Telangana private colleges plan to boycott CETs over fee reimbursement dues

Private professional colleges in Telangana are planning to boycott common entrance tests such as TG EAPCET, ICET, EdCET, and LAWCET, citing massive fee reimbursement arrears from the State government. The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) said dues have crossed Rs 10,000 crore.

Hyderabad: The managements of the Telangana private professional colleges are planning to boycott all common entrance tests, including the TG EAPCET and to hold their own admissions for the forthcoming academic year. The move is being planned due to inordinate delay in the release of fee reimbursement arrears by the State government.

Every year, the government holds CETs such as EAPCET, ICET, EdCET, LAWCET to fill up seats in engineering, pharmacy, law, BEd, MBA, MCA in the private professional colleges as well.

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However, the government has not been releasing fee reimbursement arrears for seats filled under the convener quota. As a result, dues have piled up over the years. The private colleges claim that fee reimbursement dues, including those of the present academic year, crossed Rs 10,000 crore.

Earlier, all managements of professional colleges under the banner of Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) called for an indefinite shutdown of colleges starting September 15, 2025. However, after talks with the government, which assured Rs 1,200 crore, nearly Rs 300 crore was released on October 1, 2025.

Later, during Dasara festival, the colleges upped the ante against the government and decided to organise a ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest, involving faculty and students. This protest forced the government to release nearly Rs 200 crore.

“So far, nearly Rs 500 crore out of Rs 1,500 crore that had been demanded by the colleges has been released. Overall, the government owes over Rs 10,000 crore fee dues to the private colleges,” said a private college owner.

According to a FATHI senior representative, the colleges have been facing severe financial difficulties due to unpaid fee reimbursement dues.

“Even reputed colleges are struggling. We are planning to hold a meeting with all private colleges within the next three to four days and announce the next course of action. We will continue to fight until pending fee dues are released by the government,” said the FATHI representative, who owns a group of colleges.