Private professional colleges across Telangana have gone on an indefinite strike, demanding the immediate release of long-pending fee reimbursement and scholarship arrears from the state government. The agitation, led by the Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions (FATHI), has brought academic operations in nearly 1,500 colleges to a standstill and left lakhs of students without classes.
The federation claims that the state government owes private colleges around ₹10,000 crore under the Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (RTF) and Maintenance Fee (MTF) schemes, which support students from economically weaker sections.
The Core Issue: Unpaid Dues and Broken Promises
The immediate trigger for the strike was the government’s failure to release ₹900 crore by November 1, a deadline earlier agreed upon. College managements allege that the government had initially promised ₹1,200 crore before Diwali, but released only ₹300 crore, leaving institutions struggling to sustain operations.
As a result, FATHI has demanded the immediate release of at least ₹5,000 crore—half of the total outstanding dues—as a condition to withdraw the strike and resume academic activities.
Scale of the Shutdown
The strike has led to the closure of over 1,500 private professional colleges, including:
- Engineering and Pharmacy Colleges
- MBA and MCA Institutes
- Degree and Polytechnic Colleges
This has disrupted the academic schedule of more than 10 lakh students across Telangana. The indefinite closure has also prompted appeals to postpone upcoming university exams, as many students were turned away from campuses without notice.
“We came for our internal exams but were told they’re postponed without a new date,” said a first-year degree student in Hyderabad.
Timeline of the Agitation
FATHI has announced a series of large-scale protests to press for their demands:
- November 8: A massive meeting at LB Stadium in Hyderabad, expected to draw nearly 30,000 faculty and staff members.
- November 11: A “Long March” to the State Secretariat, where around 10 lakh students and college representatives are expected to participate.
The federation has also warned that if the state government fails to meet its demands, it will lay siege to the residences of elected officials in the following weeks.
Government Reaction
In response, the Telangana government has reportedly ordered a vigilance and enforcement inquiry into private educational institutions to verify whether any financial irregularities occurred in the handling of reimbursement funds.
However, college associations have criticized the move, calling it an attempt to “blackmail and intimidate” institutions into withdrawing the strike.
Impact on Students
The ongoing strike has left students anxious and uncertain about their future. Many are concerned about their academic calendars, upcoming exams, and placement drives.
- Internal exams have been postponed indefinitely.
- Universities are being urged to defer semester examinations.
- Several colleges have reportedly delayed the issuance of certificates due to financial strain.
Student organizations have extended support to the strike, acknowledging that delayed fee reimbursements have crippled colleges’ ability to pay faculty salaries and maintain infrastructure.
What FATHI Is Demanding
FATHI’s key demands include:
- Immediate release of ₹5,000 crore, which is half of the total ₹ 10,000 crore dues.
- A clear, time-bound plan from the state government to release the remaining dues.
- Transparency and accountability in the reimbursement process to prevent recurring delays.
According to the federation, the strike will continue until these demands are met.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
The prolonged delay in government reimbursements has had a cascading effect:
- Colleges are struggling to pay faculty salaries, leading to staff attrition.
- Infrastructure and labs in several institutions are under-maintained.
- Students from low-income families face difficulties in continuing education, as colleges depend on reimbursements to cover tuition waivers.
Experts warn that if the situation continues, it could erode confidence in the state’s higher education ecosystem and discourage private investments in the sector.
What Happens Next
The next few days are crucial. The state government may announce partial releases or initiate negotiations with college associations to avoid a prolonged academic breakdown. However, unless funds are disbursed swiftly, the academic calendar for lakhs of students will likely be disrupted.
FATHI has made it clear that unless the government meets its financial obligations, the strike will continue indefinitely, affecting not just colleges but also the reputation of Telangana’s higher education system.
Conclusion
The Telangana college strike has highlighted a deep financial and administrative crisis within the state’s higher education system. With ₹10,000 crore in dues and thousands of livelihoods at stake, both the government and institutions face mounting pressure to reach a resolution.
As the strike continues to disrupt classes and examinations, students remain the biggest casualties—caught between government delays and institutional distress. The coming days will determine whether this standoff leads to long-term reform or deepens the crisis in Telangana’s education sector.
