Private engineering colleges in Telangana seek deemed status
HYDERABAD: Several private engineering colleges in Telangana have intensified efforts to secure deemed university status, citing prevailing financial and regulatory pressures.
Some colleges have already applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Inspections have been completed in a few cases, and they are awaiting approvals. Others are waiting for inspection teams, while some are preparing applications. College managements said around 15 institutions are actively pursuing deemed status.
Those ineligible for deemed status are considering conversion into private universities.
Telangana has over 150 engineering colleges. Of these, nearly 30 are eligible to become deemed universities. The UGC teams have visited Narayanaamma Institute of Technology and Science, Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology, Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vagdevi Engineering College, Warangal, and another institution in recent months. Reports have been submitted to the Centre. These colleges are now awaiting Letters of Intent (LoI).
Institutions including Geethanjali College of Engineering and Technology, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, ACE Engineering College, and Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science, Warangal, have also applied. Their inspections are pending.
Why colleges are opting for deemed status
Over the past three years, the state government has not released fee reimbursement funds to private engineering colleges on time. More than ₹3,000 crore in dues are pending. In some cases, arrears have crossed ₹100 crore.
College managements believe that converting into deemed universities will free them from reimbursement-related uncertainty and annual university inspections. They say deemed status will allow flexibility to introduce courses based on market demand.
Institutions were also taken aback by the fee structure fixed for the 2025–28 block period. The next block period (2028–2031) will also see fees determined during the current government’s tenure. Managements believe there is little scope for fee hikes in the coming years.
They also alleged delays in release of teaching grants.
“If the situation continues, closure of colleges will be inevitable. That is why we are preparing a report to apply to the UGC,” a college owner said.
