PEN For Inter Students Across Telangana
Intermediate Education department director and Telangana Board of Intermediate Education secretary Abhilasha Abhinav said the PEN would be introduced from the 2026‑27 academic year as per Central government orders
HYDERABAD: Starting this academic year, intermediate students will be assigned a Permanent Education Number (PEN), an 11‑digit identifier that will remain with them throughout their learning journey. The PEN will serve as a reference from pre‑primary to higher education, including research and upskilling stages.
The initiative, applicable to all students regardless of college management, is aimed at tracking academic progress and identifying dropouts. The PEN will carry details such as name, date of birth, gender and study particulars, enabling officials to monitor students even if they migrate to other institutions within or outside the state. It may also be printed on intermediate marks memos.
Intermediate Education department director and Telangana Board of Intermediate Education secretary Abhilasha Abhinav said the PEN would be introduced from the 2026‑27 academic year as per Central government orders. “The PEN will be like an Aadhaar number. It can be used to track if any student has dropped out,” she said.
The move comes amid declining continuation rates in government junior colleges. In 2025‑26, second‑year enrollment fell by about 17,000 compared to the previous year. While first‑year admissions rose, second‑year numbers dropped, raising concerns over retention.
Abhilasha said the trend of dropouts was visible nationwide. “Students join and later shift to other courses. Now, they can be tracked with the PEN. This year’s enrollment figures will be known by November during exam fee payment,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the TG BIE extended the admission deadline to September 7, urging parents and students to complete the process in affiliated junior colleges.