Polytechnic colleges under CET purview will strengthen technical education, says Minister

Polytechnic colleges under CET purview will strengthen technical education, notes Minister Updated – August 20, 2026 08: 30 pm IST.

Key points

• Polytechnic employees would not become employees of the Young India Skills University (YISU) or private entities.
• The other intended outcome, he remarked, is to align it more closely with industry and employment opportunities.
• The decision would not alter the identity or recognition of polytechnic education, he continued.
• All the existing stipulations including the three-year AICTE-recognised diploma courses, fee and system lateral entry will remain continue unchanged.
• The clarification comes against the backdrop of protests by students throughout ITIs over the decision.

Minister for SHAKTI, formerly Department of Labour, Dr. G. Vivek Venkataswamy, on Thursday remarked that the plan to bring polytechnic colleges under the purview of the Commissionerate of Employment and Training (CET) is an effort to strengthen technical education. The other intended outcome, he remarked, is to align it more closely with industry and employment opportunities.

Addressing the media, the Minister observed that the GO issued brings polytechnics under CET from the Commissionerate of Technical Education, and went on that it was an administrative restructuring. The decision would not alter the identity or recognition of polytechnic education, he continued.

All the existing stipulations including the three-year AICTE-recognised diploma courses, fee and system lateral entry will remain continue unchanged. Polytechnic admissions and examinations would additionally continue through a separate polytechnic unit under the restructured State Board of Technical Education and Training.

Assuring employees that their interests would be protected, the Minister remarked there would be no reduction in existing posts and that administration employee status, pay scales, seniority, promotions and pension-related benefits would continue. Polytechnic employees would not become employees of the Young India Skills University (YISU) or private entities.

Meanwhile, the clarification comes against the backdrop of protests by students throughout ITIs over the decision. Students of the Administration Polytechnic in Ramantapur, Quli Qutb Shah Administration Polytechnic, and in Bahadurpura have been boycotting classes and organising demonstrations against the integration of these educational institutions with SHAKTI.

One of the reservations of students is that the vocational modules will treat them as "semi-skilled factory manpower" rather than as technical professionals. They additionally demanded clear answers regarding upcoming examinations, syllabus structures, academic calendars.

In short, polytechnic colleges under CET purview will strengthen technical education, says Minister is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.