A dispute over the affiliation and admissions status of private junior colleges has intensified in Telangana, with the Telangana Private Junior College Management Association alleging regulatory harassment while the state Board of Intermediate Education defended its action as necessary for compliance and student safety.
The association said the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) had declared zero admissions and cancelled affiliation for 27 colleges in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal districts. It also alleged that penalties had been imposed on more than 95 colleges, including smaller institutions facing delays over fire No Objection Certificates and affiliation procedures.
Representatives of the association, addressing the media on Saturday, demanded that the board withdraw the fines and zero-admission orders. They also called for simpler rules for fire NOCs and affiliations, arguing that the current process did not reflect the operating conditions of smaller colleges and could leave students from poorer families with fewer affordable options.
The TGBIE rejected the allegations as baseless and said its decisions were based on statutory regulations, official documentation and safety standards. The board said it was operating without discrimination and accused the association of creating unnecessary fear among students, parents and the public without verifying the facts.
According to the board, 3,241 junior colleges across Telangana had been granted permission to admit students for the current academic year. It said the managements of the 27 colleges had voluntarily applied for nil admissions after recording zero student enrolments. Under the applicable rules, the board said affiliation cannot be granted to a college without first-year enrolments.
Fire safety documentation is at the centre of the dispute. The TGBIE said it found that 65 colleges had submitted fake fire NOCs. After repeated reminders to provide genuine documents, 15 colleges obtained fresh and valid fire NOCs, while 12 colleges were in the process of shifting premises or completing their documentation, the board said.
The issue places regulatory enforcement alongside the practical question of how students are protected when colleges face admission restrictions or affiliation action. The board maintained that safety in educational buildings was non-negotiable, while also stating that students who had already taken admission and paid examination fees would not be affected by the measures.
The immediate dispute remains over whether the affected colleges failed to meet statutory requirements or were penalised while their documentation was still being processed. The TGBIE’s stated position is that admissions and affiliation decisions will continue to be governed by enrolment records, valid fire-safety certificates and other official documentation.
