Telangana colleges bypass DOST admissions, charge arbitrary fees
HYDERABAD: Nearly 60 prominent degree colleges in Telangana are staying away from the Degree Online Services, Telangana (DOST) admission system and charging fees at their discretion, undermining the merit-based admission process.
The DOST system was introduced to ensure that students secure seats based on merit and reservation norms. However, several colleges have avoided participating in the system for years, citing court orders.
Colleges ignore Higher Education Council directions
Despite multiple instructions from the Telangana State Council of Higher Education not to conduct independent admissions, these institutions continue to admit students outside the DOST framework.
The system, launched in 2015 and implemented from the 2016–17 academic year, initially included all government and private degree colleges. Over time, some private institutions withdrew and began conducting their own admissions.
Officials said this practice weakens transparency and allows colleges to impose arbitrary fees, affecting students seeking fair access to higher education.
Lack of university oversight raises concerns
Authorities pointed to inadequate monitoring by universities as a key reason for the continued violations. The absence of strict supervision has enabled colleges to operate outside the centralised system without consequences.
