minimum of Rs. 2 Lakh with Rs. 1 Lakh from AICTE and the rest coming from the institute (minimum Rs. 1 Lakh). If the expenditure within the project duration is less than Rs. 2 Lakh then a grant from AICTE will be reduced to 50% of actual expenses accrued for the club activities.

Q: Q.18 Can I Get The Payment In Favor Of The Coordinator’s Account Name?
A: A. No. The grant can only be released in favor of the Director/ Principal/ Registrar of the institution. Applicant must provide duly-filled mandate form having the seal and signature of the bank authority.

Q: Q.19 Can The Grant Be Utilized By The Institute On The Expenditures Pertaining To The Faculty Coordinator/ Co-Coordinator Or Any Other Faculty Member?
A: A. No. The grant can be utilized only for expenditures pertaining to student members of the club.

Q: Q.20 Can We Buy Hardware/Software From AICTE's Contribution To The Club's Activities
A: A. No. The funds cannot be used for Hardware/Software. If required, the same must be bought from institute funds.

Q: Q.21 Can We Allow Registration Fees To Be Collected From Students For The Event(S)/ Activities?
A: A. It is up to the institute to decide whether to collect the registration fee or not.

Q: Q.22 Can We Use The Grant For Publishing Books?
A: A. The grant can be utilized for the publication/printing of promotional material for events/activities organized by the club.

Q: Q.23 Visiting Industrial/Technical Hubs Can Be Taken As An Event And Submit The Bills For Consideration.
A: A. No. The industrial/technical hubs visit is part of academic/departmental activities, and the grant cannot be utilized for this purpose.

Q: Q.24 Are We Allowed To Spend Institute-Committed Funds On Hospitality To Experts, And Participants From Outside Apart From Expenses On Remuneration To Experts, And Prizes To Participants?
A: A. The funds pooled (AICTE and college) can be used for events and activities organized by the student club to which the project is offered but not for any other club. Not more than 40% of the pooled amount can be used on travel. It can be used to meet the expenses related to experts/ resource persons invited to the events organized by the club.

Q: Q.25 Our Club Is Selected For The Grant Of Rs. 1 Lakh, And In The Letter, It Is Mentioned That We Can Utilize Its 40% For The Event Registration And Organizing Event, How We Can Utilize 60% Part Of The Grant?
A: A. Club can utilize 60% amount in event organization expenses viz. publicity, prize money, club merchandise (such as T-Shirts, Cups, etc.)

Q: Q.26 Can The Institute Use The Fund Amount For Two More Clubs?
A: A. Funds under the project granted to your institute (contributed by your institute and AICTE) have to be spent on the Club mentioned in the Offer Letter; and NOT on the other clubs. The funded club will serve as a model to other clubs in the institute, the experience gained and good practices of which can be applied to at least two more student clubs that are to be proposed to us.

Q: Q.27 What Is The Process Of Refunding The Unspent AICTE Grant? (Valid For 2020-2021 Project Batch)
A: A. Any unspent amount with the institute must be immediately returned through NEFT/ crossed Demand Draft drawn in favor of "Member Secretary, AICTE" payable at New Delhi, within 30 days of approved project completion date.

Q: Q.28 If We Purchased Some Products Related To The Events Activity Online, Will Online Bills Be Acceptable?
A: A. Yes, but the product should not be Hardware/Software & bills should bear a GST number.

Q: Q.29 Is There Any Format Given For Bills Of The Events Conducted, For Uploading On The SPICES Review Portal?
A: A. No format is prescribed. Institute needs to upload the bills as received.

Q: Q.30 Is It Mandatory To Submit The GST Bills?
A: A. Yes, it is mandatory to submit bills with GST numbers.

Q: Q.31 Can We Promote Activities/Events Being Conducted Under The Club On Social Media?
A: A. Yes, we recommended promoting activities/events being conducted under the funded club on social media using the #aictespices and #aicte.

Q: Q.32 Can We Use The AICTE Logo?
A: A. All publicity materials/ advertisements/ brochures/ invitation cards/ any other collaterals/ event backdrop etc. related to the event(s), must carry the AICTE logo and the name SPICES. Likewise, the venue/the stage backdrop/ podium must prominently display the AICTE logo and the name SPICES.

Q: Q.33 Is It Mandatory To Upload The Acceptance Letter (Available On The SPICES Review Portal) Within 7 Days And Also Need To Send A Hard Copy Of The Acceptance Letter To The AICTE?
A: A. Yes, you need to upload the Acceptance Letter on the SPICES review portal within 7 days after releasing the Offer Letter to your Institute and also need to send a hard copy of the same.

Q: Q.34 Do We Need To Click On The Review Submit Button Every Time After Uploading The Single Event Detail On The SPICES Review Portal?
A: A. No. You do not need to click on the Review Submit button every time after uploading the single event detail on the SPICES Review portal because once you click on the button, you will not be able to upload anything on your SPICES Review portal. You need to click on that button once you complete your SPICES project.