Civil groups urge Congress leaders to intervene in Telangana scholarship crisis
HYDERABAD: Civil society organisations, NGOs, social activists, community leaders and academicians have written to senior Congress leaders, seeking urgent intervention in the pending Post-Matric Scholarship issue in Telangana.
The letter is addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan. It highlights concerns affecting lakhs of students who depend on the Post-Matric Scholarship under the Fee Reimbursement Scheme for higher education.
Students Face Uncertainty Over Delayed Scholarships
According to the signatories, students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minority and Economically Backward Classes communities are facing growing uncertainty due to delays. As a result, many may discontinue their education if the issue is not resolved quickly.
High Court Developments Raise Policy Concerns
In their letter, the signatories described the situation as urgent and serious. They stressed that lakhs of poor and marginalised students rely entirely on the scholarship.
Meanwhile, recent proceedings in the Telangana High Court have added to the concern. On April 2, 2026, the court passed an interim order allowing private institutions to collect tuition fees directly from students.
However, the signatories alleged lapses by the state government. They claimed it failed to defend its policy effectively and did not submit a counter-affidavit on time. Moreover, they pointed to the absence of a strong legal strategy, which could hurt economically weaker students the most.
Government Order Adds to Confusion
Subsequently, on April 29, 2026, the Scheduled Castes Development (Education) Department issued G.O.Ms.No.7. The order proposed direct benefit transfer of fee reimbursement into students’ bank accounts.
According to the signatories, this move altered the existing system and created confusion among stakeholders. Soon after, on April 30, 2026, the High Court suspended a key clause in the order, observing that it appeared to conflict with the earlier interim ruling.
Financial Strain on Students and Institutions
As the situation evolved, multiple challenges emerged. Many students are now struggling to arrange large sums for admission. In some cases, financial pressure could force them to drop out.
At the same time, educational institutions are facing stress due to pending dues. Consequently, the uncertainty has started affecting admissions for the current academic year and weakening trust among marginalised communities.
“This issue is not merely administrative; it concerns the future of lakhs of students and the social justice commitments of the Congress Party,” the letter stated.
Call for Immediate Action
Therefore, the signatories urged the leadership to act without delay. They called on the government to challenge the April 2 interim order before a Division Bench of the High Court.
In addition, they demanded the immediate release of pending dues and restoration of direct payments to institutions. They also proposed setting up a high-level committee with stakeholders and experts.
Finally, they emphasised the need to appoint senior counsel to ensure effective legal representation. The signatories described the situation as a defining moment and warned that further delays could deepen the crisis and erode public confidence.
