MLC Dasoju questions Telangana’s move to transfer technical education to YISU
HYDERABAD: Telangana Legislative Council Member Dr. Sravan Kumar Dasoju wrote an open letter to Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Young India Skills University. In the letter, Dr. Dasoju questioned the state government’s decision to transfer the state’s entire technical education system to YISU, as ordered by G.O. Ms. No. 97 on June 16, 2026.
Dr. Dasoju, who is a public representative, teacher, and former corporate HR professional, called the decision unfair and random. Furthermore, he said it would privatize a system that helps over 100,000 students each year. He also asked Mahindra if the university’s board had ever officially approved the takeover.
Dr. Dasoju’s main objection is that the decision breaks rules and good management practices. In support of this, he said that, according to Section 23 of the YISU Act of 2024, the Board of Governors, not just the state government, should make such important decisions.
He wanted to know if the YISU Board ever held a meeting, discussed the plan, or officially agreed to the merger. Additionally, he questioned if the government made the decision without asking the board. Referring to Mahindra’s good reputation, Dr. Dasoju asked if any serious company would do such a big merger without careful planning, audits, and board approval.
Dr. Dasoju pointed out that there is a big difference in size between the two groups. For example, the state’s technical education system has 64 Advanced Technology Centres, 63 government ITIs, and 238 private ITIs, with 98,312 approved seats and 40,218 students admitted in 2025. There are also 59 government polytechnics with 18,538 seats for 2026-27, within a larger group of 115 polytechnic colleges that admit over 30,000 students each year.
In contrast, YISU only has about 1,000 students and uses a temporary building at IIIT-Hyderabad while its main campus is still being built. Dr. Dasoju said giving the whole state network to a new university, without a clear plan or checking resources, is a risky move for Telangana’s young people.
Dr. Dasoju also pointed out that just months earlier, the Technical Education Department started a ₹3,000 crore modernization project with IIT Hyderabad. Specifically, this project was meant to add new courses in Semiconductor Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Aircraft Maintenance, and Robotics, and to hire expert teachers.
He asked what proof there was that the reform had failed, and why it should be replaced with a plan that had not been tested. Moreover, Dr. Dasoju also warned about serious risks to student rights and teachers’ jobs. He said the government order did not answer key questions about ECET eligibility, B.Tech admissions, diploma certificates, fees, reservations for different groups, and staff working conditions.
Separately, Dr. Dasoju also strongly criticized the police for attacking students protesting in Mahabubabad. He called the police action brutal and said reports showed an officer choked two students, leaving them struggling to breathe. He said Mahindra’s silence might look like approval and urged him to speak out.
Dr. Dasoju finished his letter by asking Mahindra to be open and share all the records of any YISU Board meeting that approved the merger, including dates, minutes, attendance, and full audit reports. He also asked for clear rules to protect reservations, fees, scholarships, and ECET rights for all students. He stressed that big education changes should be discussed in the legislature and agreed on democratically, not just decided by the government.
