19/08/2026
Hundreds of diploma students in uniform have been marching, doing sit-ins, and blocking roads across the state under banners like ‘SAVE SBTET 🔥’. The mobilization is massive and statewide - from Warangal streets to campuses like GPT Kesamudram, Govt Polytechnic Mahabubnagar, Masabtank, Shadnagar, Ghatkesar, Husnabad and GIOE. Videos show students chanting, holding Telugu and English placards, and being interviewed by local news channels 
It’s largely peaceful and organized, with police observing, students filming, and student unions leading it.
Why are they protesting
Students say the Telangana government issued GO 97 under the SHAKTI / Skills University / YISU framework to abolish the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET) and merge polytechnic diploma colleges, ITI and ATC institutions under a Skills University and the Labour Department 
Their fear is:
• Lateral entry will be lost - The caption and interviews explain 95% of diploma students use SBTET to get lateral entry into B.Tech. Students say the reform will break “THE CHAIN TO HIGHER EDUCATION”
• Diploma identity loss - Placards read “WE ARE DIPLOMA STUDENTS WE OPPOSE”, “WE ARE NOT SKILL LABOURS” and “DIPLOMA STUDENTS DESERVE RESPECT” 
• Jobs and future - At Mahabubnagar (est. 1956), students argued the merger would jeopardize government jobs, higher education and entrepreneurship opportunities
Slogans you’re seeing everywhere: “NO MERGE NO COMPROMISE”, “NO SHAKTI NO SUTTHI”, “WE WANT SBTET”, “WE WANT JUSTICE
What students are demanding
1. Withdraw GO 97 and the SHAKTI merger plan
2. Keep SBTET as an independent technical education board
3. Protect lateral entry to B.Tech, fair exams, and government job eligibility
4. Release pending results and seat allotments quickly
