This paper aims to discuss the technical education market centered on polytechnic education which is involved in community development work. A Polytechnic is a higher education technical institution. There are various types of polytechnics in India- Government polytechnics, Government aided polytechnics, private polytechnics, women’s polytechnics etc. Polytechnic education aims at offering three years diploma courses in engineering and vocational fields. The students of a Polytechnic are adept in handling practical oriented tasks and exhibit supervisory skills. A case study of NRAM Polytechnic is taken into consideration as it enjoys the status of a rural polytechnic and is also involved in the scheme of community development through polytechnics which is an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt of India. The HRD minister, Kapil Sibal has asserted that the Government will never allow profiteering in education that would go as dividends to the shareholders.
The scheme of community development through polytechnics is an on-going scheme. AICTE approved polytechnics are considered to be a viable vehicle for providing the intended services. The rationale for choosing AICTE approved Polytechnics for the implementation of Scheme of Community Development through Polytechnics is based on the fact that AICTE approved Polytechnics are equipped with resources: i. Polytechnics are equipped with physical facilities in the form of buildings, lecture halls, laboratories, workshops, hostels etc. which could be used as Knowledge and Skill Centres for rural community and slums dwellers; ii. Polytechnics have qualified and trained faculty who can scientifically formulate, implement and monitor community oriented programs and projects especially where the activity of adoption of appropriate technology is involved; iii. Polytechnics have technicians