HYDERABAD: Mancherial and Adilabad recorded the highest number of degree colleges with zero admissions in Telangana for the 2026–27 academic year, according to data released by the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE).
Each district had six private unaided degree colleges that failed to admit a single student.
Khammam followed with five such colleges. Nirmal, Ranga Reddy and Kamareddy recorded four each. Bhadradri Kothagudem, Nizamabad and Siddipet had three colleges each with no admissions.
Across Telangana, 56 private unaided degree colleges admitted no students despite having a combined approved intake of 16,460 seats.
The trend remained almost unchanged from the previous academic year. In 2025–26, 54 colleges recorded zero admissions, with Khammam topping the list.
Kakatiya University has the highest number of affected colleges
University-wise, Kakatiya University accounted for 34 of the 56 colleges with zero admissions.
Telangana University had seven such colleges. Osmania University reported six, followed by Palamuru University with four. Mahatma Gandhi University had three, while Satavahana University recorded two.
TGCHE chairperson Prof V. Balakista Reddy said the trend reflects student preference for established institutions. He also pointed to poor infrastructure and faculty shortages in many rural colleges.
“Students prefer some colleges, and their seats get filled immediately. Rural degree colleges are struggling because they lack faculty and infrastructure,” he said.
TGCHE warns of action against non-performing colleges
Prof Reddy said the council regularly reviews the performance of colleges with poor admissions.
“If a college fails to get admissions for three consecutive years, we can close it or cancel its affiliation,” he said.
Private colleges blame fee reimbursement delays
K. Ramdas, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Higher Institutions (FATHI), Telangana, said private colleges are facing pressure due to the rapid expansion of government degree colleges.
He also said delays in fee reimbursement have worsened the situation.
“Many students eligible for fee reimbursement prefer government colleges. They avoid private colleges because reimbursement payments remain uncertain,” he said.
