Telangana: Local students likely to have more UG and PG seats next year

More local students in Telangana will be able to pursue UG and PG courses in the state, including engineering, medicine, and pharmacy, as the 15% reservation prescribed under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 for AP locals expires next year.

During the bifurcation, the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 mandated the continuation of the common admission process provided under Article 371 D of the Constitution for both successor States — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — for a period of ten years, which began in 2014. According to this provision, 85% of the reservations in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are for local candidates, with the remaining 15% open to all.

This meant that in Telangana, while 85% of admissions were reserved for local students, the remaining 15% was open to Telangana, AP, and non-locals (other States and Central government employees). Andhra Pradesh follows the same reservation policy, with 85 percent of seats reserved for local students and 15 percent open.

Given the rapid development of IT, Pharmacy, Life Sciences, and other sectors in Telangana, as well as the attractive combination of educational opportunities, campus placement, and job opportunities, a large number of AP students enroll in various professional courses in the State through a common admission process each year.

This was evident in the recently released Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS Eamcet) 2023 results, in which AP students received top rankings. The common admissions process will end in 2024, providing more opportunities for locals.

However, the State government will have to take a call on the reservation quota. “There are two options before the government one being enhancing the reservation quota from 85 per cent to 95 per cent to local students, or maintaining the status quo,” said an official connected with admissions in HEIs.