Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Telangana Polytechnic Students Protest Proposed GO 97 Changes
Polytechnic students in Telangana are protesting a government order called GO 97.
They are worried that changing who manages their colleges could affect their education.
They especially want to protect their three-year diploma courses.
They also want to keep the ECET route that lets diploma students enter engineering degree courses in the second year.
Protests happened in several parts of Hyderabad and Telangana.
At one protest in Mahabubabad, police stopped students from entering the Collectorate.
Videos appeared to show police pushing students back, and students accused officers of using force.
A student group called SFI has asked polytechnic colleges to close for a statewide protest on Thursday.
Polytechnic students protested across Hyderabad and Telangana against GO 97.
Students fear moving polytechnics under the SHAKTI department and Young India Skills University could affect SBTET and ECET lateral entry.
Protests occurred at campuses and roads in Ramanthapur, Secunderabad, West Marredpally and elsewhere.
Police and students clashed at the Mahabubabad Collectorate, with videos appearing to show officers using force.
SFI called for a statewide polytechnic bandh on Thursday, limited to polytechnic colleges.
- Who
- Polytechnic students, parents, SFI, ABVP-backed protesters and other student supporters in Telangana.
- What
- Students protested against GO 97 and called for protection of diploma education, SBTET and ECET lateral-entry options.
- When
- Protests took place on Wednesday; SFI called for a polytechnic bandh on Thursday.
- Where
- Protests were reported in Hyderabad, Mahabubabad and other parts of Telangana, including Ramanthapur, Secunderabad and West Marredpally.
- Why
- Students fear that placing polytechnics under the SHAKTI department and Young India Skills University could weaken their academic, higher-education and employment options.
- Government order
- GO 97
- Student concern
- The proposed administrative change could affect polytechnic diplomas, SBTET and ECET lateral entry.
- Affected program
- The three-year polytechnic diploma
- Engineering pathway
- Diploma holders can use ECET to enter the second year of undergraduate engineering, according to the report.
- Protest locations
- Ramanthapur, Sangeet X Roads, Secunderabad, West Marredpally and Mahabubabad were mentioned.
- Thursday action
- SFI called for a statewide bandh limited to polytechnic colleges.
- Mahabubabad incident
- Police stopped students who tried to enter the Collectorate; videos appeared to show officers pushing protesters back.