Quota System Ends: Andhra Pradesh Prioritises Local Students in Admissions

Higher Education Reshaped: Andhra Pradesh Phases Out Telangana Student Quota

The conclusion of a key legislative mandate has brought a notable shift in Andhra Pradesh’s higher education policies. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, was enacted to ensure a smooth transition in governance, representation, and resource allocation between the two states. One of its significant provisions, Section 95, mandated the continuation of existing admission quotas in government and private institutions, including higher, technical, and medical education, for ten years to provide equal opportunities to students from both states.

With these ten years, officially ending on 2 June 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government has now decided to discontinue the 15 per cent admission quota that previously allowed students from Telangana and other states to secure seats in professional, undergraduate, and postgraduate colleges within the state. The phase-out of this system marks a major change in admission policies, reshaping student access to educational institutions across Andhra Pradesh.

This transition highlights the evolving education landscape, reflecting the state’s approach to prioritising local students while aligning admissions policies with post-reorganisation governance. In response to concerns raised by students and parents, the Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) presented a report to the government, emphasising the need for this change to protect the interests of local students. The government, aiming to avoid legal complications, subsequently announced revised rules governing admissions to professional and other courses.

Kona Sasidhar, the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, confirmed that the amendments, effective from the 2025-26 academic year, would apply to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes in various fields, including Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Architecture, and Pharm. D, Business Administration, Computer Applications, Law, Education, and Physical Education, through both regular and lateral entry modes.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to amend the Andhra Pradesh Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions) Order, 1974, to reflect these changes. A government order (GO) has been issued, ensuring that all seats in higher and technical education colleges will now be reserved solely for Andhra Pradesh students. In a similar move, Telangana also cancelled its 15 per cent non-local quota in higher education institutions on February 27, 2025, aligning its policy with that of Andhra Pradesh. This decision marks a pivotal shift in the state's higher education policies, prioritising local students' interests.

Editor’s Note:

The Andhra Pradesh government's decision to phase out the 15 per cent non-local quota for students from Telangana and other states marks a significant policy shift in the state’s higher education landscape. While this move is justified by the need to protect local students’ interests, it is bound to stir mixed reactions. On the one hand, it reinforces the priority for local students in an evolving post-reorganisation educational environment. On the other hand, it may limit opportunities for students from neighbouring states who have been relying on the quota system for a decade. This change reflects a broader trend towards aligning educational policies with the state’s governance priorities, but it risks narrowing access to higher education for non-local students. The long-term effects on student diversity and interstate academic collaboration remain to be seen. Students from Telangana and other states may face increased competition for limited seats, potentially leading to a more insular higher education system.

Skoobuzz believes that the government should take a more inclusive approach such as transitional provisions or reserved seats in key disciplines could help maintain student diversity and academic collaboration while ensuring equitable opportunities in higher education.