High Enrolment and Low Public Spending in Telangana’s Colleges

Hyderabad: A state-wide review shows Telangana with a 40 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and near-universal school attendance of 99 per cent in the 6–14 age group is lagging behind in many respects.

More than two-thirds of its colleges operate with fewer than 500 students, while the state continues to trail in adult literacy.

A report released here by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies on Wednesday pieces together district-level data, national surveys, and budget records to show the mismatch between strong enrolment growth and uneven access -- with low public spending and stark regional and social gaps.

The study notes that Telangana’s 15–17 age cohort has a 95 per cent attendance rate and almost half of all 18–23-year-olds are currently studying. This surge is rooted in a generational shift: the 1980s’ birth cohort marked a turning point in education attainment after the earlier decades were marked by low enrolment, high dropout and widespread child labour.

“But, the expansion has created a fragmented landscape with over 2,000 colleges, around 500 standalone institutions and more than 1,000 professional and technical colleges, many of which remain small, single-disciplinary, and qualitatively uneven.”

At the launch of the report, Sukhadeo Thorat said higher education must impart scientific and quality knowledge. “Inequality and limited access to quality teaching continue to restrict that mission.”

He drew special attention to large numbers of faculty vacancies across state universities and the pressure this places on learning outcomes and student mobility.

Chairing the session, Jandhyala B G Tilak said the growth in institutional numbers was undeniable, with the number of Telangana’s universities increasing from fewer than seven in the 1990s to more than 40 today. But the heavy tilt towards private colleges and the state’s low literacy rate compared with many others showed that “quantitative expansion cannot hide growing inequalities,” especially between wealthier households and those pushed into high private costs.

Former NCPCR chair Shanta Sinha described the demand for higher education as “explosive”, noting how many students now juggle part-time work and studies.

She said privatisation has created an undemocratic and exclusionary environment that “leaves out those without financial support.”

Presenting the findings, CESS director Revathi said, “Telangana’s advances since the 1980s are substantial but quality and affordability are the barriers the state must now confront.”

The report shows gaps across districts. Most institutions are concentrated around Hyderabad, Warangal, Hanmakonda and Khammam, leaving several regions underserved.

While gender parity has been achieved and Scheduled Caste enrolment matches the state average, Scheduled Tribe enrolment remains slightly lower.

The study also raises structural issues of the dominance of small colleges, limited multidisciplinary options, governance burdens on a handful of affiliating universities and weak NAAC and NIRF performance across state institutions.

Public spending: Public spending was another concern. The study found Telangana spends around 2 per cent of its GSDP on education, compared with an average of 3 per cent by many states. Education spend forms less than 15 per cent of the state budget despite Telangana having one of the highest per capita incomes in India.

This gap, the report says, shifts costs onto families and increases private expenditure, even as scholarships and fee reimbursements fall short of student needs.

The document also examines whether Telangana can reach the National Education Policy goal of a 50 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035. “Progress will depend on tackling long-standing financial constraints, strengthening public institutions, addressing faculty vacancies, and ensuring equitable access across districts.”

• 40% Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education

• 99% school attendance (6–14 years)

• 95% attendance (15–17 years)

• Nearly 50% of 18–23-year-olds currently studying

• Two-thirds of colleges have under 500 students

• 40+ universities today (fewer than 7 in the 1990s)

• Education spend ~2% of GSDP (states average 3%)

• Education forms under 15% of the state budget

• SC enrolment = state average

• ST enrolment slightly lower

• Institutions concentrated around Hyderabad, Warangal, Hanmakonda, Khammam

• Major concerns: faculty vacancies, privatisation pressure, weak NAAC/NIRF performance, small single-disciplinary colleges, high private costs, low adult literacy