Telangana: Large-scale irregularities exposed in DSC 2024 sports quota recruitment
Allegations of widespread irregularities have emerged in Telangana’s DSC 2024 teacher recruitment under the sports quota. Despite eligibility norms favouring national-level athletes, 25 ineligible candidates reportedly received jobs. The issue is under legal scrutiny and departmental review
Hyderabad: Large-scale irregularities have reportedly been uncovered in the teachers’ recruitment under the District Selection Committee (DSC) 2024, specifically under the sports quota.
The recruitment process, which aimed to fill Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT) vacancies, has been marred by violations and allegations of corruption. According to sources, certain authorities allegedly bypassed deserving candidates and awarded jobs to 25 ineligible individuals.
Introduced for the first time in DSC 2024, a total of 95 vacancies were earmarked under the sports quota. Of the 8,000 candidates who applied, 392 were found eligible.
Candidate selection under the sports quota is conducted across four categories — international (Form I), national (Form II), inter-university (Form III), and inter-district (Form IV). Vacancies are to be filled in this hierarchical order. Candidates must present valid certificates verifying their participation in these levels.
Sources revealed that certificate verification under the sports quota was conducted in October and November 2024 by the Sports Authority of Telangana and the Sports Department. While no candidate claimed participation at the international level, several submitted national-level certificates.
However, although the notification mandates that only national-level players/athletes are eligible for SGT posts, candidates who participated only in inter-district competitions were allegedly selected, bypassing national-level players.
Several candidates raised objections and approached the Telangana High Court and the Lokayukta. This led to a fresh round of certificate verification by a high-level committee in January 2025.
It was found that only seven out of the 32 selected candidates were eligible, while the remaining were deemed ineligible.
In one instance, a candidate submitted a certificate for participation in a junior category (under 16) despite being 20 years old — and was still given the job. In another, a candidate ranked 88th was included in the merit list, while another with a 51st rank was excluded.
Some candidates claimed to have submitted national-level certificates (Form II) but were marked ineligible, allegedly due to “non-submission” of documents. They allege large-scale corruption in the recruitment under the sports quota.
“I have been running from pillar to post, meeting ministers and senior officials in the Education and Sports departments for the past six months. Each time, they say the matter is being looked into, but nothing has been resolved. This has taken a toll on my mental health,” said a national-level player.
A senior official from the Education Department acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. “Even top legal experts in the state have flagged this issue. It is now in its final stages. All eligible and deserving candidates will be given their due,” the official assured.
