Article Today, Hyderabad:
Engineering admissions in several private colleges across Hyderabad and neighbouring districts have come under sharp criticism. Allegations have surfaced that top institutions treated education as a commercial venture, selling management quota seats at exorbitant prices. Parents and student groups claim that seats were allotted not on merit but to those who could pay large sums in cash.
Violation of Guidelines
According to the rules, 30 per cent of seats under the management quota must be allocated in a transparent manner. Guidelines issued on June 17 state that priority must be given first to non-resident Indians, then to candidates with Joint Entrance Examination ranks, and finally to those with EAMCET ranks. The guidelines also require public notification of the admission process and disclosure of selected candidates with their ranks. Reports suggest that almost none of the 20 prominent colleges followed these procedures.
Capitation Fees Alleged
Parents alleged that colleges demanded between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.25 lakh for seats in high-demand branches such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science. Many of these payments were reportedly collected without receipts, raising concerns of tax evasion and lack of accountability. Students and parents expressed distress, saying that talented candidates without financial resources lost opportunities despite strong academic performance.
Fear Among Parents
Several parents admitted reluctance to lodge formal complaints, fearing that doing so might affect their children’s future. This silence, according to student unions, has emboldened colleges to continue the practice unchecked. Student organisations have taken up the issue and submitted written complaints to the Telangana State Council of Higher Education, urging immediate intervention.
Notices to 20 Colleges
Responding to the complaints, the Higher Education Council has issued showcause notices to 20 engineering colleges accused of violating norms. The institutions have been asked to submit explanations within a week. Officials have begun scrutinising the admission lists submitted by the colleges. If these lists are not approved, B-category admissions may face cancellation. However, doubts remain over whether the action will go beyond notices or result in stronger penalties.
Call for Stronger Action
Students and parents argue that token measures will not address the deep-rooted issues in the private education system. They insist that only strict enforcement of rules and accountability can restore fairness in admissions. Observers note that the outcome of this scrutiny will determine whether merit regains its place in engineering education or whether capitation-driven practices persist.
