1. Objectives

The Capstone Project is a key component of the B.Tech curriculum and is designed to enable students to integrate and apply the engineering knowledge they have acquired throughout the course to solve real-world problems. It encourages innovation, critical thinking, design skills, and project execution. The project promotes team collaboration, effective communication, and technical documentation. It also provides students with exposure to industry practices, emerging technologies, and research methodologies. Furthermore, the Capstone Project fulfills the academic requirements of KTU, ensuring compliance with Outcome-Based Education (OBE) standards and alignment with the Program Outcomes (POs).

2. Scope

This policy applies to all final-year B.Tech students across all departments. It covers the Capstone Design Project or Final Year Project, which is typically carried out during the 7th and 8th semesters. Projects may be undertaken individually or in teams consisting of up to four students. They may be carried out within the institution or in collaboration with industries, startups, research laboratories, or government bodies. Depending on the nature of work, the projects may be design-based, research-oriented, product development-focused, or aimed at solving specific problems.

3. Guidelines
4. Project Selection and Approval

Projects must be selected based on their relevance to the programme, feasibility, and potential impact. Students may either propose original ideas or choose topics suggested by faculty members or industry experts. Every project must receive formal approval from the Department Project Evaluation Committee. Interdisciplinary projects and collaborations with industry are strongly encouraged.

1. Supervision

Each project team must be supervised by an internal faculty guide, which is mandatory for all projects. In cases where the project is conducted off-campus or involves external collaboration, an external or industry mentor may also be assigned. Faculty guides are responsible for monitoring progress, offering technical support, and ensuring that academic integrity is maintained throughout the project.

1. Project Phases and Documentation

The Capstone Project should be completed in two phases. Phase I, carried out during the seventh semester, focuses on problem identification, literature survey, design, and initial implementation. Phase II, conducted during the eighth semester, involves final development, testing, validation, documentation, and presentation. Students are required to submit a project proposal outlining the objectives, methodology, and timeline. They must also attend interim and final review evaluations, submit a final project report in the prescribed format, and provide a demonstration or presentation before an internal or external evaluation panel.

1. Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation of the Capstone Project will be based on the clarity of the problem definition and objectives, the level of innovation and technical depth, the methodology and quality of implementation, and the team’s ability to manage the project effectively. The quality of the project report, the presentation, and performance in the viva voce will also be considered. Additional weightage may be given when a project results in the submission or acceptance of a conference paper, journal paper, or technical article in a reputed venue. Marks will be awarded as per KTU regulations.

1. Plagiarism and Originality

All projects must be original and free from plagiarism. Reports will be subject to plagiarism checks using appropriate detection tools. If students use AI tools, such usage must be clearly documented, and it should not compromise the originality or integrity of the work.

4. Penalties / Non-Compliance
5. For Students

Students who fail to submit reports or attend reviews on time may face a reduction in grades or receive an incomplete status. Projects that are found to be plagiarized or outsourced will be disqualified, and the students involved may be required to repeat the project in the next academic cycle. Team members who do not contribute meaningfully may be removed from the team and evaluated individually. Students who fail to complete the project satisfactorily will be ineligible for graduation until the requirements are fulfilled.

1. For Faculty

Faculty guides are required to provide timely guidance and ensure that academic integrity is maintained. Failure to conduct proper reviews, offer necessary feedback, or document progress appropriately may lead to remarks during academic audits.

5. Institutional Support

The institution will ensure that students have access to the necessary laboratories, tools, software, and other resources required for project execution. It will also provide opportunities for students to engage with external mentors, industry experts, and researchers. In addition, the institution will organize training sessions on project documentation, intellectual property rights (IPR), and presentation skills to support students in successfully completing their Capstone Projects.