Public Chamber Official Backs Mandatory Physics for Engineering, Floats Future AI/IT Exam

The remarks point to proposals still under review as a ministry draft would from March 2026 let universities set a humanities exam requirement.

Overview

Deputy secretary of Russia’s Public Chamber Vladislav Grib urged making the Unified State Exam in physics a requirement for admission to all engineering specialties.
He supported requiring history for applicants to social and humanities programs, highlighting its role in shaping critical understanding.
Grib cautioned against rapidly adding compulsory exams, noting their difficulty and the need for schools and teachers to be prepared.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has earlier indicated plans to expand engineering fields that require physics, and a draft would allow universities starting March 2026 to choose history or social studies for humanities admissions.
He also said a combined Unified State Exam on artificial intelligence and IT technologies could emerge in the future, framing it as a possibility rather than a set plan.