Govt. amends GO 97; polytechnic education to remain with TGCHE

The State government has revised the administrative arrangement for technical education and skill development institutions in the State, bringing Young India Skills University (YISU) and government polytechnic colleges under the Council of Higher Education.

Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs) will be under the SHAKTI department. The government, through GO 157 dated November 13, amended its earlier GO 97 issued in June, which placed polytechnic education under SHAKTI department.

The government also clarified that although ITIs and ATCs will remain administratively under SHAKTI, their curricula will be regulated by YISU. This arrangement separates administrative supervision from academic and curriculum-related responsibilities.

The GO 97 had triggered widespread opposition from polytechnic students, lecturers and employees, who raised concerns over the proposed restructuring of the technical education system. They had argued that bringing government polytechnics under the SHAKTI and YISU framework could affect the existing academic structure, institutional autonomy and career prospects of diploma students.

They also feared dilution of the role of the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET), which oversees diploma-level academic matters, examinations and certification. Students also expressed apprehensions about the potential impact on the Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET), which provides lateral-entry opportunities for diploma holders into engineering programmes.

Following protests, the State government appointed a high-level committee headed by Advisor K. Keshava Rao to examine the concerns with all stakeholders. Following consultations, the committee submitted its recommendations to the government, paving way to the GO 157.