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The Telangana Degree Online Services (DOST) admissions for the 2026–27 academic year were expected to reflect the Telangana Council of Higher Education’s (TGCHE) ambitious reforms, including revised curricula, industry-oriented courses, and a greater emphasis on skills and employability. Yet, of the nearly 4.37 lakh undergraduate seats on offer, only about 1.71 lakh have been filled after multiple phases of counselling across more than 900 colleges, raising questions about the future of conventional degree education and the impact of the reforms.
Undeterred by the numbers, TGCHE Chairman V. Balakista Reddy, an academic and expert in International Law, remains optimistic. “Change can be brought, and Telangana will become a role model in higher education in the country,” he says. In an interaction with The Hindu, he discusses the reforms, the admission trends, and the road ahead.
The admission figures and choices paint a bleak picture. Why is the seat-supply imbalance so large?
As of now, about 1.71 lakh local candidates have been allotted seats. There was high demand for Commerce. But the numbers are not unusual and similar trends have been witnessed in previous years.
Over the years, many private degree colleges increased their intake, but the number of students completing Intermediate, those opting for professional courses, and the declining demand for traditional degree programmes have created a surplus.
What was the thinking behind introducing new-age programmes?
We introduced Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, FinTech, Defence and Security Studies, Aviation and Air Traffic Management, Tourism, Healthcare, Climate Science, Maritime Management, and many other courses. The aim is to transform traditional degree education into skill-based, career-oriented programmes that meet future industry and societal needs.
Our belief is that real change in higher education can only be brought through degree education, not just engineering or any specific professional course. If we implement these varied programmes, that change is 100% possible, and Telangana will become a role model for higher education in the country.
Despite the introduction of new programmes and curriculum revision, why does B.Com continue to remain the most preferred choice among degree aspirants?
The B.Com curriculum was also revised and modernised to suit the changing scenario and make students employable. Traditionally, the course has remained an easy choice because of candidates’ preference for competitive and banking examinations. Another major reason was that several new programmes entered the DOST admission process relatively late, during the third phase, due to delays in approvals for some institutions.
Do colleges have the infrastructure and faculty capacity to deliver these courses effectively?
We are expanding access significantly. Unlike universities, degree colleges do not face a shortage of staff. There are some infrastructure-related challenges, and these are being addressed. Established government and private colleges already have the necessary infrastructure.
Through industry-linked programmes, MoUs, faculty training, industry exposure, and mandatory internships, we will standardise learning across coursework, disciplines, and colleges.
With the admission cycle nearing conclusion, what will be TGCHE’s focus areas and roadmap for improving the higher education landscape?
The special phase has concluded and we will now conduct spot admissions, which will also be open to non-local candidates. Through this, we expect to fill around 20,000 more seats.
TGCHE’s focus will be on making degree education future-ready by producing skilled graduates, promoting innovation, and strengthening industry linkages. It may take time, but we will improve the outreach for new-age courses and achieve that change. We will also address the seat imbalance through policy initiatives.
English (US) ·