HYDERABAD — Thousands of polytechnic students across Telangana have intensified their campaign against Government Order 97 (GO 97), staging protests, sit-ins, and online petitions to demand its immediate withdrawal. The order, issued by the state government in March 2026, has sparked widespread concern among students, educators, and industry stakeholders, who argue it will disrupt the state’s technical education system and limit career opportunities for diploma holders.
The students, supported by faculty associations and opposition parties, claim GO 97 imposes arbitrary restrictions on admissions, alters curriculum structures, and undermines the value of polytechnic diplomas—long considered a critical pathway to employment for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While the government has defended the order as a reform measure to improve education quality, critics say it lacks transparency, consultation, and a clear rationale.
What Happened
On April 15, 2026, the Telangana government issued GO 97, amending the existing framework for polytechnic education in the state. The order introduces several key changes:
1. Admission Criteria Overhaul: GO 97 reduces the weightage of the Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (POLYCET) from 100% to 70%, introducing a 30% weightage for Class 10 board exam scores. Students argue this disadvantages those from rural and government schools, where board exam performance is often inconsistent due to varying standards.
2. Curriculum Restructuring: The order mandates a shift from a three-year diploma program to a four-year “integrated diploma” model, aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, students and educators say the transition lacks clarity on implementation, faculty training, and infrastructure readiness.
3. Industry Recognition Concerns: GO 97 removes the mandatory requirement for polytechnic graduates to undergo a one-year apprenticeship before securing government jobs. While the government claims this will streamline employment, students fear it will devalue their diplomas, making them less competitive in the job market.
4. Fee Hikes and Scholarship Cuts: The order permits private polytechnic colleges to increase tuition fees by up to 20% without prior government approval. Additionally, it reduces the number of merit-cum-means scholarships, which critics say will disproportionately affect students from marginalized communities.
Student protests erupted within days of the order’s issuance. On April 22, over 5,000 students from polytechnic colleges in Hyderabad, Warangal, and Nizamabad staged a march to the state secretariat, demanding a rollback. The protests turned confrontational when police used baton charges to disperse crowds, injuring at least 12 students, according to the Telangana Polytechnic Students’ Association (TPSA). The TPSA has since called for a statewide strike on May 5 if the government fails to address their concerns.
Why It Matters
Polytechnic education has long served as a lifeline for students in Telangana, particularly those from rural and low-income families. Unlike engineering degrees, which require higher investment and academic performance, polytechnic diplomas offer a shorter, more affordable route to technical jobs in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and IT. Over 60,000 students enroll in Telangana’s polytechnic colleges annually, with nearly 40% securing jobs within six months of graduation, according to a 2025 report by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
GO 97 threatens to upend this ecosystem in several ways:
1. Economic Barriers: The introduction of Class 10 board exam scores as a criterion for admission could disadvantage students from government schools, where pass rates are lower due to resource constraints. The TPSA estimates that up to 30% of current polytechnic students would have been ineligible under the new rules.
2. Employment Risks: The removal of the apprenticeship requirement has alarmed industry leaders. The Telangana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) warned in a statement that “polytechnic graduates without practical training will struggle to meet industry standards,” potentially leading to higher unemployment rates among diploma holders.
3. Quality vs. Accessibility: While the government argues the four-year model will improve education quality, educators say the transition is rushed. “There is no roadmap for faculty training, no additional funding for labs, and no clarity on how colleges will accommodate an extra year of students,” said Dr. K. Srinivas, president of the Telangana Polytechnic Teachers’ Association.
4. Political Fallout: The protests come at a sensitive time for the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, which faces assembly elections in late 2026. Opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, have seized on the issue, accusing the government of “anti-student policies.” Congress leader Uttam Kumar Reddy called GO 97 “a betrayal of Telangana’s youth,” while BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Background and Context
Polytechnic education in Telangana has historically been a contentious issue. In 2018, the state government introduced GO 31, which centralized admissions under POLYCET and capped fees in private colleges. While the move was praised for increasing transparency, it also led to legal battles with private institutions, some of which challenged the fee regulations in court.
GO 97 appears to reverse some of these measures. Key factors behind the order include:
1. Alignment with NEP 2020: The National Education Policy, introduced by the central government in 2020, encourages states to adopt a four-year diploma model for technical education. Telangana is one of the first states to implement this change, but critics say it has done so without adequate preparation.
2. Industry Pressure: Some industry groups have lobbied for reforms to make polytechnic education more “job-ready.” However, the abrupt removal of apprenticeship requirements has backfired, with employers expressing skepticism about the new model.
3. Government Priorities: The BRS government has prioritized higher education reforms, including the establishment of new engineering colleges and skill development centers. However, polytechnic education—often seen as a “second-tier” option—has received less attention, leading to accusations of neglect.
The protests also reflect broader discontent among Telangana’s youth. Unemployment in the state stands at 8.2%, higher than the national average, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). Polytechnic graduates, who traditionally filled blue-collar technical roles, are increasingly competing with engineering graduates for the same jobs, exacerbating their anxiety over GO 97.
What to Watch Next
1. Government Response: The BRS government has so far defended GO 97, with Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy stating that the order is “non-negotiable” and aimed at “modernizing education.” However, with protests escalating, the government may face pressure to at least delay implementation. A high-level meeting between student representatives and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is expected in the coming days.
2. Legal Challenges: The TPSA has hinted at approaching the Telangana High Court to challenge the order’s constitutionality, particularly its impact on students’ right to education. Similar petitions in other states have led to temporary stays on education reforms.
3. Industry Reactions: Employers’ associations, including the TCCI and the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI), are expected to release detailed statements on GO 97’s implications for hiring. Their stance could influence the government’s decision.
4. Political Maneuvering: With elections looming, opposition parties are likely to amplify the issue. The Congress has already announced a “Save Polytechnic Education” campaign, while the BJP has called for a statewide bandh on May 10.
5. Student Unity: The protests have so far been led by the TPSA, but there are signs of growing solidarity among engineering and degree college students, who fear similar reforms could be extended to their courses. A joint student action committee may emerge in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
GO 97 has exposed deep fault lines in Telangana’s education system, pitting the government’s reform agenda against the aspirations of thousands of students who see polytechnic education as their best shot at economic mobility. While the order’s stated goal—improving education quality—is laudable, its implementation has been marred by a lack of consultation, transparency, and consideration for the students it affects.
For now, the ball is in the government’s court. Whether it chooses to engage with students, modify the order, or double down on its stance will determine not just the future of polytechnic education in Telangana, but also the political fortunes of the ruling party. One thing is clear: the students are not backing down.
Sources:
– [The Hindu: Polytechnic students urge government to withdraw GO 97](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/polytechnic-students-urge-government-to-withdraw-go-97/article71374299.ece)
– Telangana Government Order 97 (March 2026)
– Telangana Polytechnic Students’ Association (TPSA) press releases (April 2026)
– All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) 2025 report on polytechnic education
– Telangana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) statement on GO 97 (April 2026)
– Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) unemployment data (2026)
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
