Overview

• The Supreme Court set aside Telangana High Court rulings and upheld the state’s 2017 rules as amended in 2024, allowing appeals by the government and the university.
• A bench of CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran held the four-year study-or-residence criterion for 85% state-quota seats is neither arbitrary nor unconstitutional under Article 371D.
• The court accepted a proviso exempting children of Telangana-origin government, defence and PSU personnel whose service compelled schooling outside the state, subject to prescribed certificates.
• The bench faulted the High Court for expanding ‘local’ status to permanent residents and for issuing directions without a workable legal definition or certification mechanism for residence.
• Telangana and KNRUHS are expected to issue amended notifications and procedures to operationalize the exception, prior admissions remain undisturbed, and parents have voiced mixed reactions.