Future of 35,000 undergraduate students hangs in the balance-Telangana Today

Some 235 private and corporate colleges operating in mixed-occupancy buildings have not yet received TG BIE affiliation for 2024-25.

Hyderabad: The future of over 35,000 intermediate students hangs in the balance as around 235 private and corporate colleges, operating in mixed-occupancy buildings, are yet to receive affiliation from the TG BIE for the academic year 2024-25.

Without affiliation, students cannot register for Intermediate Public Examinations (IPE) March 2025 and registrations with a late fee of Rs.2,000. ends Friday.

The issue stems from the refusal of the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE) to grant affiliation to these colleges, which operate in the buildings housing the colleges and commercial establishments like shops, as they have failed to comply with fire safety. These colleges in particular failed to obtain a no-objection certificate from the fire brigade, a critical requirement to gain board affiliation.

Most of these private colleges operating in mixed occupancy buildings are located in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medchal – Malkajgiri districts and few district towns.

As per GO 29 issued by the Home Department in 2020, all colleges, which are 15 meters high and exist in mixed occupancy buildings, must apply to Telangana State Fire Services and Disaster Response Department requesting NoC. However, several colleges failed to receive fire NoCs as they did not meet the required fire safety norms.

In 2022, the government kept GO 29 on hold for two academic years i.e. 2022-23 and 2023-24. The colleges have been directed to take the declaration forms from each student acknowledging that the junior colleges are currently functioning in a mixed occupancy building and the management cannot get a fire NoC from the concerned department.

Making it clear to the colleges that no further extension will be granted, the Board directed the colleges to shift to a suitable building for the academic year 2024-25. However, colleges admitted students.

“Second year students were allowed to register for the inter-exams as they were admitted in 2023-2024 when GO 29 was held in abeyance. The problem is with first year students. The board has already taken up the issue with the government and a decision is expected next week. We have also come to know that these colleges have not received the statement from the students and their parents,” a senior official told ‘Telangana Today’.

If the government refuses to accept these colleges, first-year students will be asked to register for IPE from government colleges and the date of registrations will be extended, the senior official added.