Telangana: Polytechnic lateral entry to continue

HYDERABAD: Labour & Employment Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy on Thursday clarified that polytechnic students would continue to obtain lateral entry into the second year of BTech courses and that the ECET examination would additionally continue.

Key points

• The SFI demanded that the Telangana administration withdraw policies that could adversely affect administration polytechnic education and clarify the provisions of GO Ms No 97/2026.
• The minister additionally stated there would be no fee hike for polytechnic students and that they would receive a stipend of Rs 2, 000.
• The SFI additionally condemned the alleged arrests of its leaders in Siddipet and Hyderabad and police action against students in Sircilla during the protests.
• "There will be no problem for polytechnic students due to the new changes, " he remarked, adding that the state administration was spending `500 crore to upgrade existing polytechnic colleges.
• He assured them that they would not lose the opportunity to pursue BTech courses.

Against the backdrop of protests by polytechnic students throughout the state over the past three days, Vivek noted to journalists in Hyderabad that there was no need for students to worry. He assured them that they would not lose the opportunity to pursue BTech courses.

Notably, the minister additionally stated there would be no fee hike for polytechnic students and that they would receive a stipend of Rs 2, 000. The state administration lately transferred polytechnics from the Technical Education department to the Sakthi department. Vivek maintained that the changes would not adversely affect students.

"There will be no problem for polytechnic students due to the new changes, " he remarked, adding that the state administration was spending `500 crore to upgrade existing polytechnic colleges. Vivek, nevertheless, alleged that some residents were behind the student agitation.

Meanwhile, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) on Thursday organised a statewide bandh at administration polytechnic colleges for the second time, opposing alleged moves towards the privatisation of technical education.

In practice, the SFI demanded that the Telangana administration withdraw policies that could adversely affect administration polytechnic education and clarify the provisions of GO Ms No 97/2026.

It additionally called on the administration to rule out any merger of administration polytechnics with the Young India Skills University and strengthen the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET).

Notably, the organisation further sought improved infrastructure, laboratories, workshops, hostels and faculty in administration polytechnic colleges, along with better academic and lateral-entry opportunities for students pursuing higher education.

Meanwhile, the SFI additionally condemned the alleged arrests of its leaders in Siddipet and Hyderabad and police action against students in Sircilla during the protests. It demanded the unconditional release of those arrested.

For now, telangana: Polytechnic lateral entry to continue remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.