Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Telangana Assures Polytechnic Students on Lateral Entry, Fees
The Telangana government is changing which department oversees polytechnic colleges.
It says students can still enter the second year of engineering through TG ECET.
It also says fees and scholarships will not change.
The government says POLYCET will continue too.
Polytechnic lecturers and other staff will remain government employees.
Officials say the change is meant to provide better skills and job opportunities.
Students and staff are worried that diploma education could lose its separate identity.
They are protesting and plan to hold a “Chalo Hyderabad” programme on August 22.
The Government of Telangana said lateral entry into second-year engineering through TG ECET will continue.
Officials said existing fees, scholarships, POLYCET, and staff service conditions will remain unchanged.
Polytechnics are being moved under the SHAKTI department for advanced skills and improved employment opportunities.
Protests against GO 97 continued at Abdullapurmet and Yousufguda on Thursday.
Students and staff plan to hold a “Chalo Hyderabad” programme on August 22 over concerns about polytechnic education’s status.
- Who
- The Government of Telangana, Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy, and protesting polytechnic students and staff.
- What
- The government said lateral entry, fees, scholarships, POLYCET, and staff service conditions will remain unchanged despite the reorganisation under GO 97.
- When
- The assurances and demonstrations were reported on Thursday; a “Chalo Hyderabad” programme is planned for August 22.
- Where
- Protests took place at Abdullapurmet near Ramoji Film City and Yousufguda, while the programme is planned in Hyderabad.
- Why
- The government says the reorganisation will improve advanced skills and employment opportunities; students and staff are concerned about diploma education’s separate status and the future role of SBTET.
Government assurances
Student and staff concerns
Effect of the reorganisation
Government assurances
The government says moving polytechnics under the SHAKTI department will provide advanced skills and improve employment opportunities.
Student and staff concerns
Students and staff question what placing polytechnics under Young India Skills University could mean for the separate academic status of diploma education.
Continuity of existing arrangements
Government assurances
The government says lateral entry, fees, scholarships, POLYCET, and staff service conditions will not change.
Student and staff concerns
Protesting students and staff are seeking clarification through demonstrations and have raised concerns about the future role of SBTET.
- Policy order
- GO 97 places polytechnic colleges under the ambit of Young India Skills University as part of the SHAKTI reorganisation.
- Lateral entry
- The Government of Telangana said entry into second-year engineering through TG ECET will continue.
- Fees and scholarships
- Officials said there will be no change in existing fees or scholarships.
- Entrance examination
- POLYCET will continue, according to the minister.
- Staff status
- Lecturers and other staff will remain government employees, with unchanged service conditions.
- Planned protest
- Polytechnic students and staff are proceeding with a “Chalo Hyderabad” programme on August 22.
- Government rationale
- The move is intended to provide advanced skill training and improve employment opportunities.